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

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

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

Glen Miller

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Joanne Meltzer Halev

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

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

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

Susan Winter

Stages Winter Rhythms.

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

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

Christine Pedi Photo by Genevieve Rafter Keddy

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

Read MORE

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

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

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

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

5. MR. MAGOO'S CHRISTMAS CAROL

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Directed by Eric Michael Gillett Order Tickets HERE

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Few Audience Testimonials about Richard Skipper Celebrates

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

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

Leanne Borghesi, SG and NYC

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

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

Yes, he definitely belong in front of an audience.

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

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

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

With grateful XOXOXs,

 

CallonDolly.com

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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

 

Clifford Bell Honors Barbra Streisand for Project Angel Food

The important thing is to go with what you've got.
-Barbra Streisand, Vogue (mid 70's)

Happy Saturday! March 25th, 2017
March 24 is the 84th day of the year. There are 281 days remaining until the end of the year. 
It is a beautiful day here in New York and I am listening to Barbra Streisand singing Here We Are At Last in the background as I embark on today's blog. 
How appropriate because today I celebrate Clifford Bell and HIS celebration of Barbra Streisand.
CLIFFORD BELL, known affectionately as "Lawrence of Cabarabia", is one of the leading producer/directors in the fields of Cabaret, Concerts, and One Person Shows. As a thirty year veteran of the Los Angeles nightclub scene, Clifford has been most identified in the past with the legendary Cinegrill at the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, and currently at the popular MBar in Hollywood, and the prestigious Catalina Jazz Club.A BENEFIT FOR PROJECT ANGEL FOOD.
 

Mary Wilson is one of this year's entertainers!

This is Clifford's 19th year of celebrating Barbra's Birthday with a Charity event featuring all the best singers in town singing songs associated with Ms.S. - This year is OUR NAME IS BARBRA 2017: A BENEFIT FOR PROJECT ANGEL FOOD.

They feature popular performers from the world of Broadway, TV and Cabaret delivering both fresh and familiar takes on anything from The Gospel According to Barbra-

Very exciting entertainers this year include Mary Wilson (The Supremes), Allan Rich

Brad Ellis and Eydie Alyson

("The Bodyguard" Soundtrack/Barbra's song "Lessons To Be Learned"), Ilene Graff (TV's "Mr. Belvedere", Broadway's "Grease", "I Love My Wife"- mother of Nikka Lanzarone) & Bill Lanzarone, and Jodi Burnett Mandel (Cellist from Barbra tours and studio recording and daughter of legends Irene Kral  and Joe Burnett), Dana Meller: Les Miserables-Broadway, Shelly Goldstein, Mark Arthur Miller, Joshua Lance Dixon, Mitch Ellis, and more!!

Clifford Bell

Why THIS project? 
(Singing) It's the Most Wonderful Time Of The Year.....Doing OUR NAME IS BARBRA is probably my favorite thing I do all year...It's so much fun to be both creative choosing songs and to pay homage to the huge source of inspiration that the Great Barbra Streisand has been to so many.


Finish this sentence: I'm very bad at... accepting  the worst in people.  Being hurt or disappointed by someone still can destroy me.

Who are your artistic heroes – who have had an impact on you and your work?

Barbra. (Obviously!) Peter Allen.  Oprah.

Name one thing you would like to change about this profession and why

I wish there was more transparency.  Most of the negative things I know about and/or have experienced could have only happened in the cloak of darkness and secrecy.  I think if everything was seen, a lot of bad behavior would be curtailed.

Ilene Graff and Ben Lanzarone

What is it about the business that you think has changed for the better...and for the worst since you began in it? 

I think the Internet has made power more available to the general public...Opportunity is much more available than it was when I began...which is great.

For the worse....I think it's a free for all, which is good for opportunity but bad for standards, or measurements of merit.

How important are the arts to you personally?  

100%  More important than food/water/air.

Are you making the kind of art that you envisioned you'd be making? 
Yes...I think I am.  I did used to think I would have stayed young and cute for longer than I did, but other than that I'm really proud of what I do.

Has it really been 55 years? 1962 opened this week... I Can Get It For You Wholesale at the Shubert Theatre on Broadway.

How would you describe the arts scene where you grew up?
I had two upbringings...One very cultured..while my parents were married...My father was a Symphony Conductor and I was brought up in the world of music.   And two, after my parents' divorce, my Mother remarried a man that had a non-Musical profession so it was less filled with the Arts...but they always took me to see everything that came around and they were always up on the latest Broadway music.

Gordon MacRae

Do you recall some great parties in real living rooms where people got up and sang and told stories?

Yes..in my childhood we had Gordon MacRae sing in the living room.  And Greer Garson came to the house....I was about five so the details are a little fuzzy.

Do you feel like you’re playing a party in somebody’s living room when you are on stage?

I think that is an "as if" to aspire to.

What are you most proud of?

Many many years of sobriety.  Almost three decades.

What is the one song that resonates most with you? 
Here's To Life

Barbra Streisand and Elliot Gould

If you had the opportunity to stand up for the NEA, what would you say?
I understand that this quotation has been erroneously attributed to Winston Churchill but I think it remains one of the most profound statements on the subject,,,,whoever said it...  "When asked to cut funding for the Arts during World War II, Winston Churchill reportedly said "Then what are we fighting for?"

Order your tickets TODAY for  OUR NAME IS BARBRA 2017: A BENEFIT FOR PROJECT ANGEL FOOD

Life is so much better when you stop caring about what everyone thinks, and start to actually live for yourself!!

Sit back! A new news cycle is about to begin!

Maureen Kelley Stewart had her own successful show celebrating EY Harburg

Words make you think. Music makes you feel. A song makes you feel a thought.” — E. Y. “Yip” Harburg

Let's Celebrate: Richard Skipper Celebrates E.Y. (YIP) HARBURG ON HIS BIRTHDAY! April 8^th at 1PM at The Laurie Beechman Theater. 

Russ Woolley proudly presents Richard Skipper Celebrates...EY (YIP) HARBURG ON HIS BIRTHDAY!

Richard will be joined by Karen Oberlin, Leslie Orofino, Maureen Kelley Stewart AND...A MYSTERY GUEST

All under the musical Direction of Daryl Kojak with Rex Benincasa on percussion and Jeff Carney on bass. This is a 1PM SHOW! (90 minutes) At The Laurie Beechman Theater Reservations a Must! Please ReserveToday

Nobody celebrates legends like Richard Skipper.

The interior of the Laurie Beechman Theatre

If one of your faves is being feted, there's nowhere on earth more fun to be. And honestly even if you don't care about the honoree, master showman Richard and his talented crew serve up a fabulously good time. -Ben Rimalower

$30 Cover and $20 Minimum per person

You Never Know Who You Might See There and what might happen!

https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pe.c/10155315

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 ,

 

Click on banner to go to website

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