Judy Garland’s Lost Easter Special stage show filled with high points – and Bea Arthur shows up too!

At the risk of sounding a little nutso, I have to tell you that I think Judy Garland is still alive.

Not only that, I think that Bea Arthur is still alive as well.

I could have sworn I saw both of them give one helluva show last night at French Market in West Hollywood.

Okay, we know both of these grand gay icons are no longer with us here on Earth but they do live on through the magnificent Peter Mac who headlines Judy Garland LIVE! in Concert each weekend and through the amazing DJ Schaefer who appears this weekend and next as Miss Arthur.

Peter Mac began appearing regularly as Miss Garland at French Market a few months back. His show changes every month or so which makes it ideal for repeat visits.

I attended last night which was the debut of The Lost Easter Special which continues this weekend with a performance tonight and two tomorrow then next Friday and Saturday.

It’s a special show that also features Alissa Cote as Lorna Luft, David Marker as Joey Luft and Glory Gale as Liza Minnelli.

The show is set in 1967 so Liza had just married Peter Allen (we all know how that turned out!) and Judy was about to star in Valley of the Dolls (we all know how that turned out!).

Miss Gale really captures the spirit of the late 60s Liza and there is one number where Peter Mac does a duet with her as the present-day Liza. So you have Liza singing with her future self. Peter Mac does Minnelli as well as he does Garland – splendidly – so this joyous duet is a real highlight of the evening.

Miss Cote is radiant as Lorna Luft, so happy to be performing with her mother and wanting her to be proud of her and the very tall Mr. Marker has some moments to shine as Joey Luft.

Then there is Mr. Schafer as a Bea Arthur who had just finished her Tony-winning Broadway run in Mame but not yet a TV star.

We have some wonderful “frenemy” moments between Bea and Judy then a stupendous duet of Bosom Buddies from Mame. That alone is worth the price of admission.

Now here’s another moment I won’t soon forget: The closing number before the encore has Judy gather her children around her and she sings Somewhere Over the Rainbow. She looks at the children with such love and they look at her the same way. Liza has tears in her eyes.

I was gone.

Was just about to cry a little when I thought, “Is this a legitimate feeling? I mean, I know she is no longer alive and that this is acting on a stage.” But damn if I could stop the flood of emotion.

I talked to a few other audience members after the show and they all felt the same wave of emotion. We really had been transported.

That’s why I feel like Judy Garland lives – through Peter Mac.

Tickets are on sale now at www.goldstar.com!! Come out for the fun with Judy with her kids and Bea Aurthur! More info at www.friendofjudy.com