Jinkx Monsoon's Garland: Nuance & Hoot, But Style Cramped

In a revival of Peter Quilter's play, Jinkx Monsoon takes on the iconic role of Judy Garland, focusing on the twilight of her life in 1960s London. The drama unfolds in two settings: Garland's hotel suite and her performance at Talk of the Town, where her addiction struggles are evident.

Monsoon delivers a nuanced vocal performance, capturing Garland's trauma and the duality of her stage persona. The script is noted for its sharp quips and name-dropping, a contrast to the 2019 film 'Judy', which delved deeper into Garland's childhood exploitation. This production, however, offers little sense of her early career.

The production features a striking monochrome design that transitions to vibrant Technicolor during musical numbers. Monsoon's portrayal is lauded for its energy, particularly her vocal prowess and ability to imbue songs like 'Just in Time' and 'You Made Me Love You' with deep emotion. Despite these strengths, the play’s structure feels repetitive, and the supporting characters are functional rather than fully developed.

While Monsoon's performance honors Garland's status as a queer icon, the production doesn't fully exploit the performer-audience connection evident in other adaptations. The review suggests Monsoon's talent might be better suited to a solo show, leaving a lingering sense of what could have been.