California Christmas Events

Music and Lyrics by Joe Patrick Ward

Join Judy Garland and her star-spangled guests for a lovingly satirical look back at the TV Holiday shows of yesteryear. Live TV can be scary. VERY scary, as this tail takes some unexpected turns.

There's no word if the production will appear in California this year, but we're keeping our eyes and ears open for the news. Let us know if you have some info!

the 451 Media Building
1328 North Ventura Avenue
Ventura, CA

Reservations: (805) 654-9154 (Cash/checks at the door) OR you may prepay by check: Transport Theatre, PO Box 7702, Ventura, CA 93006

Credit card payments may be accepted by going to http://TransportTheatre.com.

Tickets: $18 all seats; Opening champagne/wine gala-$25 Dec. 1, 2006
 

This collaboration from Jim Webber and David Church began in 1997. JUDY'S SCARY LITTLE CHRISTMAS had its world premiere at the Victory Theatre in Burbank on November 17, 2002. Word about this entertaining musical quickly spread when it closed that season to sell out crowds. In December of 2003, JUDY re-opened in West Hollywood at The Court Theatre on La Cienega Boulevard for a second limited holiday engagement, surpassing its earlier success. The authors also licensed the first regional production of the show, presented by Triangle Productions in Portland, Oregon in December 2003.

Since then, “Judy” has been produced by Stage West in Des Moines , Iowa (November 2005) and by Hell in a Handbag productions in Chicago , Illinois (December 2005) with more productions in the works for 2006. The original cast album CD was released in November, 2005.

Judy welcomes her old friend BING CROSBY, who presents her with the recipe for his Grandma Maggie's holiday grog (LET'S SHARE A CUP OF IRISH CHEER). During the song Bing flubs a lyric. Was someone blocking his cue cards? At the commercial break, Judy pretends to brush it off, but puts down the sugary cheer and uncorks the liquor for a drink.

LIBERACE (THE CANDY CANE TWIST) arrives, though his famous candelabra goes dead. Belting out "Silent Night", Ethel Merman, just in from Honolulu "Ethel Goes Hawaiian," is joined by two hunks who are fire-baton twirlers. Ethel  performs MAUNA LOA HULA HOLIDAY. During the number there's an unrehearsed blackout and Ethel angrily blames a mysterious, shadowy figure in the wings. In fact, everyone has seen him. Judy can barely contain her panic. Is someone trying to ruin her comeback?

Vice President RICHARD NIXON appears for a walk-on but, once in the spotlight, is reluctant to leave. Judy invites him to stay, only to have Nixon eat up the time allotted for her "trollley number" with a depressing Christmas memory. Judy is furious, but shrewdly saves her show (and Nixon's act) by squeezing him into the upcoming musical segment, THE LIFE OF THE PARTY.

Next, Judy visits PUNCH, a goofy puppet whose dilemma of delivering children's letters to Santa is solved with Judy's guidance (ANGEL STAR) and the reluctant assistance of guest LILLIAN HELLMAN. However, in mid-routine, an unseen skeletal hand strangles the puppet and Judy frantically stops the show. She's no sooner saved by the tape delay than the blacklisted Hellman tussles with the Commie-baiting Nixon. Back on the air, their brawl interrupts Judy's fireside duet with Bing. She stops her number and forces them to take the spotlight: (EVER BEEN IN LOVE?)

Judy opens the door to greet her next scheduled guest, but is shocked to discover the sinister figure of DEATH. Pandemonium erupts during the station break but Bing persuades Judy it's just the prank of a fun-loving celebrity. Back on the air, she wings an impromptu version of "What's My Line" in which the Mystery Guest stumps them all and ominously declares, "I Am Death!"

JOAN CRAWFORD arrives and after plugging her latest film, recites a bastardized version of the First Christmas. Enraged, Death interrupts her segment with a burst of flames, reduces the show to a shambles and gravely informs Judy, "I have come for you." The others try to protect her until Death reveals that it's not 1959 and that he hasn't come just for Judy - he's come for all of them.

While the others have no memory of their lives beyond that Christmas Eve, Judy recalls her own ending. If that's all her life added up to, it wasn't enough - that's why she came back. As the others begin to remember how sadly their own lives ended, they realize it wasn't enough for them either. They' forced to admit they followed Judy back for a second chance to fix the past.

Death promises they will all be pardoned if they return with him to limbo. They reluctantly comply, leaving Judy behind. Alone onstage, she bravely tries to sing "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" but breaks down, distraught and lost. Performing  MAKE IT SHINE, the play moves toward its end and Judy's demise. A clang-clang signals the arrival of the Christmas Trolley with Death as its merry motorman and Judy seated beside him. She greets her friends and they board the fantastic vehicle like excited children. Judy waves a grateful goodbye to the audience and they head off toward the stars.  Information courtesy of www.judyschristmas.com