BWW Previews: JUDY GARLAND 'WORLD'S GREATEST ENTERTAINER' at The Baby Grand
The NEW book musical, Judy Garland "World's Greatest Entertainer" opens at the baby grand in Wilmington on March 22 - March 30 for 6 performances.
Written by Delaware native Playwright Greer Firestone, the show takes place in 1961, 2 weeks after Judy's legendary concert at Carnegie Hall which critics termed "the greatest night in show business history". This ORIGINAL musical has aspirations past the baby grand. National producers will be invited.
Guests will enter and be met by a 1961 TV studio by set designer Jeff Reim. The plot is based on the popular TV show of the 60's and 70's, THIS IS YOUR LIFE, wherein Hollywood stars were surprised by the host. Their childhood preachers, teachers and next-door neighbors were paraded in. This fictional show is entitled "CELEBRITY STORY", with Judy as the surprise guest! HER guests are none other than Liza, Frank and Dean - no last names required. The 4 icons sing 23 legendary American Songbook tunes, including "Get Happy", "The Man That Got Away", "Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime", "My Way", etc.
Jenny Lee Stern portrays Judy. Stern has appeared on Broadway in ROCKY, THE MUSICAL, toured nationally in JERSEY BOYS, off-Broadway in SPAMILTON and Forbidden Broadway, was in HBO's THE SOPRANOS and a host of other leading roles in regional theatre.
Regional leading lady Kaylan Wetzel sings and dances Liza Minnelli. Wetzel has appeared at Candlelight Dinner Theatre, The Ritz Theatre, The Media Theatre, among others.
Los Angeles native Luca Ellis plays Frank Sinatra. Ellis sang Frank in Sandy Hackett's (Buddy's son) Rat Pack show at the Sahara Las Vegas and did the same in the hit musical LOUIS AND KEELEY at The Sahara. He went on to conceive and co-write HOBOKEN TO HOLLYWOOD. The show was sold out for 7 months in Santa Monica, sweeping the LA Weekly annual awards. Ellis has had a weekly gig as Frank for 6 years at The Beverly Hills Hotel.
Award-winning tribute artist Eric Richardson has portrayed Dean Martin on a national basis for 10 years.
Director S. Lee Lewis has a long line of musical directorial credits, including CHESS, FOLLIES, OLIVER, MAN OF LA MANCHA, THE WIZARD OF OZ and most recently GUYS & DOLLS at Candlelight.
Renowned choreographer Dann Dunn is charged with training his 6 dancers in MEIN HERR, ALL THAT JAZZ and GET HAPPY, among other production numbers.
Music Director David Zipse - arranger for all the tunes - will play both the baby grand and conduct the 5 on stage musicians.
The production is sponsored by Heart In The Game Foundation, a non-profit that Firestone created after his then 18 year old daughter Grace suffered Sudden Cardiac Arrest. For the past 5 years Heart In The Game offers FREE EKG screening and training in CPR/AED to DE students.
JUDY is honored to be part of The Grand Opera House in house marketing campaign.
For more info on the show visit JudyGarlandTheMusical.com
Mar 22, 23,29,30 @ 8pm. Mar 23, 30 @ 2pm
Group discounts begin at 10+
Tickets: 302.652.5577, 800.37.GRAND or JudyGarlandTheMusical.com for online purchase through The Grand.
|
Mean Girls Clear Space Theatre Company (6/26-8/29) |
|
Pretty Woman Clear Space Theatre Company (7/01-8/25) |
|
The Cher Show Clear Space Theatre Company (6/23-7/27) |
|
She Loves Me Possum Point Players (11/13-11/22) |
|
Holidays a cappella at Chicago a cappella Chicago A Cappella (10/25-8/25) |
|
FrUiTCaKeS Second Street Players (11/27-12/06) |
|
Disney's Descendants: The Musical Milton Theatre (8/20-8/23) |
|
August Wilson's HOW I LEARNED WHAT I LEARNED Resident Ensemble Players (9/04-9/20) |
|
Grease Milton Theatre (7/09-8/02) |
|
Run For Your Wife Kent County Theatre Guile (9/11-9/26) |