As a singer, Judy Garland was able to move the hearts of millions of people not only in America but around the world. Her voice was widely known during her lifetime and her songs continue to move audiences today.
Judy Garland was able to pave the way for vaudeville style performers to once again take the stage. Her performances at the Palace Theatre showed us that styles of performance never truly die, they merely hibernate until they are reborn again. We can see this throughout the history of performance with performance styles such as elocution reviving themselves on the competitive speech and debate circuit and with performances such as the pageant plays of Corpus Christi being somewhat revived every year during Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana. Judy Garland's revival of vaudeville showed us that variety shows are not a thing of the past, rather something that can carry on throughout time with shows such as Saturday Night Live.
Judy Garland's performance history from child performer, to silver screen gem, to singer and television star provides an inspiration for people everywhere. This inspiration from Judy Garland is two fold. First, by looking at Judy Garland's performance history, performers everywhere can learn that dedication and flexibility in performance choices can truly carry a performer far. Although Judy was primarily known for her singing abilities, she was willing and able to move from stage to radio to screen back to the stage and to television. Second, people who do not see themselves as performers can learn that nothing is impossible in your quest for what you love. Judy Garland loved performance and nothing stood in her way. Despite all of the trials and tribulations she faced as a woman, a daughter, a wife, a mother, and a performer, Judy Garland was able to achieve her goals and become a legend in her own right.
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Terry J. Brown
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Revised: 27 Aug 2001 10:21:50 -0500