Groundhog's Day, Black History Month, Liz Smith...and More!

Happy Groundhog's Day!
When your alarm goes off in the morning, chances are you reach for your phone to 1) turn off the noise and 2) to catch up on email before you even get out of bed, eyes still blurry from sleep. Right? - See more at: http://www.success.com/article/6-stress-relieving-tricks-to-reduce-anxiety-at-work?utm_source=Happify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=link+exchange#sthash.vj8iNB9R.dpuf
When your alarm goes off in the morning, chances are you reach for your phone to 1) turn off the noise and 2) to catch up on email before you even get out of bed, eyes still blurry from sleep. Right? - See more at: http://www.success.com/article/6-stress-relieving-tricks-to-reduce-anxiety-at-work?utm_source=Happify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=link+exchange#sthash.vj8iNB9R.dpuf
When your alarm went off this morning, did you reach for your "phone" to turn off the noise and/or to catch up on email before you even got out of bed, eyes still blurry from sleep?
It’s almost the end of January and I was wondering: how have the first few weeks of the year been for you? - See more at: http://jackcanfield.com/what-to-do-when-life-doesnt-seem-to-be-working-for-you/#sthash.ZF0Fsqik.dpuf
Well, imagine Punxsutawney Phil having that dilemma?
Well to put you all at ease, spring is coming! America's most iconic weather forecaster, the Pennsylvania groundhog Punxsutawney Phil,
Our dog Horace's shadow
"told" this to the president of the groundhog club after not seeing his shadow at Gobbler's Knob in the town northeast of Pittsburgh.
A crowd gathered at early this morning, awaiting the emergence of  Phil. After a tap of a cane on Phil's tree-trunk cage, his door was opened, and the animal emerged.
Today is Groundhog Day. It's an American ritual dating back to the 19th century. Read MORE at LEAVE IT TO BEAVERHAUSEN
Today is the 32nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. There are 333 days remaining until the end of the year. It’s the beginning of February and I was wondering: how have the first few weeks of the year been for you? February is the shortest month of the year. It is also Black History Month.What do Frank Albertson, Eva Cassidy, Eden Espinosa, Burton Lane, Bonita Granville,  Cady Huffman, Elaine Stritch, Stan Getz, Tom Smothers, Farrah Fawcett, Christie Brinkley, Marissa Jaret Winokur, and Kim Zimmer have in common?

They were all born on this date. Certainly all of them are known for being talented and successful—even legendary—in their respective fields.

Cady Huffman in Hello, Dolly!
They are all unique artists in their own right.  My mom's birthday is tomorrow!
Mine is in 9 days. Valentine's Day is coming up. Gretchen Reinhagen TOMORROW NIGHT, Marta Sanders on Saturday Night, Nicholas King next week, Sarah Rice and David Vernon's new open Mic at The Harp Raw Bar and Grill, Kelley Karel as Hilary Clinton, Danny Burstein in Fiddler on the Roof. As if that isn't enough already, I have two gigs back to back!

On the 13th, I am interviewing Peter Filichia at American Popular Song Society in celebration of his book, The Great Parade: Broadway's Astonishing, Never-to-Be-Forgotten 1963-1964 Season.  
Charles V. Baran stars in Recipe for Disaster at the Metropolitan Room on February 6 at 4PM
We will be joined by an all star cast performing selections from that season. Look at this line-up: Klea Blackhurst, Steven Brinberg, Jim Brochu, Diane J.  Findlay, Oleg Frish, Anita Gillette, Leah Horowitz,
Sally Mayes, Barbara Minkus
We know what the Internet thinks about a white actor playing Michael Jackson, but what would the King of Pop think? Actually, he commented on just such a possibility in a 1993 interview with Oprah Winfrey.  (Source:iheart.com)

, Sarah Rice, Steve Ross, and Camille Saviola) and Michael Lavine on piano. The next day,  Michael will be accompanying Peggy Eason and myself as we celebrate Valentine's Day, my
Liz Smith
birthday, my return to performing, and so much more for my annual appearance at the Helen Hayes Hospital Atrium. Afterwards, we are all going to my favorite Chinese Restaurant, Golden Mushroom to celebrate my birthday! Please join us!


Creativity means believing you have greatness.-Dr. Wayne Dwyer

Happy birthday to gossip columnist Liz Smith author of the 2000 memoir "Natural Blonde" et al. Mary Elizabeth "Liz" Smith is her actual full name. She is known as "The Grand Dame of Dish".
Today is also the birthday of Ayn Rand.

"I am often asked whether I am primarily a novelist or a philosopher. The answer is: both. In a certain sense, every novelist is a philosopher, because one cannot present a picture of human existence without a philosophical framework. . . . In order to define, explain and present my concept of man, I had to
Ayn Rand
become a philosopher in the specific meaning of the term.
"
— Ayn Rand, “Preface,”
For the New Intellectual

Few people have been more controversial than Alisa Rosenbaum. But few have heard that name, because the apoplectic responses are reserved for the new name she gave herself after she left Russia for America—Ayn Rand.




The original Cracker Barrel in Lebanon, Tenn., opened in 1969. Credit Photograph from Cracker Barrel
In November, Danny, Peggy Eason, and I went on a road trip from Ft. Lauderdale to Conway, South Carolina, my hometown, before headingback home to New York. My family is still in South Carolina. Along the way, we stopped at every single Cracker Barrel we saw. This great article appeared in the New York Times and I include the link here for Peggy and Danny. Read HERE.

Entertainment News 
Annie Ross
From TRU (Theatre Resources Unlimited): "Raising Money for Theater" is this Saturday, 2/6 from 10am to 6pm, and we have room for 6 more of you. This is the one time a year we offer this workshop, which has been life-changing for many who have taken it.
Click on the link for more info. Their address:
309 W. 104th Street - 1D | New York, New York 10025
Tennessee Williams' THE GLASS MENAGERIE now onstage at Ford's Theatre. Memories painful and poignant intermingle through a smoky haze in this sharp and vivid production. Painstakingly directed by Mark Ramont, the production boasts a superb cast of actors whose nuanced and detailed performances mine the emotional depths of Williams' early and personal play.

Jazz Greats Jon Hendricks, Annie Ross, and Janis Siegel
are among the winners to be honored at the
31st ANNUAL BISTRO AWARDS GALA
Tuesday, March 8, 6:30 pm
at Gotham Comedy Club
Favorites Christine Andreas, Sharon McNight, Jarrod Spector,
Kelli Barrett, KT Sullivan, Jeff Harnar also Recognized Go to BistroAwards.com to order tickets and for more info.

Tony Award winner James Corden, who emcees "The Late Late Show" on CBS, will host the 70th Annual Tony Awards this June.

Thank you to all of the artists mentioned in this blog for the gifts you have given to the world and continue to give! 

Laughter is much more important than applause. Applause is almost a duty. Laughter is a reward.
-Carol Channing

With grateful XOXOXs ,
 



 

Check out my site celebrating the legacy of Jerry Herman's Hello, Dolly!
Cady Huffman rehearsing Hello, Dolly!

NO COPYRIGHT 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!   
        

Jane Powell and Howard Keel
"I Do! I Do!" (1980)
This one was staged at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles and Valley Forge Music Fair.

Here's to an INCREDIBLE tomorrow for ALL...with NO challenges!
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Keeping Entertainment LIVE!
 
TILL TOMORROW...HERE'S TO AN ARTS FILLED DAY

Richard Skipper, Richard@RichardSkipper.com

with Doris Dear and Robin Kradles
Sarah Rice, Broadway's original Johanna of Sweeney Todd, will sing a Valentine's Day concert of songs from the operetta, classical and musical theatre repertoire, with Paul Jackel, in upstate New York, Feb. 14. - See more at: http://www.playbill.com/news/article/kiss-me-sweeney-todds-sarah-rice-sings-of-love-with-paul-jackel-feb.-14-111546#sthash.bYCP2Q2p.dpuf

February 13th, Peter Filichia in conversation with Richard Skipper at American Popular Song Society 

with Musical Director Michael Lavine
Anita Gillette and an all star cast
join  Peter Filichia and Richard Skipper
to celebrate the 1963/64 Broadway Season
Talk/Performance/Book Signing




Call Richard Skipper Celebrates at 845-365-0720 if you need more details.
Many surprises are in store. 
Please contact me if any questions.
Please LIKE Richard Skipper Celebrates on Facebook
Admission is Free for Members/$15.00 for Non-Members .

Doors open at 12:30 for those who want to buy sheet music Also members can take tables and sell their stuff. 2:30 -1:30 "Flea Market" 1:30 seating - showtime: 1:45 - 3:30.

Tony Award winner James Corden, who emcees "The Late Late Show" on CBS, will host the 70th Annual Tony Awards this June. - See more at: http://www.playbill.com/news/article/james-corden-will-host-the-2016-tony-awards-383675#sthash.eGW4rIGf.dpuf










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