WHO IS LILLIAN BAXTER?

WHO IS LILLIAN BAXTER?

Fringe Theater invites you to the Little Room Jazz Club for An Evening with Lillian Baxter which runs through December 31. This memoir and musical revue retraces the steps (and beds) that Lillian made during her long trek to obscurity.

It’s not surprising that people are wondering “who IS Lillian Baxter?”

The fictional Ms. Baxter began her career as a young starlet with MGM in the late 40s, from there it was commercials and TV specials. She eventually was given her own TV show – unfortunately placed opposite Judy Garland’s TV show.

“Judy Garland is a bit of a sore subject for Lillian Baxter,” shares John Vessels (as though it’s an important secret). John is the show’s writer and star. “Actually Judy Garland was the inspiration for Lillian Baxter. Her husbands, the hard hits, the comebacks. People of a certain age will recognize little nuggets of truth throughout the show.”

An Evening with Lillian Baxter is set in 1970 as a comeback tour for Lillian, after a rocky time – professionally and personally. Lillian shares the inside scoop on her seven ex-husbands — all good friends, still, though a couple of them are married (to each other). The show is filled with beautiful music, arranged by Jay Schwandt who also plays piano for the show. Many of the songs are from obscure 1940s musicals though audiences will find themselves humming along with the more popular tunes and laughing along with punch lines and innuendo liberally spread throughout the show.

“Jay and I were Lillian’s first fans, and I think we’re still probably her biggest fans. Jay loves her voice. I love Lillian’s positive outlook,” John concludes. “She never gives up no matter what life throws at her. She might mope, but she always picks herself up and carries on!”

An Evening with Lillian Baxter runs through New Year’s Eve at 7pm in the Little Room Jazz Club, located at 821 Duval Street. Doors open at 6pm for the 7pm show. Tickets are $35 general admission and $45 reserved seating. Seating is limited so advanced ticket purchase is encouraged. Tickets are available online at www.fringetheater.org or by calling 305-731-0581.

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