One Night Only: SF Native Becomes Judy Garland
if you're in the Bay Area and go to the theatre, you know Matthew Martin.
Maybe not by that name. But you've seen him as Blanche in "The Golden Girls" for years and he's made two dragged up movies where he played Bette Davis.
Martin invites you July 30 to an Oasis of music, fun and likely a mention that it's his birthday as he performs in a show about Judy Garland.
Having seen and followed Martin for years, it's never a surprise when he BECOMES the characters he takes on. In the Bette Davis send-up "Baby Jane?" I thought Bette Davis rose from the grave and gave us another Oscar caliber performance.
Martin has made a name for himself in so many shows, many that started at SF Oasis. If he's not the lead, he's a scene stealer. We all love D'arcy Drollinger in her stage show and movie "Shit & Champagne," but it was Martin who captivated us and made us laugh until, well, we almost shit our pants.
With most drag queens who surround Martin, I once asked why he didn't have a fun drag name liked Cookie Dough, Eliza Minnelli or Courtney Act. He corrected me that he's not a drag queen but an actor and he takes on roles of any sexual identity and he will do so again with Judy Garland.
In this celebration of Garland's 100th birthday (and Martin's much younger birthday), audiences will be delighted to see how he can embody a character while providing strong vocals and showing off his professionally trained dance moves.
Martin is truly one of San Francisco's brightest stars that the City is proud to call him one of its natives.
Check out the show and all the SF Oasis has to offer at www.sfoasis.com.
