In its World Premiere, “Judy Garland In Concert,” brings together the legendary Judy Garland and the symphonic sound of the Boston Pops through historic footage and modern technology!
Preview Podcast
Host Jordan Rich talks with John Fricke on the making of these world premiere concerts.
The orchestra will perform music arranged by the major artistic figures in Arthur Freed's film production unit at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) during the Golden Era of Hollywood. Some memorable titles include Come Rain or Come Shine (Harold Arlen/Johnny Mercer), I Can't Give You Anything But Love (Jimmy McHugh/Dorothy Fields), Judy at the Palace (Roger Edens), Swanee (George Gershwin/Irving Caesar), and of course, Over the Rainbow (Harold Arlen/E.Y. Harburg).
About the Music
The legendary voice of Judy Garland and the symphonic sound of the Boston Pops combine in this remarkable concert event. Experience Judy's dynamic life in song as she performs on multiple screens, accompanied by the orchestra in the classic repertoire and arrangements that thrilled worldwide audiences. Using breakthrough technology, this unique entertainment event incorporates rare home movies, photographs, artwork, and the star's own reminiscences to recreate the magical and timeless Judy Garland In Concert.
About Judy Garland Judy Garland was born Frances Ethel Gumm on June 10, 1922, in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, and immediately nicknamed "Baby." Both of her parents performed, as did Baby's two older sisters, and she joined the family act on December 26, 1924, both solo and in a song-and-dance routine with her siblings. The family moved to California in 1926, and over the next nine years, "The Gumm Sisters" made hundreds of stage and radio appearances as well as four short films. By 1935, Baby’s name had been changed to Judy Garland. That same year, her sisters bowed out of the act, and Judy signed an MGM contract. They arranged her first feature film on loan-out to Twentieth Century-Fox (Pigskin Parade, 1936) and then cast her in Broadway Melody of 1938 (1937). Her success led the studio to intensive plans for her future; The Wizard of Oz (1939) was paramount among the projects in development, but during its preparation, she made four other features, including the first of ten movies in which she shared billing with Mickey Rooney. Judy appeared in more than 20 films in the 1940s, including such classics as Babes in Arms, For Me and My Gal, Meet Me in St. Louis, and Easter Parade. She was presented with a special juvenile “Oscar” in 1940. Additionally, between 1936 and 1950, Judy recorded over eighty sides for Decca, made over two hundred radio appearances, and -- during World War II -- served among the entertainers who performed for stateside servicemen and women. In April 1951, "Baby Gumm" returned to her roots with a sensational four-week stage engagement at the London Palladium. This led to 1100 live appearances over the next 18 years, including historic engagements on Broadway at The Palace Theater (the first of these in 1951-51brought her a special Tony Award) and “Judy at Carnegie Hall” (1961); the recording of the latter concert won an unprecedented five Grammy Awards. Between 1955 and 1965, she cut ten other albums for Capitol Records; she received Academy Award nominations for A Star is Born (1954) and Judgment at Nuremberg (1961); and she garnered raves and high ratings for her TV work in the 1950s and 1960s. Judy Garland's final concert appearances in March 1969 won ten-minute standing ovations in Stockholm and Copenhagen. She died in her London home on June 22, 1969, of an accidental overdose of prescription medication.
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![[Doug Katsaros]](/images/_images/_musicians/DKatsarosx63.jpg)
