International City Theatre kicks off its 30th Anniversary Season with a tour de force musical drama about the final days of Judy Garland. End of the Rainbow by Peter Quilter opens Feb. 20, directed by John Henry Davis (ICT'sTrying) and starring Gigi Bermingham (Ovation Award-winner for her performance as Maria Callas in ICT's Master Class) in the role of the legendary singer.
In
Peter Quilter's savagely funny play, it's Christmas 1968, and Judy is shacked up in London's Ritz Hotel with fiancé number five, Mickey Deans (
Michael Rubenstone), and her loyal friend and pianist, Anthony (
Brent Schindele, who also musical directs). A whirlwind success in her youth, the years have been unkind, and Garland is clutching at the straw she thinks will save her career and bring in some much-needed cash: a six-week run of cabaret shows at London's Talk of the Town nightclub. Featuring some of Garland's most memorable songs including "The Man That Got Away," "Come Rain Or Come Shine," "The Trolley Song" and, of course, "Somewhere Over The Rainbow," End of the Rainbow paints a warts-and-all picture of the beloved but tortured musical icon, her strained relationships with men, her struggle to stay in the spotlight and the pill habit that would claim her life.
"End of the Rainbow is not a traditional stage biography," wrote Quilter in an article. "It's not full of facts and flashbacks, it's not the story and minute detail of an entire life. Instead, we focus on just one short period of six weeks. A snapshot of a life, a look at what was happening to this remarkable woman during a fascinating, dangerous, compelling time when her career, money troubles, search for love, addictions and hopes all seemed to come crashing together."
End of the Rainbow premiered at the Sydney Opera House in 2005. Subsequent productions in London's West End and on Broadway were the recipients of four Olivier and three Tony Award nominations respectively. The New York Times called End of the Rainbow "electrifying" and "revealing in a way that tell-all bio-drama seldom is."
Also in the cast, playing multiple roles, is Wallace Angus Bruce. Set design for End of the Rainbow is by Aaron Jackson; lighting design is by
Donna Ruzika; costume design is by Kim DeShazo; sound design is by Paul Fabre; props are by Patty and Gordon Briles; wigs are by Anthony Gagliardi; casting is by
Michael Donovan Casting; and the production stage manager is Henry "Heno" Fernandez.caryn desai [sic] produces for International City Theatre.
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