Thursday, January 3, 2019

Remembering DARYL FRANK DRAGON

You are not very good if you are not better than your best friends imagine you to be.
-Johann Kaspar Lavater

Happy January 3rd, 2019!
January 3 is the third day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. There are 362 days remaining until the end of the year. Well. congratulations, we've all made it through another holiday season.
How did your 2018 go? Are you ready to kick 2019 off?  I've been thinking about what worked and what didn't. And what comes through loud and clear is that a lot worked.

2019 is a very special year for me. It was 40 years ago this August that I came to New York.  I have decided to devote this year to reflecting 40 years back in the journey that led to my coming to New York on August 5th, 1979. 40 years ago today, I was 17. I was living in Conway South Carolina. I was going to Conway High School, a senior. I was known by everyone as Ricky Skipper.
January 3rd, 1979 was a Wednesday. My guess is that we were back in school, but I can't be certain. I can be certain that we had a REAL POTUS in the White House, Jimmy Carter. I was listening to the Bee Gees. I was probably listening to The Captain and Tennille as well. It was with great sadness that I heard of the passing yesterday of Daryl Dragon, The Captain.

"He was a brilliant musician with many friends who loved him greatly. I was at my most creative in my life, when I was with him." - Toni Tennille.

DARYL FRANK DRAGON
Born: August 27, 1942 in Los Angeles, CA
Died: Tuesday, Jan 2nd in Prescott, AZ

Daryl Dragon was a brilliant keyboardist, arranger and record producer, known to his many fans worldwide as “The Captain” half of the pop music duo, Captain and Tennille.  Daryl passed away on Wednesday, Jan 2nd at 1:37am due to renal failure at the age of 76.

Daryl was born into a musical family, the son of Academy Award winning arranger, composer and conductor Carmen Dragon and his wife, Eloise Dragon, a true coloratura soprano whose exquisite voice was often featured in film scores and in the recordings of Bing Crosby and other recording stars of the time.
Daryl's Godfather was the famous actor and comedian, Danny Thomas.
Daryl was a classically trained pianist, but preferred to play Blues and Boogie rather than Bach and Beethoven.  His piano heroes were Fats Domino, Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis.  Two of his greatest musical thrills were playing duets with Fats, and performing on television with the great blues guitarist and singer, BB King, another of his idols.  Daryl had a very dry sense of humor and drew quite a few of his comedic musical ideas from Danish classical pianist and comedian, Victor Borge.

Daryl's familiar stage name came from his time as a backup musician for the Beach Boys in the mid 1960s and the early 1970s.  He had taken to wearing a Captain's hat onstage, and Mike Love used to introduce him to the audience as DARYL DRAGON, CAPTAIN OF THE KEYBOARDS!!! During his time with the Boys, Daryl made significant contributions to
their concerts and some recordings with his unique keyboard style, playing and arranging on the Beach Boys' 1972 release Carl and the Passions “So Tough.”  He also worked with Dennis Wilson, helping Dennis, who could not read music, transfer his often strikingly beautiful song-writing into musical notation.  He co-wrote one of Dennis' finest ballads, Cuddle Up, which was recorded not only by Dennis himself, but later by Captain and Tennille.

In 1971 Daryl met his future wife, Toni Tennille, when she hired him to play piano for a musical called Mother Earth, which she had written while at South Coast Repertory Theatre in southern California.
Soon after that, Daryl recommended her as acoustic pianist for the next Beach Boys tour, since their regular pianist needed to take some time off.  While touring together with the Beach Boys, the couple gradually began a musical and romantic relationship.  Whenever they were not touring with the Boys, Toni and Daryl began performing together in small clubs and other venues around Southern California.  During their club days, after considering other options, they finally decided to call themselves Captain and Tennille.
They began to develop a fan base of loyal followers on the club circuit from 1972 through 1974.
Also during this time, Toni wrote the first of many love songs she would write for Daryl. The Way I Want to Touch You.  The two scraped up enough cash to have a few hundred records pressed and distributed to local stations.  When the The Way I Want to Touch You quickly became a listener favorite, record labels took notice.  They signed with A&M Records in 1974, and were soon on their way to becoming one of the most loved musical duos of the 70s and 80s.  Their first album for A&M and their first single were both named LOVE WILL KEEP US TOGETHER, from a song written by Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield.  Love Will Keep Us Together started climbing the charts in November of 1974 and hit #1 in July of 1975, remaining at #1 for 8 weeks.  It was the Song of the Summer of 1975, winning the Grammy for 1975s Record of the Year.

Due to the duo's rising popularity and guest appearances they had made on television, ABC approached them with an offer of their own television Variety Show.  The Captain and Tennille show became a network hit, drawing 34,000,000 viewers each week.
Toni loved doing the show, but Daryl, who never enjoyed being on camera, did not.  As a result, they declined ABC's offer to do another season, but did agree to do three annual specials for the network, beginning with Captain and Tennille in Hawaii, then Captain and Tennille in New Orleans, and ending with 1980's Captain and Tennille Songbook. Nine more albums and fourteen chart hits came in the next decade, all produced by Daryl, and concluding with another #1 hit, written by Toni for Daryl, called Do That To Me One More Time. Daryl and Toni kept up a busy schedule of touring and performing all over the US and Canada, as well as England, Australia, Japan, and in other countries.

After 39 years of marriage, Toni and Daryl separated in 2013, and finalized their divorce in July of 2014.  They remained in constant contact and were dear friends to the end.

In a statement, Toni has asked that all of Daryl's many fans remember him as she does, with love and a grateful heart for the music they created together.

Survived by:  Older brother, Doug Dragon of Hawaii; and two nieces, Kelly Arbout and Renee Henn of California.
Services:  Daryl requested that there be no services.

Donations:  If you would like to make a donation in his name, please do so to your favorite organization doing research into brain diseases and conditions such as Parkinsons Disease, familial and essential tremor, effects of concussion and PTSD.  Thank you. (Source: B. Harlan Boll
BHBPR
http://www.bhbpr.com)

Richard Skipper Celebrates Picks of the Week

Zachary Clause
Downtown supper club, Pangea, will showcase several of its signature artists in a six-day “Winter Alt-Fest” running from Friday, January 4 to Wednesday, January 9. Featuring a mix of new shows and special encores of productions seen in recent months, the six-day Festival spotlights performers from several genres, including theatre, music, dance, comedy and performance. The line-up includes the nightclub iconoclast Zachary Clause; David Bowie channeler Raquel Cion, improvisational singer-satirist David Nagler (with special guests Tammy Faye Starlite and Xavier), downtown legend Flotilla DeBarge, the dance-theatre duo Catherine Cabeen and Kristina Berg, cabaret artist Tim Cahill, spoken word multi-mediaist Alberto Zayden and the alternative folk-rock trio Vicki Kristina Barcelona. Read MORE

Veronica Swift and The Emmet Cohen Trio at Birdland, Saturday January 5th shows at 7:00pm & 9:45pm
Veronica Swift

Joshua Lance Dixon at The Beach Cafe, Saturday, January 5th at 9:30pm

Susan Werner and Ann Hampton Callaway at The Iridium, Saturday, January 5th at 9:30pm
(Source: Nitelife Exchange)

A "Live" Musical Production of Tony Award/Grammy Award/Pulitzer Prize Award winning show "RENT" will be airing on Sunday, January 27, 2019 on FOX TV, 8pm-10pm ET (PT tape delayed). Check your local provider listings for details. Click HERE for MORE

Now, go and do something nice for someone without expecting anything in return! Treat Them to A LIVE SHOW! 

********


Here's to A Great 2019!

A Few Audience Testimonials about Richard Skipper Celebrates
Richard Skipper Celebrates Marilyn Lester and Betsyann Faiella
Richard, your Facebook Live interview program from the YORK Theatre Oscar Hammerstein Awards Gala honoring Susan Stroman was great fun and you were, as always, a charming and skillful pro. I couldn’t help but think what a much needed service (and interesting and fun) it is for events like that one, smaller than the Tony Awards but important to many! And the Tony Awards and anyone else would be lucky to have you, too!
Betsyann Faiella, SavoyPR

I have LOVED Richard's Blogs and Articles, and have really enjoyed his Facebook LIVE series......they are always so helpful and informative. 
I've been able to catch a few of them, most recently - last week's featuring Melissa Manchester and the investigation and recovery of Judy Garland's Ruby Slippers. Melissa was so inspiring! Thank-you Richard!!
-Jennifer Roberts, Detroit, MI

Richard Skipper, You are Absolutely Amazing!!! So kind and So loving. It was such a joy to watch you craft your show on October 14th. What a Masterful job Of Singing and Hosting You Did. You knew just the right questions to ask and statements to make to help each of us to feel so special. As others have said you were born for your role.  I will never forget you bringing Reggie Whitehead on stage. I smiled from ear to ear with complete delight and laughed out loud! That was a brilliant moment! I am so grateful to you for inviting me to be a part of such a Fabulous Show that brought together so much incredible talent on one stage. Thank You to both You and your wonderful Producer Russ Woolley. Kudos to Everyone in The Laurie Beechman Theater for taking such good care of us. 
Continued Blessings On Your Wonderful Journey Richard. Love You 
Avery Sommers, Palm Beach, Florida

SAVE THE DATE! Richard Skipper Celebrates Sunday, February 10, 2018 at 1:00PM The Laurie Beechman Theatre 407 West 42nd Street Downstairs at the West Bank Cafe New York, NY 10036  There is also a $20 food/beverage minimum per person. Russ Woolley Proudly Presents Richard Skipper Celebrates...Love Aquarian Style featuring Meg Flather, Lina Koutrakos, Rosemary Loar, Karen
Karen Mack
Mack, Stacy Sullivan, All under the Musical Direction of Christine Talbott with Kacey Fassett on sax, Adi Myerson on bass

!  (ALL Aquarians!) You never know who you might see there and what might happen!  $30 Cover and $20 Minimum per person.  The afternoons are also made possible by Wright Bros. Real Estate. Do yourself a favor and CELEBRATE! Tickets go on sale on January 10th!        
This Show Is Also Made Possible by  Wright Bros. Real Estate, Nyack New York



With grateful XOXOXs,


 


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

This Blog is Dedicated to Bob Einstein

 
 




Saturday, December 1, 2018

The Many Sounds of Christmas: Give the gift of Music this holiday season!



Listening is a Form of Accepting
-Stella Terrill Mann

Happy Saturday, December 1st, 2019!
December 1st is the 335th day of the year. There are 30 days remaining until the end of the year.
It is the first day of December. As I sit down to begin today's blog, I'm listening to the original Broadway Cast recording of Cabaret. How apro pros as we say hello to December and look forward to the gifts that December holds for us...especially in the world of cabaret. Marieann Meringolo, Karen Oberlin, Dorian Woodruff and MORE! Sue Matsuki even posted on Facebook today, "Dorian Woodruff has a voice from the heavens and Marieann Meringolo's Christmas show is one of my all time favorites. I played her CD today as I put up the tree!"

We now are on treadmills wondering how we are going to fit it all in.
It really is very simple. Keep a calendar, be selective, and know that sometimes it is OK to say 'NO'.  Take time to listen to the music!
Effectiveness is getting the right tasks done.

Remember, the perfectionist fixes one line of a poem over and over until no lines are right.
Today, Once again, I'm mentioning shows you should definitely fit into your schedule over the next few weeks. And they are all nice people doing their best.  Are you bored or just experiencing boredom?  Remember, Boredom is an acquired taste! Today more than ever I yearn to escape from the daily routine. However, I'm well aware that I must juggle my desires with my professional and domestic obligations.
“I am never bored; to be bored is an insult to one’s self.”
― Jules Renard

“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” ~Annie Dillard

If you have a roof over your head, be grateful.
There are many who don't. It's become a huge problem here in New
York where I live because the cost of housing is so high. Also, the middle class is shrinking, and it only takes one disaster to put you on the street. Today is Happy National Roof Over Your Head Day!
Tomorrow is Advent Sunday.
Let's all embrace each other a little more this holiday season.

I also encourage you to get out of the house and go see a LIVE show!

Here in NY, thank God, we have choices!

Tonight in NYC!

You have choices Marieann Meringolo, Karen Oberlin, Dorian Woodruff. 
Marieann Meringolo
Marieann Meringolo Celebrates 12 Years With 'In The Spirit' At Feinstein's/54 Below tonight.

Reminder: tomorrow afternoon, Long Beach Public Library, 2:30 pm ... "South Shore Theatricals Sings the Holiday Songbook." Go kick off December and the holiday season with Sarah Rice, Mara Bressler Kaplan, Joe McPartlin and our wonderful SST Youth Chorus sing the songs of Christmas, Hanukkah and the winter season. (Best entertainment bargain around: it's free admission!)

Tomorrow Night: A Very Lennie and Those Girls Holiday Spectacular
2 big shows - 12/2 at 4p and 12/11 at 7p!
Starring Lennie Watts and Those Girls - Eve Eaton, Rachel Hanser, Karen Mack,  and Wendy Russell

Featuring: Janice Hall, Rick Jensen, Robin Kradles, Tanya Moberly, Ricky Ritzel, Derek Staranowski, and Amy Wolk

Sunday, Dec 2nd at 4pm (with special guest Georga Osborne) and Tuesday Dec 11th at 7pm (with special guest Stacy Sullivan)
Music Director Steven Ray Watkins
At The Laurie Beechman Theatre downstairs at The West Bank Cafe. For tickets: https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/1001642.

Monday brings several celebrations!
Six actor-musicians delivering jazz, rock, country, pop, and more
Hidden gems from famous writers in brand new arrangements that will delight
All comedy songs and charm songs, only one ballad
Enjoy a MAC discount and join Mischa Kischkum for an unforgettable, uplifting evening.  Raise your voice during the singalong and you’ll end up on the cast album (they’re recording the show!)!
Mischa Kischkum is  OFF THE CHARTS
(Songs You Don’t Know By Writers You Love)”
Monday December 3rd at 7pm
Thursday December 20th at 7pm
Don’t Tell Mama (cash only)
(212) 757-0788 after 4pm
$18 (MAC $15) + 2 drinks
AUDIO CLIPS from rehearsal are now available on Broadway World

Mae West arrives at the flashy doors of a typical Las Vegas casino behind a golden gate (or more
accurately The Triad on West 72nd Street!). She immediately makes for the colorfully suave doorman who introduces himself as "Peter".
After, unsuccessfully vamping him,  he reveals that he is St. Peter, and these are the gates to Heaven.
Mae is taken aback and says, “I never thought I'd live to see the day!”
Mae West learns that the key to entering Heaven is getting a good review from the big critic in the sky.
So we are witness to a musical flashback of Mae's life – from Bushwick, Brooklyn and Coney Island to the vaudeville circuit, Broadway and finally to Hollywood and worldwide fame.
Did she get into Heaven?
GOD ONLY KNOWS!!
Bianca Leigh:  Book/Co-Librettist
Bianca Leigh
New York: Tales of the City, the Concert (Mrs. Tolliver, Music Box Theatre); Taylor Mac’s The Lily’s Revenge (Time/Wind, Here Arts Center); Busted: the Musical (writer & actress, Laurie Beechman Theatre). Regional: Trans Scripts (Tatiana, American Repertory Theater); Tales of the City: The Musical (Frannie Halcyon in workshop, American Conservatory Theatre). TV & Film: Transamerica, Hurricane Bianca; “Law & Order: SVU”. Education: BFA, Rutgers University Mason Gross School of the Arts. Miss Leigh was profiled this year in Cranes New York for her work with students at
NYU Medical School, and was the commencement speaker at Rutgers University’s Lavender Graduation in 2014.

Singer/Actress, Jennifer Roberts, returns to NY's Pangea, Wed, Dec, 5th, 7:00 pm. with her tribute "She Loves ...Sheldon!"
Musical Director: Jon Weber. Bass; Steve Doyle. Arranged by Ted Firth. Tickets: $20.00.

RSVP @ https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3903963 .

Show Review quote from Bistro Awards:
"Perhaps understandably, She Loves Me, which, like Fiddler, is enjoying a successful current revival on Broadway, remains her favorite Bock-Harnick musical and got four full songs here: her set opener, “Tonight at Eight”; “Will He Like Me?”; the musical’s title song; and the register-busting “Ice Cream,” which nicely showed off Roberts’s top notes. The Apple Tree was represented by a medley of “Movie Star” and “Gorgeous,” and a lovely rendition of “What Makes Me Love Him?”. Robert Windeler

Jennifer Roberts
Music Video: https://youtu.be/NGah6jVh4KE

I Will be going to see Linda Purl and Tom Wopat at Birdland on the 10th. Please join us if you can!

The last SPOTLIGHT ON YOU IN 2018 WILL BE ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14TH. IT IS MY

Invite your friends and bring your favorite song.

Hosted by: Natasha Castillo

Where: 53 Above Broadway (THE LAST SHOW AT THIS VENUE)

(Look for the Broadway Comedy Club Sign)
318 West 53rd Street,1st floor  (between 8th and 9th Avenue)

They offer:
- Opportunity to work with different musicians.
- Chance to meet and network with other performers!
- Chance to advertise your upcoming performances (we will promote YOU and your upcoming events)!
- Monthly Feature Celebrity Spotlights that will enchant and charm you!
- Low cost high quality video clips of your performance ($15)!
- Lots OF FUN!

Sign up starts at 6:30 PM, SHOW STARTS AT 7 PM  $10 Cover and $15 Food/Drink Minimum!

Saturday December 15th at 2PM. It's that MERRY TIME again at Theater 2020! Join them at the Brooklyn Heights branch of the Brooklyn Public Library for one hour of Dickens merriment with FAB actors, special sound effects and light refreshments. And it's all FREE!
Norm Lewis

Norm Lewis: Nutcracker Cool
DEC 17 - 22 at 7:00pm

Norm Lewis is BACK at Feinstein’s/54 Below for his 4th consecutive year, in a holiday residency with more new music, more fun, and more GUESTS! Once again, it’s the hottest Christmas Party in town with Norm and his swingin’ band, including Perry Cavari and George Farmer, led by Musical Director Joseph Joubert and directed by his longtime pal, Richard Jay-Alexander.
Richard Jay-Alexander
Go see one of Broadway’s most sought after leading men wrap his warmth and magic around holiday classics, showtunes, and pop music, in an evening like no other.

This year’s show will also coincide with the release of The NORM LEWIS Christmas Album, as both the debut holiday recording and the show promise to have some real surprises and special material. Order Tickets HERE

December 21: Brighten up your holiday season with New York's holiday tradition: The Many Sounds of Christmas with The Salvatones vocal ensemble, New York Virtuosi string quartet, and organist Stephen Fraser, all under the artistic direction of Daniel Brondel. The Many Sounds of Christmas will also feature the angelic tones of The Salvatones Young Voices directed by Stephen Fraser.
For more information visit Salvatones.org or call 212-784-6176. Click HERE for their event video.
Now, go and do something nice for someone without expecting anything in return! Treat Them to Two Tix to Jennifer Roberts at Pangea on December 5th as she celebrates Sheldon Harnick!
Order Tix HERE
See a Clip HERE
********

Thank you all! Here's To a Great Holiday Season! 
Russ Woolley Proudly Presents
Richard Skipper Celebrates
Returns for A Special Presentation on February 10th with An Aquarian Love Song: In Honor of Richard's 58th Birthday!

A Few Audience Testimonials for Richard Skipper Celebrates Events
Richard, your Facebook Live interview program from the YORK Theatre Oscar Hammerstein Awards Gala honoring Susan Stroman was great fun and you were, as always, a charming and skillful pro. I couldn’t help but think what a much needed service (and interesting and fun) it is for events like that one, smaller than the Tony Awards but important to many! And the Tony Awards and anyone else would be lucky to have you, too!
-Betsyann Faiella

Richard Skipper’s FB Live from the York Theatre Gala was as exhilarating and fun to watch as any awards show!! I wish I were there in the room!! Not only does Richard always conduct an informative interview, but it’s so much fun to watch!! I look forward to seeing these interviews.
Lisa Dascoli, Little Falls NJ

I’m very grateful for Richard’s experience and intimate knowledge of the art form of cabaret, along with his openness and willingness to share all of that with me. With Richard you feel like you have a true partner in your performing endeavors. He listens to whatever your individual challenge is, offers helpful suggestions, and gives you answers that are tailor made to your concerns. He’s a true mensch!!
-Josephine Sanges

Stay Tuned for Exciting Things in 2019! 
Next Up: 1 PM Brunch Show Laurie Beechman Theater 

We will be celebrating with Meg Flather, Rosemary Loar,Lina Koutrakos, Stacy Sullivan, AND A Mystery Guest! ALL Aquarian Women!
All under the Musical Direction of Christine Talbott Sutin.
Tickets Go on Sale January 10th! Let's Celebrate! 

RESERVATIONS A MUST!
With music, reminisces and an afternoon of fun and show business! 90 minutes of merriment and excitement . . .As we Celebrate the Present, we Honor the Past! 
Congratulations to the Yiddish Fiddler on The Roof
When and Where:
Sunday, February 10th - 1 PM, Doors open 12:15

THE LAURIE BEECHMAN THEATRE, 407 West 42nd Street (lower level of the WEST BANK CAFE) Producer: Russ Woolley $30 ticket plus $20 food/beverage minimum - exquisite and reasonably priced food and drink. 
Richard Skipper has assembled a great cast to Celebrate and honor . . . RICHARD SKIPPER has become synonymous with "feel good entertainment of the highest quality". For decades Richard has entertained thousands and celebrated the careers of many of Theatre Row’s finest and most honored stars… The afternoon will prove to be an event where all will arrive and leave with smiles! This will be similar to the old-fashioned TV specials and series where we get to chat with and honor this Entertainment Icon. 

Tickets Go On Sale January 10th!
This Show Is Also Made Possible by  Wright Bros. Real Estate, Nyack New York
With grateful XOXOXs,

 

Anthony Perkins as Cornelius Hackl "Are you alone? He's out getting you popcorn?"
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
This Blog is Dedicated to the Memory of Anthony Perkins
Anthony Perkins, who played Norman Bates in "Psycho," died from complications of AIDS in 1992.

It was not that long ago we were celebrating her birthday! Carpe Diem

Did you see my interview last week with Steven Ray Watkins?  Check out my feature tomorrow on Lennie Watts