The most infamous episode of Judy Garland’s one-season TV variety series is the Christmas special that aired December 22, 1963—just barely, according to legend. The booze-soaked Garland’s rehearsal attendance was erratic, and supposedly CBS had to have a plan B at the ready in case she was unable to drag herself to the taping. Speaking of drag, Open Circle Theater imagines what that rehearsal must have been like in The Judy Garland Christmas Special, as Judy lurches around the stage, special guest star Jack Jones puts on a brave face, and her three kids—pathologically attention-hungry Liza, agonizingly shy Lorna, and, uh, what’s-his-face, her son—add to the chaos. Andrew Tasakos was divine in the lead in the hilarious 2006 production; Troy Mink will no doubt be so this time around. [See Longenbaugh’s chat with Mink here.] Open Circle Theater, 2222 Second Ave. (second floor), 382-4250. $15. 7:30 p.m. Thurs.-Sat., 4 p.m. Sun. Ends Dec. 20. GAVIN BORCHERT

Thursdays-Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.; Sundays, 4 p.m. Starts: Dec. 5. Continues through Dec. 20, 2008