With ruby slippers gripped tightly around their feet and the yellow brick road waiting ahead of them, the creators of Off-Broadway Show Judy and Me have announced that they have finalized the cast and crew prior to their opening night on Oct. 19 at the St. Luke's Theatre, with the newest additions including Set Designer Tim McMath, Lighting Designer Josh Iacovelli and Costume Designer Viviane Galloway.
The current cast of Judy and Me is set to include Dusty St. Amand, Jean Ann Kump, Basil Meola,
Peter Mac, Elyse Beyer, Christopher McCabe, Christopher Brick, Noelle Pasatieri-Wilson and Richard Guido. In addition, the crew includes
Dr. John Schaefer, Ian Galligan,
Joseph John Macchia, Dennis Petragnani, John Murdock, Carol Fuoco, grapeVine PR and Gary Shaffer & Associates.
In addition to cementing the cast and crew, Judy and Me will also be involved with this year's Broadway Flea Market and Grand Auction, scheduled to be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 21, in Shubert Alley in New York. The charity event brings together Broadway and Off-Broadway for one day, allowing fans to get closer to the community. It was founded in 1987 by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the nation's leading industry-based HIV/AIDS fundraising and grant-making organization.
Both New World Productions and
Joseph John Productions have a long history of fundraising for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, and have raised tens of thousands of dollars through individual donations, end-of-show passings of hats, and one-night-only events where both the ticket price and raffles go to the cause.
The "little show that could," Judy and Me was originally seen in January 2002 in a cabaret theater engagement at Rose's Turn, but due to an intensely positive public and critical response, the four-performance booking was quickly extended to an almost three-year run at the Arthur Seelen Theatre and then The Producers Club, both in New York City.
Recounting the true story of playwright Mac through the eyes of sixteen-year old character Anthony, a resident of the narrow-minded suburb of Elmont, Long Island, the show depicts the daily stress of being verbally and physically gay-bashed in school; abuse from his angry father at home; and finding the strength to come out. The teen finds his only solace in the iconic performer
Judy Garland, who is brought to life right before his very eyes and counsels him through the hard times, allowing him the strength to learn to deal with his dysfunctional family, school life, and the realization that he's gay.
Editor-in-Chief of HX magazine, Brandon Voss, defined Judy and Me as "Homophobia? Domestic abuse? The ghost of
Judy Garland? I couldn't ask for anything more! Judy and Me is a performance I'd like to never forget. It's witty, charming and comical - yet serious all the while."
and Backstage's John Hoglund praised it as "a warmhearted, compelling outing with human issues."
Previews of Judy and Me begin Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 8 p.m. The
St. Luke's Theatre is located at 308 West 46th Street, New York. Show times include Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 7 p.m., with matinees Saturdays at 2 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets, ranging in price from $47.50 to $72.50, are available after Sept. 1 by calling (212) 239-6200 or by visiting www.telecharge.com. There will be a limited number of Student and Teacher tickets for $20 available at only at the box office on the day of the performance. Valid school ID is required.
For more information on Judy and Me, please visit
www.JudyandMe.com.
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