Judy Garland searches for ‘End of the Rainbow’ in ALT’s new production

Amarillo Little Theatre is presenting “End of the Rainbow,” a behind-the-curtain look at the life of well known actress and musician Judy Garland, most known for her role of Dorothy Gale in 1939 release of “The Wizard of Oz.” The production will be staged Thursday, Aug. 17 through Sunday, Aug. 27 at the ALT Adventure Space, located at 2751 Civic Circle.

“This is the story of a lot of young Hollywood stars and helps to shed light on the way they are treated since we began making movies,” Jo Smith, portraying Judy Garland, said. “With Judy, we all saw this magical person on screen, and then we would see her in concerts and saw this train wreck that was always up and down and all over the place. And that was a result of the pills that they gave her to keep her going. She had a pill to get up in the morning, and go to work, and they fed her more to keep her up all day long, then sleeping pills to sleep, and you see the whole cycle of that.”

Jo Smith as Judy Garland with Jacob Miller as Anthony perform in the Amarillo Little Theatre production of “End of the Rainbow.”

“We see, in this show, the tragic results of years and years of abuse and this amazing, hopeful woman who never allowed that to be the definition of her life. … She saw herself as someone who was going to eventually win and eventually find her end of the rainbow in happiness,” Smith added.

Jo Smith as Judy Garland with Joshua Gibson-Roark as Mickey perform a scene in the Amarillo Little Theatre production of “End of the Rainbow.”

Jo Smith as Judy Garland with Joshua Gibson-Roark as Mickey perform in the Amarillo Little Theatre production of “End of the Rainbow.”

The story by Peter Quilter begins on Christmas Day 1968, with a six-week booking at London’s famed cabaret restaurant Talk of the Town, as Garland sets herself firmly on the comeback trail. With failed marriages, suicide attempts and addictions all behind her, and with her new fiancé at her side, Garland seems determined to reclaim her crown as the greatest talent of her generation. Yet in her suite at the Ritz Hotel, the well known star battles with a tornado of drugs and alcohol as the exhausting series of concerts take their toll. Even as a tough, compelling woman, armed to the teeth with a legendary razor-sharp wit, happiness continues to elude her. No answer ever comes to the question with which she ends every show: “If happy little bluebirds fly, beyond the rainbow, why, oh, why can’t I?”

Jo Smith as Judy Garland with Jacob Miller as Anthony perform in the Amarillo Little Theatre production of “End of the Rainbow.”

Jo Smith as Judy Garland with Jacob Miller as Anthony perform in the Amarillo Little Theatre production of “End of the Rainbow.”

“The heart of this story is that no matter what Judy went through, she was always looking forward and hopeful that there is the ‘somewhere over the rainbow’ she lived through tragic events but still had hope for happiness,” production director Ben Burke said.

When discussing the hope that Judy felt for much of her life, the production includes the fact that Judy collects newspaper clippings of tragic events in the world to remind herself that “it could be worse” and “if they can keep going, I can too.”

Jo Smith as Judy Garland with Joshua Gibson-Roark as Mickey perform in the Amarillo Little Theatre production of “End of the Rainbow.”

For this production, ALT has assembled a cast which includes Smith as Garland, Joshua Gibson-Roark as Mickey Deans, Jacob Miller as Anthony, Bobby Shaffer as the Radio Interviewer/Porter and Caitlin Gibson as the Assistant Stage Manager. This compelling drama is being directed by Ben Burke with music direction by Jacob Miller. Carla Fristoe serves as assistant to the directors, and Alexis Roberts is the production assistant. “End of the Rainbow” is a savagely funny drama featuring a glorious ensemble of Judy Garland hits and infused with the glamour and the melancholy of stardom.

Jo Smith as Judy Garland with Jacob Miller as Anthony perform in the Amarillo Little Theatre production of “End of the Rainbow.”

“We have an amazing cast, and they show that they know this is a serious subject matter and touches on the life of a real person. And a person that was an icon, and you can see them through their performance show homage and give their all to make this story all that it is,” Burke said.

“I think she is one of the world’s greatest entertainers that has ever lived, and her take is a look behind the scenes into her life and shows what society can do to incredibly talented people. I think this show portrays what made her life so beautifully tragic and wonderful,” Burke added.

Jacob Miller as Anthony, Joshua Gibson-Roark as Mickey and Jo Smith as Judy Garland perform in the Amarillo Little Theatre production of “End of the Rainbow.”

This production will be rated R due to strong language and mature subject matter. Doors will open 30 minutes prior to the performance for this production.

Showtimes for this production will be:

For tickets, reserve them in person at 2019 Civic Circle, Amarillo, by phone at (806) 355-9991 or online at amarillolittletheatre.org.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: ALT presents ‘End of the Rainbow,’ a tragic tale of fame, hope