Rufus Wainwright's Rufus Does Judy project stands as a heartfelt homage to Judy Garland's iconic 1961 Carnegie Hall concert, often hailed as "the greatest night in show business history." Through meticulous recreations and personal interpretations, Wainwright bridges generations, celebrating Garland's legacy while infusing it with his unique artistry.
Wainwright's Rufus Does Judy project not only pays tribute to a musical legend but also cements his place as a torchbearer of the Great American Songbook. Through these performances, he bridges the past and present, honoring Garland's influence while showcasing his own interpretive prowess. The project has been lauded for its authenticity, emotional resonance, and the seamless blending of homage and individuality.
"When I was a kid, I always wanted to be Dorothy," drawls Rufus Wainwright, between songs, clearly having the time of his life on stage at Carnegie Hall in October 2006. "Except for the bad days, when I wanted to be the Wicked Witch." Rufus Does Judy... is the fulfillment of this childhood wish and the ultimate Judy Garland tribute: A song-by-song recreation of her legendary 1961 set on the same stage, the show which established the troubled singer as "the world's greatest entertainer".
-Pitchfork
Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall (2007)
In one of the most audacious and heartfelt tributes in recent music history, Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall finds singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright stepping into the heels—figuratively speaking—of Judy Garland to recreate her legendary 1961 Carnegie Hall performance. Hailed by many as “the greatest night in show business history,” Garland’s original concert was a cultural landmark. Wainwright’s recreation is both reverent homage and daring artistic interpretation, a project that straddles nostalgia, performance art, and personal expression.
The concept began with Wainwright’s deep love of Garland’s music and legacy—an appreciation that is both musical and emotional. Wainwright has long felt a kinship with Garland, whose music has meant so much to queer communities for generations. Rather than parody or impersonation, Rufus Does Judy is an act of communion—channeling Garland’s spirit through Wainwright’s voice and lens.
The concerts were performed live on June 14 and 15, 2006, at Carnegie Hall—on the same stage where Garland made history 45 years earlier. Wainwright meticulously performed the entire 26-song setlist from the original show, including classics such as:
"Over the Rainbow"
"The Man That Got Away"
"Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart"
"San Francisco"
"Chicago"
"Come Rain or Come Shine"
"The Trolley Song"
He was joined by a 36-piece orchestra conducted by Stephen Oremus (of Broadway fame), delivering lush arrangements faithful to the original score. The concerts also featured guest appearances by Rufus’ sister Martha Wainwright, his mother Kate McGarrigle, and Garland’s own daughter, Lorna Luft—adding intergenerational and familial resonance to an already emotional evening.
The performances were more than just concerts—they were acts of performance art. Wainwright dressed in custom suits reminiscent of Garland’s own style and embraced the theatricality of the occasion without veering into camp. Critics praised the show for walking the line between devotion and interpretation. The New York Times called it “a loving, meticulous and slightly subversive homage.”
The recordings from the Carnegie Hall performances were released in 2007 as a double live album, Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall, earning Wainwright a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.
In tandem with the album, a live performance from the London Palladium titled Rufus! Rufus! Rufus! Does Judy! Judy! Judy! was released on DVD, capturing a subsequent international leg of the tour. This brought the project to audiences in Europe, expanding its impact and introducing Garland’s timeless repertoire to a new generation of fans.
More than a tribute, Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall is a love letter—to music, to queer icons, to family, to theatrical expression. It's an ambitious undertaking that only Wainwright could have pulled off, and it remains one of the most defining moments of his career.
Rufus Does Judy at Capitol Studios (2022)
Rufus Wainwright's Rufus Does Judy at Capitol Studios is a poignant continuation of his homage to Judy Garland, following his acclaimed 2007 live album Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall. This 2022 release captures a virtual concert recorded at the historic Capitol Studios in Los Angeles, where Garland herself once recorded. Premiered on June 10, 2021—what would have been Garland's 99th birthday—the performance was streamed globally and later released as a live album by BMG on June 10, 2022.
Wainwright revisited Garland's iconic 1961 Carnegie Hall setlist, delivering a heartfelt performance in Capitol Studios' Studio A, using the same microphone Garland once used. The intimate setting featured a four-piece band, creating a cozy ambiance that contrasted with the grandeur of his earlier tribute. Renée Zellweger, who portrayed Garland in the 2019 biopic Judy, was the sole in-person audience member, adding a unique layer to the event. Notably, the performance includes duets with Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth and Wainwright's sister, Martha Wainwright, who joined virtually.
