Garland Gowns Adorn Judy Tribute Concert

By: Beau Higgins Oct. 13, 2006

'Judy Garland: The Dressing of a Legend' Exhibit
a Special Highlight of Gay Men's Chorus' Oct. 27 Revue

Garland Uber-Fan Michael Siewert to Display 15 Garland Gowns Before Judy Tribute Concert at Broward Center

A special collection of 15 gowns worn by legendary performer Judy Garland in her movies, TV shows and concerts will be on display at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, Oct. 27 as a special added feature of the Fort Lauderdale Gay Men's Chorus' musical revue "JUDY: A Celebration of the Music and Legend of Judy Garland."

The dresses are part of an extensive collection of "Garlandia" that fan Michael Siewert, now from Augusta, GA, began collecting when he was only six years old.

"Like thousands of others, my great interest in Judy Garland started when I was a child and first fell in love with Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz," Siewert noted. He then went on to direct and produce "concerts" for his family, consisting of his younger sister lip-synching to Garland recordings. It wasn't until a few years later, upon asking his parents to take him to Kansas to meet Dorothy, that he was told who Judy Garland, the actress, was. Although he was crushed that he would never be able to meet the deceased star, he began buying her memorabilia at flea markets and through mail order.

At first, he was like every other collector, acquiring everything from old magazine covers to dolls, plates, books, records, sheet music and other memorabilia. Eventually, he purchased his first Judy movie costume. "I always assumed that only museums bought these sorts of things," he noted. "I never dreamed they were attainable by people like me, a regular fan."

One costume led to another, then another. Within a few years, he forged connections that led him to buying incredible items from auction houses, private collectors and even from Judy's family members. He's become very well known in Garland circles and has privately met Liza Minnelli as well as Lorna, Sid and Joe Luft. He even met with Judy's last husband, Mickey Deans, who chose Siewert as the only Garland fan he would ever meet.

THE REAL DEAL
Over the years, Siewert has learned the skills needed to authenticate real Garlandia. "I've seen a lot of fake stuff out there," he said. "The web in particular is full of people who misrepresent items and will take advantage of an eager fan looking to buy a piece of history. I've learned that the old adage is true — if something seems to be too good to be true, it almost always is!"

Siewert will display the 15 gowns from his collection, as well as a video and a booklet of photos showing Garland wearing the gowns, from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Amaturo Theatre's lobby prior to the Gay Men's Chorus' concert. Curtain time is 8 p.m. Only concert ticket holders will be allowed to attend the free exhibit.

CONCERT AND SEASON TICKETS
Tickets for the "JUDY" revue and exhibit are $40, $30 and $20 and are available through the AutoNation Box Office at (954) 462-0222 or online at www.browardcenter.org. Tickets for both the revue and the chorus' entire 21st season are available at http://www.ftlgmc.org. Season tickets for $40 or $30 seats for each of the four main productions of the chorus' 2006-07 season (at 15% discount per ticket) or "pick 3" (at 10% discount) are only available through http://www.ftlgmc.org or from chorus members.

All four of the main productions will be performed in the beautiful, 590-seat Amaturo Theatre of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW 5th Ave., Fort Lauderdale.

The Fort Lauderdale Gay Men's Chorus exists with a mission to build community through quality musical performances that promote a world that accepts and values diversity. Rehearsing on Wednesday evenings at the Sunshine Cathedral, 1480 SW 9th Ave., the chorus welcomes new singing members, as well as those who support the chorus behind the scenes on its crew, governing board or as donors. Next scheduled auditions for new or returning singing members are Nov. 4.

For more information on the FTLGMC and its 21st season, see www.ftlgmc.org or call (954) 832-0060.

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