Jennifer Grimm performs with her band during a past concert. Jennifer Grimm Sings Judy Garland tribute show, originally scheduled for March 15 at the State Street Theater in New Ulm, has been postponed until May 23, 2027, due to an impending winter storm. Submitted photo

NEW ULM — A much-anticipated concert featuring Minnesota singer Jennifer Grimm paying tribute to Judy Garland has been postponed because of this weekend’s weather forecast of potential blizzard conditions.

The show, originally set for 2 p.m. Sunday, March 15 will now take place on Sunday, May 23, 2027, at 2 p.m. at the State Street Theater, 1 N. State Street, in New Ulm.

State Street Theater Executive Director Lorie Jewell said the decision was made jointly with Grimm after a phone conversation this week.

“It just doesn’t make sense to have their band, which is 12 people, it’s a huge orchestra, come and travel on what could be very bad road conditions,” Jewell said. 

“We just felt for the safety of everybody involved. We’d really rather not have our patrons out in a potentially dangerous situation, and we certainly don’t want their band in any kind of a potentially dangerous situation.”

Forecasters have warned of blizzard conditions Sunday, including possible 65 mph winds even with minimal snowfall.

“We live in Minnesota; we know that random storms are part of what we sign up for,” Jewell said. “It’s unfortunate but I think people understand. They would rather have something be canceled in advance and as far in advance as possible, instead of trying to cancel on the day of the event and then have people caught in bad weather.”

All existing tickets will be honored for the new 2027 date. Patrons also have the option to exchange their tickets for another upcoming show at the theater or request a full refund, an exception the theater is making because of the weather-related postponement. 

For anyone who purchased tickets through Wheeler Dealer for the “Jennifer Grimm sings Judy Garland,” tribute show, call or stop by the State Street Theater to choose a future show they would prefer to see or keep their ticket and use it May 23, 2027.

The Judy Garland Museum selected Grimm and her show to perform at the official 100th birthday celebration of the Minnesota-born icon.

Both artists share deep Minnesota roots: Garland and Grimm were born to vaudeville families in the state. Grimm began performing at age 2 and toured the country for 13 years with her family’s variety act. After the family settled in the Twin Cities, she continued singing with her mother, Colleen Raye, while earning a mathematics degree from Augsburg College.

In past interviews, Grimm has explained what drew her to the project.

“I’ve always admired Judy Garland’s ability to deliver intimate lyrics quietly and also present a powerhouse performance,” she said. “Garland’s style of singing and delivery are a most natural fit for my voice.”

She noted the personal parallels between her life and Garland’s.

“Judy Garland is also born to a vaudeville family and born in Minnesota. I was born in Minnesota. There are a lot of fun similarities in early upbringing, and I bring that up in the Judy Garland show,” Grim said.

She also said the tribute is not an impersonation. Grimm says she shapes the show with her own versatile style, with the delivering “show-stopping power” on the up-tempo numbers and “tender intimacy” on the ballads, while sharing stories from both women’s lives in show business.

Classics include “You Made Me Love You,” “Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart” and, of course, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” which Grimm first performed at age 9 in her family act. She sings “Born In A Trunk” twice in the concert, altering the lyrics the second time to weave in her own story.

“We’re so pleased that Jennifer was so magnanimous in offering an alternative date that we can postpone,” Jewell said. “We don’t have to cancel entirely. Such a talent, and we can’t wait for her to do this show in 2027.”

Ticket exchanges and refunds begin immediately. For more information, call the box office at 507-359-9990 (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to noon) or email info@statestreetnewulm.org. Visit www.statestreetnewulm.org for full details on all events and programs.