“Judy Garland at Carnegie Hall: The 50th Anniversary Concert” with Lorna Luft LIVE! at the Paramount Theatre
By: Spotlight Central
Tags: Broadway, New Jersey, Judy Garland, Tribute, Music

By Spotlight Central. Photos by Love Imagery

On April 23, 1961, 3000 music lovers packed New York City’s Carnegie Hall to witness a monumental moment in show business history — a live concert by the legendary singer and actress, Judy Garland.

The original recording of that evening’s performance, Judy at Carnegie Hall, shot to the top of the Billboard charts, was certified gold, and even won four Grammy Awards including Album of the Year, making Judy Garland the first woman to ever receive that honor.

Since it’s release in 1961, the album has never gone out of print.

On Sunday June 23, 2019, music lovers packed Asbury Park, NJ’s Paramount Theatre to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Garland’s death in June of 1969 with a performance of Judy Garland at Carnegie Hall: The 50th Anniversary Concert, hosted by Garland’s daughter, singer and actress Lorna Luft.

Andrew DePrisco, artistic director of Deal Park, NJ’s Axelrod Performing Arts Center, welcomes the crowd. A co-presentation of Axelrod PAC and the Paramount Theatre, DePrisco thanks the sponsors in addition to those working behind the scenes of tonight’s tribute, notably singer and music archivist Michael Feinstein who recently said about tonight’s performance, “This is the first time the Garland concert will be performed with meticulous research and preparation, giving listeners a true sense of what the orchestra really sounded like in 1961.”

The 39-piece orchestra stands as conductor Michael Berkowitz takes his place center stage, the grand architecture of the theater graced by a golden iridescent back curtain that envelopes him and the musicians.

Berkowitz raises his baton to open tonight’s concert with an instrumental “Overture” of Judy Garland classics including “The Trolley Song,” “Over the Rainbow,” and “The Man That Got Away.”

Building in dynamics and mood, the living and breathing orchestra’s swinging instrumental performance builds in dynamics and mood, the percussion beating as strings whirl and swirl about the stage. The crystal clear sound inspires audience members to rise to their feet.

Lorna Luft enters the stage, takes a deep bow, and welcomes the audience saying, “Hello, Asbury Park!”

Announcing, “50 years ago, the world lost a legend,” Luft talks about her mother, Judy Garland. Calling her “an incredible person,” Luft reveals that at the tender age of nine, she was in the audience at Carnegie Hall when her mother presented the original 1961 concert that will be recreated here at the Paramount tonight.

Recalling, “Everyone was dressed up in fantastic gowns and jewelry, and the men were in tuxedos,” Luft exclaims, “and when when my mother came out, they all went bananas!”

Continuing, “I never saw adults act like that,” Luft praises tonight’s orchestra, calling their sound “stunning” and inviting the audience to “sit back, relax, and have a wonderful time.”

This evening’s program consists of all 25 numbers originally performed by Judy Garland at her historic 1961 Carnegie Hall concert. Tonight, they are not only performed by Luft, but by four additional talented singers as well: Joan Ellison, Debbie Gravitte, Karen Mason, and Gabrielle Stravelli.

Joan Ellison opens the show with “When You’re Smiling.” Looking elegant in a sequined gown with 50s style hair and makeup, Ellison has heads bopping along to this rousing opening number which has the crowd cheering and whistling by the end.

Smiling as she sings in her black gown with black opera gloves, Debbie Gravitte performs an uptempo medley of “Almost Like Being in Love” and “This Can’t Be Love.”