My Judy Journals
Reviewed for Theatre People, March 2010

The man that won you...has run off and undone you.

Spend a tuneful hour with Rachel Juransz, as she shares her love life through the songs of Judy Garland.

Fronting this charming concept for her one woman show, an exciting new talent has emerged on the Melbourne musical scene.

In My Judy Journals, bubbly Rachel Juransz creates a glowing tribute to her muse and alter – ego, the legendary Judy Garland. From within the intimate confines of The Butterfly Club, Juransz seamlessly blends a dozen Garland standards, with observations from her own “almost” love life.

Part cabaret, part stand – up, and part soul – searching reflection, this show is all heart.

As Juransz digs through a treasure box of memories, her character evolves from giddy school girl to a pining, world weary, romantic.  Reading excerpts from her trusty diary, My Judy Journals chronicles memories from the childhood crush on a well – known TV soap star, the perils of leg - shaving, the awkwardness of a first kiss, and unrequited love.

Garland is however, never far from the picture; the switch from a breathless Melbourne twenty – something to the revered torch singer is compelling.

With a gleaming smile, Juransz knows her subject.  She expertly uses Garland’s trademark vocal inflections to express her own soulful longing.  Further, each song has been chosen to serve a specific emotional episode, not only as a showcase for Junasz’s own story-telling skills, but to advance the love - lorn narrative.  For example, with her amusing take on “Dear Mr Gable”, one will be hard – pressed not to think of that song in the same light ever again.

Completing the picture to clever dramatic effect, Junasz has fashioned her own eyebrows with that signature “Judy” arch. Whether intentional or not, on this night she also wore a pair of smart red slippers.

To piano accompaniment, among the signature tunes Junasz sings are "Gotta have me go with you", "Zing went the strings of my heart", "You made me love you", "In between", "Do it again", and "Embraceable you".

A particular highlight is her rendition of the tour de force Harold Arlen classic, “The man that got away", from the movie, A Star is Born. It is gutsy and powerful, enough to make you picture standing Junasz centre stage at Carnegie Hall or Broadway’s Palace Theatre.

Primarily, the show is a journey about finding one’s true self.  So, what better guardian angel could one ask for than the Judy Garland hit parade.

My Judy Journals plays at The Butterfly Club in South Melbourne until Sunday 14 March.  Don't miss out!