The undisputed highlight of 2007’s live calendar becomes the must-have release of the season on December 3rd, when Rufus Wainwright releases his triumphant London revival of Judy Garland’s legendary 1961 show on DVD. Featuring the critically acclaimed performance in its entirety filmed on February 25th, 2007 it sees the accomplished singer/songwriter at his exceptional best. Opening with a stunning overture, the show boasts orchestra adaptations of the original score by Jon Charles & Christopher Jahnke, plus 31 dazzling songs.A riveting tour de force, it features special guest appearances by Martha Wainwright (‘Stormy Weather’), Kate McGarrigle who plays piano on ‘Over the Rainbow’ & ‘Every Time We Say Goodbye’ with Rufus, ‘Sometone To Watch Over Me’ with Martha - plus Lorna Luft with her stunning renditions of ‘Hello Bluebird’ and ‘After You’ve Gone’ alongside Rufus. Conductor Stephen Oremus(‘Wicked’/ ‘Avenue Q’) also plays piano on ‘A Foggy Day’, ‘You’re Nearer’ & ‘If Love Were All’.Interspersed with wit & humour, highlights include: ‘San Francisco’, the Noel Coward classic ‘If Love Were All’, ‘The Man That Got Away’, ‘Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart’, ‘Do It Again’ (sung in its original key) and the rousing finale ‘Get Happy’. The 36-piece orchestra boasts a tour de force rhythm section, with legendary guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, plus Mark Hummel (piano), Dave Phillips (bass) and Steve Bartosik (drums), who were all mainstays from the original New York show.

Directed by Russell Thomas and produced by Andrew Higgie, the eagerly anticipated DVD deftly encapsulates the show’s energy, which was produced by Jared Geller & David J.Foster (Kiki & Herb: Alive on Broadway).

Originally performed at New York’s Carnegie Hall, June 14th & 15th 2006, the show reached sold-out audiences in London, February 18th & 25th, and Paris, February 20th, before the final ever revival at Los Angeles’ Hollywood Bowl, September 23rd this year.

The track-listing is:

1. Overture: The Trolley Song/Over The Rainbow/The Man That Got Away 2. When You're Smiling (The Whole World Smiles With You) 3. Medley: Almost Like Being In Love/This Can't Be Love 4. Do It Again 5. You Go To My Head 6. Alone Together 7. Who Cares? (As Long As You Care For Me) 8. Puttin' On The Ritz 9. How Long Has This Been Going On 10. Just You, Just Me 11. The Man That Got Away 12. San Francisco

Interval

1. That's Entertainment 2. I Can't Give You Anything But Love 3. Come Rain Or Come Shine 4. You're Nearer 5. A Foggy Day 6. If Love Were All 7. Zing! Went The Strings Of My Heart 8. Stormy Weather (starring Martha Wainwright) 9. You Made Me Love You /For Me And My Gal / The Trolley Song 10. Rock-A-Bye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody 11. Over The Rainbow (featuring Kate McGarrigle) 12. Swanee 13. After You've Gone (featuring Lorna Luft) 14. Chicago

Encore

1. Get Happy 2. Hello Bluebird (starring Lorna Luft) 3. Someone to Watch Over Me (starring Martha Wainwright and Kate McGarrigle) 4. Everytime We Say Goodbye (featuring Kate McGarrigle) 5. San Francisco (Reprise)

Tagged in