- Mosque Theater -

Garland a Sensation
 Judy Scores a Triumph on Mosque Stage
 By Alan Branigan, Newark Evening News

A favorite songstress of our generation, Judy Garland, set a capacity audience afire with her vibrant personality last night at the Mosque Theater. Backed by a large and rhythmical orchestra directed with éclat by former Newarker Mort Lindsey, the erstwhile little girl movie star who is now an international chanteuse gave a recital of songs that revealed her talents in great measure. 

The flexible and unique Garland voice was not in perfect shape. According to the concert's managers, Felix G. Gerstman and Moe Septee, a virus nearly laid the singer low early in the day. But prompt medical attention and an indomitable spirit prevailed and there she was on the stage, much to the delight of an audience that must have numbered more than 3,800. The box office take was estimated at $18,000, certainly a record here for such extravaganzas.

For many in the house, the scene must have been reminiscent of the good old days of big swing bands and great vaudeville stars. The orchestra of lively brass and winds, vivid percussion and a body of strings for the sweeter moments swung together with huge energy and provided Judy with precisely the right sort of beat for her vigorous if slightly flawed vocalisms.

From the very first appearance, the audience was completely hers. Although the outburst was not as hysterical as at her recent Manhattan triumph, it was still the most frenzied and free-for-all shouting and applauding that we have heard here all season.

The singer, for all her reputed illness, was in excellent spirits. Her mood was informal as she jived around the microphone, told stories of her European experiences, took a pill now and then, helped Lindsey push the piano around the stage and back chatted with members of the audience who shouted at her.

By our recollection, her famous Palace appearances were not like this. Gone were the dancing boys, the trained seals and the other acts. Going it alone, Judy just got up there and sang, while the folks around the theater were obviously delighted with the results.

As for her songs, they ranged thoroughly through the Garland historical songbook and were delivered sometimes with thoroughly kooky rhythms and accents, sometimes with the most delightfully straight forward style. The brilliant hi-fi sound system and the clever lighting both enhanced the performance tremendously.

The several dozen songs presented included, for instance, "Almost Like Being in Love," You Go to My Head," "Together," "Putting on the Ritz," "Entertainment," "Come Rain, or Come Shine," which tore the place apart; "Stormy Weather," and a jolly little melange of old hits, including "The Trolley Song" and "Zing Went the Strings of My Heart." Plus many others which were scrawled in the dark and we just can't read at the moment.

The titles do not matter much, really. The important thing to most of the people there last night was that one of their film goddesses had come to life on the stage and was singing her heart out for them. It seemed to be enough for the super-heated fans, who surged stage ward at the end and almost engulfed the star.

More than 3,600 persons packed the Mosque Theater last night in Newark to watch Judy Garland put on a show that broke all box office records with an $18,000 gate. 

Traffic along Broad St. and Clinton Ave. was tied up for more than an hour as the ticket holders tried to make their way to the theater at 1020 Broad St.

When the singer appeared on stage to open the show, the audience, which included 250 standees and 150 persons seated in  the orchestra pit, gave her a standing ovation lasting several minutes.

Judy, short and pudgy and completely uninhibited, had the audience literally screaming as she ran through number after number that had distinguished her career.

The crowd refused to let her get off the stage when she finished her long act, with a sizable group rushing to the orchestra pit and setting off a nearest as they begged her for more.

Her hair falling over her eyes and perspiration streaming down her face, Judy obliged and obliged again, singing her last four encores to a standing room only audience that had to be forcibly restrained by police from rushing on stage.

Even the dropping of the curtain failed to stop the cheers and Judy took her last bows to the chant of the crowd demanding "Come back to Newark!"

"Come back!" Judy said in her final words. "Why, I'd love to play my entire tour right here!"