"She was the First Lady of the USO. They didn't come any more patriotic, caring or talented than Dolores." - Carol Channing (Dolly Levi/Hello Dolly!)
Happy Tuesday, Everyone!
It's Tuesday, September 20th, 2011.
It has been over a week since my last blog.
I've been in busy preparations for my wedding!
Yesterday afternoon, a great lady passed on...but wow, what a beautiful long life she had. She was Dolores Hope, the widow of Bob Hope (who lived to be 100!).
When I received the email from Harlan yesterday that Dolores had passed on, strangely, I wasn't saddened.
I felt that we should all be so lucky to have such a long life.
I also felt that she was rejoining Bob Hope.
I can picture him as plain as day with golf club in hand and strains of THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES underscoring their reunion. Here is the legendary Bob Hope at the age of 91, making his final appearance in the land of his birth in June 1994. He returned to England for a final show to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Normandy D Day landings which took place on June 6th 1944. An added bonus is to hear his talented wife Delores who appears with him.
On Dolores'100th birthday, I got a group together that included Michael Austin, Maria Ottavia, Georgia Osborn, Dezar Kenna and many others and we met at CBS for the morning show in the pouring rain to sing Happy Birthday to Dolores only to be told that we could not sing Happy Birthday because of copy write laws! But we had a great time nonetheless!
So today's a CELEBRATION of Dolores Hope!
"Bob passed at 100 and Dolores at 102. Dolores once said that their longevity could be credited to laughter and they certainly had a lot of that in their lives" - Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson/Little House On The Prairie)
Dolores and Bob Hope had one of the most enduring marriages in Hollywood.
They remained devoted to each other until the legendary performer's death in 2003 aged 100.
"I had such a huge admiration for both of them. The quality it takes to get just one year older, says a lot about that fact that she lived to 102. What a glorious woman and life!" - Julie Newmar (Batman)
Born Dolores DeFina in the Bronx, the pretty brunette was singing in a Manhattan's Vogue nightclub under the professional name Dolores Reade when she met newcomer Bob Hope in 1933.
"Ill never forget what a wonderful singer she was. In fact, that's how Bob and Dolores met. It seems to me that they were always laughing" - Rip Taylor (Comedian)
Mrs. Dolores Hope (1909 - 2011)
Born Dolores DeFina on May 27, 1909, New York, New York, USA
Died on September 19, 2011 - Toluca Lake, California, USA
Dolores DeFina Hope, singer, philanthropist and wife of comedian Bob Hope, died today at the age of 102 of natural causes.
She was born in Harlem New York in 1909 and died at her home in Toluca Lake California of natural causes. Dolores Reade was singing at the Vogue Club in Manhattan when she was introduced to rising Broadway star Bob Hope. As he described it, it was “love at first song”. They were married for nearly seventy years. The Hopes moved to California in the late thirties so that Bob could pursue his film and radio careers. They built a home in Toluca Lake where she lived until her death. Bob and Dolores adopted four children and Dolores became an advocate for adoption, serving on the board of Holy Family Adoption Services in Los Angeles. She was a lifelong Catholic and a proud member of St. Charles Borreomeo Church in North Hollywood, where she gave much time and financial help over the years to various parish causes including the building of the Lady of Hope chapel and the Holy Family Social Service Center. Throughout her life Dolores was devoted to Catholic causes especially those directly benefiting the poor.
She and Bob were members of Lakeside Golf Course where she was runner up to the women's club champion for several years. The Hopes also had a home in the Palm Springs area since the mid forties; Dolores worked with renowned architect John Lautner designing their most recent home in the Southridge Estates. The house quickly became a showplace and a venue for their various desert social and charitable events including parties in conjunction with the annual “Bob Hope Chrysler Classic.” Dolores was founding president of the Eisenhower Medical center in Palm Desert and was intensely involved in the building and décor of the hospital. From 1968 to 1976 she served as President of its board and since 1977, its Chairman becoming Chairman Emeritus in the nineteen nineties.Though she accompanied her husband on many of his USO trips to entertain the troops usually closing the show with a touching rendition of “Silent Night” she really had put her singing career on hold to be at his side and to raise their children. But at the age of eighty-three she revisited a long postponed singing career, recording several albums and performing with Rosemary Clooney in New York at “RAINBOW AND STARS” for several weeks and receiving rave reviews. Throughout her life Dolores was a gracious hostess and great asset to her world famous husband. She made her last visit to the servicemen and women during “Operation Desert Storm” Performing “White Christmas” from the back of a truck in the middle of the Saudi desert. She was eighty-four at the time.
Dolores Hope was feted with six honorary degrees and many awards for her humanitarian efforts, including: The Lifetime Achievement Award for Humanitarian Services by the National Italian American Foundation; the Ellis Island Medal of Honor (for her contributions Irish heritage); the Magnificat Medal (1987) from Mundelein College, Chicago, for her outstanding family, social, philanthropic and religious leadership; the Big Shoulders Humanitarian Award; the St. Martin de Porres Award from the Southern Dominican Foundation, New Orleans (1990); “Bob Hope 5 Star Civilian Award,” at Valley Forge Military Academy; “Sprit of America Award” from the Institute for the Study of Americans, for community service and commitment to her country; “Living Legacy Award” for humanitarian efforts in San Diego; she participated in the dedication of the Dolores Hope All Faiths Chapel in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, at the Air Force Enlisted Widow's Home in Bob Hope Village. In 2001 she was honored by the American Ireland Fund for a lifetime of work benefiting Humanity and presented with a beautiful Waterford Harp.Dolores Hope has been the Honorary Mayor of Palm Springs five times and named “Woman of the Year” by the Los Angeles Times. In 2008, she was honored in by the Ladies Professional Golf Association with its Patty Berg Award for her contributions to women's golf. Like her husband she was an avid golfer.
Dolores May Philomena Veronica DeFina Hope is survived by her children Linda Hope of Toluca Lake, California, William Kelly Hope of Oakland, California, and her grandchildren, Zachary Hope, Miranda Hope, Andrew Hope Lande and great-grandson Kai Smith.
Services are private and burial will be at the Bob Hope Memorial Garden, San Fernando Mission - next to Bob.
According to legend, Hope decided he'd marry Reade after hearing her sing It's Only a Paper Moon, and did just that a year later on Feb. 19, 1934.
When huge fame came calling for Bob, he gave something back by entertaining American servicemen overseas for the USO – frequently joined by his capable wife.
She began accompanying Hope on his Christmas trips to entertain U.S. troops.
In 1966 she sang Silent Night to hushed thousands of GIs who then rose and gave her a thunderous ovation, many with tears in their eyes.
In 1990, Mrs. Hope accompanied Bob on his last Christmas visit to American forces, visiting troops who were in Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Storm. Marie Osmond, Ann Jillian and the Pointer Sisters did not perform, to avoid offending Saudi sensibilities about women entertainers.
Recognition: Dolores beams as Bob receives a gold medal for service to his country in the pursuit of world peace at the White House in 1963
She only cut back on her travels to raise their adopted children Tony, Linda, Kelly and Nora, and soon became immersed in charity work.
Bob still traveled regularly, while she worked on their home in L.A and their estate in Palm Springs, where the couple indulged their passion for golf and helped fund local medical centers.
Indefatigable as always, Dolores resurrected her career in her late 80s, releasing Dolores Hope: Now and Then, she followed this with three additional albums and also recorded a Christmas CD with Bob entitled Hopes for the Holidays.
She even joined her friend Rosemary Clooney, aunt of George, on stage at the Rockefeller Center.
Dolores remained in good health until very recently.
Last year as she approached her 101st birthday, she joked: 'I’m still recovering from my 100th birthday bash, so I’m going to keep this year’s celebration much quieter.'
On May 27, 2011, she celebrated her 102nd birthday at her California residence.
Her beloved Bob died in 2003 and is buried in the San Fernando Mission Cemetery, Dolores already has the plot beside him inscribed for herself.
By the time of her death, Dolores from the Bronx had seven honorary degrees, a street named after her and a star on the walk of fame.
Melt butter or margarine; blend in flour, paprika and pepper. Add milk; cook over low heat, stirring constantly until thickened. Add consommé, just as it comes from the can. Add cheese; stir until melted. Add remaining ingredients, salting to taste. Serve at once. Yield: 8 to 10 servings.
Check out Tommy Garrett's tribute to Dolores in Canyon News
Thank YOU, Dolores, for the memories!
Here's to an INCREDIBLE day for ALL...with NO challenges!
Now, GO OUT AND DO SOMETHING FOR SOMEONE ELSE TODAY!
Thank you Harlan Boll for many of the details of this blog.
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"I have seen what a laugh can do. It can transform almost unbearable tears into something bearable, even hopeful."
-Bob Hope (born this date in 1903, died 2003
I miss Bob Hope! I grew up watching his television specials. There are several things I loved and miss. I miss that I could sit and watch him with my grandparents, my parents, and my younger siblings and not be embarrassed by what he was going to say or do. I miss that he was ACTUALLY funny. I miss that it was NOT insult humor! Our comedians today, for the most part are vulgar and cheap. Take a page from the masters! It is NOT necessary. Happy Birthday, Bob Hope!
Bob Hope is one of television's most renown comedians and actors. He also worked in vaudeville, radio, and film, and for the last eight decades has made audiences laugh at themselves, their contemporary culture and its foibles, their politics and politicians--and for his efforts he received numerous awards and accolades. He is perhaps equally well-known, and certainly equally applauded for his efforts in entertaining American soldiers overseas.Hope began his career in 1914 when he entered and won a Charlie Chaplin imitator contest.
He then made his way into vaudeville in the 1920s and his Broadway acting and musical debut in 1933 when he appeared in Roberta.
Hope moved to Hollywood in 1938 after appearing in several short films and on radio.
He made his film acting debut in The Big Broadcast of 1938
where he first sang his signature song Thanks for the Memory with Shirley Ross.
The Big Broadcast of 1938 is a Paramount Pictures film featuring W.C. Fields and Bob Hope.
Directed by Mitchell Leisen, the film is the last in a series of Big Broadcast movies that were variety show anthologies. This film featured the debut of Hope's signature song, "Thanks for the Memory" by Ralph Rainger, which Hope's character sings as a duet with Shirley Ross, accompanied by Shep Fields and his Orchestra.
The movie had many other stars of the era, a wide variety of acts ranging from the comedy of Fields
and Hope to a powerful performance of Ride of the Valkyries by Metropolitan Opera singer Kirsten Flagstad in full Brunhilde armor and winged helmet.
William Claude Dukenfield (January 29, 1880– December 25, 1946), better known as W. C. Fields, was an American comedian, actor, juggler and writer.(ANOTHER AQUARIAN!) Fields was known for his comic persona as a misanthropic and hard-drinking egotist who remained a sympathetic character despite his snarling contempt for dogs, children, and women.
The film was Hope's first feature film, and was the final film under Fields' long-running Paramount contract, before he moved to Universal Studios to make his final series of films.
In 1940, Hope made the first of seven "Road" films, The Road to Singapore, with Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour. He became a showbiz wizard by playing on his rapid-fire wisecracking technique in the "Road" films that followed. The best known and probably most televised of these films, The Road to Utopia, was made in 1945. Hope regularly starred as a comic coward in caught in comic-adventurous situations, but he generally wound up winning the hand of the leading lady.
In addition to the "Road" films, he also appeared in many others.
He made his last "Road" film, The Road to Hong Kong, in 1962 and his film career virtually ended in the early 1960s. Hope was one of the biggest names in show business when television began to develop. Unlike some of his fellow stars, Bob Hope jumped into the new medium making his debut on Easter Sunday, 1950.
On a regular basis he was seen on two budget variety shows, Chesterfield Sound Off Time and The Colgate Comedy Hour.
In 1953, NBC broadcast the first annual Bob Hope Christmas Special.
These specials were usually filmed during his regular tour to entertain the troops overseas.
He also began a series of comedy specials for NBC-TV where he became known for his marvelous comic timing, his stunning array of guest stars, and his ease with both studio audiences and the camera. His guests regularly included top stars from film, stage, television, and the music industry.
As well, he was usually surrounded by Hollywood starlets and athletic figures.
His humor poked gentle fun at the world of politics, usually leaning toward the conservative. He also made numerous guest appearances on various comedy shows such as I Love Lucy, The Danny Thomas Show, and The Jack Benny Show where he was applauded for his wise cracking ability to throw new comic wrenches into already hilarious situations. In most of these situations Hope simply played himself, and his appearance as a guest star was a guarantee of a larger audience. His ability to make both the audience and his co-stars feel at ease in his presence, eager for the wry comment that would put a new spin on any situation, was performance enough.
In commemoration of the 50-year anniversary of World War II, NBC broadcast an hour-long Bob Hope special that chronicled the comedian's camp tours during the war. Hope, at age 92, narrated Memories of World War II.
The special was crafted from a video and CD collection originally produced for retail sales and added an additional 20 minutes of Bob Hope and his wife, Dolores(who celebrated her 102nd Birthday on Friday!), talking with friends and co-workers such as Charleston Heston, Dorothy Lamour and Ed McMahon about special photos and remembrances about the war, the entertainment, and their efforts to build and maintain morale. Many scenes extol Hope's comic abilities, patriotism, and human compassion.
The recollections range from outrageously funny to heartfelt to harrowing.
Still, some critics saw the special as self-congratulatory, inept, and awkward. Mike Hughes, a critic for the Gannett News Service says simply, "This doesn't mean Hope isn't a fine person. It doesn't mean the war effort wasn't worthy. It simply means that bad is bad, no matter the motivation." By this point in his long career Hope seemed, at times, anachronistic, a reminder of a different world, a different sort of television.
In spite of such commentary, Bob Hope remains an American institution in the entertainment world, quick-witted, wise cracking, and a master of comic response. He will be remembered as one of the foundational figures of U.S. television in the network era, one of the kings of television comedy.
-(Source: Gayle Pohl, http://www.museum.tv/eotvsection)
On this date in 1917, The 35th president of the united states, John F. Kennedy, was born in Brookline, Massachusetts.
On this date in 1943, "Rosie The Riveter" appeared on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post.
These images and iconic figures are part of our history. So are the wars and strife, we ALL have endured in our Lifetimes. This Memorial Day weekend, Thank God for the Memories, both bad and good. They have made us who we are today. Thank God for the blessings we have and let's all take a moment...or two...and/or three and remember those who have fought for us, those who are fighting, and those who have been DIRECTLY affected by all of this which means all of us. We are ALL connected! GO SEE A LIVE SHOW TONIGHT!
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TILL TOMORROW...HERE'S TO AN ARTS FILLED SUMMER!
Richard Skipper, Richard@RichardSkipper.com
Jack Hirshberg, the iconic publicist who worked on dozens of films and chronicled a golden age in Hollywood, died at his home in Laguna Niguel, Calif., on March 7 after a brief illness.
He was 92. His death was announced Friday by family spokesperson Spooky Stevens.
A native of Montreal, Hirshberg began his career as a newspaper reporter in the 1930s, becoming a syndicated columnist with "Hirshberg's Hollywood," which ran throughout Canada. He was a founding member of the Publicists Guild of America in 1937 and worked on such films as "The Ten Commandments," "Some Like It Hot," "Play It Again, Sam," "All the President's Men" and "Ordinary People."
Hirshberg also represented such notables as Frank Sinatra, Jack Benny, Gary Cooper, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Martin & Lewis and Cecil B. DeMille.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences maintains a special collection of the Hirshberg Papers, Spanning the years 1953-80, they include hundreds of articles, tape-recorded interviews and memorabilia collected throughout his career and is comprised of nine linear feet of interviews. Hirshberg's joined Paramount in 1940 to handle special promotions for young actors. An American citizen through his parents, he joined the U.S. Navy during World War II, then returned to the studio and handled campaigns for dozens of films, notably DeMille's "Ten Commandments" (1956) and Stanley Donen's "Funny Face" (1957).
He left Paramount to work as an independent publicity director on "The Vikings" (1958), followed by "Kings Go Forth" (1958), "Some Like It Hot" (1959) and other pics. In the early '60s, Hirshberg supervised publicity for the motion picture department at Rogers & Cowan, then created and executed campaigns for the firm's TV division. He then shifted to Arthur P. Jacobs' company, APJAC Prods., supervising publicity for all its productions, including "Doctor Dolittle" (1967), "The Planet of the Apes" series that began in 1968, "Tom Sawyer" (1973) and "Play It Again, Sam" (1972). At Fox, he served as the publicist on such pics as George Cukor's "Justine" (1969), Gene Kelly's "Hello, Dolly!" (1969) and Martin Ritt's "The Great White Hope" (1970).
Hirshberg retired in 1973, but at the request of Robert Redford, he came back to handle the publicity on Redford films "All the President's Men" (1976), "The Electric Horseman" (1979) and two from 1980, "Brubaker" and "Ordinary People." Hirshberg also was a ghost writer for Hollywood notables and wrote two books, "The Making of 'All the President's Men' " and "The Legend of the Lone Ranger."
Hirshberg was preceded in death by his wife Lois, to whom he was married for 40 years; she died in 1992. He is survived by daughters Susan Davis and Jill Zinner; son Robert Purvin; his loving companion of 17 years, Madelyn Kamins; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a nephew, a niece and several cousins.
For more than two decades, Hirshberg was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and a supporter of the Pacific Symphony of Orange County, among other organizations.
A celebration of his life will take place April 24. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made in Jack's memory to the Motion Picture and TV Fund, the Blind Childrens Center in Los Angeles or the City of Hope.
Gay Support Group Honors Minnelli By PATRICK HEALY Pflag National, a group for parents, families, and supporters of gay people, is naming Liza Minnelli the second recipient of its Straight for Equality in Entertainment Award, which recognizes an ally of gay rights who is not herself gay. Ms. Minnelli, who has been honored for her acting and singing with Academy, Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Awards, has spoken out for decades in favor of causes like gay marriage and in support for gay men and lesbians, and has donated money to AIDS research.
Both she and her mother, Judy Garland, have been cultural touchstones for generations of many gay artists and others by dint of their talent and their own personal struggles.
The award will be presented at a gala at the New York Marriott Marquis on May 1. The first recipient of the award, in 2009, was the actress Sigourney Weaver.
When actor Lou Ursone of South Salem, N.Y., became executive director of Curtain Call, a community-based theater in Stamford, 10 years ago, he knew there were many challenges ahead, including audience and performing space development.
Curtain Call, at the Sterling Farms Theatre Complex off Newfield Avenue, includes the 40-year-old Kweskin Theater, The Dressing Room Theatre (a smaller performing space), and an outdoor theater (modeled after The Globe) for summer Shakespeare productions. As he observes his 10th year with Curtain Call, the executive director is spreading the good news that a 6,000-square-foot major renovation of the Kweskin Theatre has provided a new lobby, dressing rooms that previously did not exist, a rehearsal hall, a basement wardrobe facility, and enlarged restroom facilities. The 184-seat auditorium, updated in 2002, did not change in size. In addition to ongoing theater workshops for children and adults, productions are increasing from three annually to 14 or more, says the executive director, who’s a member of Actor’s Equity, SAG and AFTRA and has performed with the Connecticut-based Stepping Out Entertainment Group for 25 years.
Talking about the progress that has been made at Curtain Call, Mr. Ursone said, “Now in my 10th year here, I can’t think of anything more exciting than to see my dream coming true.
“For almost 40 years, actors performing at Kweskin Theater had to cross a driveway to another building for costume changes, but the next time we do The Wizard of Oz, the Cowardly Lion won’t be wearing garbage bags on his feet to keep his fur from getting wet during a rainstorm.
“The Kweskin is an amazing facility already; we have kept it active year-round with the help of hundreds of volunteers, and now with more space, it will be just about perfect,” Mr. Ursone said.
Currently on the boards at the Dressing Room Theatre is Driving Miss Daisy, featuring Nancy Thode of Greenwich. It follows the Kweskin Theater musical, The Full Monty, a shared production with Playhouse on the Green in Bridgeport, where it’s now running. Upcoming productions at Curtain Call include Hello Dolly!, starring Carole Claps of Darien, April 2 to May 1; and The Graduate, April 16 to May 2.
Auditions for The Full Monty attracted many experienced actors, Mr. Ursone said. The cast, now performing in Bridgeport, includes Dom Lettera, Ruth Lettera, Laura Naramore, Sean Ormond, Jim Ringel, Robbie Sherwood, Kevin Thompson and Danny Ward of Stamford; Richard Cummings and Melinda Zupaniotis, Norwalk; Jenifer Condon, Darien; Lianne DeFabio and Jacqueline MacLean, Stratford; Molly Garbe and Jim Nassef, Fairfield; Jacqueline Goodwin and Ruth Anne Ring, Westport; Eli Newsom, Bridgeport; Kevin Pelkey, Beacon Falls; Bill Warncke, White Plains; and Peter Dell Uomo, Mamaroneck.
While living in southern California, Jenifer Condon played the role of Sandy in Grease, The Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Dreamcoat, Lily in Secret Garden, and toured internationally as Frida in the ABBA tribute band Bjorn Again.
An actor and director, Eli Newsom recently moved to Connecticut from California. He is currently teaching tap dancing. Jim Nassef recently finished national tours of The Rocky Horror Show and Bye Bye Birdie and has appeared in children’s productions at the Bridgeport Downtown Cabaret Theater. He is currently teaching dancing and acting at Playhouse on the Green.
The Kweskin Theater is a special place for Melinda Zupaniotis, formerly of Darien, who has been active in theater since she attended school in Darien. Ms. Zupianotis, who has also had a career as a talent agent in New York City representing many celebrities and up-and-coming actors, was last seen at the Kweskin as Sister Robert Anne in Nunsense.
The production team of The Full Monty features director/choreographer Douglas Shankman; musical director Stephanie Gaumer; scenic designer Peter Barbieri, Jr.; lighting designer Aaron Meadow; and costumes by Solveig Pflueger. Stage management is by Tom DeSalvo assisted by Linda Wilson.
For The Full Monty reservations at Playhouse on the Green in Bridgeport, Friday and Saturday at 8 and 3 on Sunday, through March 28, call 203-333-3666. Tickets are $29; $26 for seniors and students. (TOVAH FELDSHUH pictured) 25th ANNUAL BISTRO AWARDS GALA
At Gotham Comedy Club, 208 W. 23rd St., NYC – Tuesday, April 13 at 6:30 pm
Evening Honors Mitzi Gaynor and Elaine Stritch
Bistro Silver Anniversary Awards to Tovah Feldshuh,
Paul Trueblood, and Ronny Whyte
Michael Feinstein(pictured with Frank Decaro) and Peter Napolitano Receive ASCAP and BMI Awards
NEW YORK, MARCH 9, 2010 – More than 20 of cabaret’s brightest stars will be honored at the 25th Annual Bistro Awards which will take place on Tuesday, April 13 at Gotham Comedy Club. Legendary singer-dancer-actress Mitzi Gaynor, star of such films as South Pacific, Les Girls, Anything Goes, and a longtime headliner in Las Vegas and the nightclub circuit, making her first NY night club appearance in years in May at Feinstein’s at Loews Regency, will be honored with the Bob Harrington Lifetime Achievement Award. Elaine Stritch, the uniquely sensational actress and singer and star of stage, film, and TV, will be recognized in the category of Extraordinary Cabaret Artist, noting her recent conquests of the cabaret stage.
The evening, under the direction of Eric Michael Gillett, will feature performances from most of the Bistro-winning artists and shows and will feature guest presenters singer-actress Klea Blackhurst(Klea Blackhurst and Bistro Award winner Christine Ebersole), comic Jim David, and actress-comedienne Marilyn Sokol.
Celebrating its Silver Anniversary of awards presentations to the cabaret community, and the first-ever award in the industry, the Bistro Awards will this year honor three individuals for their 25-plus years of artistic accomplishments: multiple-award-winning actress-singer Tovah Feldshuh, musical director-arranger and conductor Paul Trueblood, and singer-pianist-songwriter Ronny Whyte.
The ASCAP Great American Songbook Award for Outstanding Duos goes to Michael Feinstein and co-stars Cheyenne Jackson, Christine Ebersole, and David Hyde Pierce, with whom he appeared in separate shows at the cabaret venue that bears his name, Feinstein’s at Loews Regency. For Outstanding Director, the BMI Award will go to Peter Napolitano, a BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop participant.
Some of the shows honored pay tribute to musical styles. Sarah Rice reflects on songs from old Hollywood (Outstanding Theme Show), the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players puts a twist on operettas (Special Award), Loli Marquez-Sterling puts the accent on the Latin Big Band sound (Outstanding Entertainer), while Lee Summers delivers standards and classic R&B (Outstanding Entertainer). Singers such as Liz Callaway (Outstanding Major Engagement), Nicole Henry (Outstanding Jazz Vocalist), and Anne Steele (Outstanding Vocalist)(ANNE STEELE PICTURED) croon various musical styles in their shows.
The Bistro Awards Committee has named two recipients in the Outstanding Recording category: Alan Cumming for his “I Bought a Blue Car Today” CD, and Julie Reyburn for her “Live at Feinstein’s” recording. The Ira Eaker Special Achievement Award, given to an outstanding performer on the rise, and named after Back Stage’s co-founder, co-publisher and first cabaret critic, goes to Danielle Grabianowski.
The gala event will be held on Tuesday, April 13 at Gotham Comedy Club, 208 W. 23rd Street. A champagne reception for the Bistro recipients and Premium ticket holders begins at 5 pm, followed by the awards presentation and show starting promptly at 6:30 pm. Producer Sherry Eaker will be hosting the annual event, along with members of the Bistro Awards Committee.
The Bistro Awards Committee comprises Elizabeth Ahlfors (Cabaret Scenes, CurtainUp.com, and BistroAwards.com), David Finkle (Village Voice, HuffingtonPost.com, and BistroAwards.com), Rob Lester (Cabaret Scenes, NiteLifeExchange.com), Erv Raible, executive/artistic director of the Cabaret Conference at Yale University, Roy Sander (BistroAwards.com), and Sherry Eaker, formerly the Editor in Chief of Back Stage.
The Bistro Awards are sponsored by ASCAP and BMI, with additional sponsorship from Branson B. Champagne and StageBuddy.com, and media sponsorship from Back Stage.
Ticket prices are: General Admission at $45.00; $75.00 for a Premium seat, which includes a pre-show Champagne reception and preferred seating. There is a two-drink minimum. A food menu is also available. Details and ticket information about the After Bistros party will be posted on Bistro Awards website. To purchase show tickets, go to www.bistroawards.com, or for more information, call: 917-239-5467.
A complete list of the winners follows:
THE BISTRO SILVER ANNIVERSARY AWARDS FOR ONGOING ARTISTIC ACCOMPLISHMENT/ Tovah Feldshuh; Paul Trueblood; Ronny Whyte
ANNE STEELE/ Vocalist/ The Metropolitan Room
NICOLE HENRY/ Jazz Vocalist/ The Metropolitan Room
DANIELLE GRABIANOWSKI/ Ira Eaker Special Achievement Award/ The Metropolitan Room, Don’t Tell Mama
LOLI MARQUEZ-STERLING/ Entertainer/ The Triad, The Metropolitan Room
LEE SUMMERS/ Entertainer/ The Triad
LIZ CALLAWAY/ Major Engagement/ The Metropolitan Room
GRETCHEN REINHAGEN, “Special Kaye: A Tribute to the Incomparable Kaye Ballard”/ Tribute Show/ The Metropolitan Room
SARAH RICE, “Screen Gems – Songs of Old Hollywood”/ Theme Show/ Laurie Beechman Theatre at the West Bank Café
MICHAEL FEINSTEIN and…CHEYENNE JACKSON; CHRISTINE EBERSOLE; DAVID HYDE PIERCE/ ASCAP Great American Songbook Award for Duo Shows/ Feinstein’s at Loews Regency
CELEBRITY AUTOBIOGRAPHY: In Their Own Words, created by Eugene Pack/ Comedy Series/ The Triad
I’VE GOT A LITTLE TWIST, conceived, written, and directed by David Auxier, musical direction and arrangements by Mark York, produced by Albert Bergeret/ Special Award/ The Triad, Laurie Beechman Theatre at the West Bank Café
THE CONCERTS AT TUDOR CITY GREENS/ Special Award/Created and produced by Raissa Katona Bennett
PETER NAPOLITANO/BMI Award for Director
THE SALON/ Special Award/Created and hosted by Mark Janas / The Algonquin Hotel, Etcetera Etcetera
ALAN CUMMING/Recording, “I Bought a Blue Car Today”
JULIE REYBURN/ Recording, “Live at Feinstein’s”
BRETT KRISTOFFERSON/ Songwriter
RICHARD EISENBERG/ “Two Again”/Special Material
ELAINE STRITCH/ Extraordinary Cabaret Artist
MITZI GAYNOR/ Bob Harrington Lifetime Achievement Award
Show tribute to 'Liza and Judy'
Suzanne Goulet as Liza Minnelli and Denise Rose as Judy Garland will present "Liza and Judy -- Together Again" at 7:30 p.m. April 10 at the Ritz Theatre, 30 S. Washington St.
Goulet and Rose look, sing and dance like the legends they portray. Theatergoers will see a re-creation of "Get Happy" and "Swanee" from Garland's movies plus Minelli's famous "Bye Bye Blackbird" from "Liza with a Z" and "Cabaret." Together, they perform several duets, "Hello Dolly," "Alexander's Ragtime Band" "Be a Clown" and a medley of their most famous songs. Other numbers will include their standards "New York, New York" and "Over the Rainbow."
Tickets are $40, $30, $20 and $10. To purchase tickets by phone call 419-448-8544 or 1-800-586-7382 or visit www.ritztheatre.org. Box office hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. It opens one hour before each performance.Lorna Luft to honor her mom in show at McCallum
Lorna Luft will return to the McCallum Theatre on Friday for a hometown concert.
The daughter of Judy Garland and half-sister of Liza Minnelli has performed several times in the desert, but she leased a Rancho Mirage home last year, so this will be her first show as a local resident.
Luft, 57, will perform “Lorna Luft Celebrates Her Mother, Judy Garland.” She recently spoke to Desert Post Weekly at one of her favorite Rancho Mirage restaurants, P.F. Chang's, with topics including:
Judy Garland, who died after abusing prescription drugs when Luft was 16: “My mother was really smart and incredibly funny. That's one thing I talk about in the show. It has driven me nuts over the years. She's known as this tragic figure. She wasn't tragic. She had tragedies in her life, but she wasn't tragic.”
Living in her mother's shadow: “I never got out from it. I've embraced it. You can never run away from your shadow. But what you can learn to do is be grateful and say thank you and then keep working as your own person. I have done things that my mother didn't. I did a Broadway show. My mother never did a Broadway show. I've done a television series as an actor (“Trapper John, M.D.”). My mom never did. I'm really, really lucky because I never forgot about my roots in the Broadway theater. I just finished a big tour of Irving Berlin's “‘White Christmas.'”
What might have happened if Garland had lived until the Betty Ford Center had opened: “I think about it a lot. I've been sober 26 years. At first it made me totally sob. Then I thought to myself, how fantastic that (the Betty Ford Center) has given so many generations a way forward if they choose to stay sober. With the Ford (Center), we have the knowledge, the technology, the education and the facilities so you have a choice. My mom didn't have a choice.”
Tension with Liza: “It's not even tension. I think we have a pretty normal relationship. We don't live on the same coast, so we don't see each other. But when we're in the same vicinity, we e-mail one another. I think the media has made it out to be something it really isn't because, if they made it out to be really normal, who's going to read that? We sit back and laugh at it. ‘Do you realize we're not speaking to one another?' That's how we grew up.”
(Photo: at Truman's Inauguration. L-R Bess Truman, Perle Mesta, Harry Truman, Margaret Truman)Documentary offers a toast to Perle Mesta
By Marylynne Pitz, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Joe Mastruzzo/International News Soundphoto In 1956, Perle Mesta greeted Jacqueline and Sen. John Kennedy at a party she hosted for the elite of the Democratic Party in Chicago.
An heiress of two industrial fortunes, Perle Mesta moved to Washington, D.C., in 1941, became its reigning social hostess and entertained a long list of luminaries, including her good friends Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and Harry S Truman. Her whirlwind life inspired the smash hit Broadway musical "Call Me Madam," which starred Ethel Merman. A teetotaler who drank Coca-Cola, her festive parties included music and vintage champagne; dinners featured partridge or guinea hen. In 1949, President Truman appointed her the first U.S. minister to Luxembourg.
"Call Her Madam," a documentary about this rather unorthodox but always hospitable pioneer diplomat, will be shown tomorrow at 2 p.m. in Homewood Cemetery's main administration building in Squirrel Hill. This is the first time the film, made in 1997, will be shown in the United States. Admission is $5.
Researched and directed by Paul Lesch, a film and history professor at the University of Luxembourg, the 55-minute documentary focuses on Mrs. Mesta's Washington career as well as her tenure, from 1949 to 1953, in the grand duchy of Luxembourg. Along with archival newsreels and still photographs, there are concise interviews with Mrs. Mesta's niece, Washington journalists, Luxembourg diplomats and an embassy staff member who sometimes found madame minister difficult because she was so demanding of herself and her staff.
Mrs. Mesta died in 1975 at the age of 85. She rests in Homewood Cemetery in the family mauseoleum of George Mesta, the handsome Italian engineer she married in 1917. Founder of Pittsburgh's mighty Mesta Machine Co. in West Homestead, he died at age 63 in 1925, leaving a $78 million fortune to his young widow. Mrs. Mesta's other fortune came from her father, William B. Skirvin, an oil millionaire.
While in Luxembourg, Mrs. Mesta befriended everyone from Grand Duchess Charlotte to her charming, trusted butler. She hosted holiday parties for hundreds of children from Luxembourg orphanages. U.S. soldiers stationed in Europe visited her residence monthly, knowing they would find good food and liquor. Soldiers signed a guestbook, giving their home addresses. Afterward, Mrs. Mesta personally wrote to their parents to assure them of their sons' well-being.
Aside from her leadership and diplomatic skills, the native Oklahoman was an accomplished pianist and singer, a smart businesswoman and a feminist active in politics and the National Women's Party.
And what would a gathering that honors her memory be without festivities? After the screening, a local women's history group called Ladies United for the Preservation of Endangered Cocktails will host a fund-raising reception with champagne, black Russian cake and Mrs. Mesta's recipe for peppermint cremepuffs. Proceeds benefit the Homewood Cemetery Historical Fund. Homewood Cemetery is at 1599 S. Dallas Ave., Pgh., 15217. Information: 412-421-1822 or www.homewood.org. Marylynne Pitz can be reached at mpitz@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1648.
Peter Scolari Joins Cast of WHITE'S LIES At New World Stages, Opens 3/22 (SOURCE: BROADWAYWORLD.COM)
Producer Aaron Grant has announced that actor Peter Scolari has joined the cast of WHITE'S LIES, a new comedy by Ben Andron & directed by Bob Cline, is scheduled to open on March 22, 2010, at New World Stages. Mr. Scolari will play the role of Alan, Joe White's best friend & law partner.
Peter Scolari is best known to TV audiences as Michael Harris, the bumbling TV producer on "Newhart." He has appeared in numerous TV shows such as "Big Love," "ER," "The West Wing," "Ally McBeal," & "The King of Queens," as well as the feature film Polar Express, which starred his old "Bosom Buddies" co-star, Tom Hanks. He has appeared on Broadway in the revival of Sly Fox, as Wilbur Turnblad in Hairspray & in the Encores! productions of Ziegfeld Follies of 1936 & Out of this World. He is also one of the founding members of the Collonades Theatre Lab in NYC.
Joe White's got it all. He's handsome, he's charming, he's got a great career & a killer smile that manages to land him a different girl every night. But all that changes when his mother drops a bombshell on him: she's got cancer & her dying wish is to have a grandchild. With his bachelorhood threatened, Joe is faced with a choice. He could give up his womanizing ways and find a nice girl to settle down and have kids with... OR... he could convince his bitter, angry ex-girlfriend from college - who just happens to have a daughter in her early twenties - to pretend that her daughter is his daughter. As their tangled web of lies unravels, Joe and company find themselves on a hilarious journey full of unexpected twists and turns that will have you looking at cancer and commitment in a whole new way! DATES: Previews: March 8, 2010 Opens: March 22, 1010
THEATRE: New World Stages ~ 340 West 50th Street
TICKETS: $75 & $60
WEBSITE: www.whitesliesonstage.com
RESERVATIONS: (212) 239- 6200 (telecharge)
Support THE ARTS! LIVE THEATRE! Go see a show this week! Send me your reviews and suggestions and I will put them in my next blog coming out next Friday! Here's to an ARTS-filled week! Don't forget to contribute to the DR. CAROL CHANNING & HARRY KULLIJIAN FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS:http://www.carolchanning.org/Foundation.htm
With grateful XOXOXs for your support!
Richard Skipper
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HERE IS WHAT AUDIENCES ARE SAYING ABOUT MY WORK: Richard, thank you so much for the opportunity to sing (and dance with you!) tonight at the Iguana. You and Dana make the night so fun and full of laughter -- you really ARE the Steve and Edie of 54th St.! xoxo Jennifer Pade, http://www.jenniferpade.com
Dear Richard and Dana, Last week's show was terrific! I have been away for a few weeks and I really missed the wonderful friendly atmosphere, comfortable surroundings, and fabulously talented entertainers. Keep up the great work. You have both created a place to "make mention about," and I mention it whenever I can. Marlene Sampson
I wish BROADWAY for you. You would fill the Theatre. Can I have a front row seat though? You are BROADWAY!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NYC Now a night out in NY to see a show at a VERY AFFORDABLE price! Dana Lorge and I have put our OWN spin on the variety show format and are now hosting every Wednesday night in NYC at The Iguana VIP Lounge (http://www.iguananyc.com) in the heart of NYC (240 West 54th Street 8-11PM/with an intermission).
Cover: $12 - no food or drink minimums – but remember – the food is great! This is a nice night out with the family!
For more info, please call 845-365-0720 or visit _www.RichardSkipper.com_ RESERVATIONS A MUST!!!!!!!! 212-765-5454. No one admitted before 7:30.
March 31st: Frank Basile (seen here with Celeste Holm) , Deb Berman, Annie Dienerman, Stearns Matthews, Allegra Thieman ...
April 7th: Esther Beckman Group, Sina Lewis, Cindy Marchionda, RJ Shaw, Susan Winter
April 14th: Naomi Miller, Karen Oberlinjoins us!George Stella returns!
April 21st: Anaiza, Henry Dee, Rita Ellis Hammer, Jim Speake, Susan Eichhorn Young
April 28th: Hector Coris, Kecia Craig and Frank Stern!
May 5th: Anton Van Der Merwe and Julie Reyburn
May 19th: Adrienne Haan
May 26th: Michelle Collier
June 2nd: D'Yan Forest and Tod Hall
June 16th: 2010 Julie Reyburn
May 19th: Michelle Collier, Barbara Gurskey TILL NEXT WEEK...HERE'S TO A MUSICAL SPRING!
