“Get Happy” Angela Ingersoll does Judy Garland in Milwaukee

[rating=5] I guess Milwaukee Rep does more than just Broadway musicals. With their cozy Stackner Cabaret located in the building with their theater, they can offer an intimate cabaret that comes very close to being a “Supper Club” ( something Wisconsin is known for). Located in the heart of the Milwaukee “downtown” Theater District, the Stackner Cabaret is an intimate space where tables of four and of two face a wonderful stage area. One can order a dinner ( their pre-fix menu is to die for), or just select to do starters or sandwiches or dessert. It is in this room ( I think it holds about 220 total) one can watch an amazing show. If you loved Judy Garland, you only have to close your eyes and you will swear that Angela Ingersoll’s show “Get Happy” has taken you back in time to the darling we all loved. Then again, open your eyes and you will almost swear that she is indeed the re-incarnation of Ms. Garland.

I have watched Ms. Ingersoll do many theatrical productions in area theaters for which she was perfect, but to be perfectly honest, she was born to do Judy Garland. Her delivery, her stage presence, her vocal range and of course her style and love of the lady all shows through from start to finish ( and then some). Her show is approximately 2 hours with one intermission. You will not want it to end, though  after she does “Over The rainbow” and it seems as if the show has concluded, she will give you a few more and don’t be surprised if she does “Chicago”. Yes, even Milwaukee knows that she is from Chicago now and we are the larger city and to be honest I don’t think there is a song celebrating Milwaukee ( I must admit I love the city and their theater scene).

She does songs like ” The Man That Got Away”, :The Trolley Song”, “Make Someone Happy”, “San Francisco”, and so many more. She opens with “When You’re Smiling” and then goes on to “Rain or Shine”. When I was young I joined a record club ( didn’t we all?) and ended up with an album called “Jerry Lewis Just Sings”. This was done right after he broke up with Dean Martin. On this record, were some of the songs that Garland made famous. I suppose he got the idea from her. Part of her show is not just the songs, which are magnificent , but the stories about Ms. Garland and her life as well as how their lives are similar in many ways.

She also speaks about the concert tours after Judy garland stopped doing the films. She talked about meeting her son, by Sid Luft ( also Lorna’s dad) and how her song for him was from “Oliver” as Nancy sings “As Long As He Needs me”. In the play this song is about Nancys’  lover, Bill Sykes, but if one listens to the lyrics, it can easily be a mother about her son. Quite fitting.

Ms. Ingersoll talks about the Garland version of  “A Star Is Born” and the song that was featured , “The Man That Got Away”. She deserved the Oscar for that one. She also does a tribute to a great Chicago actress, Ms. Hollis Resnik, who recently passed away. She was also a Chicago actress, but played Milwaukee a lot and in fact, was featured in Milwaukee Rep’s production of  “End of The Rainbow” ( I reviewed that one many years ago) where Ms. Resnik portrayed Ms.

Garland in her last days in London. A wonderful production and one that Ms Ingersoll has also done!

Performances are as follows:

Tuesdays 7:30 p.m.

Wednesdays  7:30 p.m.

Thursdays  7:30 p.m.

Fridays      8 p.m.

Saturdays  3 p.m. and  8 p.m.

Sundays  2 p.m. and  7 p.m.

Tickets start at $20.00

The song book is huge and the evening special. “Get Happy” will continue through July 1st at The Milwaukee Rep, located at 108 E. Wells Street in Milwaukee. Parking in the building garage is easy to purchase on line, pre-pay and you will find easy in/easy out. www.MilwaukeeRep.com for tickets to the show and reservations to the Stackner for dinner and to pre-order your parking. You can also call 414-224-9490

One never has to leave the building and can have an amazing evening. You will leave the building and Milwaukee with a smile on your face and a wonderful feeling in your heart. You will also have a deeper understanding of the woman, the mother, the entertainer and the symbol for the LGBTQ community.