Review: GET HAPPY! MICHAEL FEINSTEIN CELEBRATES THE JUDY GARLAND CENTENNIAL at Music Center at Strathmore

Singer Feinstein possesses a light baritone voice that caresses each lyric and melody with loving and expressive care. 

By: Sep. 24, 2023
Review: GET HAPPY! MICHAEL FEINSTEIN CELEBRATES THE JUDY GARLAND CENTENNIAL at Music Center at Strathmore

The brilliant and undying talent of the legendary entertainer Judy Garland was celebrated at the Music Center at Strathmore in the memory-laden production Get Happy! Michael Feinstein Celebrates the Judy Garland Centennial. Produced with the approval of daughter Liza Minnelli, this memorable show displayed the iconic talent of Judy Garland as interpreted and narrated by the wonderfully talented singer, pianist, and archivist Michael Feinstein.

A sense of Garland as the sensitive and artistic survivor came through and it was refreshing to see Garland presented as a full-bodied human being who had humor, played tennis (via fascinating rare home movies), adored her family, and had a quiet sense of faith in God.  Judy Garland was portrayed as a very caring person who may have been the supreme artist but who was also, concurrently, down-to-earth and a loving, relatable individual.

Singer Feinstein possesses a light baritone voice that caresses each lyric and melody with loving and expressive care.  I have seen Mr. Feinstein twice in performance previously and his voice has grown more rich and textured especially in his lower register. For several of the beloved songs that were in this concert honoring Ms. Garland, Mr. Feinstein seemed to be conserving his vocal power for the closing notes of the songs ---these final notes were delivered with breathtaking resonance and powerful clarity.

A series of rare clips and footage and recordings were set amongst some that were more well-known---this production was a must-see concert for Judy Garland aficionados. Luckily, the audience was privileged to hear the archival and anecdotal narrative of Mr. Feinstein (who is part of the inner circle of Ms. Minnelli and the music greats who loved and revered her talent ------including such greats as George and Ira Gershwin, Arthur Freed, and Roger Edens).

The show’s theme enveloped the opening song “Get Happy” (from the wonderful film Summer Stock) and set the mood for the primarily upbeat tone of the show. This upbeat and classic opening soon gave way to a creative re-wording of the song “That’s Entertainment” into an overview of many of the facts of Garland’s life in “That’s Judy Garland”.

Early years of Vaudeville with the Gumm sisters were explored via film footage displayed on a large screen-- and Garland’s years performing with Mickey Rooney were also explored to nostalgic effect. The beloved songs “How About You?” (a marvelous “list” song) and “Our Love Affair” were performed with flair in the optics shown of the combustible Rooney and Garland pairing.

The now-iconic scene of Judy Garland penning a note to star Clark Gable singing “Dear Mr. Gable: You Made Me Love You” brought tears of nostalgia to this reviewer.

Feinstein introduced a rare recording of the classic “I’ll be Seeing You” sung with all the poignancy and nuanced luster that only Judy Garland could provide. I could feel the audience held spellbound in absorbing this number’s mesmerizing beauty of tone.

The MGM musicals were highlighted with an amusing and erudite interpretation by Mr. Feinstein singing (and at the piano) with the marvelously inventive “If I Only Had a Brain/Heart/Nerve” from The Wizard of Oz. The music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg never cease to amuse and delight.

Songs from MGM musicals continued to delight the audience with “The Trolley Song” from Meet Me in St. Louis, a very lively “On The Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe” from The Harvey Girls and the lovely duet “For Me and My Gal” from the movie of the same name.

There was an exceptionally effective ode to family life in a trilogy of songs that were linked with Judy Garland’s loving family. Daughter Liza Minnelli, Daughter Lorna Luft and son Joey Luft were all profiled via lovely songs that their appropriately doting mother sang to her children presumably in family life as well as onstage.

“You’ll Never Walk Alone” was an inspired choice of song for Mr. Feinstein to sing as the concert came closer to the end as it could well be an anthem that Ms. Garland kept in her heart during the challenges of her personal life and her challenging projects after her MGM years.

However, it was very fittingly emphasized in this production that Ms. Garland triumphed with the film A Star is Born as well as in several very highly acclaimed concert appearances –particularly at Carnegie Hall, the Palace Theatre, and the London Palladium.

Encores for Mr. Feinstein’s innovative and heartfelt celebration of Ms. Garland continued with a knockout performance of “Come Rain or Come Shine” which Mr. Feinstein sang to the rafters.

The closing note to the concert came with Mr. Feinstein accompanying a screen appearance of Ms. Garland singing her classic signature song “Over the Rainbow”. Mr. Feinstein accompanied with his sensitive pianist skills.

Mr. Feinstein possessed a confident upbeat manner throughout the evening, yet he also has a reassuring and gentle manner that came through in his singing, narrating and pianist skills. (Feinstein was backed up by three talented gentlemen on the piano, bass, and percussion). There was a bouncy, “swinging” undercurrent throughout many of the jazzier songs which added dimension and texture to the musical proceedings.

The pleasure that the legendary Judy Garland gave to her audiences over the years was palpable in this honest yet loving and affectionate celebration of the 100th Anniversary celebration of this iconic and revered entertainer.  This loving showcase for the legendary Judy Garland as presented by the talented Michael Feinstein should play well in other cities and venues in this tour.

Running Time: 90 minutes with no intermission

Get Happy! Michael Feinstein Celebrates the Judy Garland Centennial was presented on Thursday, September 21, 2023 at the Music Center at Strathmore located at 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, Maryland 20852.


BroadwayWorld Awards Voting

RELATED STORIES - Washington, DC

1
Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company to Mark 30th Season Milestone With Gala Performance Photo
Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company to Mark 30th Season Milestone With Gala Performance

Celebrate the 30th season of Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company with a gala performance at The Kennedy Center. The event showcases selected signature works and features Congressman Jamie Raskin as the overseer. Don't miss this milestone celebration!

2
Review: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE AT ADVENTURE THEATRE at Adventure Theatre &am Photo
Review: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE AT ADVENTURE THEATRE at Adventure Theatre & ATMTC Academy

What did our critic think of THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE AT ADVENTURE THEATRE at Adventure Theatre & ATMTC Academy?

3
Latest Standings Announced For The 2023 BroadwayWorld Washington, DC Awards;  Leads Favori Photo
Latest Standings Announced For The 2023 BroadwayWorld Washington, DC Awards; Leads Favorite Local Theatre!

Happy Holidays! The latest wave of standings have been announced as of Monday, November 27th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Washington, DC Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

4
Review: BALLET WEST: THE NUTCRACKER at Kennedy Center Photo
Review: BALLET WEST: THE NUTCRACKER at Kennedy Center

The first Nutcracker appear at the Kennedy Center this year is from Ballet West, based in Salt Lake City. And as brisk and fresh as it feels, it comes as something of a surprise that its lineage goes back to the very first U.S. performance of what’s become the most popular ballet in the country by far. 

From This Author - David Friscic

David has always had a passionate interest in the arts from acting in professional dinner theatre and community theatre to reviewing film and local theatre in college.  He is thrilled to be worki... David Friscic">(read more about this author)

Videos


Nature's Rhythms • A Family Show in Washington, DC Nature's Rhythms • A Family Show
Hylton Performing Arts Center (12/02-12/02)Tracker
Virginia Opera: Madama Butterfly in Washington, DC Virginia Opera: Madama Butterfly
Center for the Arts at George Mason University (3/17-3/17)
The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence in Washington, DC The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence
Fichandler Stage at Arena Stage (6/06-7/14)
The Winter's Tale in Washington, DC The Winter's Tale
Catholic University - Hartke Theatre (2/22-2/25)
Disney's Frozen in Washington, DC Disney's Frozen
Opera House at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (12/20-1/21)
The Book of Mormon (Non-Equity) in Washington, DC The Book of Mormon (Non-Equity)
National Theatre (3/05-3/17)
Linda Eder in Washington, DC Linda Eder
The Barns At Wolf Trap (2/01-2/01)
A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas in Washington, DC A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas
Olney Theatre Center (11/24-12/31)
Romeo and Juliet in Washington, DC Romeo and Juliet
Synetic Theater (2/16-3/24)
The Improvised Shakespeare Company in Washington, DC The Improvised Shakespeare Company
Theater Lab at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (12/04-12/23)
VIEW ALL SHOWS  ADD A SHOW  

Recommended For You