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| "End of the Rainbow" |
"Famous last words" is a popular expression for a moment that exemplifies someone's life in unforgettable ways. In its own way, that applies to the wonderful show put on by La Mirada Theater called "End of the Rainbow," which focused on the final days of actress Judy Garland. For those expecting a story as bright as Wizard of Oz or Meet Me in St. Louis, expect disappointment. The comedy from this production is filled with tragedy as her story mixes addiction with insecurity and fame. It goes behind the scenes of a moment that many weren't privy to (best emphasized by its four person cast). Despite being one of the most uncomfortable and tragic stories imaginable, the cast and crew of "End of the Rainbow" have produced a wonderful ode to a cinema icon who was loved but never felt loved. After this show, it will be hard not to wish that she felt differently about the matter.
With suitcases taller than her height, Garland (Angela Ingersoll) arrives in England for several concerts. While she's joyous, there's a lot that is immediate about her ego. She believes that she's a star worthy of assistants to carry her luggage (including some full of old towels) and that her expansive room that can fit a grand piano is too small. She lives a luxurious life full of heart and soul, showing a side that's fitting with her MGM movies. It's an entrance that at times attempts to break the fourth wall as she looks out into the audience and criticizes the imperfections. It is here where the conflicts begin. She is insecure because something is wrong. Even as she has her fiance Mickey (Zachary Ford) and pianist Anthony (Jon Steinhagen) flourish her with adoration, she still feels a hollowness.
Mickey and Anthony represent different struggles in Garland's life. Mickey will be her fourth (no, fifth) husband and is eager to see her happy at the expense of her health. He maintains brief strictness to her drug and alcohol addictions before realizing that it makes her perform. If she performs, everyone will be out of debt. The impulse is strong, and it's counteracted by the professional Anthony, who stays out of arguments until their nastiest moments. He is the tender soul too nervous to see Garland head down this road. As the title alludes to, the story that follows is extremely tragic as it builds to the final rendition of Garland's most iconic song "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." In many ways, Garland is helpless to her own struggles; believing that pills will make a difference as she loses more and more confidence in herself, even believing that she looks pale and deathly.
What is probably the greatest detail of the show is the tonal balance. In spite of the story reaching some dark and depraved places, there's a sense of comedy that would be funnier had Garland not been so beloved. Ingersoll's commitment to the role is astounding as she gravitates from confidence to a drunken mess willing to roll on the floor. Her physicality is matched by a voice whose screams during a fight capture her insecurity and lack of control. Ingersoll gives everything to the role, creating the sense of how drained Garland must have been in real life as she laughed off her most embarrassing moments as Mickey looked on in desperation. His conflicts with financial woes give his own story a more complex layer, as he tries to find ways to fix their crippling debt without Garland's train wreck of addiction and memory loss. Even if this is her story, everyone has a secondary struggle that justifies their actions, no matter how devious.
Of course, part of Garland's biggest appeal was also her incredible singing voice. With scenes set at The Talk of the Town, Garland performs the hits that everyone knows well, such as "The Trolley Song" and "The Man That Got Away." It also explains her impeccable drive for perfectionism as she curses loose microphone chords and dismisses songs she hates. Ingersoll's performance even encourages audience interaction, or at least feels that way thanks to the sense that Garland craves acceptance that only the audience can provide. What may seem like a cheap technique elsewhere is given new life thematically here. What helps is that while Ingersoll doesn't have quite as low of a register as Garland, she has the vocal inflections necessary to add depth to the performance. The songs aren't just performance. They are wavering with gusto and showmanship meant to compensate for Garland's loneliness. Like the story itself, the power of the singing is juxtaposed nicely with sadness, creating a vision that is wholly sympathetic but also incredibly sad.
"End of the Rainbow" is a drama that works thanks to its great cast. While the story is rich with Garland's history (including several jabs at ex-husband Vincente Minnelli), the story's one flaw is that the struggles of her addictions don't have much of a back story. As much as the story works without it, she was a victim of studio mistreatment that lead her to this behavior. While it's not needed to enjoy the story, it would've been nice to get a fuller picture of why this moment of her life was so sad, especially to 2017 audiences who probably are coming into the production uninformed. Still, it's a powerful performance that shines with the life and career of someone who craved acceptance and whose downfall feels tragic for never quite getting it. The audiences loved her as anyone in attendance at this show will attest, but Garland's biggest fan (herself) didn't love her enough to care, which may be the saddest element of all.
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