Podtalk: Playwright Desiree Burcum Wishes You 'A Judy Christmas’

Printer-friendly versionE-mail page to friendPDF version

CHICAGO – This year was the 100th anniversary for the birth of the classic movie star/singer/performer Judy Garland. In 1963, as part of her regular CBS-TV variety series, she presented a Christmas episode, featuring her family … including Liza Minnelli. Playwright Desiree Burcum has created a musical comedy about this historic moment in television, appropriately titled “A Judy Christmas.” The show, presented by FAMOUS IN THE FUTURE productions, will have three performances the week before Christmas, December 15th, 16th and 17th, at the Den Theatre in Chicago. For tickets and more information, A JUDY CHRISTMAS.

A Judy Christmas
Photo credit: FamousInTheFuture.com

On Friday December 6th, 1963, a mere 11 days after the assassination and funeral of John F. Kennedy – Judy Garland was a friend of his – the singer and her children, with guest stars Jack Jones and Mel Tormé, gathered to film the Christmas special. It was part of the Judy Garland Show, which ran from 1963-64. With the heavy mourning of a nation over the proceedings, Ms. Garland managed to give them the old adage of “the show must go on.”

Desiree Burcum, the creator of the show, will portray Judy Garland, along with her fellow Famous in the Future troupe members Frank Carr (Joey Luft), Michael Hora (Lorna Luft, Tracy Everitt), Pat McDonald (TV Director, Jack Jones) and Tina Teske (Liza Minnelli, Mel Tormé) to recreate the chaos, hilarity and sheer festive fun of this one-of-a-kind Christmas special.

Desiree Burcum of ‘A Judy Christmas’ Gets Her Judy On
Photo credit: FamousInTheFuture.com

In a Podtalk with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, playwright/performer Desiree Burcum breaks down her journey with “A Judy Christmas” …

In a Zoom clip from the interview, Desiree Burcum describes why you should experience “A Judy Christmas” …

By PATRICK McDONALD Editor, Film Writer HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com