Judy’s back and she’s knockin’ ’em dead in Connie Champagne’s delightful revival of the big-belting balladeer. Garland impersonators haunt most drag bars, but the real talents are few and far between—the master Jim Bailey comes to mind. Champagne channels the early ’60s Judy, not yet broken, in great voice and loved by her audiences.

This night just happened to coincide with the anniversary of Garland’s early exit in 1969, and Champagne brilliantly chooses to include material written afterwards, performing material La Garland may have eventually added to her repertoire of standards. After Champagne nails Joni Mitchell’s “A Case of You,” Aerosmith’s power ballad “Dream On” and “All I Wanted Was the Dream” (heard on Broadway in Legs Diamond and The Boy from Oz) sung in Garland’s dramatic, emotionally wrought style, you understand perfectly their inclusion. For great comic effect, Champagne sings Lady Gaga’s “Pokerface” and Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The funniest and most appropriate treatment is of Amy Winehouse’s “Rehab” where Judy/Connie sings, “they tried to make me go to rehab, I said ‘no, no, no!’” This mini-set, sandwiched between Judy classics, distinguishes this show from most other Garland tributes.

Champagne has the Judy tics and exaggerated mannerisms down pat and her voice this evening was strong and assured. Singing as Garland is not an easy task, but Connie struts her stuff on a powerful “Stormy Weather,” in a tribute to the recently deceased Lena Horne, and the huge “Rock-a-bye Your Baby (with a Dixie Melody).” Brought back by a standing ovation from the sold-out crowd, Champagne sang a lovely rendition of the Dusty Springfield-recorded ballad “I’m Coming Home Again” (note to Connie: please bring back your Dusty show) and, of course, “Over the Rainbow.” Champagne’s Garland is both retro and very au courant in this smart, remarkably executed show.

Steve Murray
Cabaret Scenes
June 22, 2010
www.cabaretscenes.org