Hooray for Hollywood and Alexander Cortes' Swell Show!

Hollywood is a place where they'll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul.

Marilyn Monroe 

Happy Wednesday!

with Patt Barr and Joyce Bulifant

I hope this finds you doing great! I just ended five days in glorious Palm Springs. 
Lots of breakfast meetings, and lunches, and dinners. A whole new work out regimen planned when I return to New York. Lots of work done on several projects that I am involved in. 
Yesterday, I had lunch with Joyce Bulifant for an upcoming blog interview. 

Then it was off to LA. Last night, we went to Cortes Alexander's hit show, The Swell Show, at the The Coterie (Renaissance Hollywood Hotel).
I am on a mission to bring this show to New York!

Barbara Brighton, Geri Jewell, Suzanne LaRusch, Steve Wishnoff.

 Danny and I were joined by Suzanne LaRusch (well known for her tribute to Lucille Ball) and Barbara Brighton (Joan Rivers as well as an accomplished actress and singer) and other friends from the LA area. Also, in attendance was Geri Jewell (Facts of Life), Andrea Marcovicci, Steve Wishnoff, and Clinton Leupp (Miss Coco).

It was great to see Steve and he has some very exciting projects in the works.

Andrea Marcovicci told me about her next project!

Andrea Marcovicci's SMILE



Mar. 15 - 17  and Mar. 22 - 24, 2012
Thurs. - Sat. at 9:00PM

Musical Director: Shelly Markham

The Gardenia
7066 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood CA 90038
(corner of LaBrea)
Reservations: (323) 467-7444

Join Andrea for the very first workshop of her latest show!
There are certain songs that will always lift your spirits. For over twenty-five years Andrea has watched her audiences thrill to the strains of their most beloved songs. “The ones where they burst into smiles, and the ones where they reach across the table to hold hands. I want to make the show about bringing people together,” says Andrea. Highlights: You Make Me Feel So Young, Life is Just Bowl of Cherries, It’s Only a Paper Moon, Happy Together, and of course, the title tune, Smile.

Now, about Cortes' show. I am now and forever a fan! I had seen Cortes on Broadway in Liza's at The Palace and LOVED him! I blogged about him last month. Read it here.

But the show was beyond my expectations. I brought 5 people who were not familiar with Cortes and they all became fans!

with The Lovely Carol

The lovely Carol opened the show for Cortes and got the evening off to a rousing start!

Cortes opened his show with an overture, a device that I have always used, and really makes it more than a cabaret show. It is more of a theatrical experience. The stage is even under an arch which gives it a proscenium stage look and feel. Cortes is joined on stage by Musical Director / Piano/Keyboard

ROSS KALLING

Bass
NORMAN LUDWIN

Drums
DENISE FRASER

Guitar/ Uke
PAUL LANDRY

Swell Girls
MELISSA BAILEY
JENNIFER RAPPO
Cortes covers all bases. He is totally in command and is fully an entertainer. He has obviously learned a thing or two from Liza who he has extensively toured with. He has the same socko pow that I love in a great entertainer. It is just there. It is not forced. He is a master class in HOW to do it. Don't miss this show! 

EXTENDED BY POPULAR DEMAND!
It will be back on January 31st!
Cortes Alexander in "The Swell Show", featuring Melissa Bailey and Jennifer Rappo. Musical direction by Ross Kalling. Opening for Mr. Alexander will be the much anticipated return of The Lovely Carol.

Click here for tickets: https://www.brownp...

I cannot wait to see what is next for Cortes Alexander! Please visit his website!

NO COPY WRITE INFRINGEMENT INTENDED.  FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY!

Please do what YOU can to be more aware that words and actions DO HURT...but they can also heal and help!
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Tomorrow's blog will be...CELEBRATING TONIGHT'S PALEY CENTER SCREENING OF CAROL CHANNING: LARGER THAN LIFE!

Thank you, to all the mentioned in this blog!

Here's to an INCREDIBLE today for ALL...with NO challenges!

Now, GO OUT AND DO SOMETHING FOR SOMEONE ELSE TODAY!

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TILL TOMORROW...HERE'S TO AN ARTS DAY!
Richard Skipper, Richard@RichardSkipper.com