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<p class="MsoNormal"><b style>Tracie Bennett
inhabits Judy Garland in END OF THE RAINBOW</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Judy Garland, who was born Ethel Gumm, started in show
business at the age of two-and-a-half.<span style>
</span>She later was coupled with her older siblings as the Gumm Sisters to
become a well known vaudeville act.<span style>
</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Renamed Judy Garland, she was signed to a Hollywood contract
and, in the late 1930s starred in the Andy Hardy movies with Mickey
Rooney.<span style> </span>She became America’s
sweetheart in such films as <i style>The Wizard of
Oz</i>, <i style>Strike Up the Band</i>, <i style>Babes on Broadway, For Me and My Gal </i>and<i style> Meet Me In Saint Louis</i>.<span style> </span>Songs such as “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,”
“The Trolley Song,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” and “Zing Went
the Strings of My Heart” became synonymous with her name.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As was the case with many child stars, in adulthood, she was
deeply troubled.<span style> </span>She became known
as being unreliable and unstable and her career ebbed and waned.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">She married for the first time at age 19 to bandleader David
Rose. It was a short-lived union.<span style>
</span>She went on to marry Vincent Minnelli, bore daughter Liza, and soon was
again divorced.<span style> </span>And so the pattern
of her life was set.<span style> </span>Short-term
relationships were ever present. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On June 22, 1969, at age 47, she died from an overdose of
pills.<span style> </span>She left behind a legacy of
great performances, special memories, and a number of fanatic fans.<span style> </span>Her popularity, over fifty years
after her demise, is still strong.<span style>
</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Peter Quilter’s END OF THE RAINBOW, which is loosely based
on the book, WEEP NO MORE MY LADY by Mickey Deans, Garland’s fifth and final
husband, focuses on the latter stages of her life.<span style> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the play, Garland is scheduled to appear at The Talk of
the Town, in London.<span style> </span>She is financially
broke, helplessly addicted to drugs and booze, and has had an affair with the
much younger Deans, thus bringing to an end her marriage to Mark Herron.<span style> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The drama with music makes it appear that Deans, who is
portrayed as having an abusive personality, was attempting to save Judy from
herself by restricting her addiction consumption.<span style> </span>Some sources allude to Deans using Garland for his own
advantages, such as making money from the tell-all book, which followed her
death.<span style> </span>Whatever the truth, the power
of the play comes out loud and clear.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is a well written script, with many emotional highs and
lows, some laughs, and, of course, some glorious vocal sounds.<span style> </span>As the program notes indicated, we are
exposed to the elegant Judy (<i style>The Man Who
Got Away), </i>the befuddled Judy (<i style>When
You’re Smiling</i>), the out-of-control Judy (<i style>Come Rain or Come Shine</i>).<span style>
</span>And, of course, there is Judy saying goodbye emotionally emoting <i style>Over the Rainbow</i>. <span style> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The production, under the eye of Terry Johnson, is
mesmerizing.<span style> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The cast is strong.<span style>
</span>Michael Cumpsty, as Judy’s gay long-time accompanist, is compelling as
the only person in Judy’s later life who appears to have her best interests at
heart.<span style> </span>Cumpsty is totally
believable in the role and is an excellent pianist.<span style> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Tom Pelphrey (Mickey) walks the fine line between caring and
manipulative, giving just enough smarminess to make us question whether he is a
good or bad guy.<span style> </span>Jay Russell is
fine in multiple minor roles.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The star of the show is the amazing Tracie Bennett as
Garland.<span style> </span>Bennett, who is making
her Broadway debut after an impressive theater, film and television, career,
claims to be “an actress by definition and not a singer.” <span style> </span>She is compelling in both capacities.<span style> </span>She doesn’t do a Garland imitation; she
inhabits the persona and soul of Judy.<span style>
</span>She compels us to believe, to accept that the real Judy is on
stage.<span style> </span><span style> </span>This is a fine performance, worthy of standing ovations and
awards!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The on-stage musicians are excellent.<span style> </span>They play well and support rather than
draw away attention from the action.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The technical aspects of the production are top notch.<span style> </span>William Dudley’s scene and
costume designs and Christopher Akerlind’s lighting enhance the style and mood.
</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style>Capsule
judgement:<span style> </span>END OF THE RAINBOW is a
compelling script that gets a top-notch production under the guidance of Terry
Johnson.<span style> </span>Tracie Bennett is
superlative, inhabiting the living presence of Judy Garland.<span style> </span>Bravo! </i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(In an open-ended run at the Belasco Theatre.)</p>