"Hero-worship is strongest where there is least regard for human freedom."
-Herbert Spencer, British philosopher (1820-1903)
Happy Saturday!
I hope you have an artistic weekend ahead. It's Oscar weekend!!
Here in New York, we are moving towards The Bistro Awards (April 23rd Save the date!) I'm the associate producer for the third year in a row! The MAC Awards are coming up on March 29th. My dear friend Ervin Drake (Good Morning, Heartache and It Was A Very Good Year...as well as Widow's Weeds) is being honored this year. The MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs) will take place at BB King's on March 29th. Then we are on to the theatre awards, the Drama Desk Awards and the Tonys...both in June! It's nice to be awarded, its nice to be honored, it's also nice to lead by example.
As I'm writing my book on the Dollys, celebrating the women of Hello, Dolly!, I'm being pulled in two different directions. There are many who want to focus on the bad aspects of these women.
On the one hand, I desire to celebrate these women. However, as I dig deeper, their humanness comes out more and more. One Dolly, for example, I have been told by many, was hated by cast and crew...and yet, this was a woman loved the world over.
It's amazing how we put these celebrities on such a pedestal.
Sometimes, when we meet them, the expectations can be beyond anything we imagined. Other times, we walk away disliking them. I've heard people say horrible things about someone because a celebrity didn't give them an autograph or seemingly brushed them off.
I have seen someone turn on a celebrity in an instant because they didn't get what they wanted when they wanted it.
When Whitney died, on my birthday, 3 years younger than me, it hit me hard...as it did the rest of the world. The world was mourning the passing of an Icon. In A Star is Born (both the Janet Gaynor and Judy Garland versions),the funeral scene bears an uncanny likeness to the way that Norma Shearer was mobbed by fans at her husband, Irving Thalberg's, funeral.
I was mourning the loss of a person. As I watch the news, I cry over people that I've never met...especially when their lives are cut short at such an early age. And yet, we've been watching this spiraling out of control for the past 10 years.
A facebook friend posted the following on his Timeline last night, "Couldn't
help myself. As soon as I got my hot little hands on National Enquirer
with its cover of Whitney laid out in her coffin, I was shocked and had
to have it at the same time! So many juicy funeral stories inside, like
the one about Aretha: "Queen of Soul in WAR OF WORDS with Houston
Family!" Can't wait for my night's celebrity gossip fix (inquiring minds
want to know)! Hey! It's $3.79 now??!"
Not only did he purchase a magazinethat has no ethics, he gloated about it! What happened to compassion for the family and loved ones? This is not an isolated incident. There are THOUSANDS of people who will flock to buy this rag with the same kind of feeling that they have a right to this because they owned Whitney Houston. When it was announced on the news that it was going to be a "private" funeral, one fan said on the news, "That's not fair. She belonged to us!"
TMZ (I don't understand their purpose!) kept posting family pictures as family members left their homes. These paparazzi actually hid in bushes and hedges to be the first to show grieving pictures!
People flew in from all over the country to stand outside the church, many who don't have the funds to travel!
Here in Sparkill, where I live, a fifteen year old girl (a neighbor) was killed in a tragic car accident five days ago. It has been in the paper all week. A huge tragedy. Most people won't read past the headlines. Why? Because they don't know her. And yet, they KNEW Whitney. The very same local people who traveled to Newark to stand in the throngs of strangers won't make the same effort of this family whose grief is just as massive. Yes,
I, too, cried over Whitney. I cried because a woman with a talent that
most people could not touch had demons that ate away at her until she
just expired. The same media that raved about her talent and what a loss
criticized her every move from the moment that she and Bobby Brown met. The
media wants these people to crash and burn. It's news worthy. Look at
the twenty four hour news coverage that surrounded her death. Over the
past ten years ever move she made was scrutinized. She was also the
fodder of late night comics.
One comedienne who is always quick to defend other comics when they get in trouble or crosses the line by saying "That is what we do. We are comedians." She is right. That's what some people do. They constantly knock at someone until they completely knock them down. Why are they any different from bullies on the playground who taunt and taunt someone until they kill themselves? We have pundits who are attacking people running for office. We have politicians attacking each other. We have reality shows in which the stars (ADULTS) are saying and doing the most vile things to each other. We have competition shows where people are trying for a shot at stardom only to have "judges" say the most hurtful things to them. And we wonder why bullying is on the rise?
This blog came about today at the suggestion of Tanya Holt who wrote about earlier this week. She wanted to know if the music industry is cursed. Why do we lose so many great legends so early. I'm here to answer the question. It's not just the media. It's ALL of us. We build them up and tear them down. Why it is such a part of our human persona to do that is beyond me. All they should give us is their talent. They don't owe it to us and their private lives should be theirs. The world killed Whitney Houston. She gave and gave till there was nothing to give. I apologize to all that we have taken from. That's the bigger tragedy.
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!
Tomorrow's's blog will be... My Exclusive Interview with MARILYN MAYE on Hello, Dolly!
Thank you, to all the mentioned in this blog!
Here's to an INCREDIBLE tomorrow for ALL...with NO challenges!
"The idea of my life as a fairy tale is itself a fairy tale."
-Grace Kelly, American born actress and Princess consort of Monaco (1929-1982)
Happy Friday!
I hope this finds you in great spirits this AM. I hope that you've had a great week and are looking forward to a wonderful weekend. I love the above quote from Grace Kelly. She came at a time, maybe a time that STILL exists, in which the images of our celebrity icons are determined by the press that was/is given to them.
I remember vividly the day Princess Grace died. It affected me on such a deep level. I felt I was losing a friend. Of course her end was tragic. But what a charmed life she led, or so I thought. On the other hand, when Amy Winehouse died last week, I felt what a waste of talent and energy and opportunities. It's not that I was insensitive. It was that it felt as it was inevitable. Was that REALLY the image she wanted to project to the world?
When Grace Kelly was in Hollywood, the publicity machinery worked over time to give this wholesome image and the icing on the cake was her marriage to Prince Rainier III.
It was the perfect end to an already incredible career. And they remained till "death did them part." We ALWAYS had a positive image of her.
Even Rainier was concerned about his image. He was determined to make Monaco accessible to the middle class, as well as to businessmen who dreamed of finding a tax haven for themselves and their companies.
The Prince therefore sought the construction of less expensive hotels, even as Aristotle Onassis asserted that what the place needed were more exclusive resorts. Tension grew between them, especially after Rainier persuaded his National Council to create some 600,000 new shares in the Society of Sea Baths, to be purchased and held by the government. This maneuver caused Mr. Onassis's holdings to plummet from 52 percent to less than 33 percent of Sea Baths stock.
Wonder how Obama and/or Boehner would have handled this situation!
However, there are still many, me included that feel that Grace Kelly stole the Oscar from Judy Garland in 1954! You decide!
I MISS CLASS!
This year, best supporting actress winner, Melissa Leo, dropped the "F" Bomb! Her big moment and she will always be remembered for that Nothing succeeds like CLASS!
Listen to Joan Crawford's idea of what a star is:
Amy Winehouse, on the other hand, was tragedy personified. Yes, she had an incredible voice but those demons were just too much for anyone to endure. That to me is sad! Did she have a support system...or was EVERYONE an enabler? Did anyone ever say no to her. Success is a funny thing...people gravitate to it whetherit is a positive image or a negative image.
Can you imagine any of our cultural icons of years prior behaving the way that Charlie Sheen has this year?
What happened? What happened to operating and living our lives with a modicum ofclass, dignity, and respect not only for each other...but also for ourselves?
I had an email exchange this week with someone known to all in the cabaret community. He is ALWAYS putting out an image through EVERYTHING he sends out of being in dire straits. I wrote to him not to chastise him but rather to give him a wake-up call. I told him that a successful image will attract people to him and customers! If it looks like a sinking ship, people will flee.
Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to tell Christine Quinn how much I love, admire, and respect her. The image that she puts out, at least to me, is someone who genuinely cares about ALL New Yorkers and the challenges we ALL face.
Of course gay marriage has been a hot topic of discussion this week. Elizabeth Hasselbeck from The View added positively to her public image this week, at least with me when she spoke out against those protesters who protested o what was for many a very positive day in New York.
Not so sure about Sherri Sheppard's image after this!
Wendy Torrington does a little jump and Kimberley Moreno (right)...see below... smiles outside the Manhattan City Clerk's office. [Image via Getty]
Me, left, and my partner, Daniel Sherman, of Sparkill, N.Y., wait to get married at the Manhattan City Clerk's office, Sunday, July 24, 2011, in New York. Photo: Jason DeCrow / AP
So to wrap up today, I asked for five positive role models. Stephen Mosher sent me this list. I happen to agree with him. Thank you, Stephen!
Jamie Oliver, who tries to teach people how to treat themselves better by living healthier lifestyles and caring about what foods they put in their bodies.
Dan Savage, who uses his art, his passion, his brain and his voice to help (not only) gay youth through their struggles, as well as call out bigotry when it raises its' ugly head.
Reese Witherspoon, who uses her visibility as a popular, young, hollywood star to show people that you don't have to be an indiscrimate, ill behaved, embarrassment to get far in the world - that there IS a place for good manners and good breeding, in the public eye.
Michelle Obama, who sets many an example as the First Lady of this country; more than I can, personally, name. And, finally,
Ben Cohen, who always speaks up for what is right and good, who left his career in sports to do other things that would help change the world and make it a better place to live, who always leads with his heart and his sensitivity, in spite of a career that might lead people to think of him as a macho dude, which could not be further from the truth.
And from Ron Tunning Five People who project A Negative Image:
She should be praying about the image she projects. But I think she is praying the gay away...but he's still there!
Last night I was thrilled that MY quote, "If I have offended one person, I have offended one person too many" was tweeted! That made my day. I hope this blog makes yours! What image are YOU putting out today? Here's to an INCREDIBLE weekend for ALL!
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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 JULY!
Richard Skipper, Richard@RichardSkipper.com
(pictured with Parker Scott and Miles Phillips from CAROL CHANNING PLUS TWO)
Exciting week ahead! We are going to reach 80 degrees here in New York today and possibly 85 tomorrow! If you are in NY and looking for something to do tomorrow, please come see me perform!
I'm appearing as myself! I'm very excited to be hosting nationally known comics Michelle Balin and Ian Harvey in Rockland County. Apr 26th at 6pm NYACK CENTER, 58 Depew Ave. Nyack, NY 10960 Come join VCS Gay Pride Rockland for laughs during their 3rd Annual LGBT Comedy Night
Michele Balan was one of the four finalists on NBC's 2006 "Last Comic Standing," and she is "The Last Woman Comic . . .. " Voted one of the "Top 10 Comics" by Backstage Magazine in 2004, Michele is a brash, NY stand-up comedian who has performed on Comedy Central, in top comedy clubs, theatres, festivals and on cruises all over the country. Often told she was naturally funny, the Brooklyn native left a high-paying executive position at a computer company to pursue comedy - even though comedy has never proved as lucrative - and she has been performing ever since. Quite possibly the most unique stand up comic in the country"...Ian's not "just" a gay comedian- he's the world's first transgender comic..." -Frontiers Magazine No matter who you are, who you love or where you come from, Ian Harvie will make you feel as though you are family. Everyone will be able to relate to his observations about life, relationships, and the routine challenges we all face from day-to-day. His wickedly funny stories are couched in an amiable personality that could put any audience at ease, while his folksy, ingenuous delivery almost - but not quite - tempers his zinger punch lines . Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Purchase them online at http://www.gaypriderockland.org/ or over the phone by calling 845-634-5729 Free Snacks! Cash bar (beer, wine, soda, water). Do you know where you were on this date April 25th, 1993? I do! On this day in 1993, a large number of people attend March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation. Just how large that crowd is depends on whether you believe the estimate of the organizers (1,000,000) or the National Parks Service (300,000). We know they want it "now" ... but what do they "want"?
How much would you pay for Oklahoma?
R&H . . . sold! Read here: http://tinyurl.com/cmr3ef (Thank you, Ken Davenport, THE PRODUCER'S PERSPECTIVE). Follow Ken's blog if you're not already. I have learned so much from that man.And speaking of Oklahoma, an early birthday greeting to Celeste Holm. Celeste has a birthday later this week. So does Tracy Stark! Happy early birthday, Tracy! If you don't know Tracy, you should! Please visit
http://www.tracystark.com/. Sign her guestbook. Tell her I sent you. And a belated Happy Birthday to Shirley MacLaine who turned 75 this week!
Liza Minnelli WILL be visiting Good Day New York Monday morning!
MYFOXNY.COM - Liza Minnelli has Tony, Oscar, Emmy and Grammy awards under her belt and now she's getting special recognition for her lengthy career as a cabaret icon. On Monday's Good Day New York, Liza will talk about her career and we'll find out more about her new CD, "Liza at the Palace." Which I have! A MUST HAVE!! Saw the show in December. Talk about a comeback!
On Tuesday, Back Stage will honoring her with a Bistro Award, which recognizes cabaret artists. She will receive the Enduring Artistry Bistro Award. You can also check out Liza at two upcoming area performances:
"It is never too late to be who you might have been" --anonymous
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (845) 365-0720 or richard@richardskipper.com APRIL 30th, 11am - 2pm Sponsored by AXA ADVISORS, 1633 Broadway, (between 50th and 51st St., 3rd Floor) MARKETING AND PROMOTING YOURSELF: GETTING THE VISIBILITY YOU DESERVE!
I am bringing years of experience to this workshop. The cost of the workshop is ONLY $100 for three hours. Please call (845) 365-0720 for more information and to reserve your space and/or create a specific workshop for YOUR needs (ASK ABOUT OUR SPECIAL OFFER!). My one-man show continues to be a wonderful success around the country, and as I continue learning how to make my career the best it can be, I look forward to sharing my experience with others.
This workshop will focus on how to get you the attention that you need. Topics will include how to use the internet to your advantage in marketing; how to get your name "out there"; cold calling; creating a contract specific to your needs; how to create a press kit that shows you to your best possible advantage and more! I get a sense of the various levels of each workshop and custom makes, on the spot, a class catering to the needs of the actual group in the room. I am able to ascertain YOUR needs prior to the workshop beginning so that each participant will leave with all of their questions answered, so come prepared!
I am also available for one-on-one consultations which afford you the personal time with myself catering specifically and only to your needs. On board with me is my graphic designer, GLEN CHARLOW, who brings over 15 years in the business to the participants of this class and who will discuss the concept of image; how to use the internet effectively and how your website "sells" you even before you pick up the phone. To read more on Glen Charlow please visit: www,gcdtp.com.
For general information on workshops or Career Coaching, please contact Richard Skipper directly at 845-365-0720 or Richard@RichardSkipper.com.
Are you familiar with THE SINGING EXPERIENCE? Run by Linda Amiel Burns,the next workshop begins on May 19! Only a few places left……"SAY IT WITH MUSIC" MAY/JUNE Workshop begins on TUESDAY EVENING, MAY 19 - Workshop #439.
Rehearsals: at Nola Studios-244 West 54th Street Tuesday evenings:May 19 – May 26 – June 2 - June 9 from 6:30-9:30PM.Performance at the Triad on Tuesday, June 16Showtime: 7:30PM (tech 5:30-6:45PM).VideoViewing Party and Celebration – June 23There is still time to register….call me at 212 315-3500.Directed by MAC Award Winning Director Linda Amiel BurnsMusical Director: Richard Danley Associate Director: Joan AdamsCabaret legend, Julie Wilson:“This is the best cabaretperformance workshop there is! Linda performs magicin her classes – the results are remarkable!”
Good News! Judy Shepard has waited more than 10 years for this moment. Congress could vote as soon as NEXT WEEK on the hate crimes bill that would give LGBT people the protections they need and deserve, and honor the memory of Judy's son.
More Good News. If you've been following my blog's, you know how I feel about the importance of arts in education. You knowIn honor of William Shakespeare's 445th Birthday, Lantern Theater Company is proud to announce that, for the third year in a row, they will be the recipients of a $25,000 grant to participate in Shakespeare for a New Generation, a major initiative sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts in cooperation with Arts Midwest. In 2010, Lantern Teaching Artists will lead classroom lessons at schools throughout Philadelphia in conjunction with the Lantern's production of Henry IV, Part I. Following the lessons, students will attend matinee performances of Shakespeare's play at the Lantern in April and May, 2010. The award supports activities targeting Philadelphia students who would not otherwise have arts exposure in school and provides the entire program, including tickets and transportation to Hamlet, at no cost to participating schools or students. The Lantern is one of only 37 theater companies in the nation to receive this prestigious grant and the only company in Philadelphia to participate for consecutive years.
