By Amanda Knox

Troy Wageman, director of ArtsWest’s production of Judy’s Scary Little Christmas, has many reasons for being a good candidate for the job: he has been a fan of Judy Garland since childhood; his knowledge of pop culture is very strong; the style of choreography that is his specialty is 60’s variety show; and he loves the challenge of injecting heart where you’d least expect it.

This, according to Wageman, is the strength of JSLC. He wants his audience to “expect to be pleasantly surprised” by this newer (1997) show that, so far, has flown very much under the radar. While it’s certainly a ridiculous and hilarious reenactment of the iconic 1964 Judy Garland Christmas Special, it is also a commentary on celebrity, public expectation, and what effects that has on a real-life individual that Wageman promises offers “a solid message to slap people across the face in the end.”

Written by David Church and Jim Webber (music and lyrics by Joe Patrick Ward), the audience is invited to relate to and connect with the glamorous, haunted, and plain human qualities of such figures as Bing Crosby, Liberace, Ethel Merman, Joan Crawford, Lillian Hellman, Richard Nixon, and the puppet, Punch. Wageman promises that his actors embody these epic characters in a well-rounded, realistic way as opposed to the SNL style of exaggerated caricature. About his casting choices Wageman says, “These actors already somewhat embody these characters in their actual personalities, which really works because, when you’re doing the impression, you want to do homage without pushing it—take on a few iconic mannerisms, but otherwise just be human.”

Wageman does his own impression of what he expects the audience will be thinking into the parking lot after seeing the show: “What did I just watch? Whatever it was, I loved it, and I don’t know what it means, but I will think about it…”

Judy’s Scary Little Christmas will be playing at ArtsWest Theatre (4711 California Ave SW) from December 4th-28th, Wednesdays-Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets cost $17-$36.50 and may be purchased at the Box Office, online at https://artswest.secure.force.com/ticket, or by phone at (206)938-0339.