Judy's Scary Little Christmas: Backstage West Review

11/21/02
Judy's Scary Little Christmas

Reviewed By Les Spindle

Judy, Judy, Judy. No, this isn't a Cary Grant impersonation, nor a rumination on TV's Gestapo-esque judge. It's one critic's reaction to this year's dramatization of the Garland mystique on three previous occasions: a comic Judy-impersonator whodunit (Doing Judy), a solo Judy docudrama (Truly, Truly, Truly Garland), and a Judy campfest (Legends and Bridge). But none of these efforts quite prepared us for Judy's Scary Little Christmas, as quirky a musical comedy pastiche as one could imagine. Picture Rod Serling and Gerard Alessandrini joining forces to write a 1959 CBS Television City TV special. It would undoubtedly resemble this giddy but affectionate confection.

Writers James Webber and David Church and composer/lyricist Joe Patrick Ward initially lead us to expect a quaint blend of nostalgia and camp, recreating the spirit of TV's golden age of celebrity variety shows via a fictional star-studded Garland special. But midway through, the merry little Christmas that Garland wants us to have turns bizarre, with a nifty plot twist that sends the creaky TV genre into a tailspin. The story development is best kept a secret, but suffice it to say that the sprightly holiday brew curdles a bit, managing to be heartwarming and devilishly sardonic at the same time.

With a couple of exceptions Ward's original songs are more serviceable than sublime, but a spirited ensemble of zany impersonators and some choice zingers ensure that the evening remains a nonstop hoot. Especially impressive is Connie Champagne in the title role. She underplays the emotionally fragile diva to dazzling effect, offering enough recognizable mannerisms and vocal tics to suggest the superstar's aura, overlaid by a slick veneer of satiric wit. She also sings divinely, getting her big moment in Ward's rousing "Make It Shine" finale.

She's joined by a motley bunch of narcissistic guest stars. Eric Anderson's scrunched-up facial expressions and tricky-Dicky movements as Vice President Richard Nixon are sidesplitting, particularly when he teams up with cynical left-wing writer Lillian Hellman (hilariously played by Jan Sheldrick) to make satiric mincemeat of a romantic duet, "Ever Been in Love?" In one of the best barbs, Nixon quips that Lillian is the life of the party--the Communist party. Sean Smith's smooth-crooning Bing Crosby is spot-on, the epitome of celebrity facade concealing a cornucopia of skeletons in the family closet. Same goes for Joanne O'Brien's delicious portrayal of mommie dearest Joan Crawford, a glamorous but demented symbol of the Pepsi generation. Don Lucas' closeted Liberace and Lauri Johnson's megalomaniac Ethel Merman elicit guffaws, while Dustin Strong, Jim Hormel, Mark A. Cross, and a talented chorus of gypsies (Charles Herrera, Heather Holland, Terri Hornberg, and Jonathan Neeley) provide yeoman support.

Director/choreographer Kay Cole polishes the proceedings to a fine sheen. Webber's lovely beige soundstage apartment set, his crisp lighting effects, and Jeannine Campi's colorful costumes set a classy tone. Ricky Gilbert fashioned Judy's gorgeous gowns. If there is indeed a pot of gold at the end of Judy's rainbow, one hopes this deliriously funny company is there to lead the merriment.

"Judy's Scary Little Christmas" Theater: Victory Theatre, 3326 W. Victory Blvd., Burbank Phone:(818) 841-5422. Starts: November 15, 2002 Ends: December 22, 2002 Evenings: Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m.