ACCESSIBLY LIVE OFF-LINE
(Vol. 7-No. 45-Week of November 18th, 2002)

THEATER REVIEW

By Rich Borowy

The Victory Theatre, in association with JSCL Productions present JUDY'S SCARY LITTLE CHRISTMAS, making it's world premiere in Burbank for a limited holiday run.

It's Christmas eve in 1959. The CBS Television Network presents a Christmas special starring Judy Garland (played by Connie Champagne), who hosts a Christmas party in her 'home' (actually, a studio set), inviting such special guest stars as Bing Crosby (Sean Smith), Liberace (Don Lucas), Ethel Merman (Lauri Johnson), Vice President Richard Nixon (Eric Anderson), Joan Crawford (Joanne O'Brien), and author Lillian Hellman (Jan Sheldrick), for an evening of holiday song and cheer.

All is well until a "Special Guest" arrives (played by Mark A. Cross) to really bring some holiday 'cheer'. Was this guest invited to this 'party'? And if so, by whom?

This play is a take-off of those many Christmas specials that littered the TV landscape in the 1950's, 60's and 70's, complete with cute musical numbers, touching Christmas ballads, and all-in-all, the kind of family times that real families watching never experienced!

The original musical numbers by Joe Patrick Ward, and the show itself, written by James Webber and David Church, really hits this mark of nostalgia right on its spot!

The cast plays all of their characters hauntingly realistic, especially Connie Champagne. She is Judy, complete with her booming voice and all of the mannerisms that she did on camera.

Kay Cole directs and provides choreography in this touching and funny show! James Webber even provides the sets as large and lavish, with its 'bland' color scheme as real television stage sets were in the 50's and 60's. Programming was in black & white, and such blandness would look better on the air!

Also appearing in this production are Charles Herrera, Heather Holland, Terri Homberg, Jonathan Neely, and Dustin Strong.

If one has to experience a holiday stage show this season, JUDY SCARY LITTLE CHRISTMAS would be that one! Let the other theaters perform their version of A Christmas Carol, but it won't be the holidays without Judy! Have yourself a merry little Christmas indeed!!!

JUDY'S SCARY LITTLE CHRISTMAS performs at the Victory Theatre, 3326 West Victory Blvd. (off Hollywood Way), Burbank, until December 22nd. Showtimes are Firday and Saturdays @ 8:00 PM, and Sundays @ 3:00 & 7:00 PM. Reservations, call (818) 841-5422. Vist the web site at http://www.judyschristmas.com