Showing posts with label The King And I. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The King And I. Show all posts

Saturday, October 20, 2018

Richard Skipper Celebrates Mary Elizabeth Micari...and More!

Next to ingratitude, the most painful thing to bear is gratitude.
Mary Elizabeth Micari

-Henry Ward Beecher, American Clergyman ((1813-1887)

Happy Saturday!
It is an overcast morning here in New York. October 20 is the 293rd day of the year. There are 72 days remaining until the end of the year.
Happy Birth of the Bab Day! As the name implies, Birth of the Bab celebrates the birth of the Bab, a prophet and forerunner of the Bahá'í faith. It is a Bahá'í holy day, and one of three dedicated to the Bab, along with the Declaration of the Bab and Martyrdom of the Bab.
Siyyid Ali Muhammad was born in Shiraz, Persia (now Iran), on October 20, 1819, and became known as the Bab, which means "gate" in Arabic. He is believed to be from the line of the Prophet Muhammed. His father died when he was young, and he was raised by his maternal uncle, Haji Mirza Siyyid. Possessing a great depth of knowledge of the Qur'an and spirituality, he began his ministry in 1844. He traveled to Mecca, eventually was imprisoned in a mountain, and was executed by a firing squad in Tabriz in 1850.
Jamie Brickhouse
As I sit down to write today's blog, I have limited time before heading into the city this afternoon to see Jamie Brickhouse in his one-man show, I Favor My Daddy. I interviewed him earlier this week. Then, tonight, we will be seeing Mary Elizabeth Micari. Rev. Mary is the Lady in Black!
Rev. Mary (a.k.a. singing artist Mary Elizabeth Micari) takes a break from her bawdy tunes to serenade her audience with vintage songs from the heart made famous between 1910-1950. Some tunes are familiar, some haven’t been heard in a century. Mary is a singer who specializes in Jazz and Blues.
In addition to Don’t Tell Mama, Mary has also appeared at
Rev. Mary is “The Lady in Black,” Saturday, October 20th, 2018 at 7 PM at Don't Tell Mama
The Duplex, Pianos, Freddy’s, Otto’s, and even The Augusta Music Festival “Blues Week” in West Virginia.
She enjoys making her own healing music (including original compositions) using traditional instruments like harp, drums, bowls, and tuning forks as well as her voice. She is a co-founder of Genesis Repertory

Ensemble, a classically-based non- profit arts and education organization designed to make quality theatre – including Shakespeare and his contemporaries as well as the Greeks –
accessible to new audiences. She currently serves as its artistic director and has directed and performed in numerous works.

For a long time, her “day job” was doing makeup and hair in live theater and film. Her credentials in that area include nearly a dozen Broadway shows, independent films, as well as events at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and the Roundabout Theater.
Mary also has a rich spiritual life as well. She is a healer and an ordained Minister utilizing Reiki, Herbalism, Homeopathy, Acupressure, Sound Healing and more. Her nickname, “the singing sorceress,” comes from her roots in the Pagan community and the work she does with cool things like Tarot, Astrology, and Magickal work. “The Magic Apothecary” is her line of magickly-infusedproducts for health and healing.

You can visit her website HERE to learn more about her but I had some questions of my own.
I hope you'll enjoy this interview and that you will join me tonight at Don't Tell Mama as I continue to celebrate her.

Where are you from originally? 
I am from Brooklyn, New York. Bensonhurst to be exact!

When you first arrived in New York, what were your aspirations?
To Grow up!

What was the most memorable moment in your career?  
I have so many memorable moments! Each time I perform, it’s a sacred thing!
I’d have to maybe go back to my very first show when I was a child.
Being on the stage as one of the kids in The King and I.

It was the first time I discovered my true home. Everything was special, as though I had been transformed and moved into space the Gods inhabit.  I was only 10 and it was a tiny show but to me, it was the beginning of my life’s work.
Seen here with publicist extraordinaire, Jay Michaels


Who is your Musical Director? Can you please say something about working with them?  
Musical Director is Dan Furman
I have been working with him for over 5 years now. 

He’s worked with me in my vocal studio, recordings and now live Cabaret shows.  
He’s amazingly talented. He can play anything and because he is also a composer he knows how to really work with harmony, orchestration and he’s got a great eye for a stage picture and is very good at finding and using songs I’d never hear of to add to the work. 
I am entirely comfortable on stage with him.
He is really the most adept and supportive pianist I have ever know, not to mention is jazz work on stage and the beauty of the solos I am sure to make sure he gets in every show!

What were a few of your first jobs before you got into entertaining?
I have had many day jobs WHILE entertaining.
I worked in bars, strip joint bars, waitressing and for 10 years in Veterinary Hospitals.
I also did a 7-year stint working backstage on Broadway and in Films and TV doing wigs, hair, makeup and FX Make Up.
Now I am a full-time Voice Teacher and Acting Coach.

In the scheme of things, How important is what you do? 
It's not going to save the world…or is it? I think that giving people a place to relax, laugh and
remove themselves from the ordinary is kin to being a Priestess!

I am there as a healer or souls and minds. So, in the vein that is important.

As you are continuing to move forward, what is something that might inspire the next generation of artists?
I teach …a lot.  I have a full studio at the moment and do classes and lectures as well.  I find the most important thing to say to them is that they CAN do this and that the world wants them.
I also believe that fame in the large scale is for a select few and that being a working artist is the best thing there is. We are here to be a light in the dark. That is the job of a performer.

How successful have you been in getting yourself “out there” and into the clubs and on the stages beyond your comfort zone? 
'Out there' is where I live!  I love to try anything new…at least once.  I have really no fear on the stage.
Just did a Burlesque class and yes…got naked in front of a huge audience of screaming people I loved it.

Tell me about your experience with the next
generation of entertainers and what your legacy to them will be? 
As I said, I teach so I am with the next generation of entertainers much.  I have worked with many young actors as well. I think it's about what I learned listening to an interview with Paul Newman many years ago, Tenacity.  I also say, never ever give up. Always move forward.
Never stay still. Be there and ready for anything. Never be fearful and always know that the audience, for the most part, loves you.
That is what I hope I can impart.

What’s a Bette Davis movie you can watch over and over again and never tire of? 
All About Eve

What do you do to keep fit? 
I do water aerobics, walk and try to bike!

A favorite indoor game? 
Aside from sex? Backgammon or Monopoly.

Name one person you would like to see profiled in my blog 
Becca Kidwell or anyone new to the world of Cabaret…. (Here is the blog I've already done on Becca Kidwell!)

Anything else you wish included? 
We are good!

Aside from these talents, Mary is a trained opera singer, having performed with some of NYC’s most respected opera companies for more than 14 years. Ironic, since she began her singing career in a
band doing Jefferson Starship as well as many years doing musicals. I hope that you'll join me this evening at Don't Tell Mama as I continue to celebrate Mary Elizabeth Micari!

Also Recommended...
If you are in Germantown, Maryland this eve, Please check out Jeff Harnar and Sally Mayes in Double Take (with Alex Rybeck). I saw this show at The Laurie Beechman Theatre and I highly recommend it.
REX REED--
"Two powerhouse performers giving it all they've got is more than anyone has a right to hope for in the world of entertainment. 'DOUBLE TAKE' is a double dose of wit, sparkle, savvy and music, stirred with love, laughter and a lifetime of dedication to show business sensationalism! I absolutely loved every enchanting minute of it!" Rex Reed

Sally Mayes & I bring DOUBLE TAKE to The BlackRock Center For The Arts in Germantown MD this Sat Oct 20th with our amazing trio Music Director Alex Rybeck, Bob Renino (Bass) and Dan Gross (Drums).

Tickets:
https://boxoffice.diamondticketing.com/blackrock/events/double

I FAVOR MY DADDY, FOLLOW UP TO DANGEROUS WHEN WET, PREMIERES AT FRINGE NYC THIS OCTOBER
Buy Tix to Fringe NYC Performances of I FAVOR MY DADDY
When: Sat., Oct. 20, 2:30pm; Thurs., Oct. 25, 6:30pm: Sat., Oct. 27, 2:45pm
Where: FringeHUB, 685 Washington Street at Charles, NYC
Why: Because it's gonna be good.
New Circle Theatre Company in midtown Manhattan will present 5 performances of IT'S A BEAUTIFUL WOUND.  Performance times are:

Thu Oct 25 at 7 pm
Fri Oct 26 at 7 pm
Sat Oct 27 at 3 pm and 7 pm
Sun Oct 28 at 3 pm

You can make a reservation by using the password SANDBOX HERE


IT'S A BEAUTIFUL WOUND is the true story of Rich Orloff's adventures in underground therapy using MDMA (a.k.a. Ecstasy) and psilocybin mushrooms, based on cutting-edge experiments designed to help people heal from deep emotional wounds.  Rich describes the piece as one person's journey towards reconciliation with the soul... with a short detour for an appendectomy.

Inspired by the autobiographical monologues of Spalding Gray and Mike Daisey, my goal with IT'S A BEAUTIFUL WOUND is to take the audience through the experience with me, in a vivid, compelling and honest way.

Please observe this courtesy:  If you make a reservation and later realize you can't attend, PLEASE CANCEL THE RESERVATION.  This will allow others to see the show.  Thanks!
Feel free to share this blog with friends.

Coming up:
IT'S A BEAUTIFUL WOUND
written and performed by Rich Orloff
Oct 25 - 28 at New Circle Theatre Company in NYC
For information and tickets, visit beautifulwound.com


We are made up of the people we've met and the places we've been. Join Kenneth Gartman on a musical journey to some of his favorite places as he shares his passion for culture, language and people.

Lennie Watts, Director
Troy Fannin, Music Director/Guitar
Marcel Hamel, Bass
Mike Shapiro, Drums

KENNETH GARTMAN - Kenneth performed in the National Tour of THE MUSIC MAN. He has also performed internationally on a Live BBC Broadcast of Simply Sondheim and throughout Ireland in A New York Songbook: Way Off Broadway. Kenneth has appeared as both a singer and a pianist in the country's finest concert halls. Gartman’s work in cabaret garnered nominations for Best Music Director and Best Male Debut in the 2012 Broadway World New York Cabaret Awards. 


If you’re trying to use Instagram to advance your acting career, you’ll love this! 
Heidi Dean has created a new free web class to help you build your audience and make an impact on Instagram.  
In this free online training, you’ll discover…
The 6 BIG mistakes most actors make on Instagram (and why they’re keeping you stuck).
What's working on Instagram RIGHT NOW (and why most Insta-advice is either outdated or wrong).
How you can get bigger results in less time!
The secret to getting more followers for your acting career.
The (totally free) webclass expires soon, so make sure to watch it right away.
Click here to reserve your spot now. 
WHAT: FREE Instagram Class for Actors
WHERE: On your computer, phone or tablet 
COST: Free!
HOW: Grab your seat here before it's gone→ www.freeclassforactors.com

"CHURCH WITH A 2 DRINK MINIMUM"
Mercedes Herman at Church With A 2 Drink Minimum
-Its Church-Its Trans-tastic Church Lady Realness-Its Brunch-Its, not a parody! Sunday, Oct 21, 3-5pm at Sidewalk Cafe 94 Ave A East Village NYC. www.yolanda.net/church

Another FUN afternoon tomorrow!
This month, they are fresh on the heels of Reverand Yolanda's autobiographical musical "The Passion of Rev. Yolanda"... so their theme is PASSION!
Freddy Freeman aka Goldenheart and his wonderful husband Jay Freeman are the musical guests this month. Goldenheart is an amazing singer-songwriter, CDs Country Gospel Kirtan vols 1 and 2, and creator of Bearapalooza and Bear Your Soul!

Also their regulars Doreen Younglove on vocals, Mercedes Herman Woman of Wisdom/Storyteller, Lady D*D* hostess with the mostess, and Rev. Glen Ganaway with the message.
The love offering this month will go to Bearded Lady Productions LLC. Bearded Lady Productions produces all of Rev. Yolanda's events and services. They provide Wednesday night Miracles study group, as well as workshops, speaking and singing engagements, events, weddings, funerals, baby blessings, and more. See details: www.BeardedLadyProductionsLLC.com 

Sunday, Oct 21, 3-5pm no reservations, no cover, 2 food or drink minimum, love offering taken, 94 Ave. A , East Village NYC at the Sidewalk Cafe.

Now, go and do something nice for someone without expecting anything in return! 
********
A Few Audience Testimonials of Richard Skipper Celebrates
Richard and Russ, your show this past Sunday, Oct 14, was spectacular. I have enjoyed many a
Sunday in your theatrical care, and the two of you understand the point of putting together a show -- it is to ENTERTAIN!!!!!!!! It was on the one hand so well produced and directed that an audience immediately feels taken care of, but then the consummate mastery of Richard's hosting skills to embrace the audience and the moment(s) and harvest such humor and pleasure from the unexpected.  
Do I really have to wait until February for another one?  LOVE this series, and so grateful for the laughs and the heart. Thank you.
With grateful XOXOXs,
-Ann Kittredge, NY

RichardSkipper was born to this mantle. What a spot-on splendid job he does. Always a treat to hear those glorious pipes when he sings AND now add to that this charming, spontaneous yet thoroughly primped, delightfully funny role as Host. What a gem of an entertainment he has concocted ... I was honored to be a part of the festivities
(He had me from the “Opening Credits!” Abundantly BRILLIANT) 
Jeff Harnar, NYC





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






Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Baayork Lee: Making a Difference!



Baayork Lee

Never Stop Dreaming!

Happy Tuesday!

The above is Baayork Lee’s personal philosophy and she walks the walk and talks the day. Her optimism is as infectious today as it was in the mid seventies when the world was about to see her as part of the original Chorus Line cast.
Baayork just returned from London, where she, along with Bob Avian just mounted a revival of A Chorus Line. She is about to start the casting process for the great American classic, Hello, Dolly! There is a twist to this casting. It will be an all Asian-American cast and starring ChristineToy Johnson, who I profiled yesterday, as Dolly Levi!  This is being done through Baayork’s National Asian Artists Project (NAAP).  This is their third concert adaptation with all Asian-American classics. Their first was Oklahoma! followed by a sold out Carousel last year.
Current London production
Carousel was so successful that they will have two shows this year of Hello, Dolly!, April 29th and May 6th. This will be directed by Dolly expert and guru, Lee Roy Reams, who has directed several productions of Dolly starring Parisian star Nicole Crosile, Joanne Worley, Leslie Uggams, Randy Graff, Madeline Kahn, and in her last Broadway revival, Carol Channing.Musical staging will be by Randy Slovacek.
National Asian Artists Project is the result of many years of working, observing, discussing, and dreaming. In the professional careers of Baayork Lee, Steven Eng, and Nina Zoie Lam, there had been much to experience as theatre artists of Asian descent: Baayork as a highly-regarded director/choreographer/dancer on Broadway, Steven as an actor/singer on the West End, and Nina Zoie as an actor/dancer on Broadway.  Since 2004, when Baayork directed the national tour of THE KING AND I and brought on Steven and Nina Zoie to assist, they had watched numerous Asian/Asian-American theatre artists enter and leave the profession from lack of opportunity. Even the children from THE KING AND I tour (mostly hired from an exhaustive Chinatown search) found themselves returning to lives without theatre, despite expressing strong interest in the arts.
They had worked together on Cinderella and The King and I at City Opera. As they were talking about the need for Asian Artists to get the exposure to play roles that they would not necessarily be cast in. Color-blind casting, as much as they say it exists, only exists in a very limited degree. So they set out three years ago to form this company to give their community an opportunity to perform AND to introduce the Asian community to what they are doing. Theater is not a part of many people’s lives in the Asian community. There are people who love the theater but it is not part  of the Asian community.  They set out to have an outreach program at a school in Chinatown. 
They currently have twenty-five kids. They are being introduced to the theater. In fact, they went to see The Lion King a few days prior to this interview. They are recently saw Annie. NAAP introduces them to the theater. They also have an after school program of musical theater and dance. They also belong to the Junior Theater Festival in which they have performed at for the past three years. They have also created a National Asian Artists Choir in Chinatown where the Asian artists and community can come together to sing musical theater songs and classics.
Throughout their many projects, independent and collective, they saw and encountered the same dilemma. With the relatively few well-paid professional jobs that existed for any theater artist, prospects were even more dismal for an artist of Asian descent.    
Although she was a little jet lagged when we sat down to talk last week, we talked about everything to AIDS education to Hello, Dolly as you will see in today’s blog as I celebrate Baayork Lee.
A Chorus Line changed the way that Baayork sees the world.   A Chorus Line is the landmark musical with music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Edward Kleban and a book by James Kirkwood, Jr. and Nicholas Dante. Centered on seventeen Broadway dancers auditioning for spots on a chorus line, the musical is set on the bare stage of a Broadway theatre during an audition for a musical. A Chorus Line provided a glimpse into the personalities of the performers and the choreographer as they describe the events that have shaped their lives and their decisions to become dancers. Baayork was/is one of those dancers.
It is Baayork’s instincts that draw her into a particular artist or art form. Great art will draw people in. So will talented people.
Right now, Baayork sees her future about giving back to her community.
Michael Bennett is definitely one of Baayork’s heroes in the arts. Hal Prince. Mike Nichols. 


These are three men that she has worked with and helped shape her destiny and who she is. They have given her opportunities and have taught her well. This year, it has been Bob Avian. As stated earlier, they just worked together in London and he is definitely one of her heroes. Graciela Daniele is another hero of Baayork’s. This woman has done so much and given so much and she is an unsung hero. Larry Fuller. Carol Haney.
She continues to work at her craft daily to become a better artist. She continues to go out and seek the jobs that will help her to grow in her craft. She believes that is the secret to longevity in this business. She tries to stay positive. She never gets jaded. Every project is a new beginning. She is always a student.  
Baayork’s biggest vice is eating and her greatest virtue is giving.
Baayork with original A Chorus Line Cast Member, Tony Award winner Donna McKechnie
If she could go back to any year in her life, she would go back to, no surprise, 1974 when they started developing A Chorus Line.
Baayork is not an avid TV watcher but she does lover Turner Classic Movies!
When she is working there are three things she desires around her, positivity, positivity, positivity and positive energy.
In the wake of the 2012 election, I asked Baayork how she feels that our elected officials can educate through policy on the still widespread AIDS epidemic. She said she doesn’t know that she could answer that. It is such a huge issue. There are people out their banging on the doors of our elected officials, yelling and screaming. Are they listening? Who knows if they are listening. Baayork thinks perhaps we have to do it ourselves. She doesn’t know if they can help us at this point.
Baayork has been so blessed. She thinks, because of her positive nature, and because she has been on projects that have not come to fruition, she just keeps moving on. She worked on a project once for five or six years. The producers and writers did not desire to listen to reason. They wanted to bring it to Broadway. Baayork kept saying, No! No!! No!!!”  
She kept insisting it was not ready. There have been several projects that she has been in despair of. She just moves along and moves to the next project. How did she deal with that? She ate! The bottom line is that she has always felt that there is a place for her in this business. When something doesn’t work out, there is another door to open to explore. That has a lot to do with her parents saying, “Moving along. You can’t let this get you down. There is something else waiting for you out there”
I asked Baayork, thanks to Michael Feinstein, if she believed in reincarnation. She said absolutely.
There are so many things that Baayork is proud of in her career and life but she is most proud of her kids: at PS124, going down to the Junior Festival and coming back with awards. Three years ago, they didn’t even know what a musical was.
Now they are going to see musicals, and their parents are getting interested.
When she goes to the schools, parents are now asking for weekend classes in musical theater. It just blows her away. She is most proud of that and this part of her life.
Baayork Lee helps members of the Staples Players with choreography in "A Chorus Line," which opens at Staples High School March 15.

She is trying to change the course of Asian actors, their place in the world and how they fit in, it takes a village, the American theater village. She desires to change the mindset of casting directors and agents and producers and writers so that they don’t see a face, they see a possibility.
It is automatic that people will remember Baayork for Connie in the ORIGINAL A Chorus Line but she really hopes her company, The National Asian Project, will live on after she’s gone and that theater is part of the Asian community. American theater, any kind of theater, should be part of the Asian community. They are so rigid. Their parents desire them to be doctors and lawyers. “Go out and play chess and the violin.” Those tiger moms are out there. Baayork really hopes that what she is creating will start to open up their minds and give them pleasure.  

Thank you Baayork for the gifts you have given to the world and continue to give!




With grateful XOXOXs ,



HOLD THE DATE! Lee Roy Reams is doing a rare evening at 54 Below on April 3rd! 7PM.This show WILL sell out so RESERVE TODAY! Maitre D
Reservations: (646) 476-3551. To purchase tickets visit TicketWeb.com or call (866) 468-7619 54 Below - 254 W 54th St, Cellar - New York, NY

Carol Channing. Juliet Prowse. Gwen Verdon. Bob Fosse. Richard Rodgers. Lauren Bacall. Gower Champion. Those are just a few of the legendary performers about whom you'll hear loving tales when Broadway royalty Lee Roy Reams steps onto our stage for one special performance only. His ten Broadway credits run the gamut from Sweet Charity, Applause, Lorelei, Hello, Dolly and 42nd Street to La Cage aux Folles, Beauty and the Beast and The Producers. In Song and Dance Man, expect tunes from those hits (including Lullaby of Broadway, Put on Your Sunday Clothes and 42nd Street), to gems such as Pretty Women and Real Live Girl. Come get the theatrical tales from a fellow who was there to see it all, from Dolly's lashes to Billy Lawlor's well worn tap shoes.

Please call me if any questions! I hope to see you on April 3rd!

Richard Skipper 845-365-0720

If you have anything to add or share, please contact me at Richard@RichardSkipper.com.


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!    
               
My next blog will be...Jenifer Lewis: Dolly Levi, Hello, Dolly! 5th Avenue Theater: 2009 

Thank you, to all the mentioned in this blog!


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



TILL TOMORROW...HERE'S TO AN ARTS FILLED DAY
Richard Skipper, Richard@RichardSkipper.com                            
 
This Blog is dedicated to ALL THE DOLLYS and ANYONE who has EVER had a connection with ANY of them on ANY Level!

    
  
  







Sunday, November 25, 2012

Ernestine Jackson (Irene Molloy in Pearl Bailey/Cab Calloway's Hello, Dolly!


Ernestine Jackson is an actress and singer.
Born in Corpus Christi, Texas, Jackson made her Broadway debut in 1967 as Irene Molloy in the all-black cast of Hello, Dolly! starring Pearl Bailey.
Ernestine Jackson was a tour guide at the United Nations. She was new to New York and pursuing a career in the theater. One afternoon, perusing the theatrical trade paper, Back Stage, and saw a call for Hello, Dolly! The show had been running on Broadway for almost four years. This time, however, they were casting for an all black cast.
She decided to go in and audition. She was studying to be a classical singer; all she truly wanted to do is be in New York and be an entertainer. She went in with My Lord and Master, her favorite audition piece from The King and I. She picked out her requisite sixteen bars and went. They said YES!  Hello, Dolly had already been around for four years.  
 
Carol Channing, Ginger Rogers, Martha Raye, Betty Grable, Yvonne deCarlo, Dorothy Lamour, Carole Cook, and Mary Martin had all put their own persona on Dolly. This would be a first. A complete change in cast from white to black!

Ernestine was cast as a singer in the chorus.
In those days, one was cast as either a dancer or a singer for the chorus. This was 1966.  
Hello, Dolly would be Ernestine’s second job in the theater. Emily Yancy was cast as Irene Molloy. When she got ready to leave the show a year later to go into Man of La Mancha, she had an understudy. Even so, David Merrick was going to hold auditions one afternoon between shows to replace Emily.
They had their eye set on casting someone other than her understudy. Ernestine decided that she was going to glam herself and goes in. These were the days in which the Afro was in. Ernestine put together what she called her Dolly/Irene/Yancy look. She showed up at the audition between shows. Miss Pearl Bailey and David Merrick were sitting in the house to determine who would fill Emily’s shoes.
                                                            
A younger Pearl Bailey
To Ernestine’s fortune, she could sing her heart out and she did. She sang Ribbons Down My Back and she had to fight for that job because in those days dark skinned girls weren’t getting those jobs.

Fortunately, Ernestine got it. When Emily left the show, Ernestine Jackson played the role of Irene Molloy for the last six months of the Pearl Bailey production. Pearl’s company left the St James Theater on Christmas Eve 1969. Phyllis Diller’s company took over two days later!

First of all getting cast in Hello, Dolly was one of the most exciting things of Ernestine’s life. Next to Carol Channing, Pearl Bailey is remembered fondly for her contributions to Dolly. For Ernestine, as a young actress/singer in New York, it was the opportunity of a lifetime.

It was one of the most exciting things to happen to Broadway. It was also pretty heady for this young girl from Texas who had not been in New York all that long. Words can’t describe the excitement that this entire company was part of.It was good enough just to be in the company, but getting cast as Irene just set
Ernestine Jackson (Photo: Don Hunstein)
her off! It was the beginning of a wonderful career. After Hello, Dolly, Ernestine appeared in Applause and a whole string of hit shows on Broadway.

Prior to Dolly, Ernestine had only appeared in what was then the new Lincoln Center in Show Boat.

If Hello, Dolly had not come along, Ernestine probably would have chosen a more classical path. Dolly firmly put her on the theater path.
After Dolly, Ernestine flew to California to see Carol Channing play Dolly.

Her curiosity got to her and she desired to know what everybody was talking about. She instantly saw what everybody was talking about.
Carol was Carol and Pearl Bailey was Pearl Bailey. They were bigger than life. That’s the whole thing. Working with Pearl Bailey (and seeing Carol Channing) were master classes in comedic timing.
This is what these Grande Dames did on Broadway. Working with Pearl Bailey for a little over two years and watching her magic in the show and then having the opportunity to watch Carol Channing do it, it gets no better than that.

Falling in love with Dolly, for Ernestine, was the process of working on the show. Going to school each night and watching the masters at work was a real pleasure. One of Ernestine’s favorite moments was watching Pearl Bailey perform So Long, Dearie each night. That woman in that character, Carol, too, being The Matchmaker and spreading love around is something that Ernestine has taken with her for the past forty-five years.

Ernestine ALWAYS referred to Pearl Bailey as Miss Bailey because that was what she demanded. As a young woman coming from the south, Ernestine had no problem with that.
EVERYONE in the company called her Miss Bailey.

Miss Bailey had a special relationship with David Merrick.
It was a love-hate relationship. Mr. Merrick was always bringing her gifts so she would go on stage.
Unlike Carol, sometimes Miss Bailey would decide that she wasn’t going on.
There were times when she felt she was “too sick to go on.” The rest of the cast and company didn’t know if it was real or imagined.
Those were the kind of little antics they experienced. Behind her back, they called her Miss. Pearlie Mae.

Once, Ernestine witnessed an interchange between Miss Bailey and one of her fans. A woman wanted her autograph. The woman shouted out, “Hey, Pearlie Mae!”  Miss Bailey turned on her heels and said to this woman, “You don’t know me. How dare you call me Pearlie Mae!” That was the kind of thing she would do in terms of being demanding.
She demanded the respect of being called Miss Bailey.

The role of Irene Molloy was perfectly suited to Ernestine’s classical background because of the lines in the song. With Dolly, the actress playing that can pretty much create her own sound.
With Irene Molloy, she is the ingenue and a lyrical quality that is needed.
The music that is written for Ribbons Down My Back is perfect for a classically trained voice.
Ernestine gives herself credit for holding her own in this production. She had a very well trained voice. She had no challenges in singing the role. She had more problems in terms of learning how to play the role in terms of the acting.
Virginia Capers, Herb Downer and Ernestine Jackson recording Raisin (Photo: Don Hunstein)
 
Jack Crowder and Emily Yancy
Jerry Herman and Pearl Bailey© Sony Music Entertainment
Courtesy of Sony Music Archives (Photo: Henri Dauman)
Cab Calloway (Photo: Henri Dauman)
© Sony Music Entertainment
Courtesy of Sony Music Archives
Morgan Freeman and Cab Calloway (Photo: Henri Dauman)
© Sony Music Entertainment
Courtesy of Sony Music Archives
  
The singing was always her strong point. Acting flexes different muscles for her than singing. Singing is such joy for her and comes with such ease. She did a show called Black Girl at Second Stage which was not a musical. She would go out on stage and think, “Where is the orchestra?”
Sometimes when she is doing a straight play, she has to turn the dialogue into music. That’s her right arm.

Ernestine wore the exact same costumes that Emily Yancy had worn prior to her.
She was a little thinner but they took them in for her.

She most definitely continued to tweak her performance after opening.

She grew in the part. Being in Dolly made her be what she still is today. Several years later, Ernestine took on the role of Dolly in a regional production.
It was a little foreign but she constantly found herself taking on the persona of Pearl Bailey having lived with those two and a half years of watching her do the show. She would find herself saying, “This is not my voice. This is Pearl Bailey’s.”
That production was many years later and she had found the color in her voice to take on Dolly.

Ernestine still uses a phrase of Doll’s all the time. “Congratulations, congratulations, a thousand times, congratulations!” Emily loves how Dolly used that to “love” the situation of Horace’s impending marriage to Irene Molloy. She has truly implemented those thoughts into her own life.

The one thing that has not diminished since Dolly opened almost fifty years ago is its entertainment value. The colors, the music, the LIFE is still there.

So is the story, the dance, the characters; Hello, Dolly is the complete package.
Ernestine never had a bad experience with Dolly. She was happy and blessed to be a part of this. Some people may have had different agendas, but hers was to completely enjoy the ride.
It was like being in a fairy tale and unreal. The costumes barely changed. For the most part, it was the same exact show. It was the same script. It was the same score. They changed absolutely nothing.
They just placed into this show people of color.

To Ernestine, Jerry Herman was such a kind man. When she was cast as Molloy, he showed up to “approve” her. Ernestine did not get to know him on a personal level.
In all professional situations with him, he was extremely encouraging.

Ernestine would go on to play the mother in Raisin and other equally dramatic parts. Dolly has more joy attached to it. Even Sarah in Guys and Dolls is a very different experience. Her feelings on Dolly could also have something to do with the fact that this was her first Broadway experience.

Debbie Allen, Ernestine Jackson, and Virginia Capers in a scene from Raisin (Photo: Martha Swope)
© Sony Music Entertainment
Courtesy of Sony Music Archives
She was just like a kid in a candy store.
Emily Yancy (Photo: Henri Dauman)
© Sony Music Entertainment
Courtesy of Sony Music Archives
The fact that it was such a mega hit didn’t hurt either. Producers  picked up on this Merrick idea of all black casts being done with traditionally white cast shows.
That’s how the all black cast of Guys and Dolls came along. Even though she did both, she can’t even compare the two with the enthusiasm she had with Dolly.

The joy and passion of knowing that she is still doing this , as of this writing, at seventy years young keeps her going.
Her career has been constantly recreating itself. It has evolved with her…playing roles that are age appropriate. The process keeps going and that keeps the joy alive.

Being able to do what she does, she considers it a divine gift. She feels she has a responsibility to act accordingly.
This is what she does.

Christmas Eve 1969 did not feel like a closing night for Ernestine. She knew her career would continue. She went right into Applause from Dolly. She went on the road to once again play Irene Molloy after she had done Applause.
She had been asked to go on the road with the Bailey Company but she had already auditioned for Applause and got it. Mary Louise went out on the road the first time. By the time they were going out a second time, Applause had closed and once again they asked Ernestine to join the company. That is the beauty of Ernestine’s career. She then went into Jesus Christ Superstar.  With every closing night, she always had something to go to. She never had that feeling of “I’ll never work again.”
She doesn’t say that with any grandiosity.

One major event that happened during this run on Broadway was that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated.
© Sony Music Entertainment
Courtesy of Sony Music Archives
This company kept going.

They did not stop…even for a moment of silence. Ernestine found it unusual but didn’t question that decision. It was a Pearl Bailey decision. They heard the news that he had been shot as they were arriving at the St. James Theater for the second show on Wednesday night, April 4th, 1968.
The show went on but without Miss Bailey’s usual “third act” that night.

Ernestine feels that it is time for a Hello, Dolly revival. As of this writing, it has been seventeen years since Dolly came down those stairs on Broadway.

Hello, Dolly, for Ernestine Jackson, was the beginning of a career that she never dreamed of. For that, she will be forever grateful.
Thank you Ernestine Jackson for the gifts you have given to the world and continue to give!


With grateful XOXOXs ,

Check out my site celebrating my forthcoming book on Hello, Dolly!
I want this to be a definitive account of Hello, Dolly!  If any of you reading this have appeared in any production of Dolly, I'm interested in speaking with you!

Do you have any pics to share?
If you have anything to add or share, please contact me at Richard@RichardSkipper.com.

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!    
               
My next blog will be...My exclusive interview with Marki Bey on her memories of Pearl Bailey's Hello, Dolly!


Thank you, to all the mentioned in this blog!


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




TILL TOMORROW...HERE'S TO AN ARTS FILLED DAY
Richard Skipper, Richard@RichardSkipper.com                            
 
This Blog is dedicated to ALL THE DOLLYS and ANYONE who has EVER had a connection with ANY of them on ANY Level!