• Embed Doc
  • Copy Link
  • Readcast
  • Collections
  • CommentGo Back
Download
 
 JUDY GARLAND
 
“World’s Greatest Entertainer”
Book by Greer FirestoneWhen Dorothy Gale entered Oz, Judy Garland enteredimmortality. The movie has been seen by almost every childwho has seen a movie and therefore Judy will live forever inour hearts. ‘Rainbow’ is the most popular song ever; amystical, lyrical and melodic story of a child’s spiritual passagefrom adolescence to adulthood. ‘Rainbow’ never fails to evokeemotion. ‘Trolley Song’ and ‘Boy Next Door’, ‘The Man That GotAway’ are canonized in motion picture history and areincluded.'The Chairman of the Himself thought Judy ‘The World’sGreatest Entertainer’. Her incandescent movie and stagecareer AND her incomparable gift for touching peoples’ soulswith her magical voice are set against her tumultuous personallife. But
hardly 
is this a melancholy show. Judy’s personal lifewas unstable and lonely – even being the brightest star in thefirmament. Your audiences will be shared facts about her lifethat are stunning in respect to her great achievements. Theywill admire Judy even more by fully understanding her singularperseverance.
1
 
Having Liza, Frank and Dean around to sing their signaturesongs won’t hurt either. The three of them loved and admired Judy – and it shows.The setting is a 1960’s television studio. Framed around the TVshow, ‘This Is Your Life’, Judy and Liza enter the studio and are
surprised 
by an unnamed entertainment columnist. He willemcee the proceedings and set up the legendary tunes.Halfway through the first act, two of Judy’s greatest celebrityfriends, Frank and Dean, join in the act. They celebrate Judy’slife through song and croon some fan favorites while providingRat Pack shtick.Act II has very little dialogue. Your audience sits back andenjoys.Four iconic figures sung by singer/actors who channel theirmusic; two dozen legendary tunes; one set; minimal costumesand tech.I would suggest that a producer/director obtain DVD’s of ThisIs Your Life. Additionally, there are many resources to research Judy. I have personally cast my own production to have theperformers impersonate the sound, style and mannerisms of the four legendary performers.With Best of Broadway Productions World Premiere in May of 2007, there will be valuable notes from the director and addedshtick amongst the characters that will find it way into thefinal script. The Judy, Frank & Dean material is from their 1962TV spectacular, “Judy, Frank and Dean – Once in a Lifetime”.Should your own theatre company license JUDY, consultationfrom the writer/director are at no charge and welcomed.
Characters
 Judy – at age 39; the more mature JudyFrank – classic persona of the late ‘50’s and ‘60’sDean – same as aboveLiza – hyperactive persona – The Liza we know and love fromthe ‘70’sEmcee – NY Times columnist
2
 
Costumes
 
: Multiple costumes for the two women,reminiscent of their different periods and theirperformances. Pictures/representations to be part of rental/royalty package. (E.g. Judy: Classic Judy in tights,short coat and fedora for first two numbers w/ black hose; sequin half jacket w/ toreador pants for end of Act Iand more glamorous sequin gown for Act II. Hobo outfitsfor women for “Couple of Swells” ( see EASTER PARADEwith Fred Astaire)Liza: White suit for Act 1. Short spangled mini skirt forCabaret “Sally Bowles”, etc.Frank and Dean – period suits in Act I; tuxes for Act II..
Set
: In the premiere production I will be using two spotlights. In many of the videos available on Judy, spots wereutilized with much drama. Blown up graphics of Judy pr shotsflown around set and highlighted during appropriate numbers.Liquor bar SL stocked with bottles. Two bar stools.
Music
 
: Combo OR fully orchestrated CD. Venue’s choice. CD isadded cost. BoB Productions Premiere show incorporatedsynthesizer and drums.
Atmosphere
 
: 1960’s TV station. Intimate, interactiveconversations with Emcee, Judy and Liza. All parties speak directly to the audience and, if possible, play the audience.Dean & Frank do their shtick with atmosphere of ‘spontaneity’.Depending on theatre environment, the more LasVegas/cabaret type of feel that can be provoked, the better.Our audiences responded to the performers ‘working; theaudience.House lights down. (Special or spot – DSC)
Emcee: Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen. Well,you are in for a treat tonight. Over the many years of TIYL, we have chronicled the lives of countless of America’s greatest personalities for our 50 million TVhome viewers. But I guarantee that no star shinesbrighter in the firmament than our surprise guest thisevening…
the World’s Greatest Entertainer 
… Miss JudyGarland.
3
of 00

Leave a Comment

You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...
You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...