Punta Gorda Symphony celebrates Judy Garland centennial on April 24

A magical night of nostalgic music awaits in celebration of Judy Garland’s centennial, featuring songstress Joan Ellison who channels the late legend through original symphonic arrangements performed alongside Punta Gorda Symphony on April 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center, 75 Taylor St., Punta Gorda.
Get Happy! takes you back in time on a nostalgic trip of sensational and iconic Judy Garland hits, which include “Get Happy!,” “Over The Rainbow,” “Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart,” “The Man That Got Away,” “Come Rain or Come Shine” and beyond.
Praised for her “vocal prowess….[and]organic grasp of the classic songs” by Michael Feinstein, Joan Ellison is sure to impress and captivate audiences with her stunning vocal athleticism. Ellison is an award-winning vocalist, actress, and popular voice teacher with a special love for Judy Garland’s repertoire from the golden Hollywood years. She has performed with esteemed national symphonies, including the Erie Philharmonic, Augusta Symphony, and Cleveland Pops Orchestra. She boasts a history of sold-out performances in Florida of other one-woman theatre pieces, All Happiness, Judy Garland, a concert for the annual Judy Garland Festival in Judy’s birthplace of Grand Rapids, Minnesota; and The American Musical on Stage and Screen as part of the 2019 Bard Music Festival in New York.
“Judy Garland had quite a remarkable career and profoundly impacted the recording industry during her time – everyone wanted to work with her,” says Punta Gorda Symphony’s music director and conductor, Raffaele Livio Ponti. “And this is a chance for us to let our hair down and groove because most orchestra musicians don’t learn this style in the conservatory,” says Ponti “and it’s a great opportunity for us to play these beautiful hits alongside Joan Ellison, a near double for the idol, both in voice and appearance.”
In perfect celebratory fashion to close the 21/22 season and celebrate Judy Garland’s centennial, Punta Gorda Symphony’s concert will follow with a festive after-party at the Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center, featuring delicious bites and dancing to a live jazz band. All April 24 concert ticket holders are welcome to attend.
For more info and tickets, visit www.PGSymphony.org, or call 941-205-5996.