Peter Mac is a must-see as Judy Garland – now appearing weekly at WeHo’s French Market

I am tardy with this review but wanted to quickly post it now in case you don’t yet have plans for the night. When a friend had to cancel our plans last week, I grabbed another friend at the last minute and we headed over to French Quarter Market in West Hollywood to see Peter Mac perform Judy Garland LIVE! In Concert.

I didn’t know much about the show just that the publicist had invited me and I had a hole in my dance card. My friend Mark and I ended up having an absolutely smashing time.

Peter Mac is a sensation as Judy Garland who would have been 90 years old this June had she lived. He channels the great star in her great early 60s period when she had a variety series on CBS and was giving sold out concerts.

Peter has three costume changes and looks smashing in each and sings the hell out of such Garland classics as Trolley Song, The Man That Got Away, Swanee, Somewhere Over the Rainbow and I’ll Plant My Own Tree from Valley Of The Dolls which Garland recorded but never filmed since she was replaced by Susan Hayward.

Trust me, this is not some drag show. This is a tribute concert and it is first-rate. What elevates it into a very special evening is the between-the-songs patter which takes place as if Judy were still with us in 2012. Mac has all the great stories and tells them brilliantly – just like you imagine the great star would if she were holding court.

And keeping with the Judy is still with us theme, Mac also does a terrific medley of two more contemporary songs that Garland would have been perfect for: I Will Survive and I Am Changing (from Dreamgirls).

Mac opened the show at French Quarter Market on Jan. 27 and 28 and is appearing each weekend. The show is expected to change each month which makes return visits quite appealing. The March show will still include many Garland standards but it is titled Judy Garland Live In Concert: THE SONGS THAT GOT AWAY so you will hear more in the vein of I Will Survive and I Am Changing.

Brian Miller is the musical director and a nice foil for Miss Garland – I mean Peter Mac – to play off of.

Trust me, this is such a treat. The showroom is currently in the back of the popular restaurant and seating begins at 6:30 p.m. prior to the 8 p.m. show. You can order your dinner and drinks and just relax. The show will be moving to a bigger showroom towards the front of the restaurant after Gay Pride Weekend in June.

The show is attracting other talented people as audience members. Actress Mila Kunis (pictured at top with Peter Mac) showed up a few weeks ago and Geri Jewel of Facts of Life fame was there last Friday. The night I attended,  in attendance TV and Broadway actress Melissa Bailey; screenwriter Greg Glienna (Meet The Parents and Relative Strangers); recording artists Darci Monet and Michael Vaccaro; and cabaret artist Greg Stikroth.

French Market Restaurant is located at 7985 Santa Monica Blvd. West Hollywood CA 90046. The room will open for dinner seating in the private Showroom at 6:30 PM.

Show starts promptly at 8 PM.  Tickets can be purchased for $15 at the door. For tickets and more information go to FriendofJudy.com.

I will be sitting down with Peter Mac for an interview soon so stay tuned!
Here is video from the show via BoyCulture.com: