Kim Schroeder Long as Judy Garland.
Judy Garland biography finally takes the stage outdoors after originally being postponed due to COVID; Runs Sept. 10–12 and 17-19
COVINGTON, KY (August 25, 2021)– Judy Garland was a star of stage and screen whose talent was unparalleled in its time. Her personal journey, however, was not always filled with sunshine and happiness. Now, The Carnegie will explore and celebrate her legacy when it travels to the END OF THE RAINBOW at Covington Plaza Outdoor Amphitheater this September.
Set in 1968, END OF THE RAINBOW finds Judy Garland set firmly on the comeback trail. The failed marriages, the suicide attempts and the addictions are all behind her. At 46 years-old and with new flame Mickey Deans at her side, she seems determined to carry it off and recapture her magic. But lasting happiness always eludes some people and there was never any answer to the question with which Judy ended every show: “If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow, why, oh why, can’t I?”
END OF THE RAINBOW is a savagely funny drama featuring a glorious ensemble of Judy Garland hits such as “Get Happy,” “The Man that Got Away,” and, of course, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” The show was set to be final production of The Carnegie’s 2019-2020 season but instead became the first casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, it’s back with six performances, playing weekends Friday, Sept. 10–19 and tickets are $32 for adults, $29 Carnegie members and $25 for students.
“END OF THE RAINBOW couldn’t be a more fitting production for us given the current times we find ourselves in. While the show is dramatic and definitely has its sober moments; there are happier, inspirational ones as well,” said The Carnegie’s Theatre Director Maggie Perrino. “When we originally chose the production, it was the year Renee Zellweger won an Academy Award for portraying Judy Garland. Now, as we all find ourselves in a time of great uncertainty like Garland herself, we hope to bring a smile to audiences’ collective faces once again.”
Kim Schroeder Long, the Ohio-born actress who portrays Garland in the show, agrees.
“One of the hardest things to navigate as a performer is uncertainty. The very nature of the profession can be subject to a lot of questions without answers. As the past 18+ months have shown, having something you were looking forward to – in my case, portraying a legend close to home – suddenly taken away makes you appreciate it even more,” said Schroeder Long. “Taking inspiration from Garland’s own longing for happiness, I’m excited for audiences to be able to enjoy END OF THE RAINBOW as much as my castmates and I are to bring it to life.”
Performances of END OF THE RAINBOW will run two weekends; September 10–12 with performances at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 6 p.m. Sunday and the following weekend, September 17-19 with performances at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday. All of which will take place at the Covington Plaza Outdoor Amphitheater. Tickets are $32 for adults, $29 for Carnegie Members and ArtsPass Members, and $25 for students. Tickets can be purchased through The Carnegie Box Office, noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, in person or by phone at (859) 957-1940, or online at www.thecarnegie.com. Patrons seeking group or student tickets should call to make arrangements.
CONTENT ADVISORY: Production includes adult themes and language. Not recommended for children under 13.
CAST LIST:
- Judy Garland – Kim Schroeder Long
- Anthony – Aaron Whitehead
- Mickey Deans – Dylan Shelton
- Radio Interviewer – Julie Locker
PRODUCTION TEAM:
- Director – Alice Flanders
- Music Coordinator/Band Leader – Ted Baldwin
- Stage Manager – Mackenzie Boyd
- Assistant Stage Manager – Cole Sweasy
- Original Scenic Designer – Tyler Gabbard, transformed for the amphitheater by Doug Stock
- Costume Designer – Helen A. Raymond Goers
- Lighting Designer – Will Baker
- Technical Director – Doug Stock
- Producer – Maggie Perrino
END OF THE RAINBOW is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, INC.
The Carnegie’s 2021-22 Theatre Series is presented by the Otto M. Budig Family Foundation. Additional support for The Carnegie’s Theatre Series comes from the Kentucky Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet.
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ABOUT THE CARNEGIE:
The Carnegie is Northern Kentucky’s largest multidisciplinary arts venue providing theatre events, educational programs and art exhibitions to the Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati community. The Carnegie facility is home to The Carnegie Galleries, the Otto M. Budig Theatre, and the Eva G. Farris Education Center. More information about The Carnegie is available at http://www.thecarnegie.com or by calling (859) 491-2030.
The Carnegie receives ongoing operating support from Cincinnati International Wine Festival, The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation, Kenton County Fiscal Courts, the Kentucky Arts Council and the City of Covington. The Carnegie is also supported by the generosity of more than 40,000 contributors to the ArtsWave Community Campaign.
ABOUT THE CARNEGIE THEATRE SERIES:
The Carnegie Theatre Series produces professional, innovative stagings of an eclectic range of theatrical works. Striving to unite the greater Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati theatre community through partnerships and collaborations, the series engages and nurtures both emerging and established talent, including working professionals, committed part-time theatre artists, university performing arts students and younger students. The Carnegie Theatre Series productions bring together these forces to provide quality theatre for Northern Kentucky and the Greater Cincinnati area.
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