We're In This Together: Part Two In A New Series...Today, Let's Celebrate Warren Schein!

Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Life's like a play: it's not the length, but the excellence of the acting that matters.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Happy Wednesday, March 26th, 2020!
Today is Legal Assistants Day. It recognizes the many contributions made to the legal profession by legal assistants. Legal assistants do work to support lawyers in areas such as

Happy 80th Birthdayto Nancy Pelosi today

corporate law, criminal law, immigration, and litigation. Their duties may vary depending on the type and size of the law firm they work at, but their contributions are vast. 

March 26 is the 84th day of the year . 282 days remain until the end

of the year.

• 222 Days till Election Day! November 3rd! VOTE!!!!!!! (God willing)
• 16th of #SelfIsolation!
• Singer/actor Al Jolson born (1886?)
• Actor/singer Martin Short born (1950)
• Funny Girl starring Barbra Streisand opened on Broadway (1964)
• Minnie's Boys opened on Broadway (1970)
• Annie revived (1st time) on Broadway (1997)
A 20th anniversary Broadway revival, which played at the Martin Beck Theatre (now called the Al Hirschfeld

Theatre) in 1997, entitled Annie, the 20th Anniversary, starred Nell Carter as Miss Hannigan, but controversy surrounded the casting of the titular character. The original actress cast in the role, Joanna Pacitti, was fired and replaced by her fellow orphan, Brittny Kissinger (who usually played orphan July) just two weeks before her Broadway debut, while battling bronchitis in Boston. 
The Pre-Broadway Tour was playing the Colonial Theatre. 'Annie' Understudy and Swing Orphan Alexandra Keisman performed the role the first

Alexandra Keisman

night Pacitti was absent. The producers then gave Kissinger the next performance. The show then moved on to the Oakdale in Connecticut where an insert was placed in the Playbill claiming "The Role of Annie is now being played by Brittny Kissinger". 
Public sentiment seemed to side with Pacitti as she was the winner of a highly publicized contest to find a new Annie sponsored by the department store Macy's. 

Joanna Pacitti as a young woman

This incident, coupled with the mixed reviews the new staging garnered, doomed it to a short run, although it was followed by a successful national tour. Kissinger, then 8, became the youngest actress to ever play Annie on Broadway. 
More controversy surrounding the show involved Nell Carter. Carter reportedly was very upset when commercials promoting the show used a different actress, Marcia Lewis, a white actress, as Miss Hannigan. The producers claimed that the commercials, which were made during an earlier production, were too costly to reshoot. 

Marcia Lewis

Carter felt that racism played a part in the decision. "Maybe they do not want audiences to know Nell Carter is black", she told the New York Post. However, the ads did mention that Carter was in the show. "It hurts a lot", Carter told the Post, "I've asked them nicely to stop it — it's insulting to me as a black woman." 
Her statement, released by the Associated Press, read: " 'Yes, it is true that I and my

representatives have gone to management on more than one occasion about the commercial and were told that there was nothing they could do about it,' Carter said in a statement Thursday. 
'Therefore, I have resigned myself to the fact that this is the way it

Miss Hannigan-Annie Dorothy Loudon, Nell Carter, Katie Finneran

is.' 
The statement also addressed the alleged charges of racism, first published in the New York Post. Carter is black. 'I, Nell Carter, never, ever, ever accused my producers or anyone in the show of racism,' she said. Producers have said it is too expensive to film a new commercial."

Carter was later replaced by another white actress, Sally Struthers. The revival closed on October 19, 1997 after 14 previews and 239 performances.
Joanna Pacitti has become more famous for not playing Annie

than for playing her. 
Although pint-sized Kissinger went on to open the show on Broadway, America rallied around Pacitti, whose family sued the show's producers and settled out of court. Barbara Walters did a special about the scandal, and Pacitti made

Joanna Pacitti

appearances on "Good Morning America," "The Rosie O'Donnell Show" and "Sally Jessy Raphael." (Sources: Playbill.com and Wikipedia)

I celebrate everyone's art. Today's social media engagement: Comment on something mentioned in this

blog and let's keep the next 24 hours upbeat! Have something to promote? Email me at Richard@RichardSkipper.com! 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 week! Recommended Reading
Hello, Gorgeous: Becoming Barbra Streisand
By William J. Mann

Now, Go to the 8th person in your friend’s list and do something for them without expecting anything in return and let me know what happens! 
Warren Schein, Today I celebrate YOU! 
The world has changed. I find myself reminding people that we’re

experiencing a once-in-a-century pandemic event. Right now, a little kindness and a little humanity, goes a long way. That’s why I’m writing you an email, personally.


Richard Skipper Celebrates Warren Schein! 
“the voice is true and beautiful, the phrasing elegant and he never crosses that fine line between emulation and imitation.”

WARREN SCHEIN, has been entertaining audiences on stages throughout the US and Europe. He has played leading roles Off-Bdwy, Regional Theater and in Summer stock productions which include Mickey in Sugar Babies, Max Bialystock in The Producers and Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls, just to mention a few. He has been performing his one-man shows, Remembering Mel: A Musical Tribute To Mel Torme and Spend An Evening With Mr. Saturday Night, a medley of timeless music and comedy to sold out audiences throughout the country. 

with Marty Allen

Warren also garnered glowing reviews from his show “From the Borscht Belt to Broadway which included a tribute to the entertainer extraordinaire, Al Jolson (whose birthday we celebrate today). 

For many years Mr. Schein has been participating as one of the major headliners performing in the famous Provincetown Cabaret Fest in Massachusetts. 

Warren has been the voice of the Pillsbury Doughboy, the Rice Krispy MandMs, and the leprechaun for Lucky Charms. TV appearances include ads for The History Channel, A and E and Nick at Night . He appeared on Saturday Night Live, Boardwalk Empire, Law and Order and in the films, The Stepford Wives, Dark Room and Spector. 

as part of Richard Skipper Celebrates

Warren and his musicians enjoyed a jazzy evening, Rhythm, Reeds and Brass, a nineteen-piece big band that offered selections from the Great American Songbook. The impressive list of performers he has opened for and performed with includes: Marty Allen and Steve Rossi, Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara,  Milton Berle, Red Buttons, Totie Fields, Buddy Hackett, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Danny Kaye, and Tony Martin.

Steve and Eydie

 
Warren is especially known for his classic jokes from the Golden Era of Comedy and of today’s lifestyles. Warrens interaction with his audience makes him one of the foremost improvisational comedic performers in the business. Mr. Schein has played in every NY City premiere night club such as the Metropolitan Room, and The Copa. 
Warren is currently in rehearsals with his Music Director, Tom LaMark, for his up-coming debut performance of “Dream Along

Perry Como

With Me”: A Tribute To Perry Como.

Do you recall your first stage appearance? What did you do?
I was in the sixth grade at P.S.18. They had a talent show and I got up and sang a song from "Guys And Dolls".
I wasn't even nervous, I just got up on stage and wowed them.
The principal came over to me after the show and asked why I picked such a song. 

with Jeff Harnar and Patricia Fitzpatrick

I told him all I've ever wanted to do is to perform on stage so I thought a Broadway tune would be the thing to do. (By the way, I won the contest.)

Do you have a structured routine during this time (of the Coronavirus Pandemic)?
I'm not good at having too much time on my hands. I like to keep busy. I'm up early, have my coffee, read the paper and usually look at what needs to be done for the day.

with Dana Lorge

How do you prepare for a performance?
Over the years I've learned that I need to prepare each performance differently. And, of course this depends what venue I'm playing at. If I'm booked to perform my Mel Torme` Show and it's all music, I ease up on the comedy and keep it very structured. I keep to the script of the show almost line by line, word for word, song by song.

If I'm doing "standup and music" now that's a different story. I improvise and "work" the audience throughout the show. Obviously, my band members are aware of this and they know I'm going to go off "script" and I'm going to ad-lib. However, I still keep to my structured show for that performance but, stay in tune so to speak

so as to keep focused.
When I'm only booked for comedy, I keep it very structured except when I'm working an audience member.
I perform at many condo's, assisted living facilities, libraries, civic centers etc, it's important to bring the audience into your show. 

They need to like you, love you. And that's true of any performance. Dana Lorge taught me that you've only got the first ten minutes of your show to get into the hearts of your audience. If you can do that, you"ll kill. She was right, and I think of her as I walk on stage to this day. Whatever little bit of success I've had is because what Dana taught me. She was a "present" that was given to me and will always remain in my heart. Both Richard and I had a real privilege to share her friendship and love. And performing on stage with her, was a dream come true.

Name one thing you’ve learned about yourself during this

pandemic?
This is a tough question. I'm a free spirit. I spend many hours working and rehearsing all the time. But I always didn't think that way. I need to be rehearsed, especially musically. I've learned that you can't feel comfortable on stage in front of an audience it you're not prepared. 

I've found very honestly, that as you get older it takes a little more time to prepare. 
So, I've learned that now I need to start rehearsing and planning well in advance of all of my material so that I'm ready to give every audience all that I've got. It's on thing to "wing" it when you have to but remember, you need the "chutzpah" to make it work. (I learned that from both Marty Allen and Totie Fields).

What song(s) are you currently listening to during this time?
I'm always in tune with Broadway melodies and looking for songs I've never sung that will now fit my voice and age. My favorite songs now of course are those sung by Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Matt Monro, Steve Lawrence, Perry Como to name a few. Especially the "Vegas Sound".
They make me feel good and when I perform them, I get this wonderful feeling throughout my body and I realize how happy I am on stage.

Do you believe our spirit lives on after we pass on?

Absolutely. I only hope that when my time comes to leave this precious world, (and I hope it doesn't happen for a very long time) that I come back somehow and be able to watch whomever is lucky to have a little of me in them so I watch them perform. 

Dana and I used to talk about that happening together. We would come back and take over their show and do them and they'd never even know. But no question that I do believe that our spirits live on, or at least I hope so.

What do you wish to be remembered for?

That I made people happy. Not only my audiences, but my friends and family. For example, whenever I've had the good fortune of be in some of your  shows. I'd always give it all that I've I got. And why not, when you produce such terrific shows along with Russ Woolley, you and your audience deserve that. 

And of course all of the many other Variety Shows that I've been in, I want them to know how much I've appreciated my stage time. Working with Patricia Fitzpatrick is a pleasure. Especially writing material for her shows. And of course after a show, especially in Florida, when it's over you've got to do the "meet and greet". Some performers complain about it, I love it. Thanking your audience is so important. I want them to know how much I appreciate them. I truly do. 

Without them, what would we do? To this day, and I've been performing for over four decades, whenever I'm in the audience I always say to myself "I wish I was up stage". I guess it all comes down to this. I try to be humble and when I perform, I hope the audience says, "he really made me forget all the problems of the world, my aches and pains and I'd just love him". I have a huge ego, but I'm really very nice and humble...

Lighting round! Describe each of the following in one word: Who you are, what you value the most, and what you’d be if you were a food item.
Who are you-Friend
What I value the most- Family
Food item-Jelly Donut, alright it's two words

What do you like least? Leg of lamb. Hate the taste and the aroma destroys me. Besides, how

could eat "Bambi".

What do you wish to be remembered for? A loyal friend and someone you can depend on. Always willing to do something nice for someone else!

How do you create a strategy to continue the drive and ambition

to continue to perform?
Because it's what we are made of.
Some people are meant to be doctors, teachers, train engineers and some are born to entertain. It's in our DNA.
Some people can try to be funny but, no matter how hard they try they can't because they just don't have it in them. That goes for singing as well.
My strategy is my inner drive that keeps me going to want more. It's this constant feeling that I have deep in my soul that powers my ambition to keep on working at what I love to

do the most, perform. It doesn't stop and never goes away.
What would happen today if all the scientists who are trying to come up with a medication to stop this virus stopped working because they didn't have the drive and ambition to continue to do what they've been trained to do all their life?
So, as long as I have a breath in my soul, my strategy is to always keep my motor running and put it into drive, which will allow me the privilege to continue to perform.

Thank you, Warren Schein!, for the gifts you have given to the world and will continue to give.

Now, everyone, please go and and do something nice for someone without expecting anything in return! Go to the 8th friend in your friend's list and call them! We're ALL in this together! Till tomorrow...

Shari Pine, Deborah Stone, Adrian Culver...and MORE!

Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read.
Groucho Marx

Happy February 10th,  2018!
February 10 is the 41st day of the year. There are 324 days remaining until the end of the year  There are 351 days remaining until the end of the year. Currently, it is 39 degrees here in New York with cloudy skies and rain in the forecast.
This is my first blog of the New Year. It has already been incredibly busy!

As I sit down to begin my blog, Barbara Cook and Malcolm Gets' Move On is playing in the background.

I feel like I am riding a powerful wave that’s carrying me into my future.  I am more hopeful today than yesterday when comparing my present situation with my long-term goals.

Setting my goal on THIS for the year!

Thank God for my music and entertainment or I would crack. I don't want to start my year on a political note, but our POTUS' actions and words on a daily basis are enough to consistently
raise my blood pressure.
It has to do with his bullying tactics. I was a bullied child.
For God's sake, I've been bullied as an adult!
I pray for him. I pray for our country. I pray for the world. The bottom line is he is who he is. We knew that when he was elected. He has not changed.
He won't.

All we can do is be responsible on how we respond. No matter how low he and his base goes, I will ALWAYS maintain a higher standard.
That is ALL I will say on the subject.
Now is the time for celebration!
My mission in 2018 is to celebrate great artists through my blogs, my interviews, and my shows.
My hope is that if you know them, that you learn something new about them and if you don't know them, you will take the time to check out their shows.
Here goes!

The first artist is Shari Pine. Shari appeared in one of my first shows as part of the Richard Skipper Celebrates series. This was when it was at the Triad. Here is our pop up interview.

Send a brief description of what is happening in your life now.
Recently, I performed my show From Crayons To Perfume: Songs Chicks Are Made Of January 18th at 53 Above, NYC.
It featured some original compositions as well as gorgeous numbers by Stephen Sondheim, Jimmy Webb, Burt Bachrach and Neil Diamond just to name a few.

Why do you feel that celebrities are such an important part of our lives?   (especially in today's social climate)?
To be sure celebrities of all sorts are influential. But in my view, they're not as important as we convince ourselves they are. Celebrity, while regarded as a vast segment of the fabric of our society, is only as far-reaching as an individual's personal ambitions and aspirations, I believe.
For example, if you're an aspiring actor, athlete or musician, then it would stand to reason that figures in those arenas would naturally be very important to you.
The issue is, the reverse is rarely true: we are not as important to them.

And if we are, then right there that's a different relationship, one that most do not possess and can only 'aspire' to. Through no fault of their own, celebrities  are in the business of being adored, not adoring others. We chase them - literally and figuratively -not the other way around. They have millions of 'followers'. We don't. But numbers matter.  So while I acknowledge their huge existence and am as awestruck as the next guy, I view the actual influence they have as potentially more important than the person, who, at the end of the day, lives and breathes as we all do.

If you could perform with one person, who would that be?
Count Basie!

What person do you most admire, living or dead?
I admire any maestro of an orchestra.  Having that much control over all that music is tremendous.

How did your upcoming show with Peter Calo come about?
I had been thinking of From Crayons To Perfume: Songs Chicks Are Made Of for quite some time, bouncing the idea off a few people when accompaniment immediately came to mind.

I had to work with someone who had most of the songs in the show already running through their veins. (It's one thing to learn a tune, read a lead sheet or listen to the audio.. it's quite another to know a song to the extent that after playing it, it actually plays you.)
That's what, and who came to mind when I thought of the song variety in this show. Peter's worked with so many different artists from Pop and Rock to Country music and Broadway. I had been on a session with him years ago back in New England and never forgot how outstanding he was.

What is it that you like most about performing this show?
The Music. It's always been about the music for me. I realize most songs are comprised of lyrics and music but somehow the words Yankee Doodle Dandy  just wouldn't feel the same were they set to the tune of Moon River (Mancini/Mercer).  I'm sure the reverse is equally true.  It's chord progressions, haunting overtures and melody lines that I can get lost in. I usually find my way back though. Am I sounding like a jazz musician? I am not one although I have been know to swing.

What would you do if all the electricity at your full house gig went bust?
First, notify the band that the show ain’t stopping!  We get low, close and quiet ...still playing. (when volumes are low, more attention is paid - interestingly enough. ) Continuing,  I walk through the crowd eyeballing everyone and I whisper the song.
They feel so special with all the individualized table-to-table attention that they don't even know that they can't hear or see a damn thing.

Deborah Stone

Deborah returns to Don't Tell Mama on March 22nd with Siren Song.
What excites you right now?
Working on the encore performances of "Siren Song", my new show.

What are you looking forward to?
Doing "Siren Song" again, bigger and better this time!

What’s the best thing that happened to you this year? 
Working with Daryl Kojak for the first time!  It's been, and continues to be, a liberating experience; a true collaboration, stretching my musical boundaries!

Where did you grow up?
New York City - Manhattan to be exact.

What do you do for fun?
Sing; dine with my husband; do funny dances for and with my husband (we like to make fun of ballet to music on the radio; after all, I was a ballet dancer, so who better to do so?); go to museums; go on day-trips;  binge watch Golden Girls, Blue Bloods, NCIS and Law and Order - all of them.

 Do you see yourself living anywhere else if you had the choice?  NO!

Adrian Culver left Lexington, KY two years ago and headed to New York City with the full intention of becoming a star. He has spent his time so far pounding the pavement and performing in cabaret and piano clubs all over the city, garnering a very loyal and wonderful fan base.

Adrian brings his renowned cabaret act to The Duplex Cabaret Theatre for the very first time!  His act spans Weimar-era cabaret songs, Broadway hits (and some forgotten Broadway hits), as well as standards done in his own, very unique style. Under the musical direction of Richard Danley, this once in a lifetime opportunity is not to be missed! The show is Sunday, March 4 at 9:30 PM at The Duplex Cabaret Theatre. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $20 or online for $15 here: www.purplepass.com/culver0304

What excites you right now?

The most exciting thing in my life right now is my upcoming show at The Duplex Cabaret Theatre and what can come from it. I have always known of the famed cabaret theatre since I was a kid, so getting to work on the stage where stars like Barbra Streisand and Joan Rivers got their start is very special to me.

What are you looking forward to?

The future is looking bright to me right now. The opening number of my show, which is "I Can See It" from The Fantasticks, about sums up how I'm feeling right now.

What’s the best thing that happened to you this year? 

In the past year, the best thing that happened to me was getting to see Barbra Streisand perform (twice!) in Brooklyn.

It is an experience I will never forget. 

Where did you grow up?

I was born and raised in Lexington, KY. If you haven't been, it is a wonderful place!

What do you do for fun?

When I'm not singing and rehearsing, I love to cook, and it has become quite a hobby for me. I'm going through some complicated French recipes now--some have turned out great, and some, unfortunately, have not.  Also when I have a chance to get out of the city, I love to canoe and go hiking.

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What performers inspire you the most and/or what is your favorite kind of music?

My list of inspirational performers: Barbra Streisand, Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, Amy Winehouse. I have a wide range of musical tastes that range from Scriabin’s Symphonies to Techno. But my heart lies in cabaret and theatre music.

Also Recommended
Jay Leonhart Quintet and Special Guests Pay Tribute to Marlene VerPlanck, Thursday, February 15th at 5:30 PM. Click HERE for more Info.

Newly announced 2018 Bistro Award winner for Solo Play, Brooklyn actor-writer, Dan Ruth, brings his tour-de-force black comedy, A Life Behind Bars, back to the Laurie Beechman Theatre for one performance on Thursday, February 22nd at 7PM. Click HERE for more information.

Buy Tickets HERE For The Bistro Awards.
Early Purchase Discount Tickets available through Sunday, Feb. 11 at 11:59 pm
33rd Annual Bistro Awards
Monday, March 12, 6:30 pm
Gotham Comedy Club, 208 W. 23rd St. (bet. 7th and 8th Aves.)

Bob Harrington Lifetime Achievement Award: André De Shields

Discount Premium Ticket: $150.00 $140.00
(There is no handling charge if you pay online.)
Includes:
Reserved seating in the Showroom; show begins at 6:30 pm
Two drinks (includes top-shelf) and gratuity
Gift bag
Your name(s) listed in the show program as a Bistro Award Supporter
After-Bistros Party

Goldstein, a new musical about family, with music and lyrics by Michael Roberts and a book by Charlie Schulman, will open Off-Broadway on Thursday, April 5th at 7PM at the Actors’ Temple Theatre (339 West 47 Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues). Previews begin Monday, March 26th. Read more here.

From Patricia Fitzpatrick: Very excited to announce that multi Award Winning Vocalist and cabaret Director ,Jeff Harnar, will be our headliner at Provincetown CabaretFest 2018 celebrating the night club and Broadway years of the 1950's. He will be joined by the fabulous Alex Rybeck - a NYC cabaret scene treasure. We are so grateful to have them at our 18th Annual Festival May 31 - June 3, 2018. You won't want to miss these talented performers.

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

Don't Miss Adrian Culver at The Duplex!

Here are a Few Testimonials for Richard Skipper Celebrates: Next One TOMORROW 1PM Laurie 

Beechman Theater: Reserve HERE:

Celebrating My Birthday!

Wow! After interviewing you on our podcast Behind the Curtain: Broadway's Living Legends, I was on Cloud 9. Well, your show put me on Cloud 11! How you are able to create such magical events, time and time again astounds me. You are a national treasure and no one can really call themselves a New Yorker until they have seen a Richard Skipper show.
Robert W Schneider,robertwschneider.com

I commented on Facebook, but I wanted to write you a personal note to let you know how much my wife and I enjoyed your show Wednesday night. You are a consummate entertainer! And it was obvious from watching you onstage how generous you are and how delighted you were to offer your talented friends an opportunity to entertain a full and enthusiastic house.

Don't Miss Deborah Stone at Don't Tell Mama

I also loved the opening montage—especially the extended clip from What’s My Line? How cool!
I wanted to reciprocate your support for my York Theatre show last year, but I got far more out of attending your show than I could have imagined! Congratulations!
Best regards,
Charles Troy

What a great time we had on Wed night at Richard Skipper's Celebration of Carol Channing's Birthday.  Loved the personal stories as well as the personalities onstage.  Looking forward to more surprises in the future Anthony C. Andalft, Cherry Hill, NJ

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

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

With grateful XOXOXs ,

 

CallonDolly.com

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

  Keeping America great through Art!     

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

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Keeping Entertainment LIVE! 

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

Richard Skipper, Richard@RichardSkipper.com