Cabaret Month: Jackie Draper and MORE!

Two Weeks From Today! 

Words are like spices. Too many are worse than too few.

-Children’s author Joan Aiken

Happy Sunday, March 25th, 2018! 

March 25 is the 84th day of the year. There are 281 days remaining until the end of the year. It is a beautiful Palm Sunday here in New York. With Easter on the horizon, we are prepared and ready for those April showers and the promise of May flowers. Today, make a point of stopping and truly experiencing a sight, sound, or smell. Whether it's a brilliant sunset, chirping bird, or delicious-smelling piece of fruit, pause and spend a moment focusing on the sensations you feel.

As I begin to write today's blog, The Love Boat Follies is playing in the background. That is the episode that featured Carol Channing, Della Reese, Ann Miller, and Ethel Merman. It was written by my friend Ray Jessel. How appropriate as I continue to celebrate Cabaret Month. 

Today, I celebrate Jackie Draper! 

Background:

 A statement from Jackie: Since early childhood, I studied classical piano. In the year 2000, I was introduced to the art of cabaret by a voice teacher. My first class was with Linda Amiel Burns. I then studied with Helen

Baldassare, who mentored and directed me in fourteen solo cabaret shows since 2003. The shows have been presented at Don’t Tell Mama, Danny’s Skylight Room, and, for the past

eleven years, at the Laurie Beechman Theatre. I’ve performed a total of eighteen different solo shows (the last four directed by Kimberly Vaughn) and intend to continue as long as I still to have something to say and the energy, joy, inspiration (and resources?!) to say it.

Please note: This is a previous postcard

Who/what keeps you going in the creative process?

I love the treasure hunt of seeking and finding unique (and lesser known) songs that resonate with me. I relish plumbing the lyrics to connect with their soul. Then I enjoy working with my sensitive, brilliant Music Director, Gregory Toroian, to craft an arrangement that frames and delivers the lyric and highlights my interpretation. Also, I delight in jamming with my musical colleagues – bass, percussion, woodwinds – whenever I can. And I am moved

by listening to and discovering masters of the song (both historical and current).

What, other than theatre, has inspired you recently?

Dancing inspires me and transports me from every-day concerns to the joy of moving in harmony with the music. The discipline of dance results in exhilarating (sometimes fleeting) freedom of motion. I admire and aspire to the grace and athleticism of great dancing. Grace is good!

Who are your biggest musical influences?

I absolutely adore Doris Day! She is a peerless, tender interpreter of song and a marvelous actor and comedienne. When I was growing up, I wrote a fan letter addressed to “Doris Day, Hollywood, California.” I actually received an autographed picture of Doris Day shortly thereafter. Wow! Imagine that! So many other singers move and inspire me: Rosemary Clooney, Charles

Aznavour, Charles Trenet, Ella Fitzgerald, Anita O’Day, Jessica Molaskey, Susannah McCorkle, Lorraine Feather. I could go on and on…

Why don’t cabaret shows attract more of the public, in your opinion?

Maybe enough people aren’t aware of how personally thrilling and joyfully entertaining such live, unique attractions can be.

What is your favorite event in the cabaret community?

I’m delighted by any cabaret show that lets me see who each performer is -- in a truthful, musically inviting way.

If you could have coffee with any living person, it would be …

Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King.

Michelle Obama, or Oprah Winfrey, or Lorraine Feather.

If you could trade places with anybody for a day, you would choose…

I don’t think I would trade places with anyone. First, I really love my life and am conscious of my countless blessings. Secondly, I wouldn’t want to let anyone too near my adorable husband. (I’m very protective! And prudent!)

If there were no barriers to entry, what is one thing you would be doing?

I might like to be … Gosh, I can’t think of anything I’d rather be doing.

If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be?

Grateful!

What is one instance of knowing you are living in your vision?

To empathize with a friend or acquaintance, encourage him/her to strive, to

learn, to improve, to give joy, to forget self, to do good by being good, to

comfort and strengthen others, that’s a vision I strive to fulfill and embody.

To be successful in this business, it takes…

I’ve heard it said: If at first you don’t succeed, redefine success. A practical

definition of success is a must!

What’s next?

I’m thrilled to be bringing back my most recent show, “This Happy Madness”

on Sunday, April 22, 6 PM, at The Laurie Beechman Theatre.

We’ll visit those aspects of our being that seem to take on a life of their own, transcending logic – inspiring joy, freedom, exhilaration, and, occasionally, obsessive behavior. (For me, that’s probably dancing.)

Songs in English and French will be punctuated by the rhythms of happy feet. Here’s a savory sampling of composers and lyricists represented: Astaire, Aznavour, the Bergmans, Cahn, Dorough, Fields, Jobim, Legrand, Mandel,

McHugh, Mercer, Porter, Styne, Warren. My magical musical team: Music Director Gregory Toroian at the piano; Ritt Henn on bass; Robbyn Tongue on woodwinds. Special guest: dapper dancer Milo Saidl. Kimberly Vaughn directs.

Jackie, you are worth Celebrating! Click HERE

Richard's Sunday Thoughts:

Open statement To The NRA:

The Parkland, Florida school shooting was an unspeakable tragedy that killed 17 students and teachers. Skipper here. I'm 57 and I marched with THOUSANDS yesterday for Gun Violence Prevention. I was joined personally by at least 10 close friends. Central Park West was packed with people from West 86th Street all the way down to West 61st Street where March For Our Lives staged the rally. That means that Central Park West was packed solid for 25 blocks!!!!!!  This is in response to the NRA's statement yesterday in response to the Marches around the world, we are not billionaires nor are we part of the Hollywood elite.

"Stand and Fight for our Kids' Safety by Joining NRA," it said. "Today's protests aren't spontaneous. Gun-hating billionaires and Hollywood elites are manipulating and exploiting children as part of their plan to DESTROY the Second Amendment and strip us of our right to defend ourselves and our loved ones." I begin by putting my name at the top of this letter to the NRA because I stand behind my convictions. I did not see a name attached to their statement yesterday. One thing that I have observed over the past 19 years is an organization that has built its success on the backs and fears of people who have a fear of, as one tweet said earlier this week, "a rogue government poised to take their guns." 

I have also observed that not once over the past 19 years has Wayne Robert LaPierre, Jr nor his mouthpiece Dana Loesch, who puts out hate rhetoric at an alarming rate, once tried to reach out to the many families of mass shootings to offer any

type of solace. 

Interestingly enough, NEITHER have been voted into office and they do not deserve the power they have been given. 

Instead, EVERY time that there is a mass shooting, they amp up their fear-mongering to their membership to alert them that the 'left' is out to take their guns.

Let's get one thing very clear: The NRA is not about the 2nd Amendment as much as it is about commerce. 

It is ALL about the sale of guns. If they spent as much time protecting the other Amendments, perhaps I would have a different idea of who and what they are all about. 

If they are so concerned about people's rights, do they EVER give any consideration to MY rights or those who desire to live and experience LIFE in gun free zones? I've never heard the NRA get

outraged about what has happened each time there is yet another mass shooting.

 Instead, they are outraged about something that 'might' happen! IE: Someone is going to take away your guns OR your Second Amendment Rights. 

If they can't get outraged about the slaughter of small children, they have no souls.

I've never understood why someone needs a gun to complete who they are. I also know it is not politically correct to say this, but I do not believe everyone has the RIGHT to bear arms.

They are trying to convince us that the only way to 'fight a bad man with a gun is with a good man with a gun'. I'm convinced that every good man with a gun is a trigger pull away from being a bad man with a gun. Daily, people are purchasing AR-15s with not a negative checkmark in their past. However, if and when they snap, they go out and create mass carnage with a legally purchased weapon. The ONLY way to combat this is with a ban on assault weapons. The one, in particular, is the AR-15.

By doing this, it will not diminish one iota the people who desire to own them. They will just be illegal to own. When smoking in restaurants was banned, many were up in arms saying it would diminish business. 

I was working in a restaurant at the time this became law. Business actually increased! 

The lives of our children and loved ones are much more important than the need to own an assault weapon.

It is past time for discussion. The pockets of our politicians that are lined with NRA money will just be lined with no platform. 

They WILL be voted out next elections. 

I have had it! Those who know me know this is not a new fight. It is time for a change and we ARE GOING TO SEE IT HAPPEN! Thank you for speaking out yesterday, NRA. You showed your TRUE COLORS and what you truly stand for. I hope your members are listening.

Be gone NRA, your power is disappearing!

Richard Skipper

Seems like a good time to remind everyone: the Previous POTUS

8 YEARS. 0 SCANDALS.

Rep. Steve Cohen:

President Trump is "the most despicable human being to ever reside in the White House"

Proponents of new gun-reform measures largely had the Sunday talk shows to themselves this week, with student activists and Democratic senators dominating the conversation and one Republican senator distancing herself somewhat from the National Rifle Association. Read MORE

John Kander's NYC birthday bash started with a heartfelt speech by Chita Rivera shown via video at the Laurie Beechman Theatre in Times Square. Richard Skipper Celebrated the legendary composer and surviving half of Kander and Ebb, the great masters that brought us a canon of fine musical works that include Cabaret, Chicago, Steel Pier, Kiss of the Spiderwoman, and Woman of the Year among others. Read MORE.

Thank you, to ALL who are mentioned in this blog for gifts you have given to the world and will continue to give

Now, go and do something nice for someone without expecting anything in return!

April 8th, 2018 

Russ Woolley Proudly Presents
Richard Skipper Celebrates
Broadway and off-Broadway Firsts...and More!

1 PM Brunch Show Laurie Beechman Theater 

Lane Bradbury created the role of Dainty June in the original Broadway production of the classic show Gypsy starring Ethel Merman.
Annie Hughes off-Broadway Closer Than Ever
Lauren Mufson Broadway and National Touring companies of Mamma Mia!
Marta Sanders Best Little Whorehouse In Texas Original Company
AND Stephanie Pope  Chicago, Pippin, Fosse

Musical Direction Joe Goodrich with Rex Benincasa on Percussion, Steve Doyle on bass, and Erik Lawrence on Sax

Lane Bradbury, Gypsy's ORIGINAL Dainty June!

With music, reminisces and an afternoon of fun and show business! 90 minutes of merriment and excitement …Right on the heels of the 2/11 Russ Woolley's CELEBRATES Richard Skipper's’ BIRTHDAY…SELL-OUT Extravaganza…

When and Where:
Sunday, April 8th - 1 PM, Doors open 12:15

THE LAURIE BEECHMAN THEATRE, 407 West 42nd Street (lower level of the WEST BANK CAFE) Producer: Russ Woolley $30 ticket plus $20 food/beverage minimum - exquisite and reasonably priced food and drink

Richard Skipper has assembled a great cast to entertain and honor Broadway and off-Broadway artists… RICHARD SKIPPER has become synonymous with “feel good entertainment of the highest quality”. For decades Richard has entertained thousands and celebrated the careers of many of Theatre Row’s finest and most honored stars… It is now our turn to honor artists and the roles they created and/or made their own… The afternoon will prove to be an event where all will arrive and leave with smiles! This will be similar to the old-fashioned TV specials and series where we get to chat with and honor this Entertainment Icon.

So — Order your tickets now online…
RESERVATIONS A MUST!
https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pe.c/10248067

Don't Miss A Richard Skipper Celebrates...

A Few Audience Testimonials

I was so happy attending the wonderful event on Monday, October 30th, with Richard Skipper interviewing my old friend Joyce Bulifant at the Drama Book Shop.  Richard's knowledge of show business and his infectious good humor were ideal to bring out the best stories from Joyce's  terrific new book.  Richard has the ability to make every event a very special occasion.  I look forward to attending the next special night when Richard Skipper celebrates another remarkable person.

Joel Vig, NYC

It was my pleasure to be celebrated in a unique interview with Richard Skipper on July 22nd, 2017. He is the consummate host. I had a wonderful time!  

Medium Tracey Lockwood, https://traceylockwood.com

Richard Skipper's World War II presentation on May 20th, 2017 was phenomenal! Richard is a showman and gave much pleasure to his audience. I was happy to be there, I will be at the next show . Thank you for that gift. 

-Patti Dey, Staten Island, NY

The show is also made possible by Wright Bros. Real Estate. If you have attended Richard Skipper Celebrates, and if you haven't already, Please add your thoughts in Richard Skipper's Guest Book at RichardSkipper.com
You never Know Who You Might See There and What Might Happen!

Meet Lane Bradbury on April 8th! 

With grateful XOXOXs,

 

CallonDolly.com

Please LIKE (if you do!) and SHARE!

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!  
  Keeping America great through Art!     

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

Please leave a comment and share on Twitter and Facebook
Keeping Entertainment LIVE!

TILL TOMORROW...HERE'S TO AN ARTS FILLED DAY

Richard Skipper, Richard@RichardSkipper.com

Mary Jo Catlett: Bridging The Gap With Dolly!

David Burns and Mary Jo Catlett Hello, Dolly! 1964

Mary Jo Catlett is notable for her role as housekeeper Pearl Gallagher on the television sitcom Diff'rent Strokes, and currently for her role as Mrs. Puff in SpongeBob SquarePants, which she has held since the show's debut.
She was also in the original Broadway production of Hello, Dolly! starring Carol Channing as Ernestina Money.

Mary Jo and I sat down to talk after the opening night of Bette Midler's Hello, Dolly!
Prior to this production opening, Mary Jo was talking with a friend of hers and she said, "Oh, they're going to do Dolly with Bette Midler and she's perfect for it. She truly is the most perfect Dolly since Carol, in my opinion." Then in came off the top of Mary Jo's head, "Wouldn't it be fun if they invited some of the original cast members." Mary Jo's friend said, "That's a perfect idea!

You should talk to somebody." Well, that planted a seed and the wheels started turning.
Mary Jo's dear friend, theatrical attorney Mark Sendroff, who is a great guy, after speaking with Mary Jo, said, "Let me forward this on to Scott Rudin and see what he thinks." Shortly thereafter, Mary Jo received an email from Scott Rudin saying, "I wish I had this idea! I think it's a terrific idea and we;re going to make it happen." Then the waiting game began. Mary Jo didn't hear and she began to think, 'It's not going to happen.' She resolved herself to the fact that that opening night ticket was next to impossible to obtain.

Charles Nelson Reilly, Eileen Brennon, Jerry Dodge, Sondra Lee Original company

She kind of wrote it off.

Just about three weeks prior to opening night, the email came in that she would have a ticket. She received a follow up email telling her that she would have a ticket plus one. She got excited that she would be able to bring a best friend with her.

She followed up with very appreciative e-mails. Mary Jo credits Sendroff for really getting things in motion.

Mary Jo from Different Strokes

 In addition to Mary Jo, David Hartman (Rudolph), Sondra Lee (Minnie Fay), and Ron Young (ensemble) also attended.  It was a great reunion.

Mary Jo knew going in that she would probably start to tear up seeing the dancing once again from Before The Parade. What really got her, however, was Put on Your Sunday Clothes (choreography, by the way, for this production is by Warren Carlyle with a huge homage to Gower's original choreography).

Out of all of the choreography for this current revival, Mary Jo feels, repectfully, that Sunday Clothes came the closest to Gower's original concept and you just can't go wrong with that.

Mary Jo missed the original choreography from Parade. When Gower choreographed the original, there was a wonderful musical interlude in which Dolly sings "Look at that crowd over there' and the curtain rises to reveal one fireman,

David Hartman and Mary Jo Catlett opening night

'Buttons' Leonard in the original, starts prouncing out as the leader of the parade and little by little the rest of the parade emerges with a big build.

As much as she loved Carlyle's choreography and Jerry Zaks direction in that number, there were aspects from the original that she missed.  Sunday Clothes was the 'take you away' number!  She turned to her date, Rodney, and said, "I keep seeing ghosts up there". It was reminiscent of Follies for her!

Eileen Brennon and Sondra Lee Original production

"It was thrilling, exciting, and a bit scary." As of this writing, it has been 53 years since the original production of Dolly opened on Broadway.  Since the original production, Mary has seen subsequent productions with Channing and she also caught Pearl Bailey and Ethel Merman during the original run. She also worked with Ginger Rogers and Dorothy Lamour in their productions.

When Mary Jo originally auditioned for Dolly, she auditioned to be in the chorus. She was required to audition with '8 bars'. She wracked her brain trying to figure out what she should do. She chose Everything's Coming Up Roses. She started with, "Goodbye to blueberry pie..." and went on from there. Carnival! He came to a club where Mary Jo was performing at the time.

Mary Jo celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Dolly at Sardi's

They said, "Thank you", and she left. She felt satisfied because she got to meet Gower Champion whom she had long admired.  She had met him once. Mary Jo is from Denver and he came to Denver with 

After her audition, she went about her business as most actors/actresses do, reading Back Stage, and auditioning for other shows.  One such audition that she wanted to go after was Jerry Herman's Milk and Honey. She was able to tell this story to Jerry Herman later. She got the audition and then got scared. She felt she was too young. They were casting older actresses.

with Jeanne (Lehman) French

She got called back for Dolly...FOUR TIMES!  One day she was walking down the street and an actor came up to her and said, "I heard you got Dolly!" She said, "I did?" That's how she found out! She was surprised. That's how news traveled in those days.

She ran home and to her answering machine. Indeed there was a call from the Merrick office. Lucia Victor, who was the stage manager, had left a message. She was cast as a chorus member. In the original concept, during I Put My Hand In, there was a crossover of four ladies, called the four biddies, very a la the Pick a Little women from Music Man. It never made it beyond the rehearsal stage. It was just a cross over bit in which they would talk to Dolly.

Mary Jo heard years later that Merrick said to Champion, "We have to fire that heavy set girl." It's not easy to acclimate her into the other chorus numbers. Gower, thank God, said "Let's not be too hasty.Maybe I can figure something out for her." Lucia came over to Mary Jo one day when she was still being a biddie and said, "Gower would like you to read for Ernestina. That role had already been cast so Mary Jo thought it would be to understudy her. Lucia asked Mary Jo to keep it under her hat and not tell anyone.

The original concept of Ernestina had her more glamorous. Gower felt that it should go in a different direction and be more comical. He wanted more of a sight gag. He also wanted someone who could sing.

Renee Taylor came in to audition for the role and Mary Jo found herself in the hallway with her. Renee said to Mary Jo in that inimitable style of hers, "I think you're perfect for this."  Mary Jo went in, read for it, and she got the part!

In the early stages, a lot of actors came and went. Several Barnabys were fired before they settled on Jerry Dodge. In was in Washington DC when Mary Jo felt that they were in a hit. This was, of course, after Detroit. In Detroit, there was a show that preceded Dolly called Bravo, Giovanni.

with Patricia Morrison

For some reason, it didn't capture an audience and there was a sort of hatred for this musical that surrounded it.

One review in Detroit began it's review of Hello, Dolly, with, "Not since Don Giovanni have I seen a worse show!" The entire company was crest fallen because they truly felt they had something. Gower decided to take chunks of the show and redo them.  There were approximately thirteen people replaced at that time, maybe even more. It was a sad time. Working with a company like this, it is very much a family and close bonds do form. For some, it was the best thing that could have happened because they went on to better things. Always at the center, however, was Carol Channing who was a comedic genius. 

When they got to Washington, Richard Coe, who was THE top critic with The Washington Post, raved about the show. There was a swing in Dolly, Alvin Beam, he said, "We can get a new refrigerator! We can get anything on time payments. We are a hit." 

Opening week was a tragic week. The first performance was on November 18th, 1963 at The Fisher Theater in Detroit. On November 22nd, President Kennedy was assassinated.  Trying to be excited for a show against the backdrop of a worldwide tragedy was horrible and forever burned into Mary Jo's memory. She shared a dressing room with three other women and they were just sitting around talking when Charles Nelson Reilly came in to break the news. Now, please take into account, that every few days he would come into the dressing room with something hilarious and they would be screaming with laughter.

Carol Channing was always a trouper!

On this particular day, he came in and said, "They shot Kennedy."  The women responded with, "That's not funny." They could not believe this could be real. He said, "No. It's real." These little black and white TVs were brought in. They were placed in the dressing rooms. Everything came to a complete stop and they gathered around these TVs and couldn't stop watching everything as it was unfolding. Everyone from Gower on down were so terribly down. Of course, the show was cancelled that night. This was a huge deal. That just didn't happen.  It was a good thing because the entire company was awash. Even Carol, who was a trooper, couldn't go on. It was unbelievable that something like that could happen.
The next day was dark as well. They did go to rehearsal that second day. Gower sat down and addressed the entire company. Everyone consoled each other and they all knew they had to go on. Because of the shape the show was in, they also knew they had to keep working to ensure the show's success. "It is amazing that theater folk are such heroes. There are many times that we have to go on when tragedy strikes."

The biggest change Mary Jo saw, which is still no longer a part of the show is the Come and Be My Butterfly number. That was in place of the polka contest. Jerry Herman says that it is one of his biggest regrets that it was cut. Mary Jo says it was a beautiful number. There are a few pictures around. There were women scantily clad with these extensions like gossamer butterfly wings. Look at Tessie Tura in Gypsy. This was popular in that day. It was artistic. Unfortunately, critic Walter Kerr told Gower Champion after a smashingly successful opening that he didn't think Come and Be My Butterfly was on the same par as the rest of the show. 
In the number Horace is chasing Barnaby and Cornelius and they are getting caught up in the wings.
David Burns warns the women, Watch those feelers, Miss!" 
He was brilliantly funny in this number. This number was cut after Carol Channing left the company and Ginger Rogers stepped in. It went into the Mary Martin company and has been there since. This was probably at a loss of $30,000 which was a lot of money then. It probably cost $100,000 for all of the costumes of Dolly. 
These numbers cost a lot of money and time.   
When Before The Parade Passes By was added in Washington DC, it went in even before costumes were constructed!  It was a mishmash and the audience was on their feet.  It really is Dolly's show. It's called Hello, Dolly! Audiences were so in love with that character as they are now with Bette as Dolly.

The first time Mary Jo heard Louis Armstrong's version of Hello, Dolly! was New Year's eve 1963.  In December 1963, at the behest of his manager, Louis Armstrong made a demonstration recording of "Hello, Dolly!" Gower got an advance and played it for the company. The company was a little modest about it. How wonderful of him to sing that song. He's well known! Then that recording exploded! 

It was good for Louis Armstrong and it was good for the show as well. Everybody was singing that song. Jerry Herman was over the moon. 
Next stop, St. James Theater on Broadway! One preview and then opening night, January 16th, 1964! Compare that to the current production, five weeks of previews with no out of town try out. 
The music started at the top of the show for Call on Dolly and the audience is roaring. Gower, who was very cinematic in his staging, had the back drop moving from stage right to left which gave the illusion of the cast moving. The company was standing in place but moving their feet. It was an incredibly brilliant way of staging it. Carol then made her entrance on the horse cart with the 'twins'. The moment she said, "Dolly! Levi...Born Gallagher", there was pandemonium in the theater. The same thing happens nightly with Bette. As Mary Jo, watched the opening with Bette, it immediately took her back to her own opening night. 

Alice Playten

Working with Carol Channing was a terrific experience for Mary Jo. "She's such a wonderful person. She was always so nice to me and Alice Playten. She was a brilliant Ermengarde. She found a wail that was uniquely her own. What an actress." Carol, Alice, and Mary Jo became buddies. Alice and Mary Jo used to go to Carol's apartment which was in an upscale hotel. 
Carol and Charles (Lowe) would say, "Come over! We'll have a slumber party." The three of them would do each other's hair and other similar things that young girls do on slumber parties. They had so much fun and Carol was great with all of this. 
They laughed a lot. Mary Jo also recalls the strange diets Carol was always on. Carol mostly ate chicken and turkey at that time. She would bring her silver containers with her to dinner parties.

Igors Gavon and Alice Playten

The cast were always being invited to these fabulous parties and Carol would always bring her own food. 
She would say to Mary Jo, "Now, Mary Jo, taste that and tell me how it is." It was just a beautiful time!
Mary Jo was very star struck and it was her first Broadway show. All the greats came to see the show. Mary Jo met Jackie Kennedy, Audrey Hepburn, all these people that you just dream about.  She would be looking down the stairs as they came back stage. From time to time she would meet them but she was too shy to approach on her own. Carol got on to this and she would always let Mary Jo who would be attending that night.

"Oh, Mary Jo, tomorrow night, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor are going to be here!" Mary Jo was so excited and she came in early to get ready for the show in case she got to get a glimpse of this god and goddess. Then she heard, "Mary Jo Catlett to Miss Channing's dressing room." She went down and Carol said, "Oh, Mary Jo, I'm so sorry. Richard and Elizabeth are not going to be here tonight." Mary Jo said, "Oh no! What happened?" Carol responded, "Elizabeth is under the weather." Mary Jo responded, "I'm so sorry. " Carol answered, When Elizabeth called, I told her Mary Jo Catlett is going to be disappointed."

Mary Jo asked, "What did she say?" Carol responded, "She said,'who'?" 
Mary sayed with the Broadway company for eighteen months. She then went on the road with Ginger Rogers and Dorothy Lamour. All told, Mary Jo was with Hello, Dolly! for three years. 
Ginger had a wonderful hair dresser named Kathy Engel. She had wonderful kids and Mary Jo bonded with her family. Ginger wanted Mary Jo on the road with Kathy and it was all negotiated and they had a great time. Looking back, Mary Jo doesn't think it was one of the best career moves she ever made.

Looking back, she would not have done it. 
She feels that she should have stayed in New York and kept auditioning. When you're in a Broadway show, it gives you a little entree into having a little advantage to go to another Broadway show. Being on the road for as long as she was, she came back to New York,for lack of a better word, 'cold'. She did get into other Broadway shows but it did take a while. She feels that if she had stayed that it would not have taken as long which would have been better for her career. 
There were no negatives, otherwise, working with Ginger. Her Dolly was very different from Carol's. She was an adorable Dolly. So Long, Dearie was the max. She did a little tap break and the audiences went wild! She was always great to work with. When Mary Jo first worked with her, she looked into Ginger's eyes and could not get over the fact that they appeared turquoise with gold flecks. 

She doesn't feel that film did those eyes justice. They were so beautiful. Nice lady AND the best she had ever seen with fans. She would sign every autograph. She would wait till the very last person and this would be, sometimes, a hundred people waiting! She would stick around and sign every single one after matinee AND evening. She was so wonderful to her fans. 
When she was doing Dolly on Broadway, a white stretch limousine would pull up to the stage door, and she would come out and stand on top of the stretch limousine and sign autographs for everyone. Marlene Dietrich used to do the same thing when she did her one woman show. This was a very clever idea. It gave fans a chance to see them. However, she wasn't the same with autographs. At least fans got a chance to see their movie goddesses. 

Dorothy Lamour

One of Dorothy Lamour's regrets was that she didn't do it on Broadway. Dorothy Lamour brought Dorothy Lamour to Dolly. People just came to see HER. They had loved her in all the 'Road' movies. She was a 'sweet' Dolly. She delivered the humor but there was an underlying kindness in her performance.    
Great to work with. Mary Jo only worked with her in Vegas. When Mary Jo went to Vegas with Ginger, they were scheduled to do twelve shows a week. This was a tab version of the show which emphasized the songs more so than the dialogue. They would do two shows a night. Mary Jo doesn't believe they had a day off. Not positive about that. Ginger, as is Carol, is a Christian Scientist. She could not do Sundays. She told them they would have to get someone else and that's how they got Dorothy Lamour. It was decided that Dorothy would do four shows a week and that Ginger would do eight. It wasn't as difficult a schedule for the two stars. They did not lose audiences. As a matter of fact, some people came to see both. 

The major names of the world came to see Carol Channing in Dolly

The biggest change that Mary Jo noticed years later when seeing Carol in later revivals and tours was that her tempos had slowed down. 
It was slower, but in a way, it was more meaningful. She really looked at the people she was talking to in the Dolly number. A lot of her performance was also now played out front to the audience, which is what they came to see. It didn't hurt the show at all. She was such a good actress that within each stage of her aging, she was true to herself. 

Mary Jo's memories of seeing Pearl Bailey's Dolly was that she was 'real fun'. She was Pearl Bailey first and Dolly Levi second casting asides to the audience.
When Mary Jo saw Bailey's production, Cornelius' understudy went on that day. After all the bows, Bailey called him center stage and said, "I think this young man deserves extra applause." He had done a brilliant job and she gave him a star bow at the end. Mary Jo thought, "Now, that's a giving star. Very nice." 
Bette Midler..."What can you say? She's fabulous and I hope everyone will see it and tell their friends to see it as well. Please do everything you can to go see her while you can. She's awesome! Awesome! Awesome!!! And so Beautiful as Dolly!" 
There's an adage. Always leave them laughing. On opening night, during the curtain calls, she got two huge bouquets of white roses. There must have been four dozen white roses. She was laden with these bouquets. She mocked surprise at receiving the roses and then staggers off! GO GO GO SEE Bette Midler! You have only until January 14th, 2018!

The secret of change is to focus all your energy not on fighting the old but on building the new. -Socrates

I'm throwing back the curtain and showing my followers the little man behind the Wizard who is always trying to put forth a positive image of a man. 

Let's Be Friends! I promise you a great experience!


You have the power to change anything, because you are the one who chooses your thoughts and feels your feelings.

Here are a Few Testimonials for Richard Skipper Celebrates: Next One September 10th 1PM Laurie Beechman Theater: Reserve HERE:

w/Ann Dawson, Emily McNamara, Ben Rimalower... AND a Beloved Cabaret Mystery Guest

What a wonderful afternoon at "Richard Skipper Celebrates" at the Laurie Beechman Theatre on June 18th. Do you remember Johnny Carson and the Tonight Show or WNEW AM from years ago.This show brought me back to those days. Besides being a wonderful entertainer, Richard is an fascinating interviewer. His guests in this show included Sarah Rice and Mark Watson, David Sabella, Warren Schein and special guest Sharon McNight.

It's been such a long time since I have seen such a wonderful show.

Richard has this event as a Sunday Brunch once a month. He is taking the summer off but will return with a blockbuster show on Sunday September 10th. If you are in the New York area please join me to witness talent that is rare seen any more. (September 10th, brunch at the Laurie Beechman Theater on West 42nd Street)

Elaine Marlowe Mitchell, NYC

Anyone who has an opportunity to see Richard Skipper's cabaret shows should BY ALL MEANS do so! They're sensational! Great entertainers, wonderful music, lots of laughs, just the best way to spend an afternoon! I just cannot wait for the next show because I will DEFINITELY be in the audience (quietly singing along)!
Arlene Jacks, New York, NY

Today again, Richard Skipper brought together an eclectic array of exceptional talents in his Father's Day Show.  Richard's upbeat personality and his superb showmanship always put a smile on my face and uplift my spirits.  Thank you, Richard, and bravo! 
Eileen Lacy,  New York, NY

Sit Back! A New News Cycle Is About to Begin!

Thank you, to ALL who are mentioned in this blog for showing me that it is up to ME to lead by example!

With grateful XOXOXs ,

 

CallonDolly.com

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Please do what YOU can to be more aware that words and actions DO HURT...but they can also heal and help!  
  Keeping America great through Art!     

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

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TILL TOMORROW...HERE'S TO AN ARTS FILLED DAY

Richard Skipper, Richard@RichardSkipper.com