Sinfonia Gulf Coast welcomes back two Broadway stars, Morgan James and Nicholas Rodriguez, for “Get Happy: A Judy Garland Centennial Celebration” Saturday, Jan. 21. at 7:30 p.m. at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center in Destin.
James replaces Jessica Vosk who was originally cast in the lead role.
The exciting multimedia component showcases rare interviews and vintage footage of “The Judy Garland Show,” with some never-before-seen outtakes featuring Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra.
Judy Garland (1922-1969) was an American actress widely known for playing Dorothy Gale in ”The Wizard of Oz” (1939). She attained international stardom as an actress in both musical and dramatic roles, as a recording artist and on the concert stage. Renowned for her versatility, she received an Academy Juvenile Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Special Tony Award. Garland was the first woman to win the Grammy Award for Album of the Year, which she won for her 1961 live recording titled ”Judy at Carnegie Hall.”
“Who doesn’t like a legend like Judy Garland?” asks Sinfonia Gulf Coast Music & Artistic Director Demetrius Fuller. “This is a great production because it showcases the string section of the orchestra and a jazz band along with superstar vocalist Morgan James with a bonus of Nicholas Rodriguez in a supporting role. You will feel as though you are seeing Judy Garland singing live with the orchestra.”
Morgan James is a Juilliard-trained singer, actress, songwriter, and recording artist in New York City. On Broadway, James was in five back-to-back original companies: “The Addams Family,” “Wonderland,” “Godspell,” and “Motown: The Musical,” and as a guest at Kristin Chenoweth’s “For The Girls.” She recently co-produced and starred in an all-female concept recording of Jesus Christ Superstar entitled “She Is Risen.”
Nicholas Rodriguez has had an extensive career on Broadway (“Tarzan”), Off Broadway (“The Toxic Avenger: The Musical,” “Almost Heaven: Songs of John Denver,” Death for Five Voices) and film (“Sex and the City 2”). He recently toured the U.S. as Captain Georg Von Trapp in “The Sound of Music” and traveled the world on tours of “Jesus Christ Superstar” (Jesus), “Evita” (Che) and “Hair” (Claude) among others.
Both performers have appeared live on stage in original solo performances to raise funds for Sinfonia Gulf Coast.
Tickets range from $30-$55 for adults. Active-duty military are from $20-$30 and student tickets are $15-$20. Premier Preferred seats ($55 per person) at a table of 10 in a club-inspired dinner theater atmosphere. Preferred regular seating starts at $45 per person. Proceeds benefit Sinfonia Gulf Coast and its education and community engagement initiatives throughout Northwest Florida. Purchase tickets online at SinfoniaGulfCoast.org or by calling the box office at (850) 460-8800.
