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Christmas” from the classic film “Meet Me in St. Louis.” But Garland herself never recorded a Christmas album.

Acclaimed Garland impersonator Debbie Wileman set out to remedy that with her new album, “A Christmas Garland,” and a multi-city concert tour that she’ll kick off at A.C.T.’s Strand Theater in San Francisco on December 6 and 7.
“It’s always been surprising, and a little disappointing, that Judy never recorded a full Christmas album,” said Wileman in an interview with the Bay Area Reporter. “Creating this record was my chance to imagine what it might have sounded like, and to bring Judy’s magic to some of the more modern Christmas favorites that she never had the chance to sing.”

Produced by Scott Stander with orchestrations by Steve Orich (who arranged Broadway’s “Jersey Boys” album), “A Christmas Garland” offers a joyful and poignant mix of songs, from timeless standards like “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” to modern classics like Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” and Wham!’s “Last Christmas,” reimagined in Garland’s style. 

“Many of us are going through troubling times,” Wileman says. “Music can be so healing and helpful in bringing joy and cheer, which is what we all want at Christmas.”

The album also includes a duet of “Little Drummer Boy – Peace on Earth” with rock and roll icon Pat Boone, and Judy’s definitive holiday staple, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” performed with Oscar winner Margaret O’Brien, who originally sang the song with Garland in “Meet Me in St. Louis.”

“Having Margaret on this album is such a thrill,” says Wileman.  “She’s a true Hollywood legend and a lovely lady to boot.”  

Another highlight is “After the Holidays,” a poignant song written by John Meyer for Judy Garland that she performed on “The Tonight Show” but was never officially recorded, until now. Wileman, who befriended Meyer before his passing, also includes another of his rarely heard works, “When Do the Words Come True” on the album.

“John told me he wrote it on the day of Judy’s funeral,” she says. “He said it was everything he thought she felt. Recording it was my way of honoring him and Judy both.”

“A Christmas Garland” is now available on all major streaming platforms.

The voice of a century
Judy Garland was arguably the greatest singer of the 20th century, thrilling audiences who saw her on film and television, listened to her many recordings, or experienced her live in concert. Her technical perfection was infused with emotion, from longing to joy to heartbreak, which likely contributed to her having a passionate gay following.

She also had unmistakable performance mannerisms (that seemed to intensify over time), which many of her impersonators exaggerated. But Wileman downplays Garland’s mannerisms, focusing instead on capturing her legendary vocal style and warmth.

The 40-year-old suburban mother, who lives in North Essex, England with her husband and young daughter, became a social media singing sensation during the global pandemic, capturing world-wide attention as a modern-day Judy Garland phenomenon. 

When Wileman came to the United States to celebrate Garland’s 100th birthday, she released her debut album “I’m Still Here,” and kicked off a widely acclaimed multi-city tour. The album features many Garland classics as well as contemporary hits that she believes Judy would be singing today.  

“Judy Garland: We Need a Little Christmas” promises an enchanting evening of storytelling, humor, and Garland magic.

“Every show will be a little different,” Wileman says. “I love chatting with people, sharing tidbits, having a laugh, and, of course, singing my guts out!”

‘Judy Garland: We Need a Little Christmas,’ Strand Theater, 1127 Market St. $19-$178. Dec. 6 at 7:30pm & Dec. 7 at 2pm.
https://www.act-sf.org/whats-on/limited-engagements/judy-garland
https://www.instagram.com/debwileman