Francis Ethel Gumm, better known as Judy Garland, is ready to take you on a musical journey over the rainbow, Well, not exactly Francis or Judy but a lovely talented singer and performer Jenna Pastuszek as who has her own fascination with this incredible American actress, singer and vauf=devillian who began her career at the age of two, performing with her two older sisters as The Gumm Sisters.
Called “Baby” by her family, her first stage performance was at Christmas time singing “Jingle Bells” at her father’s movie theater. George Jessel is said to heve selected the name Judy Garland for her, stating “I think she’s a combination of Helen Hayes and Al Jolson and maybe Jenny Lind and Sarah Bernhardt.”
The Westport Country Playhouse is flying flocks of blue birds over beautiful rainbows for a charming visit with Jenna Pastuszekas who shares her love of Judy Garland in the amazingly persona] “Get Happy!,” on Wednesday, June 17 at 7 p.m.. With a focus on her musical talents exhibited in such movie hits as “The Wizard of Os,” “Easter Parade,” “Judy Live at Carnegie Hall,” “Judy at the Palace,” and “The Judy Garland Show,” Jenna will share “witty, endearingly personal stories and a musical gems stuffed playlist.”
At only 4 feet 11 inches, Garland suffered from poor self esteem. Her school mates on the MGM studio lot were Elizabeth Taylor, Ava Gardner and Lana Turner. She was called “ugly duckling” and MGM’s head Louis B. Mayer called her "his little hunchback.” Her whole career she doubted she was either attractive or talented. At sixteen she was cast as Dorothy Gale in “The Wizard of Oz” and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” became her favorite signature song.
Judy Garland became Jenna Pastuszek’s first musical tribute quite by accident. In June 2019 a theater company in Cape May, New Jesdey called her out of the blue about a gala they were planning and told her she was “just the gal to do it.”Despite the pandemic intruding on its debut, she found the challenge of writing a tribute show to Judy “really wonderful and fun” with the audience getting to know Jenna through Judy. As a history major at the University of Virginia, Jenna knew how to do research in library source material. Now she tells her story in-between fun facts, revealing how their two lives intertwine. In a big band way she takes Judy’s version of “Singin’ in the Rain” and gives it a unique new spin.
To date she has taken her show to 50 venues in 13 states, from Nantucket to Florida, Wisconsin to San Diego. This universal piece has clearly changed her life and she is so grateful as it provides joy. When she was at the Papermill Playhouse in New Jersey she as asked if she had another show and the name Barbra Streisand jumped out of her mouth, even though it was only a thought and definitely not a reality. Now it is. Jenna does a wonderful show about Barbara’s birthday, one she showcased last year at Westport Country Playhouse. Who might be next? Think Bette, Cher, Liza or even a joint show of Judy and Barbra, as the two divas share a ton of songs, like believe it or not, “Purple People Eater.”
Jenna will perform with a full jazz trio, led by Joshua Zecher-Ross. For tickets ($40-50), call Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, Westport at 203-227-4177 or online at boxoffice@westportplayhouse.org.
Come learn about Judy and Jenna, how their lives meet and cross, stories and songs that will make you laugh and be quite amazed, and how they both entertain with such joy and enthusiasm. Come over the rainbow with their wings of charm.
