Judy Garland

And Now Ladies and Gentleman, Miss Judy Garland


This 90-minute (no intermission) show opens with Judy, garbed in a white pant-suit, attempting to deal with a tape recorder in her London hotel room. She is struggling to record memories of her life for a book to be written as she needs the cash.

Through her reminiscences, we learn that she began performing at a tender two-years-old in Grand Rapids, Minnesota and appeared in vaudeville as part of the GUMM SISTERS with her siblings and parents. She complains about how many people stole money from her and reveals that it was George Jessel, the noted comedian, who gave her the last name of Garland which later became Judy Garland. This is part 1 of a 2 part presentation with Tim Evans at the piano (that I think needs tuning).

Kathy St. George, formerly a school teacher from Stoneham, plays Judy. She offers a pleasant presentation of Judy without Judy’s vibrato. Otherwise she’s mastered the hand mannerisms and hair (wig) and in Part II makes three costume changes. She first appears in a silver beaded top with blue skirt, later changes on stage behind a theatre trunk into a black dress and finally into a tramp outfit to sing, A COUPLE OF SWELLS, a song made famous in one of Judy’s movies with Fred Astaire.

During the second act she sings all the songs identified with Judy Garland, including-
I’LL GO MY WAY BY MYSELF,
ONCE IN A LIFETIME,
WHAT A DAY THIS HAS BEEN,
THIS CAN’T BE LOVE,
ALMOST LIKE BEING IN LOVE,
I’M ALWAYS CHASING RAINBOWS,
ZING WENT THE STRINGS OF MY HEART, (which she sang as an audition for MGM,)
YOU MADE ME LOVE YOU,
THE BELLS ARE RINGING FOR ME AND MY GAL,
THE TROLLEY SONG,
GET HAPPY (with Soft Hat),
THE MAN THAT GOT AWAY,
CHICAGO,
A COUPLE OF SWELLS,
and SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW.

There was a standing ovation in the half-empty theatre. It makes for a good summer theatre presentation and is entertaining. The show closes July 1 and plays Wednesday-Saturday at 8PM and Sundays at 3PM. There is also a matinee on June 27, 2PM. For more information about the show, check out www.andnowjudygarland.com.


And Now Ladies and Gentlemen, Miss Judy Garland
LYRIC STAGE
140 Clarendon Street
Boston, MA
617-585-5678