FFT Productions Presents THE GET HAPPY HOUR WITH JUDY, 6/4-5

Spend an evening with Judy Garland, America's Sweetheart, as she tells of the TV show she'd preferred to have done. Get to know again the Judy we all love, without all the booze and drugs. Share songs, laughs, and tears with Judy as portrayed by Kimberly Roberts, a Vanity Fair featured Garland doppelganger and featuring the directorial debut of Toronto stage star, Sarah Strange.

Appearing as Judy Garland on the road in North America, Kimberly would often encounter Judy fans whose love and deep desire for more of Judy simply overwhelmed Kimberly. It is from this shared heartwarming love for Judy that this work was borne from. This is their project. This is their Judy. This is their America's Sweetheart.

The name of our company was a product of a creative process with local talent powerhouses in their own rights, copious amounts of wine, and a chat about pooling our talents to do a play together...all of us in first timer roles..thus First F-ing Timers Productions was born! Hey, we all have to start somewhere, right?

A farm girl from small town Indiana, Kimberly Roberts has always been told of her likeness to Judy Garland, the beloved great movie and song star. As a child, she was scared for Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, and later tuned in with her parents to the Judy Garland Shows. Today, Kimberly pays tribute to Judy Garland at various events in North America and was recognized by Vanity Fair as one of the noted Judy Garland doppelgangers In Toronto, she performed with The Judy Monologues, directed by Darren Stewart-Jones.

Sarah Strange graduated from Canterbury High School in Ottawa, Canada, with her diploma in Vocal Performance, and got her diploma in Musical Theatre Performance from Sheridan College. Her vocal talents have taken her as a Lead Singer with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, then as part of a jazz trio in Atlanta, Georgia, and finally New York City. Now back home in Canada, she has had the joy of continuing aboard the cabaret train. Favourite roles include Belle Mae Steinberg Carroca in My Favourite Year, Mo in The Lady and The Ladle, and Carrie Okie in Karaoke: the Musical. Of late, she has workshopped various new Canadian musicals such as Cannibal: The Musical, written by the same folks that brought us Evil Dead.

Jamie Johnson, is a graduate of the M.F.A. Theatre program at York University. He is an actor/playwright and has done most other jobs in the theatre, as well. And he really likes to play his ukulele. Recent Acting Credits: Leonato in Much Ado About Nothing (Shakespeare Bash'd), Omar in Theory (Fireworks/Alumnae Theatre), Major Metcalf in The Mousetrap (Lower Ossington Theatre), Saunders in Lend Me A Tenor (The Village Players), Polonius in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (Hart House) and Leonard/Lulabelle in Nobody's Perfect (Theatre Etobicoke).

Special Guest Performer: Stuart Park - "I have been practicing this part my whole life, and will again this weekend" said Stuart of his role as the Drunk. He has performed in various comedy events in Ontario and we are thrilled to have him on board for this show! We have suffered many a split side rehearsing since Stuart has joined us.

Montreal, Canada's Capital of Culture, is the start of The Get Happy Hour With Judy tour. "We are so excited to open this project in Montreal! There are such passionate fans of Judy there! ~ Kimberly shared. Forget the dark drama associated with Judy and join us as we remember the reason why we all love her!

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