Hosts Klea Blackhurst and John Fricke took delightful charge of JUDY! A Garland of Song at the third night of the Mabel Mercer Foundation’s New York Cabaret Convention. Blackhurst is a hosting and performing staple of the Convention and Fricke is a world-renowned authority on Garland (as well as on The Wizard of Oz). The two have worked together before and so presented an evening of superb entertainment filled with performance and narrative—anecdotes and tidbits about Garland and her life and world— plus humor and plenty of prime talent. And… their opening number “That’s Judy Garland” was a special treat with the lyrics of Jerry Herman to the tune of “That’s Entertainment.”
But why Judy Garland? Not only was she a true icon and legend who’s attained a level of immortality, affecting lives not only in her lifetime but well into this day, but it turns out that 2019 is the anniversary of many, many memorable points in Garland’s life. It’s the 80th anniversary of the release of The Wizard of Oz for one, the film that brought Garland to the fore and for which she’ll always be remembered at the very least.
Among the many high points of the show were two standouts: nineteen-year-old Hannah Jane Peterson was surprised with the presentation of the Julie Wilson Award (underwritten by Linda and Peter Hanson). The much-loved cabaret icon in his own right, Sidney Myer, had a rapt audience in his hand as he related the story of his accidental (and stunning) youthful encounter with Garland one of concerts. It was a story of cosmic proportion, related as only this master storyteller could. For those attending this evening’s festivities it was equally special to be part of an audience to share in Myer’s very personal and beautiful recollection.
Also memorable was the show’s end. The intention was to have Garland herself play out with “Over the Rainbow.” A darkened stage, a microphone in a special light, and a recording of legend herself singing… but there was a technical snafu several bars into the song. Blackhurst and Fricke stepped in and went into action, leading the audience in singing the song. Either way, the ending concluded a masterful and thoroughly delightful show.
All photos by Maryann Lopinto
The performers of JUDY! A Garland of Song were (in order of appearance) Act One: Jennifer Sheehan, Will Nunziata, Anthony Nunziata, Carole J. Bufford, Hannah Jane Peterson, Nathan Chang and Natalie Douglas. Act Two: Stephanie Blythe, Leanne Borghesi, Sidney Myer, Ruby Rakos, Karen Mason, Billy Stritch, and Klea Blackhurst.
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