Singer brings Garland to life in musical
By T.L. HamiltonThe Daily News
Published August 18, 2006GALVESTON — All those who cannot avoid singing the lyrics “Clang, clang, clang went the trolley” as railcars rumble along downtown Galveston streets can sing along to the latest Galveston Musicals performance.The musical revue “Judy Garland and Friends” continues tonight through Sunday at the Moody Gardens Convention Center.The performance stars actress Zanna Fredland. She will perform many Garland hits while portraying her in her mid-30s, when she hit her prime.Born in 1922 in Grand Rapids, Minn., Garland performed in films as early as 1936, but did not reach star status until her lead role as Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz” in 1939.She performed in musicals and films and continued entertaining until her death of a barbiturate overdose in 1969.“It will be a challenge to portray her,” Fredland said. “Let’s face it –– she’s an icon. No one can perfectly match her vocal style. However, I’ve studied her mannerisms, pronunciation and movements, which will fill in the blanks.”Fredland prepared for the role by reading several biographies on the actress and singer and watching concert performances.“I watched the performance she did with (daughter) Liza Minnelli at The Palladium, and of course films like ‘A Star is Born’ and ‘The Wizard of Oz,’” Fredland said. “I also have several live recordings of her performances.”Fredland received her bachelor’s degree in opera vocal performance at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. In 2002, she earned her graduate degree in opera at Rice University.Although she enjoyed opera and was selected for roles in several school performances such as “The Marriage of Figaro” and “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” she also participated in musical theater and ended up focusing on it after her formal education was complete.She was noticed during a performance of “Sisters of Swing” at Granbury Opera House in Fort Worth and then auditioned and won the Judy Garland role. “We did a slightly different version of the revue at the Granbury in May and decided to alter it slightly and perform it here,” she said.Fredland worked with “Judy Garland and Friends” director Chad Alan-Carr on “George M.” and “The Buddy Holly Story.” Co-star Judy Norton, a former star of the television series “The Waltons,” has also worked with Fredland in the past. “We were in ‘Hello Dolly’ together,” Fredland said. “I’ve also worked with her on some plays she wrote and directed. We all work very well together; it’s been a lot of fun.”Alternating with Fredland’s numbers, Norton will perform some Liza Minnelli and Cole Porter songs.The performance will also include Frank Sinatra impersonator Ken Nelson and comedic actor Steven Einsphar as emcee.What: Judy Garland and Friends.Where: Moody Gardens Convention Center, 1 Hope Blvd., Galveston. When: Tonight through Sunday, 7:30 p.m. for evening performances and 2:30 p.m. for Saturday and Sunday matinees.Cost: $22 to $35.Call: 409-316-0346.Visit:: www.galvestonmusicals.com
http://news.galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=4f4a39cfd0008017
Published August 18, 2006GALVESTON — All those who cannot avoid singing the lyrics “Clang, clang, clang went the trolley” as railcars rumble along downtown Galveston streets can sing along to the latest Galveston Musicals performance.The musical revue “Judy Garland and Friends” continues tonight through Sunday at the Moody Gardens Convention Center.The performance stars actress Zanna Fredland. She will perform many Garland hits while portraying her in her mid-30s, when she hit her prime.Born in 1922 in Grand Rapids, Minn., Garland performed in films as early as 1936, but did not reach star status until her lead role as Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz” in 1939.She performed in musicals and films and continued entertaining until her death of a barbiturate overdose in 1969.“It will be a challenge to portray her,” Fredland said. “Let’s face it –– she’s an icon. No one can perfectly match her vocal style. However, I’ve studied her mannerisms, pronunciation and movements, which will fill in the blanks.”Fredland prepared for the role by reading several biographies on the actress and singer and watching concert performances.“I watched the performance she did with (daughter) Liza Minnelli at The Palladium, and of course films like ‘A Star is Born’ and ‘The Wizard of Oz,’” Fredland said. “I also have several live recordings of her performances.”Fredland received her bachelor’s degree in opera vocal performance at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. In 2002, she earned her graduate degree in opera at Rice University.Although she enjoyed opera and was selected for roles in several school performances such as “The Marriage of Figaro” and “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” she also participated in musical theater and ended up focusing on it after her formal education was complete.She was noticed during a performance of “Sisters of Swing” at Granbury Opera House in Fort Worth and then auditioned and won the Judy Garland role. “We did a slightly different version of the revue at the Granbury in May and decided to alter it slightly and perform it here,” she said.Fredland worked with “Judy Garland and Friends” director Chad Alan-Carr on “George M.” and “The Buddy Holly Story.” Co-star Judy Norton, a former star of the television series “The Waltons,” has also worked with Fredland in the past. “We were in ‘Hello Dolly’ together,” Fredland said. “I’ve also worked with her on some plays she wrote and directed. We all work very well together; it’s been a lot of fun.”Alternating with Fredland’s numbers, Norton will perform some Liza Minnelli and Cole Porter songs.The performance will also include Frank Sinatra impersonator Ken Nelson and comedic actor Steven Einsphar as emcee.What: Judy Garland and Friends.Where: Moody Gardens Convention Center, 1 Hope Blvd., Galveston. When: Tonight through Sunday, 7:30 p.m. for evening performances and 2:30 p.m. for Saturday and Sunday matinees.Cost: $22 to $35.Call: 409-316-0346.Visit:: www.galvestonmusicals.com
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