The Watsonville Community Band has been busy rehearsing with Judy Norton, actress, singer, writer, director for film and television, for a pair of concerts April 4 and 5. The free performances—titled “Lions, Tigers, & Marches! Oh My!”—will showcase Norton’s artistry as she sings songs by George Gershwin and “Over the Rainbow” by Harold Arlen.
The band will also perform a variety of marches, Broadway show tunes and band classics.
Norton gained fame when she starred as Mary Ellen for nine years in the Emmy Award-winning series “The Waltons,” a television series that ran from 1972 to 1981. Since then, she has been a guest star in numerous roles in film and television while also working in stage productions in the U.S. and Canada.
“It is always such a thrill to work with a full band or orchestra,” Norton said during a break from rehearsing with the band Wednesday evening. “I’ve done a fair bit of musical theater in front of large crowds—like 3,500 people—so I’m comfortable with that. I was very fortunate because I got to start out as a child in theater when I was 10. So by the time I started doing the Waltons, I wasn’t brand new to it; I was very familiar.”
Norton said it felt good to be rehearsing in the Watsonville High School band room, because she had only spent about six months in her high school while the rest of her high school years were spent in the studio.
Norton said she has always relished working on many levels, including as a guest artist, working with people in the community, local performers and local musicians.
“It’s always such great spirit because they love doing it,” Norton said. “I’m so pleased to be able to perform with the great band.”
The Watsonville Community Band concert, led by conductor Brad Gronroos, will also include a performance by the Watsonville Youth Band.
The shows will run April 4 at 7pm at the Henry J. Mello Center, 250 E. Beach St., in Watsonville and April 5 at 2pm at Peace United Church, 900 High St. in Santa Cruz.
