Peter Mac
is back on the West Coast and performed on Judy Garland’s 95th
Birthday on 10 June 2017 at Lee Strasberg Theatre Studios.
By Joan Coulson
I first saw Peter Mac perform at one of the functions organized by Jan Glazier for a “Judy in Hollywood” in 2013. I went with some hesitation because I do not like to hear anyone sing Judy’s songs or try to imitate her. No one can imitate her, she is unique—there is only one of her. However, I enjoyed Peter’s performance; being particularly taken up with his chatter in-between songs and enchanted to meet him after the show. Note we are both wearing Judy Jackets!
A couple of days later he was appearing at the Oil Can Harry’s nightclub in West Hollywood and so a group of us went. Again, I found I was more interested in his chatter (as Judy) about the “ups and downs” in her life; pants zippers which broke, the enormous hair do the French hairdresser gave her and how it all fell down over her face. This time I watched Eleanor Lyon, who knew Judy well (being present at each of Judy’s 26 television shows) be completely captivated by Peter Mac. This was a three-day function and so we had plenty of time to talk about Judy. I realized that Peter and his partner John Mac-Schaefer felt the same way as Elly and I did about Judy.
I had followed Judy's career since I was seven years ago in the MGM movies and later witnessing her on performances on stage in London many times and during her CBS television series. I felt many of the books, which had been written, about Judy had not captured the essence of her and how sweet and charming she was in person. There was an air of informality about Judy and she had no “airs or graces” as many celebrities have. She was completely natural and funny. Elly tells the story about the day when Judy arrived at CBS (the then teenagers were waiting outside the Artists Entrance) wearing no makeup, casual clothes and a hat. She jokingly said to the teenagers, “Do I look glamorous enough for TV?” They told her NO.
I was determined to talk about the woman I met on several occasions and how gentle, kind and funny she was. As my book included stories about the fans activities, I included how we had all enjoyed Peter Mac representation of Judy. When my book came out, Always for Judy: Witness to the Joy and Genius of Judy Garland Peter enjoyed it and often gives copies away or raffled them to fans at his shows.
Anyway, Peter and John Mac-Schaefer decided to move to the Boston area and so we followed their activities on Facebook. They appear to be doing very well appearing at the Opus in Salem, Massachusetts for a year before transferring to the Headliner at Club Café for two years in Boston every Saturday night.…..and we are sorry we are not able to catch any of these shows. We suddenly heard the news that the boys (because this is what I call them) would be moving back to the West Coast and putting on a show in honor of Judy’s birthday June 10.
Eleanor and I talked, should we go; we had not seen each other for a couple of years and it would be an excuse to get together. In addition, it was my birthday on the 15th and a birthday treat for me. Therefore, the planning started. I looked for Southwest flight and a reasonable hotel near to the venue and found the Hotel Del Flores, built in 1928, which looked interesting. No air conditioning or coffee in the room, but it was near to the venue.
As I left home I worried about finding the correct parking garage at Sacramento airport but I find it alright but the flight is delayed two hours. I keep texting Elly who is driving from Santa Barbara; I do not want her to get to the airport too soon and be kept waiting at the airport. Eventual we meet and use directions on our phones to find the hotel. Parking is complicated at the hotel so I order an Uber taxi and we make it just in time.
The Lee Strasberg Theatre is a charming thrown
back to the 1950s.
The show starts and it is obvious that Peter has honed his craft in the last three years appearing weekly as Judy. There are many changes of costumes and the usual well-loved songs are there but he has included many new songs, which we, her fans, would have loved to hear her sing. Peter started with “This Can’t Be Love” melody but then went into the beautiful “We never said good-bye” from Sunset Boulevard. Peter sings with the style and passion of Judy, including her phrasing, but he does not try to imitate her voice. I think this is the aspect I appreciate the most about his performance. He does not try to imitate her. I was particularly touched by the story he told, as Judy, about the death of her father. Nevertheless, as in every Judy concert the mood changes quickly and the next second he is telling some witty inside stories about other movie stars who were friends of Judy. There are changes in costumes and we get many of our favorite Judy songs, but there are new ones, like Van Morrison’s “Moondance” and Stephen Schwartz’s “No Time At All.” There is a sing-a-long with songs from her movies and then Margaret O’Brien joins Peter on the stage and they recreate a “Tea for Two” segment from Judy’s television series. Margaret brought the house down by singing from the movie, Meet me in St. Louis, “I was drunk last night dear Mother.”
Suddenly I hear Peter/Judy start talking about a person who wrote a book about Judy and went to a recording studio with her along with Lorna Smith and I realize he is talking about me. I shrink into my front row chair, but Peter is not finished with me, he comes down and sits on the edge of the stage, and as Judy, thanks me for writing my book. He then proceeded to sing to me, “A Foggy Day in London Town.” This was a most surreal experience. Of course, I know he is Peter Mac reproducing Judy but it was uncanny and moving, particularly as I have never had anyone sing, in public, a song to me! Thank you Peter!
Randal Malone as President of the Council presented Peter with an award “The Southern California Motion Picture President’s Award is presented to Peter Mac who has proven to be the number one Tribute Artist in the world. Through his accurate and positive portrayals of women from Hollywood’s Golden Age, he keeps alive and protects the legacy of these amazing women.”
This council formed in 1936 and Margaret O’Brien is the Chairwoman. More than $2,000 was raised at Peter’s show and it all was presented to the Council for the specific purpose of outreach to the older and infirm members of the council and their peers for access to services. Peter and John have committed to more fundraisers and performances with Margaret.
Margaret has a charity, which she created to raise money for dogs getting them placed in new homes, and she works tirelessly on behalf of our four legged friends.
Then there is a romping sing-a-long Oz melody. Finally the show is over.
But not quite because it is now photo time. Margaret and Peter greet every member of the audience and have photographs taken with them.
We all retreat to Canter’s, a well-known deli and coffee shop on Fairfax Blvd. We were located at the end of the coffee shop with Margaret O’Brien on one table with Randal Malone and friends on one table and Peter, John, Sissy, Elly and I on the other table. Every now and again people would move positions, and Margaret and I chatted about Peru, a country we both love, and our families.
We talk for hours and hours because when a group of Judy fans meets the evening can go on for a long time. Finally, our evening finished at 4.30 am the next morning. Elly and I got to meet and know Peter’s stage manager, Sissy Debut. Sadly, I do not have a photo of her.
John, a friend of Randal’s presented Peter with this beautiful portrait of Judy.
I believe that a dynamic future is ahead for this team of talented entertainers. They have a great future ahead of them and so watch out folks. Their web page is TheJudyGarlandShow.com
