END OF THE RAINBOW  at the Belasco Theatre

(Seen April 25, 2012)


Peter Quilter brings us into Judy Garland's life in her final year, as everything is a down hill journey -- her career, her loves, her drugs.  We see her highs and lows as she can no longer help but to destroy herself.

As embodied by Tracie Bennett, this play with music, makes us feel the pain as we participate in the slow death of a Hollywood legend.  This is not great drama.  It's kind of a by-the-numbers creation -- but it serves as a wonderful vehicle for Ms. Bennett.  She thoroughly inhabits the role, and makes the character physically and emotionally inseparable from herself.  Both her acting and singing are inspired in the context of the part.

Michael Cumpsty is particularly endearing as her loving and doting gay pianist, and Tom Pelphrey brings a strange believability to what could be a sleazy character.  Despite the shortcomings of the play, director Terry Johnson smoothly moves the action along.