New Musical About Liza Minnelli and Judy Garland Set to Open Sept 2013

Today, Janke Dekker Productions announced the cast for the upcoming musical exploring the relationship between Liza Minnelli and Judy Garland. In the small-scale production featuring a cast of three, Liza Minelli has a fictional meeting with her mother at the age of 47, which was also the age at which Judy Garland died of alcohol and substance abuse.

Janke Dekker will portray Liza, Jelka van Houten will play Judy. Theo Nijland, who will compose several new songs to accompagny the well-known hits by the two diva's, will be featured in the show as well. A script is currently being developed by Lars Boom.

According to Dekker, "Liza will engage in a theatrical battle with the icon her mother is, not foregoing their trademark comedy. Will Liza emerge from The Shadows of her mother? Will Sally Bowles defeat Dorothy?"

Jelka van Houten has been featured in various stage and screen productions. This fall she is part of the cast of Fresh Meat, the UK Channel 4 series currently in its second season. Dekker has played major roles in Dutch and Belgian musicals, such as EVITA (Evita), MAN OF LA MANCHA (Dulcinea) and more recently FOOTLOOSE (Vi).

The musical will open in September 2013 and tour the Netherlands.

Photo: Liza & Judy