The Many Sounds of Christmas: Give the gift of Music this holiday season!

Listening is a Form of Accepting
-Stella Terrill Mann

Happy Saturday, December 1st, 2019!
December 1st is the 335th day of the year. There are 30 days remaining until the end of the year.
It is the first day of December. As I sit down to begin today's blog, I'm listening to the original Broadway Cast recording of Cabaret. How apro pros as we say hello to December and look forward to the gifts that December holds for us...especially in the world of cabaret. Marieann Meringolo, Karen Oberlin, Dorian Woodruff and MORE! Sue Matsuki even posted on Facebook today, "Dorian Woodruff has a voice from the heavens and Marieann Meringolo's Christmas show is one of my all time favorites. I played her CD today as I put up the tree!"

We now are on treadmills wondering how we are going to fit it all in.
It really is very simple. Keep a calendar, be selective, and know that sometimes it is OK to say 'NO'.  Take time to listen to the music!
Effectiveness is getting the right tasks done.

Remember, the perfectionist fixes one line of a poem over and over until no lines are right.
Today, Once again, I'm mentioning shows you should definitely fit into your schedule over the next few weeks. And they are all nice people doing their best.  Are you bored or just experiencing boredom?  Remember, Boredom is an acquired taste! Today more than ever I yearn to escape from the daily routine. However, I'm well aware that I must juggle my desires with my professional and domestic obligations.
“I am never bored; to be bored is an insult to one’s self.”
― Jules Renard

“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” ~Annie Dillard

If you have a roof over your head, be grateful.
There are many who don't. It's become a huge problem here in New

York where I live because the cost of housing is so high. Also, the middle class is shrinking, and it only takes one disaster to put you on the street. Today is Happy National Roof Over Your Head Day!
Tomorrow is Advent Sunday.
Let's all embrace each other a little more this holiday season.

I also encourage you to get out of the house and go see a LIVE show!

Here in NY, thank God, we have choices!

Tonight in NYC!

You have choices Marieann Meringolo, Karen Oberlin, Dorian Woodruff. 

Marieann Meringolo

Marieann Meringolo Celebrates 12 Years With 'In The Spirit' At Feinstein's/54 Below tonight.

Reminder: tomorrow afternoon, Long Beach Public Library, 2:30 pm ... "South Shore Theatricals Sings the Holiday Songbook." Go kick off December and the holiday season with Sarah Rice, Mara Bressler Kaplan, Joe McPartlin and our wonderful SST Youth Chorus sing the songs of Christmas, Hanukkah and the winter season. (Best entertainment bargain around: it's free admission!)

Tomorrow Night: A Very Lennie and Those Girls Holiday Spectacular
2 big shows - 12/2 at 4p and 12/11 at 7p!
Starring Lennie Watts and Those Girls - Eve Eaton, Rachel Hanser, Karen Mack,  and Wendy Russell

Featuring: Janice Hall, Rick Jensen, Robin Kradles, Tanya Moberly, Ricky Ritzel, Derek Staranowski, and Amy Wolk

Sunday, Dec 2nd at 4pm (with special guest Georga Osborne) and Tuesday Dec 11th at 7pm (with special guest Stacy Sullivan)
Music Director Steven Ray Watkins
At The Laurie Beechman Theatre downstairs at The West Bank Cafe. For tickets: https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/1001642.

Monday brings several celebrations!
Six actor-musicians delivering jazz, rock, country, pop, and more
Hidden gems from famous writers in brand new arrangements that will delight
All comedy songs and charm songs, only one ballad
Enjoy a MAC discount and join Mischa Kischkum for an unforgettable, uplifting evening.  Raise your voice during the singalong and you’ll end up on the cast album (they’re recording the show!)!
Mischa Kischkum is  OFF THE CHARTS
(Songs You Don’t Know By Writers You Love)”
Monday December 3rd at 7pm
Thursday December 20th at 7pm
Don’t Tell Mama (cash only)
(212) 757-0788 after 4pm
$18 (MAC $15) + 2 drinks
AUDIO CLIPS from rehearsal are now available on Broadway World

Mae West arrives at the flashy doors of a typical Las Vegas casino behind a golden gate (or more

accurately The Triad on West 72nd Street!). She immediately makes for the colorfully suave doorman who introduces himself as "Peter".
After, unsuccessfully vamping him,  he reveals that he is St. Peter, and these are the gates to Heaven.
Mae is taken aback and says, “I never thought I'd live to see the day!”
Mae West learns that the key to entering Heaven is getting a good review from the big critic in the sky.
So we are witness to a musical flashback of Mae's life – from Bushwick, Brooklyn and Coney Island to the vaudeville circuit, Broadway and finally to Hollywood and worldwide fame.
Did she get into Heaven?
GOD ONLY KNOWS!!
Bianca Leigh:  Book/Co-Librettist

Bianca Leigh

New York: Tales of the City, the Concert (Mrs. Tolliver, Music Box Theatre); Taylor Mac’s The Lily’s Revenge (Time/Wind, Here Arts Center); Busted: the Musical (writer & actress, Laurie Beechman Theatre). Regional: Trans Scripts (Tatiana, American Repertory Theater); Tales of the City: The Musical (Frannie Halcyon in workshop, American Conservatory Theatre). TV & Film: Transamerica, Hurricane Bianca; “Law & Order: SVU”. Education: BFA, Rutgers University Mason Gross School of the Arts. Miss Leigh was profiled this year in Cranes New York for her work with students at
NYU Medical School, and was the commencement speaker at Rutgers University’s Lavender Graduation in 2014.

Singer/Actress, Jennifer Roberts, returns to NY's Pangea, Wed, Dec, 5th, 7:00 pm. with her tribute "She Loves ...Sheldon!"
Musical Director: Jon Weber. Bass; Steve Doyle. Arranged by Ted Firth. Tickets: $20.00.

RSVP @ https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3903963 .

Show Review quote from Bistro Awards:
"Perhaps understandably, She Loves Me, which, like Fiddler, is enjoying a successful current revival on Broadway, remains her favorite Bock-Harnick musical and got four full songs here: her set opener, “Tonight at Eight”; “Will He Like Me?”; the musical’s title song; and the register-busting “Ice Cream,” which nicely showed off Roberts’s top notes. The Apple Tree was represented by a medley of “Movie Star” and “Gorgeous,” and a lovely rendition of “What Makes Me Love Him?”. Robert Windeler

Jennifer Roberts

Music Video: https://youtu.be/NGah6jVh4KE

I Will be going to see Linda Purl and Tom Wopat at Birdland on the 10th. Please join us if you can!

The last SPOTLIGHT ON YOU IN 2018 WILL BE ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14TH. IT IS MY

Invite your friends and bring your favorite song.

Hosted by: Natasha Castillo

Where: 53 Above Broadway (THE LAST SHOW AT THIS VENUE)

(Look for the Broadway Comedy Club Sign)
318 West 53rd Street,1st floor  (between 8th and 9th Avenue)

They offer:
- Opportunity to work with different musicians.
- Chance to meet and network with other performers!
- Chance to advertise your upcoming performances (we will promote YOU and your upcoming events)!
- Monthly Feature Celebrity Spotlights that will enchant and charm you!
- Low cost high quality video clips of your performance ($15)!
- Lots OF FUN!

Sign up starts at 6:30 PM, SHOW STARTS AT 7 PM  $10 Cover and $15 Food/Drink Minimum!

Saturday December 15th at 2PM. It's that MERRY TIME again at Theater 2020! Join them at the Brooklyn Heights branch of the Brooklyn Public Library for one hour of Dickens merriment with FAB actors, special sound effects and light refreshments. And it's all FREE!

Norm Lewis

Norm Lewis: Nutcracker Cool
DEC 17 - 22 at 7:00pm

Norm Lewis is BACK at Feinstein’s/54 Below for his 4th consecutive year, in a holiday residency with more new music, more fun, and more GUESTS! Once again, it’s the hottest Christmas Party in town with Norm and his swingin’ band, including Perry Cavari and George Farmer, led by Musical Director Joseph Joubert and directed by his longtime pal, Richard Jay-Alexander.

Richard Jay-Alexander

Go see one of Broadway’s most sought after leading men wrap his warmth and magic around holiday classics, showtunes, and pop music, in an evening like no other.

This year’s show will also coincide with the release of The NORM LEWIS Christmas Album, as both the debut holiday recording and the show promise to have some real surprises and special material. Order Tickets HERE

December 21: Brighten up your holiday season with New York's holiday tradition: The Many Sounds of Christmas with The Salvatones vocal ensemble, New York Virtuosi string quartet, and organist Stephen Fraser, all under the artistic direction of Daniel Brondel. The Many Sounds of Christmas will also feature the angelic tones of The Salvatones Young Voices directed by Stephen Fraser.

For more information visit Salvatones.org or call 212-784-6176. Click HERE for their event video.

Now, go and do something nice for someone without expecting anything in return! Treat Them to Two Tix to Jennifer Roberts at Pangea on December 5th as she celebrates Sheldon Harnick!
Order Tix HERE
See a Clip HERE
********

Thank you all! Here's To a Great Holiday Season! 

Russ Woolley Proudly Presents

Richard Skipper Celebrates

Returns for A Special Presentation on February 10th with An Aquarian Love Song: In Honor of Richard's 58th Birthday!

A Few Audience Testimonials for Richard Skipper Celebrates Events
Richard, your Facebook Live interview program from the YORK Theatre Oscar Hammerstein Awards Gala honoring Susan Stroman was great fun and you were, as always, a charming and skillful pro. I couldn’t help but think what a much needed service (and interesting and fun) it is for events like that one, smaller than the Tony Awards but important to many! And the Tony Awards and anyone else would be lucky to have you, too!
-Betsyann Faiella

Richard Skipper’s FB Live from the York Theatre Gala was as exhilarating and fun to watch as any awards show!! I wish I were there in the room!! Not only does Richard always conduct an informative interview, but it’s so much fun to watch!! I look forward to seeing these interviews.
Lisa Dascoli, Little Falls NJ

I’m very grateful for Richard’s experience and intimate knowledge of the art form of cabaret, along with his openness and willingness to share all of that with me. With Richard you feel like you have a true partner in your performing endeavors. He listens to whatever your individual challenge is, offers helpful suggestions, and gives you answers that are tailor made to your concerns. He’s a true mensch!!
-Josephine Sanges

Stay Tuned for Exciting Things in 2019! 
Next Up: 1 PM Brunch Show Laurie Beechman Theater 

We will be celebrating with Meg Flather, Rosemary Loar,Lina Koutrakos, Stacy Sullivan, AND A Mystery Guest! ALL Aquarian Women!

All under the Musical Direction of Christine Talbott Sutin.

Tickets Go on Sale January 10th! Let's Celebrate! 

RESERVATIONS A MUST!

With music, reminisces and an afternoon of fun and show business! 90 minutes of merriment and excitement . . .As we Celebrate the Present, we Honor the Past! 

Congratulations to the Yiddish Fiddler on The Roof

When and Where:
Sunday, February 10th - 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 Celebrate and honor . . . 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… 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. 

Tickets Go On Sale January 10th!

This Show Is Also Made Possible by  Wright Bros. Real Estate, Nyack New York

With grateful XOXOXs,

 

Anthony Perkins as Cornelius Hackl "Are you alone? He's out getting you popcorn?"

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
This Blog is Dedicated to the Memory of Anthony Perkins

Anthony Perkins, who played Norman Bates in "Psycho," died from complications of AIDS in 1992.

It was not that long ago we were celebrating her birthday! Carpe Diem

Did you see my interview last week with Steven Ray Watkins?  Check out my feature tomorrow on Lennie Watts! 

 
 

Wendy Anne Russell...She's one of THOSE GIRLS!

Tonight at The Laurie Beechman Theatre!

We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life, when all that we need to make us really happy is something to be enthusiastic about.
-Charles Kingsley

Happy Wednesday, April 20th, 2016!

April 20 is the 111th day of the year. There are 255 days remaining until the end of the year. As I sat down to begin my blog, Johnny Mercer's One More for the Road was playing on the radio.

Wendy Anne Russell

What a great Primary Day in New York yesterday, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are the front runners.

Wednesdays are a good work day. Get all of your hardest tasks completed today so the rest of the week is easy ; )

 
1939 – Billie Holiday records the first civil rights song "Strange Fruit".

Tonight is a show called Those Girls at the Beechman. Two of those girls, Wendy Russell and Karen Mack, I know personally.  I sat down to get a little more insight into Wendy recently. Here are the results: A native New Yorker, Wendy has performed as a jazz and cabaret vocalist at Clubs in and around NYC including the Allen Room at Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Hudson Theater, Don’t Tell Mama, The Duplex, The Metropolitan Room, etc.  She just completed a well reviewed run of her Cabaret show Where Have I Been All My Life?She was part of the series Under the Covers where she earned high praise for her  People show.  She was a featured soloist in the First Accoustics Concert series, working with Stefan Bauer (vibraphone) and his trio.  She regularly collaborates with Director Lennie Watts and Music Director Steven Ray Watkins. 

Lisa Yaeger, Savannah Brown, Chase O'Donnell and Wendy Anne Russell.

She began her Cabaret career with the show Survive It: A Reality Cabaret conceived and written with Ave Lindon and Margaret Curry. Wendy is a singer, songwriter, arranger and a sought after back-up vocalist.  She has performed back up for many acclaimed Cabaret Artists such as Lennie Watts, Jim Speake, Kathleen France, Eve Eaton, and Kim Grogg, among others.

Jim Speake, Eve Eaton, Tracy Stark, Lynne Hildebrand, Wendy Anne Russell and Karen Mack.

Stacy Sullivan, Wendy Anne Russell and Richard Becker.

What is your advice for people to get past their own needs to really be selfless and do something to make the world a better place for all people.
Do unto others…Hold the door for people, say please and thank you, smile!
Volunteer for causes you believe in (Soup kitchens, political candidates, human rights org, Etc) or institutions that you love (Museums, Theaters, etc).
Say this every day (in your head or out loud) to other people and, maybe even more importantly, to yourself:  “I’m sorry, I forgive you, Thank you, I love you”

What motivates you to do what you do?
The whole process of music making.   I love singing. I love teaching singing & performing.  I love almost any type of music.  I love harmony     and blending.  I love finding music and rhythm in ordinary, every day things - like the sound of my wiper blades when it’s raining.  I love taking a song and turning it inside out, making it a whole new experience.

Khader Khalilia, Wendy Anne Russell, Cara Arcuni, Helen Davies and Walter Leong.

Music making and collaborating with others is what keeps my fire burning. I like working with people who think they can’t sing, and watching them find a voice - even just for their own personal pleasure.  It’s very important to me that people allow themselves that.  I like working with children because they are already pretty free and haven’t learned yet how to be self conscious.
Our show, Those Girls (playing tonight in NYC at the Laurie Beechman Theatre), showcases all that
I love about music.  The women I’m working with are spectacular: Eve Eaton, Rachel Hanser, and Karen Mack. 
You can find all the info at  iamwendyrussell.com

Loren Finkelstein, Kim Grogg Marin, Lennie Watts, Pamela Russell, Wendy Anne Russell, Karen Mack, Eve Eaton, Helen McGivney Glassman, Lynne Hildebrand and Steven Ray Watkins

What advice would you give entertainers who wish to pursue a career in this business?
Study, study, study and practice, practice, practice your craft…there’s always improvement to be made and something new to discover - be it about yourself or your material.  Take classes, trust your instincts but listen to your instructors.  Do the work!  Don’t compare yourself to anyone else - make your own mark. 

Tower of terror.with Randy Cohen Lester, Lynne Hildebrand, Amorika Amoroso, Loren Finkelstein, Steven Ray Watkins, Helen McGivney Glassman and Wendy Anne Russell.

What are you currently reading?
I don’t read a lot these days (other than books to my grandchildren) but I like a good detective story and I love books by Chefs… Life on the Line by Grant Achatz and Nick Kokonas and Tender at the Bone by Ruth Reichl.   And my all time favorite book is The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Loren Finkelstein, Wendy Anne Russell, Steven Ray Watkins, Lennie Watts, Pamela Russell, Lynne Hildebrand and Karen Mack

If you could travel to ANY destination for a vacation or getaway, regardless of cost or practicality, where would if be... and why?
France - especially Paris.. I love the food, the fashion, the character, the Eiffel Tower, the people, the sounds, the smells…. Also, I’d like to go to Italy since I’ve never been.  Wait, also Hawaii because it’s so incredibly beautiful.  Also Prince Edward Island, Costa Rica, Spain…etc.


What’s Your Specialty that might surprise many?
Re-decorating/re-organizing/re-purposing a room with what one already has.  I am good at organizing anything. 

If you changed careers, what would it be and why?
I would love to have a chocolate shop (shoppe?).  I love chocolate and started a (very small) chocolate truffle business a couple of years ago.  I imagine myself in a storefront with lace curtains, beautiful marble counters and black and white octagonal floor tiles, with fancy display cases filled with delicious truffles and other confections.  Me and my team in the kitchen creating amazing sweets.

Three words that describe you and why?
Optimistic - No matter how overwhelmed I get, I always think things are going to work out
Extravagant - I’m usually all about saving money except when it comes to certain dining experiences and travel.  I love eating in really good restaurants - I’ve been known to fly to Chicago just to eat at ‘Alinea’ (the restaurant owned by the aforementioned Grant Achatz)…btw, it was amazing and worth every single penny!!
Indecisive - I couldn’t come up with a third word, there were too many to choose from…That happens a lot.
Please Don't Miss Wendy Anne Russell in Those Girls at The Laurie Beechman Theatre!




In Other Entertainment News

BB Kings. May 4, 8PM in the big room, The Quentin Tarantino Songbook.

Scott Coulter, Jessica Hendy, Blaine Krause, Mike Schwitter, Victoria Cook

The Band - John Chudoba (Trumpet - Motown), Brian Pereschi (Trumpet - The Color Purple), Steve Lyon (Sax - Something Rotten), Micah Burgess (Guitar - Beautiful, School of Rock), Matt Scharfglass, Josh Plotner, Donna Kelly

Songs: Little Green Bag, Son of A Preacher Man, Long Time Woman, Street Life, Heartbeat Its A Love Beat, Across 110th Street, Hooked On a Feeling, Midnight Confession, You Never Can Tell, Baby Love, The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia, If Love Is A Red Dress (Hang me in Rags), I Gotcha

Order Tickets HERE. 

Celebrating more than 50 years of world renowned superstar Liza Minnelli's show-stopping performances, HATS OFF TO LIZA - A MUSICAL CELEBRATION will fete the icon and living legend through music, song and dance at The Metropolitan Room on Friday, May 13, 2016. (Read MORE)


Notable Birthdays on This Date
4/20 TV Birthdays,all RIP: host Mother Angelica;musician Tito Puente;actress Edie Sedgwick;singer Luther Vandross
Bruce Cabot (April 20, 1904 – May 3, 1972) is probably best remembered as Jack Driscoll in King Kong (1933) and for his roles in films such as the 1936 version of Last of the Mohicans, Fritz Lang's Fury and the western Dodge City. He was also known as one of "Wayne's Regulars", appearing in a number of John Wayne films beginning with Angel and the Badman.

Remembering the greatjazz musician and composer Lionel Hampton on his birthday with hisMidnight Sun. Hampton worked with jazz musicians from Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, and Buddy Rich to Charlie Parker, Charles Mingus, and Quincy Jones. In 1992, he was inducted into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, and was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1996.

beautiful song

Why Bernie staying in the race for a little bit longer could ultimately benefit Hillary. CLICK HERE

Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending. - Maria Robinson

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

With grateful XOXOXs ,

 

 

Check out my site celebrating the legacy of Dolly Gallagher Levi!

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!   

        

American Popular Song Society Presents Annual Songwriter's Showcase Hosted by Award Winning Songwriter Tom Toce

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

PLEASE CELEBRATE WITH US Friday, May 6th AT DON'T TELL MAMA NYC


Don't Tell Mama Presents...

Wendy Scherl returns in What Do You Do All Day?  Directed by the incredible Helen Baldasarre with great musical direction by Matthew Martin Ward. Wendy is an amazing vocalist with a rangy and rich sound. “This is someone to watch!” Go see her, you can thank me later.
- Sue Matsuki   In “What Do You Do All Day”, Wendy Scherl shares anecdotes and song about the numerous hats she wears every single day as a wife, a mother of two boys and two dogs, a short order cook, a daughter, a house manager, a chauffeur and Cabaret Singer! Her show is both touching and real, theatrical and funny!
This show WILL sell out! So reserve today and be a part of his star studded audience!
You will truly be amazed by what this full-time executive director of a family of four accomplishes every day!  Wendy will wow you with both her choice of material and her talent!
After graduating from Northwestern University with a BA in Theatre, Wendy performed in numerous
regional theatre productions around the country, including some of her favorite productions: Hair (The official 20th Anniversary Production in Chicago), Grease (numerous roles), Annie (Grace), The Pajama Game (Babe), and Godspell.  

$20.00 Cover/Two Drink Minimum Cash Only Reserve at 212-757-0788 (after 4PM or through me)

$5.00 OFF COVER OF ALL MAC MEMBERS
Richard Skipper Celebrates is the publicist for Wendy Scherl and What Do You Do All Day? at NYC's Don't Tell Mama. For press reservations, interview requests, or more information, contact Richard Skipper at Richard@RichardSkipper.com or 845-365-0720

Check out Wendy's Interview with Sue Brender HERE