Debbie Wileman Brings Judy Garland’s Spirit to Life in Her “We Need a Little Christmas” Tour
Beloved singer and celebrated Judy Garland tribute artist Debbie Wileman is spreading holiday cheer nationwide with her brand-new concert experience, Judy Garland—We Need a Little Christmas. Produced by Scott Stander, the festive tour visits nine cities across the U.S., including San Francisco, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Springs, and Los Angeles.
Blending storytelling, humor, and holiday magic, Judy Garland—We Need a Little Christmas showcases Wileman’s remarkable ability to channel the voice and spirit of the legendary Judy Garland. The result is a nostalgic, uplifting journey through the golden age of Hollywood wrapped in the warmth of the holiday season.
“I’ve loved Judy Garland all my life,” says Wileman. “It’s why I do what I do. When I’m singing, I try to bring Judy’s essence —her style, her humor, her heart—to life. But the talking in between? That’s me! So you get a little mix of Grand Rapids and London on stage.”
Wileman’s connection to both Judy Garland and the holidays runs deep.
“My grandmother Joanna introduced me to Judy,” she recalls. “I spent every Christmas with her until she passed in 2008. We used to sing ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’ together at the piano every year. Creating this show feels like honoring two special ladies: my grandmother and Judy herself.”
Between songs, Wileman delights audiences with heartfelt and hilarious stories of her childhood Christmases.
“My grandmother was a wonderful woman but a dreadful cook,” she laughs. “Every year she’d bring some new holiday delicacy. The worst was her Christmas Cassata, which lives on in the memory and taste buds of all who were unlucky enough to sample it!”
“Another year she baked a Christmas cake with a big blue ‘lake’ of icing in the center, complete with little figures of ice skaters. We were so impressed, until we cut into it and realized the blue icing went straight down to the plate! Nana said the cake had sunk in the oven, so she filled the hole with icing and called it a lake.”
The concert also features rare musical gems, including Judy Garland’s emotional 1968 performance of “After the Holidays” from The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
“Judy never recorded that song in a studio,” Wileman explains. “It’s something I’ve wanted to perform for years, and it means even more now because I became friends with the songwriter, John Meyer, before he passed away. Performing his work feels like a tribute to both him and Judy.”
The tour coincides with Wileman’s acclaimed holiday album, A Christmas Garland, arranged by Grammy Award winner Steve Orich (Jersey Boys).
“Recording with a full orchestra was an absolute dream come true,” she says. “Steve’s arrangements are stunning, and recording at New York’s Power Station—the same studio where so many Broadway albums and even David Bowie’s Let’s Dance were made—gave the whole experience this incredible old-Hollywood energy.”
For Wileman, Judy Garland—We Need a Little Christmas embodies everything audiences crave this time of year: joy, nostalgia, and connection.
“Christmas is such a happy time,” she says. “When you celebrate it by listening to Judy’s music, you can forget your troubles and just get happy.”
For tour dates, tickets, and more information, visit TheStanderGroup.com.
