Tommy Femia, the 7-time Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs (MAC) Award-winning impersonator, kicks off his 20th season at the popular midtown club Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street (between 8th and 9th Avenues), with his acclaimed portrayal of the legendary Judy Garland in "Judy Garland LIVE!" with two shows a month beginning with a special preview on Monday, September 21 at 6:30 p.m. and the official opening on Saturday, September 26 at 8:30 p.m. All other shows through the end of the year are on Saturdays at 8:30 PM: Saturdays, September 26; October 17 and 24; November 7 and 21; and December 5 and 19. Guest stars from Broadway, TV, Cabaret, and the Entertainment World will appear at each show. Miss Garland's guest for the press preview on Monday, September 21 at 6:30 p.m will be Broadway and TV's Eric Millegan and the Opening Night, Saturday, September 26th guest star will be Broadway and Cabaret's Karen Mason. (Other guest stars to be announced later.) Christopher Denny and David Maiocco serve as musical directors for the show. Christopher Denny and David Maiocco serve as musical directors for the show.
There is a $20.00 cover charge and a 2-drink minimum per person (cash only). The reservation number at Don't Tell Mama is 212-757-0788 (after 4:00 PM daily) or on the web at www.donttellmama.com.
Tommy Femia just completed a two-week sold out engagement of "Judy Garland LIVE!" at the Rising Action Theatre in Fort Lauderdale earlier this month. He made his Off Broadway debut in The New American at The Nat Horne Theatre, and toured the country, as Linus in You're A Good Man Charlie Brown. In Bucks County he appeared as Tallulah Bankhead in the musical Tallulah! and in New York City as Bette Davis in A Very Bette Christmas. He also starred in the hit Off Broadway production of the Drama Desk Award-winning Whoop-Dee-Doo! at the Actors' Playhouse, and starred as Judy Garland in the one-man show I Will Come Back at The Players Theatre. Television credits include: "The Facts of Life," "One Day at a Time," "The Montel Williams Show," CNBC's "Real Personal" with Bob Berkowitz, "The Jane Whitney Show" and he co-hosted a special edition of "Geraldo" with Geraldo Rivera. Since 1991 he has appeared in almost every New York City nightclub, and at The Blue Angel served as Emcee of the celebrated revue La Cage Aux Folles. Concert appearances include Merkin Hall, Battery Park City, Symphony Space, Theatre Three in Port Jefferson, The Cinegrill and The Gardenia Room in Los Angeles, The Plush Room in San Francisco, The Shubert Theater in New Haven, Earle Hall in London, The Rising Action Theater in Fort Lauderdale, and many clubs around the country, including first and foremost his "home-base" in New York City - Don't Tell Mama.
The New York Post has called "Judy Garland LIVE!" starring Tommy Femia "the city's cleverest, sharpest Judy Garland impersonation. It keeps fans coming back to his shows because Femia keeps coming up with surprises. He doesn't just give you the great Garland signature songs (from 'Over the Rainbow' to 'The Man That Got Away'), he comes up with new songs, in her style, that she never had a chance to do." Time Out New York says: "Turn off your Minnelli on Minnelli CD and put down that gossipy tell-all. If you want the 'real' Judy, drop by Mama's for Femia's wildly entertaining performance." Back Stage calls it "one of cabaret's best shows by a super talent who always gives 200%;" Where Magazine calls Femia a "female impersonator extraordinaire;" and the Daily News said: "If you think all Judy Garland impersonators are a drag, you haven't seen Tommy Femia. He'll mesmerize you whether you're Garland's most ardent admirer or the fan that got away!"
This year marks the 40th anniversary of Garland's death (she died in London at the age of 47 in June 1969). That year also marked the summer that the first man (Neil Armstrong) walked on the moon, the Woodstock Music and Arts Fair happened in Bethel, NY, and the Stonewall Riots in Manhattan. The latter event is considered to be the beginning of the modern day gay rights movement around the world. Many believe that Garland's funeral in New York City the previous day was connected to the timing of the riots due to her status as a gay icon and the sense of empowerment many of the gay people felt who had seen each other uptown at the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Home.
Speaking of anniversaries, this June marked the first anniversary of Don't Tell Mama's restaurant in the front of the club. Open 7 days a week for dinner from 4:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. it also serves food on matinee days, Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, opening at 11:30 a.m. for lunch. (Credit cards are accepted in the dining room.) Some of Chef Bradley Anderson's specialties in his "seasonal new American cuisine" include: Pan Roasted Long Island Duck, Black & White Mac & Cheese (white cheddar, black truffle essence, and panko gremolata), and Crispy Skin Atlantic Salmon.
