April 2014 - Judy Garland - Wizard of Oz Festival News

Spring seems to have finally arrived in Grand Rapids. The snow is melting and both roofs and grass can be seen for the first time in nearly six months. Now with the Judy Garland - Wizard of Oz Festival just two months away, we wanted to make sure to keep you informed. 

Sadly, early this week we received word of the loss of one of  Judy Garland's greatest co-stars, Mickey Rooney, who passed away Sunday, April 6th at the age of 93.

Mr. Rooney had a phenomenal career. Beginning with his stage debut at the age of 17 months, he worked 91 years of show business. There is truly no one like him, and never will be. 

Mickey and Judy first met when they were kids attending Mrs. Lawlor's School for Professional Children. Later at MGM, they made nine films together. Many of these are considered among Garland and Rooney's best - classics. In 1939, Mickey Rooney was named the number on Box Office star, topping Spencer Tracey and Clark Gable. 

Mickey Rooney signing autographs
in Judy's Grand Rapids dining room,
Behind him is wife, Jan.

Mickey Rooney came to Judy Garland's hometown three times. His first trip was the result of June Allyson and Sid Luft's encouragement. For this visit, he took part in the Tall Timber Days Parade. His participation in this even caused great excitement in Grand Rapids. Rooney returned to Grand Rapids again in 2000 and 2002, when he and his wife, Jan Rooney, attended the Judy Garland Festival as a special guests. Mickey and Jan performed their “Let's Put on A Show” at the Reif Center, and Mickey took part in a special question and answer session. 

Mickey & Jan performed
their "Let's Put on a Show"
in Grand Rapids

Mickey Rooney was one of the few performers left who could boast theatrical beginnings in vaudeville and MGM stardom. Mickey, like Judy, knew how the entertain an audience and make them laugh! Those who attended Mickey's performance were deeply moved by his words about his old friend and co-star, Judy Garland. We all were lucky to see one of the greats of show business on stage. 

Our deepest condolences to his family and friends.

See this article on Mickey in Grand Rapids from the Tuesday Duluth paper:
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/content/mickey-rooneys-link-judy-garland-drew-him-grand-rapids

An Interview with our Scarecrow, Tom Hendricks

One of The Judy Garland Museum's great supporters is Tom Hendricks, a Minneapolis actor who often comes to Grand Rapids and plays the Scarecrow. Recently, Tom came to town to help promote our June Wizard of Oz Festival. Accompanied around town by museum director, John Kelsch, Tom, in his Scarecrow costume, stopped traffic everywhere he went. The pair visited many local businesses, and Tom appeared on our local ICTV (Itasca Community TV) as well, making a big hit with the locals.

On Saturday, our Scarecrow attended two story times at the Grand Rapids Public Library, where he gave the children a thrill, telling them the story of “The Wizard of Oz.” He even got some of the children to play characters in the story, turning it into a mini-stage play.

With all this excitement going on, we thought it might be a good idea to interview Mr. Hendricks and let him tell you some things about himself and this years festival.

Judy Garland Museum: To begin with, this year we are celebrating the 75^th Anniversary of the beloved 1939 film,The Wizard of Oz. It's said that half the people in the world, over 3 billion, have seen this movie. And everyone has their own special memories of how they came to know about Oz, whether reading the book or seeing it on film – whichever came first. Can you tell us about your first memory of The Wizard of Oz?

TOM HENDRICKS: I probably saw the movie version first. I also remember being given a copy of the book from my cousins.

JGM: How did you start playing the Scarecrow?

TH: I was cast in my high school spring play production, directed by Patrick Ryan, with choreography by Patti LaGow. I actually stumbled into the auditions as a dare. Since then, I've been in the play three times as the Scarecrow.  Someday I would like to play Captain Hook, I've already played Smee-- from Peter Pan.

JGM: Does The Scarecrow have any particular meaning to you?

TH: Well, its funny you should say that. I think I fell in love with Ray Bolger's character because he needed help--and helped others...that's what I like to do--help them forget their troubles and Come on, Get Happy! Another connection is the fact that Ray Bolger died on January 15--which is my birthdate.

JGM: What responses do you get when you go out in public as the Scarecrow?

TH: It varies by age. Some older folks say lines from the movie before I can even talk. Kids will laugh, and in rare cases, the very young ones cry. Teenagers usually put up a front like "oh, this isn't real." But you know they want to join in the fun--I say to some girls "Are you taking me to the prom?" and they end up laughing so hard and saying "No way!" I want to keep my character true to the movie character, but interactive, so you can ask questions.

JGM: What do you do ordinarily, when you're not playing the Scarecrow?

TH: Well, since first grade, I've been an impressionist/impersonator. Yes at the age of 7 or 8 years of age, I started doing everything from singing like Elvis to playing Lily Tomlin's favorite Operator Ernestine.

Mostly, I like to play people from Old Hollywood: Bette Davis, Jimmy Stewart, Henry Fonda, Katharine Hepburn, Jack Benny, Dame Edna, and Julia Childs...to name a few. I also do presidents: Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, Richard Nixon, and singers: Nat King Cole, Buddy Holly, Patsy Cline, George Strait and Johnny Mathis. Most recently I appeared on the Jennie Jones Show, Last Comic Standing (Hollywood Minute), and Minnesota's Infrastructure by A & E.

When not in a role, I do genealogy on other people's family trees.

Tom Hendricks with fan and friend,
Lorraine Lassig-Banks. The pair are
standing in the Judy Garland Birthplace

JGM: Is there anything special you would like to tell folks about The Wizard of Oz Festival and why they should attend?

TH: It's a great event for Kids of all ages from 5 to 105. You can meet people from Australia to England in one place. Most of all, its a place to come "home" to. Minnesota is known for being "nice," and this event is no exception. We honor the vision "that children (and people) can have a safe and fun environment while learning." There are plenty of events to share with family and make great memories. You can also get to know Judy Garland as a person, not just a character from Oz.

JGM: I believe you are hosting one of the events. Is that right?

TH: Oh, yes! Come and SING at our Karaoke Party on Tuesday, June 10^th at the Sawmill Inn Ballroom from 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm! We're going to be celebrating Judy Garland's birthday and I'll be bringing my star voices with me. It's going to be a lot of fun and you can be the singing sensation YOU know you are!

New Yellow Brick Road - Bricks Available!

Last week the old brown museum entry way was torn up. Now the entry way is being prepared for a new Yellow Brick Road. As a fundraiser for the museum, you can buy a brick for $100 and have it engraved with a message or name.

To see your brick this June, bricks need to be purchased by May 1^st, so don't delay.

For those that need to wait, bricks may still be purchased at the Festival and engraved at a later date.

The OZ Mystery Dinner

Don't Miss It!

One of the fun events set to take place at this year's Festival is the OZ Mystery Dinner Party. On Wednesday, June 11^th from 7:00 pm to 10:30 pm, the Judy Garland Museum is hosting the mystery dinner in the Sawmill Inn Ballroom.

Nathan Bergstedt, co-founder of The Uncommon Loons, and Education/Arts Editor at the Grand Rapids Herald Review is in charge of writing and directing this new work. When asked what audiences might expect, Mr. Bergsteadt stated that the play will definitely take on the subject of the missing Ruby Slippers and will star five characters from The Wizard of Oz. Describing what audiences might expect, he called the play as “a film noir style detective story.”

The Ruby Slipper mystery dinner theatre will be performed by members of the Uncommon Loons. This should be a really fun evening of entertainment! For tickets, please contact The Judy Garland Museum:

Judy Garland's Son, Joe Luft,

To Help Judge Youth Talent Contest

Joe Luft has confirmed that he will be attending The Wizard of Oz Festival in Grand Rapids, Minnesota this June and will help decide who wins!

Letters are now being sent to theater groups, libraries and community centers throughout Minnesota and nearby areas. If you are a talented youth between the ages of 6 and 18, please get your application in! You could win one of three prizes: $1,000, $500 or $100, which includes cash and scholarship money!

Get Your Costumes Ready!

GUINNESS WORLD RECORD Time Is Here!

Well, the time is almost here. We're going to attempt to break the Guinness World record and

The real Munchkins from The Wizard of Oz
film who often visited Grand Rapids.

have the MOST persons dressed as recognizable characters from the 1939 Wizard of Oz!

Here's all you need to do. Decide who you want to be – Miss Gulch, Auntie Em, Uncle Henry, The Scarecrow, Dorothy, Tin Woodman, Cowardly Lion, Wicked Witch of the West, Glinda, a Munchkin, Professor Marvel/Wizard of Oz, Flying Monkey, etc. Whatever you choose, your character and your dress must make you “instantly recognizable” as that character from the 1939 film.

• Get your costume together,
• Come to Grand Rapids, Minnesota on Friday, June 13^th, 2014 around 5:00 pm.
• Pay $1.00 which is a donation to Habitat for Humanity.
• Go inside the enclosure in the lot next to the Judy Garland Museum.
• Stay there until 5:30 at which point everyone will be videoed and photographed from above.

Note: once you are inside the enclosure, YOU CANNOT LEAVE until the record of costumed persons is made at 5:30 pm

• After it's over. You can leave. There will be food and souvenirs available.
• As soon as the sun goes down, return and watch The Wizard of Oz on a Jumbo 40 Foot screen on the lawn next to the Museum for free.

Reece, the nine year-old girl who applied to
break the Guinness World Record.
To Learn more, click on the right January tab.

Note: Will will spray for biting bugs! In case of rain, these events will take place at the Civic Center.

Parking – There are many parking lots across the street: Walmart, Home Depot, Cub Foods, Target. Shuttle transportation may be available, so stay tuned.

Get ready! It's easy. You can look up photos online and either design a costume or buy one. Here is one site: http://www.wizardofozcostumes.com.

For further information, please read our January Newsletter – click on the January tab to the right. Let's break the Record!

***

Life is busy in Grand Rapids with all kinds of preparations. This Saturday, the Children's Discovery Museum will host an Easter Egg Hunt for members.

Next month we'll have more news. Meanwhile, you may hear some news about us, so be ready!

Happy Spring!

For further information, please visit the following:

Visit: http://www.judygarlandmuseum.com

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