Bobbie Horowitz!

"To love your neighbor as you love yourself is the most important thing in the world. If you look around, I’ll bet you that everyone you see loves their neighbor exactly the way they love his/herself.”
Professor Konvitz at Cornell University

Happy Friday, the 13th!

If you are as superstitious as I am, that phrase probably sends shivers down your spine. Well, not anymore, I believe that we ALL are capable of creating our own luck...and no one epitomizes that as much as my friend, Bobbie Horowitz. I have known Bobbie even longer than I've known Bobbie! Let me explain.I had heard people singing Bobbie Horowitz's songs around the cabaret circuit long before I actually met her. Also, I'll never forget that Halloween when Ricky Ritzel and Jim Lazar showed up at Don't Tell Mama as Horowitz and Spector.

From the mid-1980s until the end of the decade, the comedy songwriting duo of Horowitz & Spector occupied a very special and extremely-visible place in the cabaret sphere. Known as much for their catchy melodies and snappy lyrics as their penchant for flashy garmenting (matching metallic pantsuits and headbands in gold and silver, huge rhinestone brooches proudly announcing “Horowitz & Spector” and the glitter the two would liberally sprinkle into their hair), it was a very short matter of time before they were headlining at such clubs as The Duplex and Panache Encore. (Source Andrew Martin)

Proud daughters of Brooklyn, Barbara “Bobbie” Horowitz and Sharon Spector Schapow each began their own foray into writing and entertainment at young ages, and before they even knew each other.

I don't remember the first time I physically met Bobbie, but I do know there was a definite bonding and this many years later, at least two decades, I consider her one of my TRUE best party. I was asked to perform at her 60th birthday party and for her 70th, I threw a surprise birthday party at our home. 

Although Horowitz and Spector, are no longer performing together, Bobbie continues to go, showing the world that a woman in her 70s is still sexy, vibrant, and a contributor to the world and this ever ready dynamo shows no sign of slowing down. In addition to her songwriting, which she continues to do, she is now a successful  author and blogger.

Let's go back to the beginning with Bobbie...

The first live show she saw was “Song of Norway”, an operetta written in 1944 by Robert Wright and George Forrest, adapted from the music of Edvard Grieg and the book by Milton Lazarus and Homer Curran. Bobbie saw it in 1944 when she was 4 years old. Her father was Labor Relations counsel for the Hotel Industry and knew many hotel and theater owners and got her into the theater at age 4.
BOBBIE LOVED it. Shes remember that the countess played by Kitty Carlysle , whom she later got to meet because she lived in my neighborhood while Bobbie was bringing up her son – threw a party for Edvard Grieg.  Onstage, there was a small Ferris Wheel with cupcakes on it. She told all her little friends that she’d been to the countess’s party. Live theater made her feel that she was there!  She said she could taste those cupcakes!
It was on Broadway at the Palace Theatre. It was the first Broadway show to cross the Atlantic after the end of the Second World War.

Were you exposed to the arts growing up?
 Very much so! Thank God for giving me my family!


Tell me about your first time on stage?
I know I was on stage in Junior High. I can’t remember the play. I remember playing Magnolia Hawks in Show Boat at camps Reena and Mohican in 1954 and the same year, at New Utrecht High School, playing on of the two visitors – the one who brought Sheridan Whiteside the calves foot jelly - in The Man Who Came To Dinner.


First professional job?

My first professional job as an actress was for the Village Players Guild at Washington Street and 6th Ave.  in a musical called Off White. I played the wicked Queen who had two children Snow and her illegitimate son, Off (played by my legitimate son David F. Slone, Esq. at age 6!


Your thoughts on Arts in Education

It’s one of the most important thing we can include in education. I’m blessed to have had it. I founded an arts in ed 501(c )(3 ) with my son in the 90s. We went into middle and high schools, both schools for artistically gifted children and schools for severely damaged children.

What makes you cry out of the blue when you see or hear it?

One simple line, from South Pacific, can have the tears flowing on stage or off when needed - or anytime, “Lieutenant Cable is on the hill.”



Your thoughts on Carol Channing (All my blogs focus on Carol Channing’s Foundation For The Arts)

I’ve already sent you my request to have Carol win that award.  I can’t imagine her not winning one. She is one of the “center pieces of the American Musical. You can’t really replace her. Someone else can take the part –but – it won’t be the same. It never is – but in this case we’re speaking about someone so unique that a part becomes her rather than she becoming the part (although she does and is real as well as large.)

Bobbie's most recent appearance

My most recent appearance was on January 4th at Wednesday Night at the Iguana which is produced by Dana Lorge.

Next appearance:

I will be the featured speaker at the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations Alumni breakfast on September 10th.  I’ll be speaking about my Dress to Get YES workshop. All attendees will get a nice discount for my color/style analysis.  Let me know if you’d like to attend. The room can hold only 25 people max. Where: Putney Twombly Hall & Hirson LLP – 521 Fifth Ave. (Entrance on 43rd Street), New York, NY
Price: ILRAA Members $5; Non-ILRAA members $10.

What is your biggest success in Show Business

Wow! My heart would have to choose 2
Horowitz and Spector’s Winning the MAC Award for Outstanding Comedy Duo
As Producer of The Betrayal of Nora Blake getting 12 out of 12 rave reviews and being extended in London and being voted Best Musical of the Year for 2001 in Florida by The Palm Beach Post.

What was your lowest low and how did you surpass that?

I have to say that getting divorced from my son’s father was the very hardest thing I’ve done in my life. I loved him and dreamed of being together and raising our family for as long as we lived. “Surpassing” how I felt then didn’t happen in one quick fix. I need to lift myself over and over.  At that time, theater and being with my son were the things that pulled me through at that time. Walking my son to PS 6 and then running off to Equity for an EPI helped me get up in the morning.  A few years later,  managing a cabaret and then reuniting with and writing songs with Spector lifted me. Hearing my son and my mom applauding in the audience really got me on track. My late baby sister, Susie was my stalwart supporter as was my college roommate Lynda and my other Cornell buddies. I also thank the love Horowitz and Spector got from the cabaret community. In those early days in cabaret, people like you, Richard - and people like Sidney Myer, Diana Templeton, Ricky Ritzel, Jimmy Luzar, Ruby Rims, Nancy Timpanaro, Dana Lorge, Spider Saloff, Alex Rybeck, Sherry Eaker, Annie Hughes, Julie Wilson, Roy Sander and the late Bob Harrington, Ben Martini, Bob Bendorff, Dottie Burman, etc, etc, etc. kept the sun shining for me. I know I must have left names out. OH! I mustn’t forget to thank my wonderful “furry friends”: Hotspur, Debbie Mae, Pookie & Marvin (inherited from Bob Harrington), and Rabeen.

About 20 years ago I discovered inner faith and was lucky to befriend spiritual guide, the late Barbara Van Diest. I made wonderful friends, like Marla Tomazin, in the Image Consulting world and I made great friends in the USA and London while producing theater and I’ve recently met wonderful new positive people.  I shall always thank David Friedman for brilliant insights and ministers: Shawn Moninger, Carlos Anderson, Justin Epstein and Paul Tenaglia for their guidance.  Loving people.  That’s what pulls me through every time!

What one change would you like to see in today’s industry?

If you’re referring to The Cabaret Industry I would like to see it once more become an industry. Cabaret needs to keep up with the times. Being a family is lovely – and there are so many Americans who deserve to share in the creativity that abounds. New Yorkers in other industries and tourists from all over the globe desrve to know this entertainment exists. If they did many would love it and come back and tell their friends about it and the clubs would earn money and the artist could get the wages they deserve to get.

Who are your TOP FIVE models and influences as an artist

Top 5 is hard. Wow! Off the top of my head I’ll say:
Oscar Hammerstein
Larry Hart
Noel Coward
Cole Porter
Tom Lehrer
Stella Adler
Carol Channing
David Friedman
Margaret Whiting
Lucie Arnaz
Cy Coleman
Comden & Green
Eartha Kitt
Julie Wilson
Hugh Jackman
Bette Midler
Can I keep going on and on and on?

What do you think ultimately made you become a performer?

My wonderful parents having the smarts to take me to Broadway shows whem I was very you – 4 and 5 years old and up.  My wonderful uncle Arnie Horowiz who always inspired me to go on -  and Mel Stecher and Norm Horowitz, my musical directors at Camps Reena & Mohican. The Stecher & Horowitz Foundation is still going strong preparing, promoting and presenting young classical pianists to new Yorkers and the world.

Are you happy at the point you are right now in your career?

I’m happy to be back writing songs. Yes.

Do you feel you have achieved what you set out to do?

I would still like to see my songs played nationally and in other countries giving more people giggles and every once I a while a warm tear or two.

What do you do to remain positive when life's hiccups get you down?

I guess this question is telling me that I’m not the only one who feels hiccups.
I’ve learned to go to spirit for my answers. Then I check my body sensations (thank you David Friedman) and see if I’m trying to avoid them by not daring to do what’s needed to get what I want and love. Prayer and counseling from my ministers helps and having positive friends like you helps. I also think of what my late spiritual coach, Barbara Van Diest would say and I check in with my buddy Jesus who, by the way is a very light hearted but brilliant soul.  He doesn’t carry the Jewish guilt many of us have.

How on earth do you reach theatre goers now that newspapers are obsolete and there are so many channels on TV you can’t pick the right ones to advertise on and with the web being so hit and miss.
I haven’t been marketing to theatergoers recently. I have been trying to get my own song on sites that might place them. As in anything, we need to learn to work online where people are looking and – I’m just learning new things. I’ll share them as soon as I get them down. Marketing has changed. It’s good to keep up with the times. Ken Davenport has a great blog.


A genie pops out of the lamp, he grants you three wishes. What are those wishes?

Ah! What Do You Want has always the “puzzle question” for me because my tummy tightens up when I think of putting it out and them not achieving it.
Read my Say Yes To You column on Here Women Talk . It explains a lot.

I want the TV Spot I’m developing to be picked up by a channel that can pay me for it.
The HandS Christmas Song get’s picked up for a movie or TV show and becomes a Classic for another Jewish Christmas song writing team.
I earn large amounts of money passively so I can produce “Nutcracker Rated R”, the show my son and Angela Harriel have created, and do all the creative things I love to do.

If you could travel anywhere in the world and spend some time there, where would you choose, and what would you do?

I don’t feel the need to travel like I used to. I have in my life. New York City is still my favorite town, even with the bus changes.  I’d love to have he time to explore all the interesting streets and sections in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Other than New York, I’d love to spend some more time in London (it feels like home to me) and Italy (also like home) and I’d be very interested in visiting life on another “third planet from its sun” in another solar system.

What would you ask God if you could right now?

I guess this is a bit different from the Genie.
First I’d thank for having my son and so many loving people in my life and for my great health and my talent.

Then I’d ask God to let me relax, knowing I’ll always have enough income (since that’s the system of getting things on Earth right now) so as not to have to ask my son for anything and to be able to leave him a sizeable amount.

What is the last stage show you saw.  Local or professional.  
The Nutcracker Rated R

What book is on your night stand right now?
A Course in Miracles – Foundation For Inner Peace


I cannot wait to see what is next for Bobbie Horowitz! Buy her book, Finding Your Mini Qs...and see where YOU will be 1 year from now. 

NO COPY WRITE INFRINGEMENT INTENDED.  FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY!

Bobbie with Steven Fleeker, Dr. Garrett Bennett, and Rev. Shawn Moninger

Please do what YOU can to be more aware that words and actions DO HURT...but they can also heal and help!
Follow me on Twitter If you've seen one of my appearances/shows, add your thoughts to my guestbook at www.RichardSkipper.com

Scott Coulter and Bobbie Horowitz

Tomorrow's blog will be...CELEBRATING DONNA MARIE NOWAK and her book, JUST JOAN: A JOAN CRAWFORD APPRECIATION

Thank you, to all the mentioned in this blog!

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

Bobbie with Dan Sherman and Dana Lorge

Now, GO OUT AND DO SOMETHING FOR SOMEONE ELSE TODAY!

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Please contribute to the DR. CAROL CHANNING  and HARRY KULLIJIAN FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS


TILL TOMORROW...HERE'S TO AN ARTS DAY!
Richard Skipper, Richard@RichardSkipper.com

My surprise b'day party at Don't Tell Mama in 2005 SIDNEY MYER  just over Scott Barbarino's right shoulder — with Leslie Orofino, Cynthia Crane, Joan Crowe, Mychelle Colleary, Miles Phillips, Judy Barnett, Ricky Ritzel, Bobbie Horowitz, and Daryl Kojak

In Loving Memory of Harry Kullijian Born:December 27th, 1919 in Turlock, CA. Died December 26th, 2011 in Rancho Mirage, CA.

Celebrating Joan Crowe and Don Murray!

" The trouble with the public is that there is too much of it."
-Don Marquis, American journalist (poet and dramatist, 1878-1937)

Happy Last Day of July!
How did THAT happen!?!?! I didn't even make it to a beach this month. I made it to a pool ONCE! And even then, I had to cut it short. I cut it short because I was heading into the city for a night of music. Music is what keeps me going when the world is falling apart around me. What a crazy month July was with the outcome of The Casey Anthony trial, the murder of an 8 year old Brooklyn boy, the debt ceiling debate, the Norway massacre! That's just this July!

Now, the highlights of July 2011 for me including singing at The Salon, seeing David McBride at The Metropolitan Room, celebrating Marriage Equality at The Nyack Seaport, seeing Baby Jane Dexter at The Metropolitan Room, being at Ann Hampton and Liz Callaway's cd release launch at Barnes and Noble and getting the cd, BOOM!, getting married!

Wow what a month!!(This is David McBride's incredible trio!)

As we creep into the dog days of summer, I am looking forward to dinners with friends, Jane Fonda, The Kong Show at The Iguana, Audie Moran's wedding, FOLLIES!, and Vickie Phillips in Vickie Schlepped Here!

As I've written on numerous occasions, I ALWAYS have music playing! Once again, I believe that if everyone would begin every day with a show tune, there would be no violence in the world.
I have a LOT of cds. 85% of them, I have bought. %10 percent of them are given to me by friends and then 5% of them are given to me as gifts. No matter which of these categories my cds fall in to, many of them just pile up in my closet until I can get around to listening to them in their entirety or downloading them into my Ipod which is always on shuffle. Such is the case with the cd I pulled to listen to this AM in its entirety, Joan Crowe's BIRD ON THE WIRE.

My apologies to Joan but this is the first time I got around to listening to this. I was blown away! Joan, THIS IS GREAT! From the moment that I heard the opening strains of Fever, I was hooked. And when I heard the closing notes of Ich bin von Kopf bis Fuss, I was disappointed, because I did not desire this to end! Everyone, order this cd! I have known Joan a loonnngggg time. I have no idea how many years. All the years in my life as far as my friends are concerned are a blur. I do remember that I met Joan through Sue Matsuki, an incredible performer in her own right and someone I have written about previously. Sue is even the godmother of Joan's two kids, fast becoming young adults. What a sexy mama she is!

Order Joan Crowe: Bird On The Wire Here

Joan Crowe started her musical career in cabaret but “caught the jazz bug” when she opened for Joe Lovano in 2002. On her Debut Jazz CD, BIRD ON THE WIRE, she is joined by Tedd Firth on Piano, Jay Leonhardt on Bass, Scott Neuman on Drums, George Walker Petit on guitar, and Justin Flynn on Sax Her shows combine Jazz with a bit of comedy "sprinked in". . She performs regularly with her band, High Society Rhythm. Her credits include performances at The Rainbow Room, The Oak Room in Grand Prospect Hall , The Carnegie Club, Trumpets Jazz Club, The Manor, The Hackensack Cultural Arts Center, Westchester Conservatory of Music, Rockland Center for the Arts, The Emelin Theatre, Archie’s Place, The Plaza Hotel, Don’t Tell Mama, Brunelli’s, Eighty-Eights, Orchard Street and The Globe, Harry’s of Hartsdale, Coyote Flaco, Zuppas, Danny’s Skylight Room, The Duplex, Judy’s Chelsea, The Cinegrill in Los Angeles, Odettes, Teddy Cares, the National Society of Arts and Letters, the ASCAP songwriters’ showcase, and the Mable Mercer Cabaret Convention at Town Hall. She is very proud of the money she has raised for Breast Cancer and other charities performing one of her four Cabaret shows: Women of Note, a tribute to Women Songwriters. Time Out New York selected her as “Critic’s Pick” for her cabaret show, Shooting Stars, which earned her first MAC Award nomination in 2000. Her show As the Crowe Flies was dubbed “Fabulous!” by Bloomberg Radio, and “Hilarious!” by the Associated Press and earned her a second MAC Award nomination. The Devil in Miss Joan, a hysterical look at good and evil” garnered her the coveted MAC Award for Musical Comedy in 2002. Before she switched to singing, she was well known to daytime viewers in a recurring role on All My Children, Joan has also appeared on screen in Working Girl and An Eye For An Eye, with Sally Field. Classically trained with a MFA from the Asolo State Theatre and a BFA in Theatre from Indiana University at Bloomington, her acting credits are extensive.
She has performed Regionally at the Asolo State Theater, Kennedy Center, Indiana Repertory, The Phoenix. Her New York acting credits include Dance Theatre Workshop, Altered Stages and Theatre Works USA. She’s married to actor/producer Robb Pruitt.

Joan Crowe’s debut album “Bird on a Wire” walks an electrifying line, fusing jazz with a nest of musical styles. Whether putting a gospel groove to Leonard Cohen’s song for the title track or a Reggae beat to the obscure Beatles’ tune, I’m Only Sleeping; this album exemplifies her creative flights of fancy. She puts her sensual, soldering iron to work when she melds Peggy Lee’s Fever with Diane Shure’s I Caught a Touch of your Love. Her jazzy renditions of Never Never Land and Everything will make you believe that this lullaby and pop tune were always meant to swing. She will seduce you with her sexy, soulful voice on the country ballad Every Night I Sleep with an Angel, then have you tapping your feet to her original tune, Petite Southern Woman. Her smokey voice feels almost translucent on the sentimental The Way You Look Tonight and aches with longing on the haunting I Cover the Waterfront. This MAC award winner for comedy allows her wry sense of humor to enchant you throughout, but it comes through particularly strong on the whimsical Boom Boom, and Twisted.
Joan weaves a unique artistic home by building her musical nest with a little jazz, a little country and a dose of whimsy all held together with an honest voice, and a genuine joy of singing. This lovely Crowe walks a fine line indeed balancing on this wire!


These reviews are from: Bird on The Wire (Audio CD), AMAZON.COM
I've had the pleasure of seeing Joan Crowe perform her singing magic a number of times.
She has the unique ability to sing a beautiful, heartfelt piece and then entertain you with her great sense of humor in between songs. It's always a great time.

I heard about this singer while in New York City recently. They told me she was a hit at Birdland.
Listened to a pod cast and now bought the CD. Keep your eye on this talent.

Thank you, Joan, for all you give us!

Today is also Don Murray's 82nd birthday! I've had a crush on Don ever since I saw him in BUS STOP at The Regency Theatre in 1983!

Donald Patrick "Don" Murray (born July 31, 1929) is an American actor and director.

Murray was born in Hollywood, California.
He attended East Rockaway High School (class of 1947) in East Rockaway, New York where he played football and track, was a member of the student government and glee club and joined the Alpha Phi Chapter of the Omega Gamma Delta Fraternity. From high school he went on to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

Murray had a long and varied career in films and television, including his role as Sid Fairgate in the long-running prime-time soap opera Knots Landing from 1979 to 1981. He was nominated for an Academy Award as best supporting actor in Bus Stop (1956) in which he co-starred with Marilyn Monroe.

He starred as a blackmailed United States senator in Advise & Consent (1961), a film version of a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Allen Drury that was directed by Otto Preminger and cast Murray opposite Henry Fonda and Charles Laughton. He also co-starred with Steve McQueen in the film Baby the Rain Must Fall (1965) and played the ape-hating Governor Breck in Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972).

In addition to acting, Murray directed a film based on the book The Cross and the Switchblade (1970) starring Pat Boone and Erik Estrada, and he scripted two episodes of Knots Landing ("Hitchhike" parts 1 & 2) in 1980.

Murray starred with Otis Young in the ground breaking ABC western television series The Outcasts (1968-69) featuring an interracial bounty hunter team in the post-Civil War West.

Murray decided to leave Knots Landing after two years to concentrate on other projects, although some sources say he left over a salary dispute. The character's death was notable at the time because it was considered rare to "kill off" a star character. The death came in the second episode of season three, following up on season two's cliffhanger in which Sid's car careered off a cliff. To make viewers off doubt the character would actually die, Murray was listed in the newly created credit sequence for season three; the character survived the plunge off the cliff (thus temporarily reassuring viewers), but died shortly afterwards in hospital.
But THIS is what started it for me!


Happy Birthday, Don! And THANK YOU!
WIKIPEDIA WAS A MAJOR SOURCE OF THIS BLOG!


"If I have offended one person, I have offended one person too many" Here's to an INCREDIBLE weekend for ALL!


GO SEE A LIVE SHOW TONIGHT!

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Tomorrow's blog will be a YOU TELL ME...I'm open to suggestions!

Please contribute to the DR. CAROL CHANNING & HARRY KULLIJIAN FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS:
http://www.carolchanning.org/foundation.htm

And help us get Carol Channing the 2011 Kennedy Center Honor!
Contact me for details!
TILL TOMORROW...HERE'S TO AN ARTS FILLED AUGUST!
Richard Skipper, Richard@RichardSkipper.com

SPEND TONIGHT WITH US AT THE IGUANA!

Julie Reyburn will perform tonight at The Iguana! Tonight Dana Lorge and I are celebrating our 25th week at The Iguana!

Obviously, we have a lot to be Thankful for as we go into this holiday season.

TONIGHT'S SHOW IS AT 7pm


IGUANA VIP LOUNGE, 240 West 54th Street, NYC

THANKSGIVING EVE AT THE IGUANA



Barry Levitt on keyboard & Morrie Louden on bass. PLEASE NOTE: SHOW STARTS AT 7PM - - Tonight's guests include: Christopher Gerrard,
William Blake, Jim Speak, David Vernon, Diana Templeton ... A few other surprises as well! Remember $10.00 Cover/No food or drink minimum!
Reservations a must (212) 765-5454

When we were first approached by Joan Crowe, our goal was to raise the bar. I didn't want to do another "open mic".

I wanted a real opportunity for entertainers to showcase themselves and build their fan base!
(Joan Crowe, pictured)

After Ray Jessell appeared in our show last week, 12 people from that night's audience came to his show Monday Night at Don't Tell Mama.

Meet some of the entertainers we have tonight:


David Vernon is a self-trained song stylist with a seemingly endless repertoire of music.

His vocal range is as broad as his song-list. Developing an early appreciation and study of performance art he strives to challenge material and weave it into an experience to be heard.

Testing and developing his gift by performing in dozens of nightclubs he has established a loyal following and continues to recruit new listeners.
By the age of 19 he had already produced and directed himself in a three-act nightclub engagement.
He then went on doing engagements featuring standards and theatre compositions.

David first entered the recording studio in 1986 to record his first demo and has since continued to record 5 more albums all showcased on this website.
Shortly after relocating to New York he has been commissioned to do demo work for several different composers.
David Vernon has done television appearances with both his performance and design showcases.

David the designer specializes in Haute Couture. David builds his own designs from paper to finished product with a close eye on detail and expert tailoring.


In 2000 he unveiled his first full collection. His agency has pushed him forward and will be the foundation for future collections.

His current project stems from a nightclub act done in New York City.

The Album of that show entitled “By Myself” is a compilation of songs that conjures up the emotions and questions derived through solitude.

The album is currently available at this website. When David is not performing or designing he spends his time working for not-for profit arts organizations raising funds and recruiting patronage.


David Nathan Scott has a lovely stage presence...' Phil Geoffrey Bond - Laurie Beechman Theatre.
J. Michael Reeds. Feel free to check out his CDs! http://www.jaymichaelreeds.com/discography.html


Rita Ellis Hammer.

When the petite, elegant, bird-like lady walks out on stage and stands in the spotlight, chances are she\'ll have you expecting some delicate crooning.

Not on your life. Rita Ellis Hammer could fill a room the size of Radio City Music Hall with her voice alone--no microphone necessary.
This is one of those prodigious, force-of-nature sounds, a Broadway belt, a Mermanesque vibrato and High Brooklynese enunciation that are not for the faint of heart.
Prepare to be walloped.


Diana Templeton is making a rare NYC appearance this eve! Diana Templeton is a singing actress - or an acting singer, I can't decide which. Having both a lovely sweet voice that can sail over a wide ocean of notes as well as the talent to convey emotions and tell good stories, Templeton seems virtually unlimited in her repertoire of song.


Esther Beckman who won the MAC 2007 Award for Best Female Debut!



Jim Speake with Steven Ray Watkins on piano. Jim Speake is an actor/ singer living in New York City. Jim is originally from Alabama. His early years were spent on a cotton farm. As an adult he lived and worked in Atlanta, Georgia where he built his own company, Speake Garden Furnishings.
This company sold quality garden furniture and accessories to the design trade from a showroom in The Atlanta Decorative Arts Center. While in Atlanta, Jim worked with several local theater companies including The Savoyards Musical Theater Company. In 1996, Jim was one of four "Catfish" in the Opening Ceremonies of The US Olympic Games.







Erin Cronican Proud Member of AEA, SAG and AFTRA. Currently residing in New York City, Erin was raised in San Diego, California and has been acting/singing/dancing since the age of 9. Erin's first role was as the gander in "Charlotte's Web" and this was only the first of many gender-bending and species bending roles! In fact, it wasn't until college that she started to play roles in her own age range, ethnicity and gender









Maria Ottavia! Her connection with both audience and her material - serving as a conduit for the
feelings and thoughts expressed in the show- was amazing.
Quite honestly, I have
never heard the very familiar "If I Loved You" done quite as well! Several song
pairings were surprising - and perfectly performed.
And when it comes to a ballad,
no one does it better than Maria on songs like "A Quiet Thing."

Truly someone
ready to make her mark on the cabaret scene, Ms. Ottavia is a performer to watch -
and catch when she makes her next appearance.

Stu Hamstra, Cabaret Hotline


AND POSSIBLY YOU! All other singers present will be chosen by lottery! Check out the fun we have at The Iguana!


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 Tuesday! 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

Follow me on Twitter @RichardSkipper



HERE IS WHAT AUDIENCES ARE SAYING ABOUT MY WORK:
You were fabulous! You made me cry when you recited the soliloquy from "Dolly". You look wonderful and are such a precious person all around. Keep on going ...pleease.... with your talent extraordinaire!!!! Sondra was a delight. I wish her the best of good fortune. Loved chatting with Donna Hanover. Our sons attended the same high school (not at the same time). She is so sweet and I am so glad she found happiness!
Thanks for letting me come.
Love,
Lozita, New Jersey



I had the honor of participating in a very special memorial concert for musician/composer Jim Fradrich who passed away in August. This wonderful evening was produced by Jim's partner Kevin McMullan and took place at the Actors Chapel on 47th St in Manhattan. Kicking off the concert was Richard Skipper who's amazing voice vibrated through the entire church..it was like a choir of angels. Jim was smiling down upon us I'm sure. Julie Reyburn, http://www.juliereyburn.com


Hi Richard,
I am away at a Music Therapy Conference in San Diego but I wanted to thank you for last Wednesday night (11/11/09).
I think the show seems to be unique in that it offers singers the oppurtunity to perform Jazz, Broadway, comedy and even opera. Within that the diversity every performers uniqueness made it truly interesting and exciting. The talent seems to get better and better. More importantly the audience seems to feel comfortable and enjoying themselves which in turn makes the performers feel connected and good about what they are doing. Barry is also a joy to work with and you and Dana just know how to make everybody laugh and smile. As a singer, counselor and Music Therapist I feel you have created a show of diversity, comfort, talent and joy and that is what connects to people. I have no doubt you and Dana will continue to be a huge success.
And I a very grateful to be a part of your organization. Please tell me what I can do to be of further assistance.
Allegra Pigott, Stamford, CT



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).
WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT THE IGUANA!



Barry Levitt on keyboard and Morrie Louden on bass!
on bass. Time: 8 - 11:00 p.m.

Cover: $10 - no food or drink minimums – but remember – the food is great!

This is a nice night
out with the family!
A
"throw back" to the variety shows we grew up with.
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.










December 2nd: Cynthia Crane, The debut of The Marquee 5 (Mick Bleyer, Adam Hemming, Vanessa Parvin, Sierra Rein, Julie Reyburn) singing selections from their upcoming revue, "We Can Make It...The Songs of Kander & Ebb" and Hector Coris!


December 9th: Richard Holbrook, Josh Zuckerman, Helena Grenot, Jillian Laurain, Jerry Wichinsky

December 16th: Jessee Luttrell and Susan Eichorn-Young


December 30th: Ritt Henn, Annie Hughes, Yvette Malavets-Blum, David Nathan Scott

January 20th: D'Yan Forrest and Scot Wisniewski
Keep checking http://www.richardskipper.com/schedule.html


February 17th: James Alexander!

WEDNESDAY NIGHT OF THE IGUANA IS A HIT!

Wednesday Night Of The Iguana is the place to be on a Wednesday Night! We have been averaging between 50-80 people in the audience each week over the past five weeks! Thank you, Nino, and the staff of The Iguana for working with us so closely each week to make it as wonderful as we possibly can make it.
Thank you, Joan Crowe, for giving us this wonderful gift. Thank you Dana Lorge for making this SO MUCH FUN! Thank you Barry Levitt and Saadi Zain for keeping the music flowing each week.
NEXT WEEK WE CELEBRATE MY 30th ANNIVERSARY IN NY!
August 5th: Sandi Durell (http://www.durellproductions.com), Bobbie Horowitz, Carolyn Ohlbaum, Brent Winborn,
and Yaffa

Last night, we called it DIVA NIGHT! We were very fortunate to have Deb Burman, who won this year's BISTRO AWARD for Outstanding female debut.
She is phenomenal. I can't wait to have her join us again. She lifted the roof off the place and it didn't let up till we walked out. It may have been raining outside but it was hot inside. She then introduced her friend Susan Winter (who also won a Bistro Award this year). I'm now a fan! Then they joined forces on Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand's famous GET HAPPY/HAPPY DAYS medley. They made it their own.
We then had 5 performers from the audience perform a solo each ending ACT ONE with Stewart Brodian on keyboard with a hot ragtime selection.

We got ACT TWO off with Dana Lorge doing a hilarious parody of THE MAN THAT GOT AWAY not knowing that Jana Robbins who was our first featured performer of ACT TWO was opening with that song! What a segue-way! It was thrilling to see and hear her again. It's been way too long.
We were then treated to Joan Crowe, who continues her show at The Metropolitan Room on Thursday nights at 9:45. Our next featured performer was another favorite of mine, Maureen Taylor. I am looking forward to her tribute show to Bob Merrill in October.Maureen was followed by Sarah Rice who will be one of our featured performers September 16th. We then brought up Jenna Esposito who brought the house down with a couple of highlights from her Connie Francis show. We then drew a lucky singer from the audience to perform before our closing number. Carol Shedlin!




Now a night out in NY to see a show at a VERY AFFORDABLE price! Joan Crowe
started this Wednesday night series. Dana Lorge and I have
now put our OWN spin on it and are now hosting this weekly variety show 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). WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT
THE IGUANA! What they are doing is NOT being done anywhere else! Each week
will showcase 5 entertainers. Other entertainers that show up will be
inserted throughout the show as time permits/this is done by lottery! AND each are
joined by the maestro Barry Levitt on keyboard and Saadi Zain on
bass.Each week will be different. The price is ONLY $10.00 with NO food or drink
minimum (although the food at The Iguana is top notch).CASH ONLY TO BE PAID AT DOOR! This is a nice night out with the family! The show will also be done with class and elegance. A
"throw back" to the variety shows we grew up with. For more info, please
call 845-365-0720 or visit _www.RichardSkipper.com_
(http://www.richardskipper.com/) . RESERVATIONS A MUST!!!!!!!!! 212-765-5454. No one admitted before
7:30.



August 12th: Arianna, Barbara Gurskey, Barbara Porteus, Rachel Stone and
MAC HANSON AWARD WINNER Leslie Orofino

August 19th: Helene Feldman, Helena Grenot, Jillian Laurain, Travis Moser,
Alan Palmer

August 26th Dana Lorge hosts! (Richard Skipper is out of town). Special Guest stars Val Ryder, Tanya Mobley, Bryn Holdsworh!

September 2nd: Dana Lorge hosts. Guests Scott Albertson Steve DePasse, Laura Hull, Laura Slutsky,

SEPTEMBER 9th: Richard returns from Malibu! Special guest star: John Demarco, Jackie Draper, Robin James, Sue Matsuki!

September 23rd: Stewart Brodian returns for a full set!
GO SEE A LIVE SHOW THIS 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

Follow me on Twitter @RichardSkipper