Marjie Shrimpton: What Would Judy Do?

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Marjie Shrimpton

What Would Judy Do?

The Duplex, NYC, January 26, 2018

Reviewed by Chris Struck for Cabaret Scenes

Marjie Shrimpton

Marjie Shrimpton, in a well-cut, sleeveless black dress, stunned with a musical tribute to her hometown hero of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, Judy Garland, in What Would Judy Do? Shrimpton’s own personality was far more punctual and tender, though she said, in a duet with Daniel Emond (also on the piano) of “The Lady Is a Tramp” (Rodgers & Hart), that she admired Garland’s verve and tenacity.

Shrimpton parsed out her stories about Garland well, at one point joking that she would sing the classic Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg “The Lollipop Guild,” when the crowd correctly guessed “Over the Rainbow.” She clearly enjoyed reminiscing about the vibrant life that Garland lived, focusing often on the elusiveness of love (Garland married five times) as well as the urgency with which Garland dashed into affair after affair, singing an ardently passionate “Love, You Didn’t Do Right by Me” (Irving Berlin) and “The Man Got Away” (Arlen and Ira Gershwin). It was on the former that Shrimpton really shined, demonstrating her magnificent potential as a performer.

She also cast off any inhibitions in a heartwarming “Gimme, Gimme” (Jeanine Tesori and Dick Scanlan, from Thoroughly Modern Millie), crooning, “Give me fat boy’s famous arrow!” Deservedly, the crowd begged her back for another and she was joined by Lauren Patton (for a second song), to sing a classic medley of “Get Happy” (Arlen/Ted Koehler) and “Happy Days Are Here Again” (Milton Ager/Jack Yellen) from the 1963 duet with Barbra Streisand on The Judy Garland Show.

Joining Shrimpton on the piano for most of the set was sterling Max Gordon. He split the duties with the aforementioned Emond on the final song, striking a tender chord. The show was directed by Michael Pesce.

Chris Struck

Chris Struck's debut novel, Kennig and Gold, is due to be officially published in June 2019. He's written reviews for Cabaret Scenes since August of 2017. For more information about the writer, see StruckChris.com