Dear Miss Garland
The Stoneham Theatre is currently showcasing Kathy St. George’s one-woman tribute to the life and music of Judy Garland. The show is in two very different acts: the first features St. George telling the story of Judy’s life against the background of an elegant dressing room full of costumes and props from her career. The second has St. George and a live band recreating a live concert based on Judy’s famous appearance at Carnegie Hall. While the first half is enjoyable and often charming, it is the second that will have you shouting for more.
The first act is problematic because although St. George is a spirited actress she doesn’t sing in a full-out Garland manner. Rather she effortlessly slips into the singer’s persona to tell anecdotes and stories from her life; but when she sings, accompanied only by a pianist, it is in a soft and restrained style that doesn’t quite work. It’s especially odd given the boffo second act in which St. George lets it all fly and sings her heart out ala Judy.
But all that is not to say that the first act is not thoroughly enjoyable with many engaging and lovely moments. The highlight is St. George’s hilarious reenactment of the entire movie The Wizard of Oz in under five minutes. The routine showcases St. George’s performing gifts and endears her to the audience early in the show. After that she will have you eating out of the palm of her hand.
The second act with the live band concert is a must-see moment in Boston theatre. Even if you are just a casual fan of Judy’s music seeing St. George recreate Garland’s stage persona in full costume with all Judy’s quirky mannerisms and moves belting out Swanee, Chicago, The Man That Got Away (and more) is a thrill. At the end of the second act St. George had the audience on their feet for an extended and well-deserved ovation. Although St. George doesn’t quite sound like Garland (but then again who does?); she certainly does a great job of capturing the essence of Garland’s bravura stage presence and take-no-prisoners performance style. St. George’s diminutive physical resemblance to Judy is often striking and several times caused audible gasps of recognition from the audience.
This show is just another great example of the top quality productions that the Stoneham Theatre regularly stages and we should all feel lucky to have such a great venue in the neighborhood. And it’s only 10 minutes north of Boston so you have no excuses for missing this show.
Dear Miss Garland runs through June 28 with performances Thursdays - Sundays. Tickets are $20 - $40. Visit the Stoneham Theatre online at www.stonehamtheatre.org or call the box office at 781-279-2200.
