APP.com – By Tom Chesek – Correspondent
Tommy Femia’s Garland tribute doesn’t judge Judy
Drag performer? It’s a phrase that doesn’t begin to do justice to the show. Female impersonator? Too Jim Bailey. Gender illusionist? Just so much smoke and mirrors.
Ah, but Tribute Artist – there’s a mantle that can be conferred upon a rarefied few. The tribute artist is he who gamely steps in when the original artist is incapacitated or unable to discharge her duties. The tribute artist owns at least one of the diva’s gowns or household tchotchkes. The tribute artist winds up getting written into the will.