08/07/2024
A STAR IS BORN - The Rise and Fall of Judy Garland BIG BAND Edition (performed by Kerry Hiles, with the Hilton College jazz band conducted by Luke Holder) opens next week Tuesday, for 2 nights only, at the Hilton College Music Department.
Tickets are R120 each, supper theatre style seating (strictly BYO).
For more info, email [email protected] or contact Luke Holder on 0836891935
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A Star Is Born:
Judy Garland took to the stage at age 2, landed a movie contract at 12, won an Academy Award at 17, and impacted the music and movie industry for generations to come. She died aged 47. How did one of Hollywood's brightest stars dim so fast?
Kerry Hiles tells the life story of Garland, using songs from Judy's movies to accentuate the tale. Accompanied by Luke Holder on piano, this 70-min cabaret has played to several sold-out evenings countrywide and won an Ovation Award at the 2019 National Arts Festival in Makhanda (previously Grahamstown) and the VFringe in 2020. The production enjoyed a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2023 in Scotland, where it received glowing reviews. Kerry Hiles was nominated for a Fleur Du Cap 2024 Best Actress award for her work as the narrator/Judy.
This entertaining and sophisticated cabaret was written and directed by Amanda Bothma, and features well-loved classics like "That's Entertainment", "I Got Rhythm" and (obviously!) "Over The Rainbow". In addition, the performance also showcases some of Garland's iconic numbers such as "The Trolley Song" and "The Man That Got Away", as well as some lesser-known surprise numbers that have delighted audiences: look out for "Hoe Down" and "If You Feel Like Singing, Sing", among others.
Reviews have read:
"An engaging performance by a very talented singer and storyteller. Judy Garland's tragic life story was told with passion and grace in an intimate setting.” – TVO, audience review
"Exceptional performance. A true story well told and beautifully sung. Highly recommended.” - Joy Roach, audience review
“Kerry Hiles does not try to impersonate Garland in mode or manner, but presents her own cool, classy cabaret with pizzazz and passion, interweaving the songs, stories, humour and heartache of Judy’s life on and off stage. Yes, this is Entertainment with a capital E.” - Vivien Devlin, edinburghguide
“With a smile that lights up the room and a gorgeous singing voice, she (Kerry Hiles) had the audience in the palm of her hand throughout her impressive performance.” - Keith Millar, theatre reviewer.
“I found A Star Is Born – The Rise and Fall of Judy Garland fascinating and the singing superb…hostess Kerry Hiles…narrating an expertly abridged version of Garland’s life... It felt high class and approachable together." - Andrew Girdwood, edinburgh-reviews.co.uk
I loved every bit of the show. Kerry was an amazing performer, and her voice just sent me to a dreamy era of sweet and sour time as she took us through the journey of becoming Judy Garland. I was in tears at the end! - Samir El Mouti (audience member, Edinburgh)
A beautiful and heart-wrenching performance that will make you feel like you understand Garland in all her complex humanity. Kerry Hiles is an incredible performer …A real must-see! - Andrea Thorpe (audience member, Edinburgh)
Kerry says at the start that she hopes to make us fall in love a little with Judy Garland - and she does. This is a beautiful narration of Garland’s turbulent life, seasoned with superb singing of some of her songs, which will make you feel both the ache and the talent she held within her. - Mark Oakley (audience member, Edinburgh)
Fantastic hour of song, dance and narration from Kerry Hiles. A very engaging and highly professional performance delivered sensitively, you won’t be disappointed. - Nick Laws (audience member, Edinburgh)
A really enjoyable hour listening to a fascinating narrative of a somewhat forgotten star who had a really interesting life beautifully told and interspersed with wonderful songs, sung with real pleasure. This is a beautiful little show. - Julian Embleton (audience member, Edinburgh)
Beautiful renditions of Judy Garland’s songs. Coupled with some tales of her turbulent life, this is a wonderful gem of a show. - Agnes Joyce Wells (audience member, Edinburgh)
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