San Francisco Gay Pride week and the 40th anniversary of Stonewall—what better time for a resurrection of gay icon Judy Garland as channeled by the one and only Connie Champagne. Garland, usually reincarnated by numerous drag queens (most notably Jim Bailey), has been the staple of Champagne's repertoire for more than two decades, and does the lady great justice. The voice, banter and nervous movements and gestures are recreated along with Garland's classic catalog of songs. Champagne and director F. Allen Sawyer are wise to avoid the really huge Garland signature songs, selecting a few favorites ("Just in Time," "San Francisco," "The Trolley Song" and "Get Happy"). Champagne's Garland voice shines on the ballads like "Look for the Silver Lining" which Garland sang in Till the Clouds Roll By, the Billy Barnes tune "Something Cool," and "The Boy Next Door." Champagne has included songs written after Garland's death in 1969 to great effect. Queen's over the top "Bohemian Rhapsody," Amy Winehouse's "Rehab" and La Cage aux Folles' "I Am What I Am" might have been natural covers for Miss Garland and add a delightful edge to what could be just a standard Garland fan fest. Her renditions of the clever "Never Will I Marry," the sardonic "I'd Like to Hate Myself in the Morning (And Raise a Little Hell Tonight)" and the haunting "The Ballad of the Sad Young Men" elevate her to a realm all her own and makes this show relevant and interesting. Who else would dare to update a legend but San Francisco's own Connie Champagne!

Steve Murray
Cabaret Scenes
June 24, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org