Theater Review: Holiday Cheer Runneth Over in ‘We 3 Lizas’

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CHICAGO – What is the remedy for the holiday blues? How about a dose of “Liza with a ‘Z’!” The sparkling and funny “We Three Lizas” is back for the holiday season from About Face Theatre of Chicago, just in time for the lights and tinsel. Danielle Plisz, Mark David Kaplan and Bethany Thomas play the three title Liza Minellis, with a deft direction by Scott Ferguson.

Play Rating: 4.0/5.0

Premiering last holiday season, and back by popular demand, the musical play has a merry and bright crafting at the new Stage 773 in Chicago. This is a twist on “A Christmas Carol,” involving New York fashion and trends, with a dose of past, present and heavenly Liza Minnelli. All three Lizas add the pizazz, but it is the amazing Danielle Plisz – as young Liza – that heightens her every scene with an impression that is so amazing, you’ll believe that Ms. M in her prime has come back to entertain us. The rest of the cast sparkle around her as well, having a ball making the virtuous parody come to life. There are memorable songs, hilarious 1970s New York memories and a little bit of romance to fill your stocking.

Danielle Plisz, Andrew Swan, Scott Duff and John Francisco of “We 3 Lizas’ Photo credit: Michael Brosilow for About Face Theatre

Conrad (Scott Duff) is a has-been fashion designer trying to formulate a comeback during the holiday season. His one and only employee is the put-upon Reggie (Dana Tretta), who is trying to keep a corporate auditor named Donna (Sharriese Hamilton) away from the company books. The “Conrad Box” is a concept that the designer is trying to hang onto, and it will take three witches (Danielle Plisz, Mark David Kaplan and Bethany Thomas) – who also play the three Liza Minnellis – to show Conrad the error of his ways.

What sounds like high camp is actually solid musical theater, with a ton of knowing laughs. The songs, including “Holiday Special,” “The Right Angle” and “Balls to You,” have the hummable quality of memorable Broadway tunes, and add to the hilarity of the characters and settings. The staging is simple, with video projection on white cubes that add texture, and a sparkly backdrop for the young Liza as she makes her grand entrance.

And what an entrance from the absolutely stellar Danielle Plisz. The actor becomes the “Liza with a Z!” era Minnelli with perfect detail to the presence of that one-of-a-kind performer, so much so that there is a hope that someone would produce a stage version of Liza’s “Cabaret,” especially for Plisz to perform. The modern Liza is a camped-up Mark David Kaplan, who performs hilariously, channeling Ms. M’s latest nightclub appearances. The heavenly Liza – Bethany Thomas – shines with gospel-like tune from the ethereal plane.

Mark David Kaplan, Bethany Thomas and Danielle Plisz are “We 3 Lizas’ Photo credit: Michael Brosilow for About Face Theatre

There are so many moments of glee – including Scott Duff as Conrad doing the “Right Angle” number, Conrad and the Lizas traveling through “time” (very funny stage craft), the incredible cast – including chorus boys John Francisco and Andrew Swan – taking on a multitude of roles and a flashback to the 1970s New York City disco era, complete with celebrities that populated that scene. It’s all just heroic holiday cheer, guaranteed to sway even the hardest of Grinches.

It is outstanding when our entertainment culture can produce two generations in one family of unforgettable personalities – this week is the 50th anniversary of Liza’s Momma, Judy Garland, taping one of the finest Christmas variety shows ever. Who appears in it, but a young Liza, making her show biz transition by serving up the song, “Steam Heat.” I’m dreaming of a Hot-Hot-Hot Christmas, and “We 3 Lizas” can handle the temperature.

By PATRICK McDONALD Senior Staff Writer HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com