Peter Mac as Judy Garland :: 'Imitation Is the Sincerest Form of Flattery, not Battery!'

If the idea of seeing another Judy Garland tribute artist makes you wince, then you haven't seen Peter Mac. The multi-talented performer, whose show, Judy Garland Live! A Cabaret Tribute starring Peter Mac, continues on weekends at Club Caf� through August 29, has been building audiences and gaining accolades with his artful and reverent impersonation of Garland in venues throughout the country.

Garland, of course, is one of the few 20th century artists whose legacy continues well into the 21st, not only as an entertainer in films and television, but as an iconic figure in the gay community. It was shortly after her death in June, 1969 that the Stonewall riots took place. Often cited as the starting point of the modern LGBT rights movement, many feel the riots came about when the bar patrons were angered when police disrupted their mourning of their beloved icon.

In the decades following her death she has been imitated more than any other artist; sometimes, though, irreverently, with an emphasis not her artistry but her stormy personal life and addictive personality.

Like the late Jim Bailey before him, Mac looks to restore Garland's reputation by showing audiences why she was considered the greatest entertainer of her generation. When he appeared at a NYC club, Elliot Zwiebach of Cabaret Scenes wrote: "Peter Mac is Brilliant! When one watches and listens to Mac perform as Garland, it's hard to distinguish where reality ends and illusion begins the vocals are so close and the re-creation so precise that it's nearly impossible not to be taken in completely every mannerism that Garland had is there. He is simply impeccable!"

EDGE spoke to Mac recently about why Garland remains such a unique and mesmerizing figure with LGBT audiences.

A tribute artist

EDGE: Are you enjoying Boston?

Peter Mac: Boston has been a ball so far, just in terms of performing. Though I haven't really had a chance to enjoy the city itself as much as I would like to. I am really looking forward to spending more time just walking around the Common, with 'Judy' blasting on my iPod and taking it all in. Especially the great food! I'm also way overdue for a trip to Brattle Book Shop. If you've never been, you're missing out!

EDGE: What does being a Tribute Artist mean to you?

Peter Mac: My personal mantra is: 'Imitation is supposed to be the sincerest form of flattery, not battery.' Essentially it is a form of (or an extension of) character acting. It means presenting the people that I try to embody with great humor but with as much dignity and respect as possible. You want the audience to be pulled in so that they believe that Judy Garland, or whoever you are trying to conjure up, is right there in front of them. One of the best compliments I have received from an audience member at the end of the night is 'By the end of the first song, you sucked me in and I thought she was there!' Mission accomplished!

Instilled joy

EDGE: You've said, 'Judy saved your life?' How so?

Peter Mac: I grew up in the very narrow minded town of Elmont, Long Island. Up until age 12, I only knew Judy as Dorothy Gale and then I discovered Judy Garland, the entertainer. School was a nightmare from age nine to age 16. Things weren't any better at home being witness and victim of my parent's abusive marriage. After a horrific day at school, being called faggot more times than I care to remember, having my eye glasses broken etc... I could go down into my basement and listen to Judy's albums and instantly feel better about myself. She instilled, not a sense of tragedy, or self-pity but rather an overwhelming sense of joy within me.

That's how I began singing, along with her albums. I could also watch her movies and project myself into that perfect Technicolor MGM world. Twice between the ages of 13 and 16 I contemplated taking my life. The latter occurred after I was chased home by a jeep full of guys determined to beat the crap out of me (or worse). I never left the house for weeks after that night. I went into seclusion and just listened to Judy. I truly believe I would not have survived without 'that voice' to comfort me.

EDGE: Were you reluctant about performing Judy because she's likely the most oft-impersonated celebrity in drag?

Peter Mac: When I realized that the majority of people impersonating Judy, men in particular, were using her human frailties (e.g. her addiction to prescription medication), to build an act and get laughs. Well, first I was appalled (and still am) but then I took it as a challenge. I thought, 'there has to be a better way of doing this!' It should not be about having fun at Judy's expense or detrimental to her legacy.

The art of drag tends to be more over the top and these days a little more mean spirited. Tribute Artistry is a different approach to impersonation than drag. That's not to say that one is better than or inferior to, they are just different mediums of performance art. In the end, for me it is about breaking the myth, presenting the humor and style and preserving the legacy of a great legend.

Why she's great

EDGE: Judy has stayed in the public consciousness while other celebrities have faded from memory. Why do you think that's so?

Peter Mac: At the top of the list you have to remember that Judy starred in the most beloved movie ever made. 'The Wizard of Oz' and Judy's performance as Dorothy has withstood the test of time. It has a universal appeal. Judy herself is timeless. Her music is timeless. The brilliant arrangements that were done for her by Nelson Riddle, Kay Thompson, Mort Lindsey and company are just as fresh as they were back in the fifties and sixties. Judy, then as now, has the ability to make you feel that she is delivering a song to you and only to you. That is pure genius. Do I know how she did it? No. I don't think she did either. It really was a gift.

EDGE: Did you get to know Jim Bailey?

Peter Mac: One of my great regrets is that I did not get to Jim Bailey on a personal level, because in terms of my work the man was my mentor and idol. As Liza Minnelli once said 'Thank God, for Film!' As a result of home video I was able to see Jim in action and I listened to his Carnegie Hall album often. I have always credited him as my inspiration to become a Tribute Artist. Along with the great, Charles Pierce. Jim proved that you could present someone with class and wit and still entertain an audience without descending to cheap caricature. I was heartbroken to learn of his passing this past May. We lost one of the all-time great entertainers and Tribute Artists.

'Friend of Dorothy' in more ways than one

EDGE: You also impersonate other celebrities - Katherine Hepburn and Bette Davis to name two. Does this come easy to you?

Peter Mac: I discovered I had a knack for voices at a very early age, around five years old, I guess. At that time it was Dustin Hoffman as Dorothy Michaels in 'Tootsie.' I would do my 'Dorothy Michaels' imitation for my family. Not for free of course, I started at twenty-five cents a show and gradually worked up to a dollar. So I have always been a friend of 'Dorothy' one way or another! The main thing is that there has to be a connection with whoever the diva is. I must connect with the ladies I impersonate. Which is probably why I don't do any of our 'current' divas. I really am an old soul. I don't believe we have many 'real' divas these days. Certainly on the level of a Judy Garland or a Barbra Streisand. If I had to pick Lady Gaga and Adele are probably the closest at the moment.

EDGE: Judy Garland was such an electric performer. Is it exhausting to play her?

Peter Mac: If you're doing it right, without question, portraying Judy Garland is physically, mentally, emotionally and vocally exhausting! Those Garland arrangements are absolute ball breakers! But the music is so brilliant that singing it sends you into a euphoric high. By the end of the night my gowns, pant suits and wig are ringing wet. But if they weren't then I wouldn't be doing my job. To quote Judy, 'I don't know why I can't perspire, I just sweat! So un-lady like!' So, yes, it is exhausting but tremendously exhilarating at the same time.

EDGE: If you were to meet Judy, what would you say to her?

Peter Mac: For inspiring me, for entertaining me, for saving my life: Thank you, Judy. I love you.

Judy Garland Live! A Cabaret Tribute starring Peter Mac continues on Saturdays and Sundays, June 6 through August 29 at Club Caf�, 209 Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA. Tickets are priced at $20 and $30. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the Club Caf� website.