Feature: A Weekend with Two Icons: Jenna Pastuszek Brings Barbra & Judy to Miners Alley

Feature: Jenna Pastuszek with Barbra and Judy | Miners Alley Performing Arts Center | Golden, CO | Curtain Up! | Eric Fitzgerald

Photo courtesy of Jenna Pastuszek

Some performers dazzle you with sheer vocal power, but others draw you close, telling a story with such warmth and presence that you feel personally invited in. Jenna Pastuszek is unmistakably one of the latter — a storyteller first, with a voice that carries heart, humor, and history in every phrase. When I spoke with her ahead of her upcoming Miners Alley debut, I found myself swept into the warmth of her enthusiasm, the depth of her research, and the sheer joy she brings to the legacies of Barbra Streisand and Judy Garland.

She’ll be performing two concerts in one whirlwind weekend at Miners Alley Performing Arts Center in Golden:

• Me, Myself & Barbra — Saturday, July 18 at 7:30 p.m.
• Get Happy! Celebrating 100+ Years of Judy Garland — Sunday, July 19 at 2:00 p.m.

For fans of either icon — or both — it’s a rare chance to experience two distinct musical worlds, each filtered through Jenna’s generous spirit and meticulous storytelling.

Photo courtesy of Jenna Pastuszek

Judy: A History Major’s Love Letter

Jenna’s Judy Garland show began with a phone call from a theater she’d never worked with before. “They said, ‘We heard you’re the gal to do it,’ and I thought, well… I am!” she laughed. What followed was a deep dive worthy of a graduate seminar: biographies, dramaturgy, archival interviews, radio clips, and a curated playlist of Judy’s performances across her lifetime.

“I approached the show like a history major writing a thesis,” she told me. And it shows. The Judy concert is not an impersonation — it’s a tribute, a celebration of Judy’s resilience and timelessness. Jenna performs beloved standards alongside lesser‑known gems, weaving in her own story of navigating the pandemic, artistic upheaval, and personal loss.

One of the most touching moments she shared was about singing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” to her newborn son. “He stopped crying. I thought, he knows me. He already has impeccable taste in music.” That emotional connection infuses her performance with a sincerity audiences feel immediately.

Photo courtesy of Jenna Pastuszek

Barbra: The Jazz‑Club Years and a Dash of Defiance

If Judy is generosity, Barbra is grit. Jenna’s Barbra Streisand show was born almost accidentally — a theater asked if she had another concert ready, and she said yes before she actually did. What emerged is a vibrant portrait of Barbra’s early years, long before she became the icon we know today.

“I focus on her jazz club sets from 1957 to 1963,” Jenna explained. “Her origin story is fascinating — this poor, fatherless Jewish girl who pushed through trauma, rejection, heartbreak, even periods of homelessness. How did she do that?”

Jenna performs favorites from Funny Girl and beyond, but the heart of the show is Barbra’s determination. “There’s a sly defiance in her,” Jenna said. “A little bit of: try to tell me I can’t do this.” She channels that energy with delight, inviting audiences to rediscover Barbra’s early fire.

Two Shows, Two Spirits — One Performer

When I asked whether she thinks of Barbra and Judy as “characters,” she shook her head. “They’re concerts,” she said. “I channel different aspects of myself through them.”

• Judy’s energy: “She once said, ‘I’m a woman who wants to reach out and take 40 million people in my arms.’ That’s how I perform her — with generosity.”
• Barbra’s energy: “There’s more to prove. It’s fun to say, here I am, I’m going to do it, and you can think what you want.”

The emotional shift between Saturday and Sunday is real — and thrilling.

The Music Makers

Jenna’s longtime creative partner, Joshua Zecher‑Ross, helped shape both shows from the ground up. “We fell in love as creative partners,” she said. “He has such reverence for Barbra — she’s his icon.”

Joshua won’t be in Colorado this time (he’s currently music directing Operation Mincemeat on Broadway), but Jenna is bringing Kyle Branzel, a New York‑based music director who not only leads the band but sings with her. “He’s wonderful,” she said. “And he’s a former performer, so he brings this extra spark.”

On Saturday night, audiences will also be treated to a special appearance by Sharon K. White, a beloved Denver performer. Jenna and Sharon will recreate material from the famous Judy Garland Show episode featuring Barbra — a treat for fans who know that iconic moment.

Photo courtesy of Jenna Pastuszek

A Colorado Connection

Though she’s performed across the country, Jenna has a soft spot for Colorado. “I fell in love with the state,” she told me. “People are so friendly, warm, kind — always eager to give restaurant suggestions or hikes.”

Her path to Miners Alley came through a web of Colorado theater relationships — Sister Act at Theatre Silco, Thunder River Theatre Company, and finally Len at Miners Alley, who invited her for this mini‑residency as soon as the new performing arts center opened.“This will be my Miners Alley debut,” she said with a smile. “I’m very excited to return.”

A Weekend to Remember

As someone who has loved both Barbra and Judy for decades — and who once spent $300 in the early 90s to see Barbra live at Madison Square Garden in honor of a dear friend — I can tell you this weekend will be special. Jenna brings reverence, joy, scholarship, humor, and heart to these two icons. She honors their legacies while sharing her own story, creating a bridge between generations of music lovers.

Me, Myself & Barbra Saturday, July 18 at 7:30 p.m.

Get Happy! Celebrating 100+ Years of Judy Garland Sunday, July 19 at 2:00 p.m.

For more information and tickets: https://minersalley.com