Concept & Song List

“When Dorothy Gale entered Oz, Judy Garland entered Immortality”

• WIZARD OF OZ - # 6 in 100 best movies of all time
  American Film Institute
  
• “Over The Rainbow” - # 1 best movie song of all time
  American Film Institute
  
• WIZARD OF OZ - # 3 best movie musical of all time
  American Film Institute
  
• WIZARD OF OZ - # 6 best movie quotes of all time – “Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore”.
  American Film Institute
  
• MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS - #10 best movie musical of all time
  American Film Institute
  
• Judy Garland Live At Carnegie Hall – 1961 Grammy Album of the year. 
  
  

A takeoff on the popular TV show of the ‘60’s and ‘70’s “This Is Your Life”. Our TV show is “Celebrity Story” and our surprise guest in the studio is Judy Garland. In turn, Judy’s ‘surprise’ guests are none other than Liza Minnelli, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. The four icons sing their signature and legendary tunes to our ‘studio’ audience, all of which are part of the Great American Songbook. A fun, interactive and ORIGINAL show.

May 7 1961, 3 weeks after Judy’s triumphant Carnegie Hall concert, deemed “the greatest night in show business history”. Judy thinks she is filming a promo spot in a local studio for her national tour. She is surprised by Emcee Walter Mitchell of the celebrated TV show “Celebrity Story” and the ‘studio’ audience. Songs and dance ensue.

Mitchell will converse with Judy (born Frances “Babe” Gumm) and chronicle her life, beginning at age 3 in vaudeville with The Three Singing Gumm Sisters. They chat about her audition at MGM at age 14 and the contract based on one song! Then they speak of her illustrious film and concert career.

We address adolescent Judy being given amphetamines and barbiturates by none other than mother Ethel…”to keep my little girl going”… eventually leading to drug and alcohol addiction. Judy never had a childhood, rehearsing in the morning and filming in the afternoon. The pain of these revelations and the oppressive ‘studio system’ are offset by her preternatural talent and the glorious tunes that she, Liza, Frank and Dean made famous throughout their careers.

Setting: A 1961 TV studio.  Mid century set pieces including couch and a bar (of course) for Frank and Dean.

6 amazing dancers and 6-piece live band. Glorious costuming.

THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK of Judy, Liza, Frank and Dean

• GET HAPPY
• ZING, WENT THE STRINGS OF MY HEART
• ROCK A BYE MY BABY (TO A DIXIE MELODY)
• YOU DO SOMETHING TO ME
• TOO MARVELOUS FOR WORDS’
• SWAY
• THE BOY NEXT DOOR
• THE TROLLEY SONG
• SMILE
• FRIENDSHIP/IT’S DeLOVELY/TOGETHER, FOREVER WE GO
• BIRTH OF THE BLUES
• ALL THAT JAZZ
• THE MAN THAT GOT AWAY
• IT WAS A VERY GOOD YEAR
• MY WAY
• BE A CLOWN
• THAT’S AMORE
• THE ONE I LOVE BELONGS TO SOMEBODY ELSE
• MAYBE THIS TIME / MEIN HERR
• RAINBOW
  

This ORIGINAL production premieres at the baby grand on Friday March 22 @ 8pm. Two performances the next day @ 2pm and 8pm, Friday March 29 and concluding with 2 performances on March 30 @ 2pm and 8pm. Then, aspirations for a national tour. Call 800.37.Grand  https://www.thegrandwilmington.org/

Closing Dialogue  - WALTER MITCHELL (OFF-STAGE)

When Dorothy Gale entered Oz, Judy Garland entered immortality. “The Wizard Of Oz” speaks to your feelings, not to your intellect. It comforts and inspires. Children identify with Dorothy’s fears.  Adults... with her dreams. A young girl is sent down a perilous path. Along the way, she must slay wicked witches and stand up to mighty wizards.

Dorothy’s journey to Oz is one of self-discovery, a spiritual passage from adolescence to adulthood. Her destiny is hers to determine. No one else can do it for her. She teaches all of us that we can confront our fears - either real or imagined - and determine our own future.

In Oz, we are made to see all the fantastic adventures through Dorothy’s wide and innocent eyes. Dorothy conquered the demons that Judy could not. .

And in the end, the traveled little girl understands...

Special on Judy on trunk……

JUDY

...If I ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I won’t look any further than my own backyard. Because if it isn't there, I never really lost it to begin with. (to audience). Is that right?

Over The Rainbow (JUDY)

US Copyright: Registration # PAU 3-862-488

Sponsor: Heart In The Game Foundation, a 501©3  EIN 81-5156503