FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: In-Fin Tuann, 651-998-4011 November 1, 2019 [email protected]

“My history of my life is in my songs." – Garland

History Theatre celebrates the holiday season with the triumphant return of Beyond the Rainbow: Garland at Carnegie Hall Honoring ’s legendary concert!

SAINT PAUL, MN – HERstory Theatre celebrates the iconic Judy Garland, with a show that uses her 1961 concert as a framework for exploring the music and the memories of her remarkable life. Actress Jody Briskey plays Garland as the performer on stage at Carnegie Hall, while Elena Glass plays Judy in the memories that haunt and inspire the concert. HERstory Theatre will revisit and refresh this History Theatre Classic with a few new twists, including a sparkling pair of "young Judys" and more of Garland's greatest hits and choreography from some of her most famous movies. The ensemble of Cathleen Fuller, Shad Olsen, Adam Whisner and Peter Moore play the various significant characters in Judy’s life, from Garland’s childhood days in Minnesota, on to the studios at MGM, through marriages and divorces, and finally to Carnegie Hall. It’s a life packed with love, passion, courage, and resilience, featuring 24 of Garland’s greatest hits including “Get Happy,” “That’s Entertainment,” “The Trolley Song,” and of course, “.”

Beyond the Rainbow: Garland at Carnegie Hall Opens: Saturday, November 16, 2019 Through: Sunday, December 22, 2019 Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays @ 7:30pm Saturdays & Sundays @ 2pm • ASL/AD performance on December 8, 2pm • Open Captioning performances on December 14, 7:30pm and December 15, 2pm

TICKETS: Golden Circle: $65 Adults - Tier 1 $60; Tier 2 $55; Tier 3 $45 Tier 4: $30 Seniors - Tier 1 $55; Tier 2 $50; Tier 3 $40 Tier 4: $30 Under 30: $30 Students/Children (up to 18 years old): $15

Discount rates are available for groups of 10 or more. Call group sales at 651-292-4320.

Performing at History Theatre, 30 East 10th Street, St. Paul, MN For directions and parking information visit: http://www.historytheatre.com/directions_and_parking/

History Theatre Box Office at 651-292-4323 or www.historytheatre.com/tickets/

Photos are available at www.HistoryTheatre.com/press/ About the Play

Once in a generation, a performer with extraordinary talent splashes onto the scene. Frank Sinatra called Judy “the most important singer of the twentieth century.” No small praise coming from such a legend. But Beyond the Rainbow: Garland at Carnegie Hall is not only the story of a great singer, but of a child actor turned Hollywood star who captivated a nation with her incredible talent, roller-coaster life, and in the end a shocking and tragic death. Playwright William Randall Beard paints a portrait of survival and celebration: “I wanted to put a human face on the public image,” said Beard. “The Carnegie Hall performance was a quintessential moment of triumph for Judy Garland. The songs and stories bring to life some of the highlights (and low points) of her journey from being a young girl in Grand Rapids, Minnesota to being an international star in New York City.”

Beyond the Rainbow: Garland at Carnegie Hall is literally the performance of a lifetime featuring Jody Briskey, one of the nation’s foremost interpreters of Judy Garland’s distinctive style, singing 25 of Garland’s greatest hits. She is joined on stage by Elena Glass, playing the Judy of memories along with Cathleen Fuller, Norah Long, Shad Olsen, Adam Whisner and Peter Moore who play the various significant characters in Judy’s life. “Randy has woven Judy’s life story into the legendary concert now almost 60 years removed,” said Ron Peluso, History Theatre’s artistic director. “The show reveals the power of her talent and the fragile nature of her being.”

Beyond the Rainbow: Garland at Carnegie Hall was originally commissioned by History Theatre and premiered in 2005. Beyond the Rainbow has played in more than 25 regional theaters across the nation, and now HERstory Theatre will revisit and refresh this History Theatre Classic with a few new twists, including a sparkling pair of "young Judys" and more of Garland's greatest hits and choreography from some of her most famous movies. IVEY Award-winner Jody Briskey returns as Garland, along with Peter Moore, Norah Long & Cathy Fuller who will be joined by a handful of bright young newcomers. The show then traveled down to Florida where it played runs at two different theaters. Both Jody Briskey and Norah Long were nominated for Best Actor in a Musical by the prestigious Carbonell Awards; and the play was nominated for Best New Musical and Best Direction. Beyond the Rainbow will again be directed by Ron Peluso, with music arrangements and direction by David Lohman, choreography by Jan Puffer, scenic design by Kate Sutton-Johnson, costume design by E. Amy Hill, lighting design by Chris Johnson, properties design by Kirby Moore, and stage managed by Wayne Hendricks. Starring Jody Briskey as Judy Garland at Carnegie Hall, and Elena Glass as Judy Garland in memories; Nicola Wahl and Lilliam Carlson as young Judys with the ensemble of Cathleen Fuller, Norah Long, Shad Olsen, Adam Whisner and Peter Moore.

Special Events

Afterthoughts Discussion Series Sundays: 11/17, 11/24, 12/1, 12/8, 12/15, 12/22 at 4:00 p.m. - Free Patrons are invited to join a discussion series that will immediately follow Sunday matinees. Afterthoughts will feature guest speakers and the artists who brought Beyond the Rainbow to life on the stage. Check www.HistoryTheatre.com for a schedule and details about special guests and topics.

HERstory Theatre presents Beyond the Rainbow: Garland at Carnegie Hall Performance Schedule, November 16-December 22, 2019

Thursday, November 14, Preview 7:30 p.m. Friday, November 15 Preview 7:30 p.m. Saturday, November 16 Opening 7:30 p.m. Sunday, November 17 2:00 p.m. Afterthoughts 4:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. Thursday, November 21 7:30 p.m. Friday, November 22 7:30 p.m. Saturday, November 23 7:30 p.m. Sunday, November 24 2:00 p.m. Afterthoughts 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 26 1:00 p.m. Friday, November 29 7:30 p.m. Saturday, November 30 7:30 p.m. Sunday, December 1 2:00 p.m. Afterthoughts 4:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. Thursday, December 5 7:30 p.m. Friday, December 6 7:30 p.m. 2:00 p.m. Saturday, December 7 7:30 p.m. Sunday, December 8 ASL/AD 2:00 p.m. Afterthoughts 4:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. Thursday, December 12 7:30 p.m. Friday, December 13 7:30 p.m. Saturday, December 14 2:00 p.m. OC 7 :3 0 p.m. Sunday, December 15 OC 2:00 p.m. Afterthoughts 4:00 p.m. Thursday, December 19 7:30 p.m. Friday, December 20 7:30 p.m. Saturday, December 21 2:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, December 22 2:00 p.m. Afterthoughts 4:00 p.m. AD/ASL = Audio Description & American Sign Language interpreted performance OC= Open Captioning

About HERstory Theatre HERstory Theatre continues with Gloria: A Life and Beyond the Rainbow: Garland at Carnegie Hall. From January to June 2019, History Theatre transformed into HERstory Theatre and shined a spotlight on amazing women, encouraged conversation around gender equality and created the importance of telling herstory. HERstory Theatre premiered Stewardess!, Sisters of Peace and Dirty Business, written by and telling real stories about real women in Minnesota. Through History Theatre’s 41 years of being a leading producer of new works, we continue to tell important stories of real women in Minnesota.

About History Theatre Since 1978, the History Theatre Experience has created: Inspiration. History Theatre features real stories about real people to the stage in an immediate experience that touches our lives. 120 world premiere performances, more than any other theater in the Twin Cities. History Theatre is one of the country’s most impressive new play development homes – bringing to full production new work by Jeffrey Hatcher, Melanie Marnich, Craig Wright, Kim Hines, Dorie Baizley, John Olive, Kira Obolensky, and more. Brave, entertaining explorations of all the histories that make up our diverse community. From Farm Boys to Snapshots: Life in the City, from the celebratory Wellstone! to the dark, complex Piece of the Rope about Minnesota’s first public execution, HT has moved Minnesotans to rediscover, relive, and respect every piece of their history. More than 200,000 students have connected with history at History Theatre. History Theatre entertains, educates and engages through creating, developing and producing new and existing works that explore Minnesota’s past and the diverse American experience. Our work provides a unique lens which links our past to the present, explores our common heritage, and illuminates our understanding of what it means to be American. History Theatre is a four-time IVEY Award-winning theater, and is recognized nationally as a leader in producing historical work.

Accessibility History Theatre is equipped with an FM hearing enhancement system. We offer ASL interpreted and Audio Described performances. We have complimentary wheelchairs for those patrons who need extra assistance into the building. The handicap- accessible entrance is on Cedar St. just inside the entrance is an elevator that will take patrons to the theatre level. Patrons are asked to indicate any special needs when ordering tickets. Contact box office at 651-292-4323 for more information.

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