Judy Garland

STONEHAM - If "Dear Miss Garland" consisted solely of the Judy Garland impersonation that Kathy St. George has perfected over the years, it would be an impressive feat - but perhaps more of a curiosity for devotees than a real theatrical event. As it happens, though, the Stoneham Theatre production is much, much more. St. George, along with director Scott Edmiston, has crafted a heartfelt, highly personal tribute to Garland that conveys both St. George's admiration for her "favorite movie star" and her empathetic understanding of the star's troubled, troubling life.

MUSICAL MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS (1944) "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," indeed. Judy Garland and Vincente Minnelli's gloriously Technicolorful slice of Americana gets a hi-def reissue this week, packaged in a hardcover booklet with archival photos and trivia. We're told about how Garland resisted the project, anxious to play more mature roles than youthful Esther Smith - a reminder that stirs melancholy now, not to mention thoughts of any number of current young actresses bent on getting sophisticated, fast.

A drama about the last months of Judy Garland's life is coming to Broadway this spring. Peter Quilter's "End of the Rainbow" is set to begin performances March 19 at a theater to be announced. Tracie Bennett, a two-time Olivier Award winner who originated the role of Garland in London, will reprise her role on Broadway. Set in London in 1968, the play follows the drama of Garland's final performances in London and her controversial life off stage. It also includes several of Garland's signature songs, including "Over the Rainbow.

A drama about the last months of Judy Garland's life is coming to Broadway this spring. Peter Quilter's "End of the Rainbow" is set to begin performances March 19 at a theater to be announced. Tracie Bennett, a two-time Olivier Award winner who originated the role of Garland in London, will reprise her role on Broadway. Set in London in 1968, the play follows the drama of Garland's final performances in London and her controversial life off stage. It also includes several of Garland's signature songs, including "Over the Rainbow.

It's a Wonderful Life 8 p.m., Channel 7 Deja boo hoo. How the Grinch Stole Christmas 8 p.m., Channel 5 Deja Boo Who. A Grandpa for Christmas 9 p.m., Hallmark Channel Deja spew. JUDY JUDY JUDY Judy Garland: Duets 9 p.m., Channel 2 A little tragedy for Christmas Eve? Yeah, it'll touch the heart. The show features Judy Garland (left) singing her guts out in performances with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Mickey Rooney, Count Basie, Lena Horne, Tony Bennett, Barbra Streisand, Peggy Lee, Bobby Darin, Ethel Merman, Vic Damone, Mel Torme, Jack Jones, and...

PBS's "American Masters" series presents "Judy Garland: By Myself," at 9 tonight on Channel 2. Spoiler alert: The ending isn't happy. Last week on "The Bachelorette" : Finalist Ian confides that he will not propose to Meredith on TV, because he wants to maintain his privacy. Millions of viewers appreciate his tasteful restraint. The finale is tonight at 9 on Channel 5. In "Beah: A Black Woman Speaks , " the black woman also acts and writes poetry.

In 1964, Groucho Marx was asked which of his contemporaries he considered fastest on the draw in terms of "one-line impromptus. " Marx replied, "George S. Kaufman, Oscar Levant, and Irving Brecher. " Irving Brecher? Before his death last year, at 94, screenwriter and professional curmudgeon Brecher was one of Hollywood's best-kept secrets. Which is surprising when you consider that he turned out scripts for the likes of Fred Astaire, Judy Garland, Dick Van Dyke, and Lucille Ball. While even the most devout movie buffs may not know Brecher's name, his contributions to cinema are unforgettable.

LOS ANGELES -- There's no song like "Over the Rainbow. " Kansas girl Dorothy Gale's wistful tune in "The Wizard of Oz" led the American Film Institute's list of 100 best movie songs, released yesterday. It was followed by "As Time Goes By" from "Casablanca," at No. 2, and the title song from "Singin' in the Rain," No. 3. "Over the Rainbow," sung by Judy Garland in the 1939 musical, was selected in a vote by about 1,500 actors, filmmakers, writers, critics, and others in Hollywood.

It didn't take long for Mario Cantone to work up a sweat Friday night at the Berklee Performance Center. It's been 12 years since the Stoneham native has played for a Boston crowd, and he hit the stage with the enthusiasm of a man thrilled to be back in his element. Cantone opened with a musical number and then launched into a series of rapid-fire impressions before the cymbals had stopped ringing. He was Shelley Winters crouching on a piano, Julia Child as the Hunchback of Notre Dame ("Sanctuary!

MUSICAL MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS (1944) "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," indeed. Judy Garland and Vincente Minnelli's gloriously Technicolorful slice of Americana gets a hi-def reissue this week, packaged in a hardcover booklet with archival photos and trivia. We're told about how Garland resisted the project, anxious to play more mature roles than youthful Esther Smith - a reminder that stirs melancholy now, not to mention thoughts of any number of current young actresses bent on getting sophisticated, fast.

THE LESPAUNTS Performs Saturday at 8 p.m. along with The Strange Machines at Amazing Things Arts Center, 160 Hollis St., Framingham. Tickets: $12, $11 for students/seniors, and $10 for members. 508-405-2787 or visiting www.amazingthings.org. Teenage boys grabbing a couple of buddies and a couple of guitars and calling themselves a band has a long tradition. You could even call it the updated version of Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney saying “Let’s put on a show!

Here’s a strange little Lifetime movie. Called “The Client List,’’ it’s about a twangy Texas wife and mother who secretly goes a-prostitutin’ when the bank threatens to foreclose on her mortgage. At first we see her in curlers and mom jeans; later, she’s carefully directing the nozzle of a whipped cream container while dressed in lacy lingerie. The tone of the movie, tonight at 9, is kind of “no worries.’’ Ever so blithely, Samantha Horton (pun intended?) sails her narrative arc from Mom of the Year straight to the shores of Whore...

STONEHAM - If "Dear Miss Garland" consisted solely of the Judy Garland impersonation that Kathy St. George has perfected over the years, it would be an impressive feat - but perhaps more of a curiosity for devotees than a real theatrical event. As it happens, though, the Stoneham Theatre production is much, much more. St. George, along with director Scott Edmiston, has crafted a heartfelt, highly personal tribute to Garland that conveys both St. George's admiration for her "favorite movie star" and her empathetic understanding of the star's troubled, troubling life.

In 1964, Groucho Marx was asked which of his contemporaries he considered fastest on the draw in terms of "one-line impromptus. " Marx replied, "George S. Kaufman, Oscar Levant, and Irving Brecher. " Irving Brecher? Before his death last year, at 94, screenwriter and professional curmudgeon Brecher was one of Hollywood's best-kept secrets. Which is surprising when you consider that he turned out scripts for the likes of Fred Astaire, Judy Garland, Dick Van Dyke, and Lucille Ball. While even the most devout movie buffs may not know Brecher's name, his contributions to cinema are...

It's a Wonderful Life 8 p.m., Channel 7 Deja boo hoo. How the Grinch Stole Christmas 8 p.m., Channel 5 Deja Boo Who. A Grandpa for Christmas 9 p.m., Hallmark Channel Deja spew. JUDY JUDY JUDY Judy Garland: Duets 9 p.m., Channel 2 A little tragedy for Christmas Eve? Yeah, it'll touch the heart. The show features Judy Garland (left) singing her guts out in performances with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Mickey Rooney, Count Basie, Lena Horne, Tony Bennett, Barbra Streisand, Peggy Lee, Bobby Darin, Ethel Merman, Vic...

Rufus Wainwright swept onto the stage at Avalon on Tuesday -- shirtless and slim, white suit covered in dazzling brooches, diamond necklace circling his throat -- to sing a blowsy torch song. Had it been any other pretty face, the display would have been a de rigueur drag moment. But the tune was the baroque title track from Wainwright's new CD, "Release the Stars," and his deep, dramatic performance was the leading edge of one of those blue moon shows from an artist who has quite literally reached his moment of truth.

Rufus Wainwright swept onto the stage at Avalon on Tuesday -- shirtless and slim, white suit covered in dazzling brooches, diamond necklace circling his throat -- to sing a blowsy torch song. Had it been any other pretty face, the display would have been a de rigueur drag moment. But the tune was the baroque title track from Wainwright's new CD, "Release the Stars," and his deep, dramatic performance was the leading edge of one of those blue moon shows from an artist who has quite literally reached his moment of truth.

Here’s a strange little Lifetime movie. Called “The Client List,’’ it’s about a twangy Texas wife and mother who secretly goes a-prostitutin’ when the bank threatens to foreclose on her mortgage. At first we see her in curlers and mom jeans; later, she’s carefully directing the nozzle of a whipped cream container while dressed in lacy lingerie. The tone of the movie, tonight at 9, is kind of “no worries.’’ Ever so blithely, Samantha Horton (pun intended?) sails her narrative arc from Mom of the Year straight to the shores of Whore with a Heart of...

It didn't take long for Mario Cantone to work up a sweat Friday night at the Berklee Performance Center. It's been 12 years since the Stoneham native has played for a Boston crowd, and he hit the stage with the enthusiasm of a man thrilled to be back in his element. Cantone opened with a musical number and then launched into a series of rapid-fire impressions before the cymbals had stopped ringing. He was Shelley Winters crouching on a piano, Julia Child as the Hunchback of Notre Dame ("Sanctuary!

LOS ANGELES -- There's no song like "Over the Rainbow. " Kansas girl Dorothy Gale's wistful tune in "The Wizard of Oz" led the American Film Institute's list of 100 best movie songs, released yesterday. It was followed by "As Time Goes By" from "Casablanca," at No. 2, and the title song from "Singin' in the Rain," No. 3. "Over the Rainbow," sung by Judy Garland in the 1939 musical, was selected in a vote by about 1,500 actors, filmmakers, writers, critics, and others in Hollywood.