Joanne Halev, Susan Winter, Christine Pedi...and MORE!

“The world is moving so fast these days that the man who says it can't be done is generally interrupted by someone doing it.”
― Elbert Hubbard

Happy December, Everyone! It is International Tea Day. December 15 is the 349th Day of the year. 16 days remain until the end of the year. It is National Egg Nog Month!  On this day in 1944, Glenn Miller was due to fly from the United Kingdom to Paris  to make arrangements to move his entire band there in the near future.
His plane, a single-engine UC-64 Norseman, departed from RAF Twinwood Farm in Clapham, on the outskirts of Bedford, and disappeared while flying over the English Channel.Miller spent the last night before his disappearance at Milton Ernest Hall, near Bedford. Miller's disappearance was not made public until December 24, 1944, when the Associated Press announced Miller would not be conducting the scheduled BBC-broadcast "AEF Christmas Show" the following day; the band's deputy leader Sgt. Jerry Gray stood in for Miller.
Today in 1969 John Lennon played what would be his final ever gig in the UK when he appeared at The Lyceum Ballroom, London, with the Plastic Ono Band in a UNICEF 'Peace For Christmas' benefit.

Glen Miller

Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein, the movie, premiered on this day in 1974.
Happy Birthday to Cindy Birdsong (The Supremes) and Dave Clark (The Dave Clark Five)
Two's Company starring Bette Davis opened on Broadway (1952)
I Had A Ball starring Buddy Hackett opened on Broadway (1964)

Charlie Girl is a musical comedy which premiered in the West End of London at the Adelphi Theatre on December 15, 1965 and became one of the most successful theatre shows of the day, playing for 2,202 performances, closing on March 27, 1971.A Joyful Noise starring John Raitt on Broadway (1966)
Mary Poppins opened in London (2004)

Today, I celebrate everyone's art.
Today's engagement:

Comment on something mentioned in this blog and SHARE and let's keep the next 24 hours upbeat! 
Have something to promote? Post it here! Now, go out and so something nice for someone without expecting anything in return!
Celebrate the gifts you have to offer the world! Did you do your Morning Pages? Have no clue what I am referring to? Today, celebrate your crazy ideas and surround yourself with those who will support those ideas! Make it a great weekend!
Recommended reading: The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks

Today's Top 10 Things On My Mind
Saturday, December 21, 2019
2PM “LIKE A PERFUMED WOMAN” and “RISE UP SINGING”

Click Here to buy tickets.
Starring: Joanne Halev in Like a Perfumed Woman
The Band: Alex Rybeck (Musical Director), Ray Kilday (Bass) and Ari Axelrod (Conga)
Directed by: Lina Koutrakos
Blending stories of scent memory and the passionate world of fragrance creation with songs of Porter,

Loesser, Mercer, Bucchino, McBroom and more, Ms. Halev takes the audience on a journey from Mumbai to Madagascar, Sao Paulo to Haiti, Bangkok to Brooklyn.

Joanne Halev makes her solo cabaret debut with Like a Perfumed Woman. She has appeared in group shows at Don’t Tell Mama, Davenport’s, and The Duplex.
Mentors include Lina Koutrakos, Sara Lazarus, K.T. Sullivan, Andrea Marcovicci, Ann Hampton Callaway, Liz Callaway and Beckie Menzie. Ms. Halev continues to play a role in the world of global

Joanne Meltzer Halev

fragrance creation, home to her third career. - www.facebook.com/ joannemeltzer.halev

***
Starring: Susan Winter in Rise Up Singing
The Band: Alex Rybeck (Music Director), Ray Kilday (Bass) and David Stillwell (Violin)
Directed by:Barry Kleinbort

We are living in a period of time where what is ordinary has shifted and we are all being called upon to adjust to a new normal.
As we recover from each calamity that bears down on us, we feel a great need for healing. Music is that healer. Award-winning singer, Susan Winter was commissioned by the Kupferberg Holocaust Center in Queens, NY to create a program which demonstrates how music has been used to raise awareness as political, social and cultural commentary; as well as to enlighten and uplift. Susan is delighted to reprise it for Urban

Susan Winter

Stages Winter Rhythms.

Susan Winter is a native New Yorker vocalist and entertainer, Susan Winter, has been compared to the best in the business, honing her craft performing with jazz trios, big bands and Top-40 groups. Susan has made a name for herself in the NYC cabaret world.
She has been nominated for 8 MAC awards beginning with her ‘debut’ performance of Million Dollar Matinee. This was quickly followed by winning a Bistro Award as “Outstanding Vocalist” and then a MAC Award for Best Recording and a Broadway World Award for Direction. In making the Metropolitan Room her home, Susan co-produced and hosted an Open Mic with the best pianists NYC had to offer, giving novices and pros a chance to hone their art in one of the city’s best rooms.www.facebook.com/susanwintersings

2. Christine Pedi
Longtime Sirius XM RADIO personality and musical theater

Christine Pedi Photo by Genevieve Rafter Keddy

powerhouse Christine Pedi (Chicago, Forbidden Broadway, Newsical the Musical) conjures up Barbra Streisand, Patti LuPone, Liza Minnelli, Julie Andrews, Carol Channing in her joyful and triumphant Snow Bizness.

Read MORE

3. Dancers Over 40 LEGACY AWARDS FILLED WITH LOVE AND LAUGHTER
AT LIPS RESTAURANT, DECEMBER 9, 2019
I hosted ( seen here holding Kathryn Doby’s

award), performer Pattaya Hart,
Cheryl Clark, Candy Brown, Michon Peacock and speakers Dennis Grimaldi,
Eden Lane and Cristine Dhimos.
The 11th Annual DO40 Legacy Awards were awash in laughter, tears, sentimentality and hilarity all at the same time! All of the honorees received standing ovations after their acceptance speeches – a first for DO40!
Candy Brown, Cheryl Clark, Kathryn Doby and Michon Peacock were honored on December 9th at LIPS restaurant to a packed house of friends and family – and so many fellow dancers we couldn’t keep count.

4. "Baring It Slightly" Episode #1: Melissa Errico

In this mini episode of Baring It All with Call Me Adam, entitled Baring It Slightly, Adam chats with Tony nominee Melissa Errico, live from Feinstein's/54 Below press day, about her Feinstein’s/54 Below show, An Even Grander Affair (November 7-9), as well as the upcoming release of her album Legrand Affair: The Songs of Michel Legrand (Deluxe Edition), released 11/8. Listen to the Podcast HERE

5. MR. MAGOO'S CHRISTMAS CAROL

Join The Actors Fund for a special concert presentation of the holiday classic Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol! Proceeds from this one-night-only event will benefit the programs and services of The Actors Fund.
The evening will be directed by Carl Andress with choreography by Nathan Peck, based on original choreography by Marcos Santana. Grammy Award® and Emmy Award® winner John McDaniel has written new orchestrations for the score, and will serve as the evening’s music director. The concert will star Gavin Lee, Klea Blackhurst, Jeff Blumenkrantz, Sierra Boggess, Jennifer Cody, Clifton Duncan, Ali Ewoldt, Edward Hibbert, Jeff Hiller, Byron Jennings, Don Darryl Rivera, John Scherer, Matthew Scott, Kyle Selig with Aiden DeJesus Alberto, Natalie Ballenger, Cameron Mitchell Bell, Allison Marie Carr, Finn Douglas, Ian Fitzgerald Gallagher, Ta’Nika Gibson, Alexandra Frohlinger, Roddy Kennedy, Emily Larger, Kevin Ligon, Colby Lindeman, Jillian Louis, Gloria Manning, Aisha Mitchell, Joe Moeller, Addie Morales, Robert Pendilla, Shane Pry, Jody

Reynard, Ayla Schwartz, Jessica Sheridan, Emily Tanner, Joshua Turchin, Clyde Voce and Thom Christopher Warren. The evening will also feature a vocal ensemble, a dance ensemble, young performers, additional singers and a 28-piece onstage orchestra.

Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol features a score by composer Jule Styne and lyricist Bob Merrill, with original orchestrations by Walter Scharf. The musical is a delightful retelling of the Dickens classic, featuring the comically myopic cartoon character Quincy Magoo. Order Tickets HERE

6.SAVING RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL : A Dancer's True Story, published by TurningPointPress.
Rosemary Novellino-Mearns tells the true story of how Radio City Music Hall, an Art Deco masterpiece and New York City's premiere tourist attraction for generations, was saved from demolition.

7. ROBIN WESTLE: IN THE SUMMER OF '69 12/30/19
Robin Westle: IN THE SUMMER OF ‘69

SEX DRUGS AND ROCK & ROLL!!! .....And what happens to a 15 year old girl when her summer camp takes her to WOODSTOCK!

Join Robin Westle, with musical director Tracy Stark and Owen Yost on bass, as she celebrates the music of a generation and the fiftieth anniversary of a once-in- a-lifetime experience.

Directed by Eric Michael Gillett Order Tickets HERE

8. Lea Michele
Brian Scott Lipton's quick catch-up with TV and Broadway star Lea Michele in anticipation of her NYC concerts this week. Read it HERE

9.Please check out the books, "The Power of Acknowledgment" and "Grateful Leadership"
by Judith W. Umlas,
Senior VP, Author, Trainer, IIL
www.GratefulLeadership.com

10.Hillary Rollins Presents MaryJo Mundy In THE RIGHT TO CABARET At The Gardenia Supper Club
Hillary Rollins Presents: MaryJo Mundy in "The Right to Cabaret" Monthly Residency continues at The Gardenia Supper Club in West Hollywood. with 2nd night, Saturday, December 21st, 2019. Tickets are $15 plus a 2-drink minimum. Advance reservations suggested (seating is limited): RSVP at 323-467-7444.

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

I just heard that Lori Donato just passed away! God, do I love her and the pain is intense! Here we are with Tessa Bell when Danny and I were in LA on our honeymoon! Sleep well, Lori! You ARE one of the good ones! Carpe Diem!
This blog is dedicated to Lori. 

Thank you all! Here's To a Great End of 2019/Beginning of 2020

A Few Audience Testimonials about Richard Skipper Celebrates

******FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***** New York’s premiere Cabaret, Theater, Night Club and

Live Performance Publicist and Public Relations Pro is the one and only- Richard Skipper! Our sold out show this past November at Birdland Jazz club: “SHOWBROADS...A Night Club Duel” with Marta Sanders-Cooper and Leanne Borghesi- Performer was a smash hit with another date in the wings! For your media, press, promotion and all needs SHOW, this Showman is just the right fit for hands on promotion! Flexible rates and 💯 personalized service! Thank you Richard for getting the word out!! Love The ShowBroads!

Leanne Borghesi, SG and NYC

What a joyous, moving, and utterly expiring show! Warmest congratulations on your truly triumphant performance. It was mesmerizing.

We were very impressed and more importantly, quite touched by Richard Skipper's remarkable story/journey.

Yes, he definitely belong in front of an audience.

Richard has so much charm, sensitivity and the exuberance of a masterful entertainer!  Delighted for and proud of him. Bravo!!!  Maureen Kelley Stewart

Richard Skipper's recent one man show, "From Conway to Broadway," is a wonderful, creative job of

musical theatre storytelling. The mood, the pace, the songs and anecdotes--all made for a great evening of theatre. The Conway section brought back a lot of memories--Florence Epps and "Molly Brown" and his performances on the front steps of Conway High School. And his first experiences of New York were hilarious! Thanks for creating this show and sharing your talent and your story.  Doug and Vicki Bell, Conway, SC

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

 

Super Tuesday, Harry Belafonte, David Niven...and MORE!

Happy Birthday, Harry Belafonte

When the movement is strong, the movement is strong.
-Harry Belafonte

Happy March 1st!
March 1 is the 61st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. There are 305 days remaining until the end of the year. There is a lot to celebrate today and a lot to be concerned with as well. 
On this date in 1961, Uganda becomes self-governing and holds its first elections. 
On this date in 1962 – American Airlines Flight 1 crashes on take off in New York.
Today is the birthday of Harry Belafonte. And in 1904 – Glenn Miller, American trombonist, composer, and bandleader (Glenn Miller Orchestra) (d. 1944).

1910 – David Niven, English-Swiss actor,

Happy Birthday, David Niven

singer, and producer (d. 1983)

You can count on Errol Flynn, he'll always let you down.
-David Niven

1934 – Joan Hackett, American actress (d. 1983)
1935 – Robert Conrad, American actor, director, and commentator


Today is the single biggest day in the entire 2016 primary process. A dozen states are voting, and Republicans are already crowing about all the hundreds of thousands of Tea Partiers trying to make Donald Trump or Ted Cruz their GOP nominee. More delegates to the presidential nomination conventions can be won today than on any other single day of the primary calendar.
All the candidates must do well on this day to secure their party's nomination.

Donald Trump is the clear front-runner in the race for the GOP nomination. I'm very dismayed.
I'm very concerned for what has happened to our country and with what is being left behind for the next generation. I feel that our country has reached a crisis of confidence – We have embarked on a journey that we
thought we could achieve but the reality is harder than we imagined.
I feel that our country has become apathetic.
NASCAR has endorsed Trump. Who's surprised?

Hillary is realistic. Her experience is going to move us forward.

When Donald Trump announced his candidacy last summer, it seemed more like a sideshow than a serious concern. Some media outlets declared they'd only cover his campaign in the entertainment section.
Unfortunately, the later has not happened. Mr. Trump has received more media coverage than any other candidate in the history of media.
As he has grown, very much like the Frankenstein monster out of control, the media has "celebrated" every insult, every bit of boorish behavior. If I had a dollar for every time the media has aired Trump's response to Jake Tapper on CNN regarding David Duke and the KKK, I could afford a premium seat to Hamilton on Broadway!
What is going on!?!?! Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is threatening to block hearings on anyone President Obama nominates to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court of the United States.
I desire a life of meaning, significance, joy and satisfaction. Studies show that MORE Republicans go to the polls. I urge all my Democratic colleagues to get out there and vote. Otherwise, we are moving towards a country in which hatred and bullying is on an even bigger playing field than it is now. Trump plays on the fears of Americans instead of our hopes. All the drama and demands we face seem to get in the way of our dreams. We know we were meant for more, but it seems like the days are slipping by and we can't do anything about it.  

Harry Belafonte on tour

We cannot be a party that nominates someone who refuses to condemn white supremacists and the Ku Klux Klan. - Rubio

I have some very strong opinions on what has been happening to country.

Can anyone pinpoint when the shift occurred and when EVERYTHING in our culture started playing to the lowest common denominator?

“You can cage the singer but not the song.” – Harry Belafonte

I remember hearing years ago about the "dummying down of our culture." Now, we see it in every aspect of our culture.
It is in all forms of entertainment and media and it has seeped into everything.
If you question anything, one is being old fashioned or politically "correct", or advocating censorship. What is wrong with having a "moral compass"? What is wrong with having a little decorum with how we present ourselves on the world stage in our demeanor, our dress, and more importantly, our respect for one another?
We have created a bully culture and we are all playing the price for it. I was a bullied kid.
As I write those words, a myriad of thoughts and feelings come my way, none of them pleasant or happy memories. I actually remember the first time I felt threatened and/or bullied. We were living in Gallivent's Ferry, South Carolina.

The small framework house that we lived in is still there. I saw it when I was home in November.
I still remember standing at the end of the dirt road waiting for the bus in abject fear that I was going to be beaten up by the older kids, yet again. I was six years old. They would push me to the ground, knock my books at of my hand, and force me to eat dirt. When I went to my dad or any adults, I was told to fight back. I'm not a fighter.

This continued all through school. I was called a sissy before I knew what that meant. I was called worse names that I won't even mention here. Some have even been embraced by many. We are told that we need to embrace them. I won't embrace hate words.
I know what it means first hand to be bullied.
The definition of bully: use superior strength or influence to intimidate (someone), typically to force him or her to do what one wants.
Now 'adays, people hide behind their computers as they hurl insults at one another. I have seen and heard some of the most vile comments on Facebook and Twitter. Stooping down to someone else's level puts you on the same par with them.
Over the past few months, we have seen a man who is running for the highest honor in the land

saying horrendous horrible things about anyone who disagrees with him or gets in his way. He has said misogynistic, racist, and bullying comments about fellow candidates and people in the media and just about anyone else who gets in his way.

Which one of these possess leadership qualities?

Just a few days ago, he got a major endorsement from a governor who is as much of a bully as he is, hurling insults at everyone who gets in his path.

As if that wasn't enough, one of the other candidates lowered himself as well using bathroom humor and insults to try and win votes. When questioned about his "association" with one of the most vile hate groups that this country has ever seen the top running candidate could not even give a straight answer.
Everyone, PLEASE wake up! KNOW who you are voting for. I am listening to Trump now as I write this. He brags about not having a teleprompter and speaking off the cuff. Over the past 25 minutes of listening to this, he hasn't said one word having to do with policy. The entire talk (it is not a speech) is about how everyone loves him, how he is breaking records, putting down the other candidates, and building a wall.  Jerry Fallwell Jr is one of Donald Trump’s first powerful endorsements: Jerry Falwell Jr., who testified for many evangelical Christians that despite leading a life of excess, the thrice-married, trash-talking mogul was indeed a God-fearing president-in-waiting. Read MORE.

We have contributed to this kind of roguish behavior by celebrating this in our culture. Reality television has almost single handedly destroyed the way that people interact with one another in this country. EVERY reality show is based on putting someone down or "kicking someone off the island". Every "comedy is based on put down humor and/or one upmanship. These are no longer kids attacking one another in the schoolyard. These are adults behaving this way!
It is happening with our political leaders and pundits and commentators and journalists? When does it stop and what kind of a culture are we leaving behind  for the next generation. Why have we dropped to such a low level of how we treat each other?
Shame on our presidential candidates who have lowered the status of respect for one another. I don't know about you, but I'm going to take the higher road and operate from a higher standard.

Today is the birthday of one of the greatest men and activists that ever lived. He is MY role model!

Harry Belafonte has achieved lasting fame for such songs as "The Banana Boat Song (Day-O)," and for his humanitarian work.
Harold George "Harry" Bellanfanti, Jr. (born March 1, 1927), better known as Harry Belafonte, is an American singer, songwriter, actor, and social activist. One of the most successful Caribbean American pop stars in history, he was dubbed the "King of Calypso" for popularizing the Caribbean musical style with an international audience in the 1950s. His breakthrough album Calypso (1956) is the first million selling album by a single artist. Belafonte is perhaps best known for singing The Banana Boat Song, with its signature lyric "Day-O". He has recorded in many genres, including blues, folk, gospel, show tunes, and American standards. He has also starred in several films, most notably in Otto Preminger's hit musical Carmen Jones (1954), Island in the Sun (1957) and Robert Wise's Odds Against Tomorrow (1959).

Adam Levowitz

Today, I also celebrate Adam Levowitz. MaXam Production Company's Quentin Tarantino Songbook Vol 1, featuring music from Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, and Jackie Brown at Nuyorican Poets Cafe on April 8th at 7:30PM !

The Quentin Tarantino Songbook started out as something small and easy to do. But Adam realized, as he usually does midway through a project, that he NEVER does anything small and easy. When he has an audience to entertain, he goes all out. He has an eight piece funk band and wrote all new arrangements.He probably could have gotten by with a smaller band and had them read from lead sheets, but wheres the fun in that?

He also thought they’d be one and done— just a way to get through the winter blahs, but the show hit a nerve with the audience but it also hit a nerve with my fantastic performers (singers and musicians). They are all coming back for Round two. Its a Friday night and they are subbing out of good Broadway gigs and cancelling travel plans to do the show again. That’s a lot of fun for Adam.
Here is my mini interview with Adam.

First of all, did you make any New Year's Resolutions this year and did they stick?
I DID make a resolution this year— to exercise every day and to write music every day- so far, so good! Two months in I haven’t missed a day.

What is the biggest challenge you face each week?
These days its the weather! I want to be outside walking, that's when I do my best thinking.

Do you plan your days the night before?
Sadly, no. But I should!

What do you think it takes to succeed on Broadway these days?
Determination, (I hope) because I’ve got lots of it. But really, I think it is the combination of a great execution of a great idea which means having the right team of directors, designers , actors,  musicians and production staff telling a great story.

Please visit Adam Levowitz's Website for more info.  

In other entertainment News

Stay tuned to Anything Goes! on WCPR1.com.   This week is a bit of a party really, with a strong dose of Ethel Merman.  So join in the fun and hear stories from people who knew Ethel, and from people who wrote shows about her.  Hazel the Maid, Elaine Stritch, Lucie Arnaz, Donald O'Connor, Marvin Hamlisch, Barbara Streisand, the Beatles, Truman Capote, and Mary Martin are just a few of the names you'll hear.  There's talk about Sardi's, of course, and the musical version of The Nutty Professor.  Don't miss it!
With your hostess, Jacqueline Parker!
It's New York centric, with focus on theatre and the arts.  Please tune in this Thursday at 9 pm New York time.  It repeats Monday at 11 am New York time.  It will help with sponsorship if you just access it.  Also, if you send this via email and/or social media to your friends who love theatre and the Great American Songbook, I'm sure they'd enjoy it.   And Chicago friends, check the Chicago Tribune for an ad announcing the show.

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

1 March 1944. Legendary Who lead singer Roger Daltry was born in London. He's the original 'King of the Mods'.

 

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

-Carol Channing

With grateful XOXOXs ,

 

 

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

Mary Martin in Hello, Dolly!

NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED.  FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY!

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

       

Jim Speake
www.jimspeake.com

New CD information:
“Sweet Life” title song and video:
https://youtu.be/qqqfXHwwQOY

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

Please leave a comment and share on Twitter and Facebook

See Anita Gillette (along with Penny Fuller) tomorrow night (March 2nd, 2016) in Sin Twisters,Too! at Feinstein's/54 Below

Keeping Entertainment LIVE!
 

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

Richard Skipper, Richard@RichardSkipper.com

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

TOMORROW NIGHT in NYC

March 2nd

FEINSTEIN'S 54 BELOW Anita Gillette and Penny Fuller return in a sequel to their critically acclaimed, Sin Twisters! Penny Fuller This is Sin Twisters, Too! Directed by the incredible Barry Kleinbort with great musical direction by Paul Greenwood. They will take all of us on a great musical romp through their Broadway careers, which have criss crossed from time to time, resulting in confusing the two!...even though they don't look a thing alike! This show WILL sell out! So reserve today and be a part of their star studded audience! http://54below.com/artist/anita-gillette-penny-fuller/

Richard Skipper is the publicist for Sin Twisters, Too! For press reservations, interview requests, or more information, contact Richard Skipper at Richard@RichardSkipper.com or 845-365-0720