Thursday, October 1, 2026
Judy Garland is an icon and years after her death she is still worshipped and imitated. With the vibrato of her powerful contralto voice, oversized gestures and gamin-like appearance, she is a favorite of impersonators. She's an indelible part of everyone's childhood from the yearly airing of "The Wizard of Oz." No one could sing the unforgettable anthem, "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" like Judy could.
Judy Garland made several movies after that classic, including films with Mickey Rooney and Gene Kelly. It was only years into her career that the public learned of her addictions to pills and alcohol, as well as her anxieties and insecurities about her looks and talent.
It's difficult trying to portray someone as memorable as Judy Garland when everyone is so familiar with her mannerisms and voice. Many have tried over the years (mostly in parody) but few have been as successful as Tracie Bennett.
In one of the most brilliant Broadway performance in many years, Bennett recreates the performance that won her accolades in London's West End. As Judy Garland, she totally wins over the audience, even those who aren’t passionate Garland fans.
Bennett manages to capture the accent, hand motions and, of course, the voice. Garland is portrayed a bit acerbic and sharp-tongued, yet she is terribly insecure and constantly approval seeking. Her Scottish piano player Anthony (a credible Michael Cumpsty) tells her that everyone loves her, but that’s not enough. Anthony represents her legions of loyal, loving fans. Despite the Scottish accent that slips every once in a while, Cumpsty is warm, funny and sympathetic.
As Mickey Deans, Garland’s fifth and last husband, Tom Pelphrey is the weak link in the show. He's seems to only have two feelings - anger and insinuation. A younger man who knew Judy for only a few weeks when they got engaged, Deans ultimately feeds her addiction, lest she walk out on her shows. Although Judy expresses exhaustion and anxiety and doesn’t want to perform anymore, he cannot allow that. Anthony bitterly notes that Deans would lose his meal ticket.
There's a dark, sad, vulnerable quality to the alcoholic, addicted Garland and Bennett somehow makes us adore her, even as she deteriorates before our eyes. She then summons up the energy (sometimes drug-induced) to belt out a song. With a frenetic quality and loads of nervous energy, Bennett commands the stage as she performs several songs in the last concert series that Garland gave in London.
Sadly, Garland died at age 47 of a self-induced overdose of barbiturates. She will never perform again, but her fans won’t be disappointed watching Bennett onstage. In the person of Tracie Bennett, Judy Garland performs again.
"End of the Rainbow" is playing at the Belasco Theatre in New York. For more information, visit http://www.endoftherainbowbroadway.com.
