“There have been so many (tributes) done over the years by her children. Lorna Luft was doing a tribute show. I never set out to sing Judy Garland. I’ve been a crossover pop and cabaret singer for going on 10 years,” she said.
When Alderson was commissioned to do the show, she wasn’t convinced Garland was such a great fit for her. In fact, at the time, she had never heard the recording of Garland’s legendary 1961 performance at Carnegie Hall. When she finally did, Alderson recognized a lot of her own style.
“I don’t want to be a Judy Garland impersonator. I’m singing her songs in a way that’s most faithful to her artistically. I’m trying to be open to channeling her spirit in every way,” Alderson said.
The show covers both songs from her earlier MGM period such as “The Boy Next Door” and songs from her later concert years including “Swanee” and “Rockabye Your Baby With a Dixie Melody.”
Alderson knew well the pitfalls of trying to play Garland, who has been the subject of tributes by drag queens and of biographies that emphasize the seamier side of her life.
“I felt a responsibility to her. What I can do is try to explain in a happy way what a singer’s life is like. She was one of the greatest singers of the century. She was such a soulful interpreter who was completely in love with her audience ... this is what singing is all about,” Alderson said.
Tickets are $20 for café seating and $15 for stadium seating. Call the box office at (513) 867-5348 or visit www.fairfield-city.org/cac.
Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5073 or erobinette@coxohio.com.
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