An intimate view of the life of Judy Garland
Throw out your innocent picture of Dorothy and Toto leaving Kansas, because Judy Garland has taken over London.
At least she tries to in the Arvada Center’s production of End of the Rainbow running from March 25 through April 13. In the beginning we see a strong-willed, if twitchy, Judy Garland played by Tari Kelly. Set in London on Christmas of 1968, Garland is with her new fiancé and manager Mickey Deans to do six weeks of shows at Talk of the Town. Her pianist, Anthony, is also staying with them in the hotel.
Although it seems like Deans has made Garland leave her drugs and the alcohol behind for the sake of the show it is clear that she’s not happy about it. It is rare to see her standing in one place and she constantly is twitching her hands to her hair. In fact the only times Garland seems calm and collected are when she appears on stage, singing hits to adoring fans.
The shows slowly turn sour as Garland tires of singing. The hotel bills are late and she makes scenes for the press. It is clear as the play proceeds that Garland’s control is a façade. As she turns back to pills and booze she puddles slowly into the child who realizes she never had control over anything at all. She is prey to her so-called “protector,” Deans who begins feeding her drugs in order to make her finish her performances at Talk of the Town.
Kelly is really magical to watch as Garland. She has a similar husky tone to Garland’s voice when she sings, and she pulls on your heartstrings as she falls apart before your eyes. Anthony, played by Jonas Cohen, is a gay piano player who really cares for Garland and is the only person in the play who does all that he can to see Garland stay clean. It is this and his moments of quick wit and humor that make his character shine.
Deans character often throws blame in Anthony’s direction because of Garland’s gay fan following. He accuses Anthony that they love to see Garland fall apart as much as they love to see her thrive. Anthony’s moments of wit and humor help his character shine.
Strung through the show are 10 of Garland’s hits that she sings as part of rehearsals in the hotel, and as the hotel back drop lifts up, the Talk of the Town club. Songs like “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love,” and “For Me and My Gal,” which are in the beginning of the show, are stronger songs. They have a more lively air about them, as Garland sings them with confidence. She sings “You Made Me Love You” in her turn for the worse as she begs Deans for drugs. But it is her rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” that draws tears as Anthony stands in the spotlight and tells the ill-fate of Garland the very next year.
This show is great for old and new fans alike as the story of some of Garland’s last performances draw you in.
