JACKIE FORNATALE, Kander & Ebb's SCOTTSBORO BOYS, CAIT JOHN...AND MORE!

GET READY: Jackie Fornatale Sings MOTOWN!

Jackie Fornatale is bringing back her critically acclaimed show celebrating over 50 years of Motown for a special encore performance. Songs by The Supremes, The Temps, The Tops, Stevie, Smokey, Martha & The Vandellas, The Marvalettes and The Jackson 5 - just to name a few!

Roy Sander of bistroawards.com said of the show: “The audience is swept up in a spirit of joyous ebullience, and for the next hour, Fornatale and Co. keep the crowd in a state of euphoria and charged enthusiasm. It's hard to say who's having more fun during that hour—the spectators or the people on stage. What a high!”

The show is under the Direction of Lennie Watts, with Musical Direction by Gerry Dieffenbach, and features Liz Lark Brown-vocals, Mike Fornatale-guitar & vocals; Matt Lindsey-bass; Eddy Zweiback-drums.

Final Performance Thursday, March 18th at 8:30pm at Don’t Tell Mama.
$15 Cover Charge / $10 for MAC & Cabaret Hotline Members.

Reservations are recommended: 212-757-0788 (after 4pm) or www.donttellmamanyc.com

http://mysite.verizon.net/jackiefornatale
Kander & Ebb's SCOTTSBORO BOYS Gets 2010 Run at Vineyard, Premiered 2/12

(SOURCE: BROADWAYWORLD.COM)

The Vineyard Theater opened the new Kander & Ebb musical, THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS on Wednesday, March 10, 2010. Already, the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning Vineyard Theatre has announced a two week extension for the show, which will play through April 18.
THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS was previously scheduled to run through April 4.
THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS has book by David Thompson and direction and choreography by Susan Stroman, and features a cast which includes: Sean Bradford, Josh Breckenridge, Derrick Cobey, John Cullum, Brandon Victor Dixon, Colman Domingo, Rodney Hicks, KendRick Jones, Forrest McClendon, Julius Thomas III, Sharon Washington, Cody Ryan Wise, and Christian Dante White.
With music and lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb, and a book by David Thompson, THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS is a new musical that explores the infamous 1930's 'Scottsboro Case', in which a group of innocent African-American teenagers are falsely accused of a terrible crime -- ultimately provoking a national outrage that sparked the American Civil Rights movement.

THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS reunites Vineyard Theatre with John Kander, David Thompson and Susan Stroman -- who along with the late Fred Ebb -- previously collaborated on The Vineyard's revival of FLORA, THE RED MENACE in 1987.

The legendary collaboration of John Kander and Fred Ebb over four decades resulted in some of the most beloved and enduring musicals in theatre history: from FLORA, THE RED MENACE to CABARET (Tony Award); ZORBA, CHICAGO and WOMAN OF THE YEAR (Tony Award); to KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN (Tony Award), CURTAINS, THE VISIT and ALL ABOUT US.

David Thompson is a Tony Award nominee for Best Book of a Musical for STEEL PIER. His other credits include the script adaptation for CHICAGO and the musical THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND, a musical revue of the songs of Kander and Ebb (New York Drama Desk and Outer Critics Awards). In addition, he has written new librettos for the revival of FLORA, THE RED MENACE and Jerry Herman's DEAR WORLD.


Susan Stroman won two Tony Awards as director and choreographer of THE PRODUCERS. She co-created, directed and choreographed CONTACT for Lincoln Center Theater (Tony Award, Best Choreography). Other Broadway credits include YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, HAPPINESS, OKLAHOMA!, THE MUSIC MAN, STEEL PIER, SHOW BOAT, (Tony Award) and CRAZY FOR YOU (Tony Award). Off-Broadway productions include AND THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND and FLORA, THE RED MENACE at The Vineyard.
With music direction and vocal arrangements by David Loud and orchestrations by Larry Hochman, the design team for THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS is: Beowulf Boritt (Scenic design), Toni-Leslie James (Costume design), Kevin Adams (Lighting design), and Peter Hylenski (Sound design).
The Vineyard has also produced the musical [title of show] on Broadway. One of the nation's leading non-profit theatre companies dedicated to new plays and musicals and bold programming, The Vineyard has produced the Pulitzer Prize-winning productions of Edward Albee's THREE TALL WOMEN and Paula Vogel's HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE. Recent productions include Tarell Alvin McCraney's acclaimed WIG OUT!. The Vineyard opened its 2009-2010 season with the enormously popular play A BOY AND HIS SOUL, written and performed by Colman Domingo, which The Vineyard recently announced is expected to receive a commercial Off-Broadway production later this season. This spring, The Vineyard will produce the world premiere of Adam Rapp's THE METAL CHILDREN and the new musical THE BURNT PART BOYS by Mariana Elder, Nathan Tysen and Chris Miller, directed by Joe Colarco, in co-production with Playwrights Horizons.
Vineyard Theatre is under the guidance of Douglas Aibel, Artistic Director, and Jennifer Garvey-Blackwell, Executive Director.

Now scheduled through April 18th, THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS will perform Tuesdays at 7pm., Wednesdays through Fridays at 8pm; Saturdays at 3pm and 8pm and Sundays at 3pm. Tickets are $70 and can be reserved anytime online at the Vineyard Theatre website - www.vineyardtheatre.org or by calling 212-353-0303.


Hi Guys! Just wanted to remind you about mine and Catt John's musical cabaret, "The Show Must Go On!" Please check out the event page for more detail! Hope you can make it as it is going to be a fabulous show!

“The Show Must Go On” premieres March 18, 2010 at Wings Theater at 154 Christopher Street, NY, NY 10014 at 8:00 pm and ends at 9:00pm.
For reservations please contact GeraldJ_NYC@yahoo.com or call 917.520.9628. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.


(NO DRINK MINIMUM but their will be a bar if you want to get a little tipsy) Drinks specials all night for $4 a glass!

To reserve a seat, please leave your full name, number of people and show title "The Show Must Go On" at the below email address or phone number.
GeraldJ_NYC@yahoo.com
917.520.9628


NY Gay Men’s Chorus Presents 'Big Gay Sing 2' Featuring Petula Clark, 3/25 & 3/26
(SOURCE: BROADWAYWORLD.COM)

The New York City Gay Men's Chorus' Big GAY Sing 2 takes last year's sellout sing along and turns up the dial. This show has it all - including the chance to sing a solo with the Chorus in our Big Gay Idol competition. With music from Lady Gaga, Glee and Beyonce to classics by George Michael, Cher and Broadway, plus dance and drag, BGS2 leaves no gay stone unturned. On March 25 and 26, the NYCGMC is going to fill Skirball with glitter, glamour, and gorgeous men.

The evening's sexy host Scott Nevins, the award-winning TV personality from truTV's hit show "The Smoking Gun Presents," will lead audiences through this gay cabaret with his signature humor, celebrity impressions, and washboard abs.
In addition to numerous big gay sing-a-longs, the night will feature one of Britain's most beloved singers of all time, Petula Clark, singing her hit "Downtown."



A new addition this year is the Big Gay Idol competition. Aspiring performers are encouraged to submit their performance at http://www.nycgmc.org/BGS/BigGayIdol.aspx. Competitors will be chosen in advance from submissions uploaded to the NYCGMC Web site. Semifinalists will compete in act one to win the opportunity to sing a full a solo with the Chorus in act two. Complete details are available on the Chorus website.

"This show will be all gay, but not all camp," said Charlie Beale, Artistic Director. "Don't get me wrong, there'll be PLENTY of camp, but we're focusing on the fabulousity of everyone in performance, our guest stars, the artists whose music we're singing, the Chorus, the audience and our Idol wannabes!. Whether you're gaga for Gaga, Glee's biggest fan, a Cher queen or a show queen, this show has got something for everyone!"

The New York City Gay Men's Chorus' 2009-2010 Season is made possible with the generous support of, American Airlines, Alcoa, The Manhattan Monster, Office of State Senator Tom Duane, The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, United Way of New York City, HHC Marketing, Mark Nelson Events, and Next Magazine.

The New York City Gay Men's Chorus presents The Big Gay Sing 2 plays Thursday, March 25th and Friday, March 26th, 2010, The Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, NYU (566 LaGuardia Place, at Washington Square South). Via Subway: take the N/R/W to 8th Street, the A/C/E/B/D/F to West 4th. Tickets are $38 - $59 and available in person at the Skirball Center Box Office or by phone at 212-352- 3101 or online at www.skirballcenter.nyu.edu. For more information, call 212-344-1777.
THE NEW YORK CITY GAY MEN'S CHORUS is an auditioned, 200-voice male chorus serving the gay community and the greater community at large by the performance of classical and contemporary male choral music as proud and openly gay men.
In addition to their regular concert series, NYCGMC also performs at a variety of local and tri-state area functions, benefits, and performances. For 30 years, NYCGMC audiences have filled auditoriums including Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher and Alice Tully Halls to standing room only. Unanimously acclaimed by America's leading music critics, the Chorus has sung with some of the world's brightest stars, commissioned and premiered many major works, made celebrated television appearances, and sold recordings worldwide.
NYCGMC continues to serve the community each day through its education and AIDS outreach programs. Youth Pride Chorus, a free program for LGBTQ young people and their allies between the ages of 14-21, is the first program of its kind to be sponsored by an adult mentor chorus.
NYCGMC has appeared with guests artists including Academy Award winners Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey, Grammy Award winners Marilyn Horne and Cyndi Lauper, Tony Award-winning actors Carol Channing, Harvey Fierstein, Faith Prince and Kristin Chenoweth and Olympic Gold Medalist Greg Luganis, Richard Skipper as Carol Channing, as well as joint performances with Stonewall Chorale, Lavender Light Gospel Choir, Boston Gay Men's Chorus, Gay Men's Chorus of Washington D.C., Noot an der Mann (Amsterdam), Schola Cantorosa (Hamburg) and other choruses from around the world.
As the membership continues to grow and diversif y, the Chorus will continue to extend its message of love, compassion, and positive examples of gay lives for many years to come.

CHARLES BEALE (Artistic Director) Prior to arriving in New York last season, Charles Beale was Music Director of the London Gay Men's Chorus from 2002-2007. Originally trained as an organist, he studied music at Cambridge and later jazz at Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, where he won the Rose Morris Prize as a composer and jazz pianist.
Charlie has a stylistically diverse and active freelance performing career. He recently directed members of the London Philharmonic Orchestra in an improvised performance at one of London's major concert halls. His playing has also included national radio broadcasts as a classical pianist, a jazz organ concerto with the UK's National Youth Jazz Orchestra, West End theatre work, playing and arranging credits on albums and singles by pop and dance artists including Whitney Houston and Adeva, and regular jazz in and around London, with the likes of Bobby Wellins and the Frank Williams African Jazz Quintet. He was an active member of the Association of British Choral Directors, where he gave clinics on improvising and swing with choirs.
He co-wrote a new Voiceworks book for OUP and has written a number of arrangements for Faber's acclaimed Choral Basics series. He is also an award-winning author. Charlie's most recent book 'Popular Voiceworks', a book of songs and vocal arrangements with workshops and backing CDs, was recently voted 'Best Pop Music Publication 2008' by the Music Industries Association of the UK. Charlie also has a burgeoning career as an educator and academic specializing in jazz. He taught jazz at the Royal College of Music in London, where he was Area leader for Aural training, Professor of Jazz Piano and director of the Royal College of Music Big Band. Since completing his Ph.D. in 2001, he has written a critically acclaimed book, Jazz Piano from Scratch, and a number of important academic articles, including the chapter on Jazz Education in the recent Oxford Companion to Jazz.
He was Lead Jazz Consultant to the Associated Board for ten years, helping design new syllabi, train and moderate examiners and facilitate workshops and seminars for teachers, and was nominated for a Jazz Parliamentary Award in 2005 for services to jazz education. In the past four years, he has toured internationally, adjudicating, examining and doing ABRSM jazz workshops for teachers in the UK, the US, New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia and Singapore.

PETULA CLARK (Guest Star) Petula Clark is an English singer, actress, and composer who sold more than 68 million records throughout her career and appeared in more than 30 British and American films. Clark's professional career began as an entertainer on BBC Radio during World War II. During the 1960s she became known internationally for her popular upbeat hits, including "Downtown," "I Know a Place," "My Love," "Colour My World," "A Sign of the Times," and "Don't Sleep in the Subway." She has continued to perform in the West End, on Broadway, and in concert tours around the world.

SCOTT NEVINS (Host) Award winning Host, TV/Radio Personality, Comedian and Celebrity Interviewer Scott Nevins can currently be seen every Thursday night on TruTV's hit show "The Smoking Gun Presents" and hosting the red carpet at A-list Hollywood events for TV Land. Scott has hosted hundreds of live events, and has collected a roster of celebrity interviews to rival a seasoned veteran twice his age, working with some of the industries best including the legendary Liza Minnelli, Susan Lucci, Lynn Redgrave, Laura Linney, Rosie O'Donnell, Tammy Faye Messner-Bakker, and countless other Film, TV, Theater, and Recording stars.
Scott has appeared on National Television on NBC's "First Look NY", the Style Network's "Relationship Rehab", San Francisco's KRON 4 Morning News, QTV, Logo, Fuse TV, , and on MNN Television as host of "Out At The Center". He filmed "Up Close & Personal with Kimberley Locke" and now Hosts the red carpet for TV Land including the 2009 TV Land Awards, AFI's Salute to Michael Douglas and The Joan River's Roast, as well as their live celebrity online video chat with Emmy Winner Bebe Neuwirth, and an interview with the all-star cast of the Broadway Musical "Young Frankenstein" which included Emmy Winner Megan Mullaly. Scott received high praise for several stints as the fill-in host of "The John McMullen Show" on Sirius Satellite Radio where he did his weekly Friday night segment "The Crapshoot - with Scott Nevins". He has headlined several of his own shows at the legendary comedy club Carolines on Broadway, and as an actor, appeared as a special guest star in the long running Off-Broadway hit Tony N Tina's Wedding, repeating his performance for an extended run in the Las Vegas Production, and was then seen in a featured role in The War of the Roses.

Scott won critical and audience raves, as well as a 2007 MAC Award Nomination for his debut solo comedy show "Celebutant: Don't You Know Who I Think I Am?" and is currently performing his latest show "RECE$IONI$TA: Cheaper Than A Tank Of Gas!" including Sold-Out engagements in New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Baltimore, San Francisco, Toronto and Montreal!
Scott is also the Producer of the weekly Monday Night theater-fest "Scott Nevins' Curtain Call" at Splash bar's "Musical Mondays" in NYC, as well as its sister show "The Star Spot" at "Musical Mondays" at LA's Eleven Nightclub (which he co-Produces with Ryan O'Connor) featuring performances from a new Broadway guest star every Monday night! He has proudly donated his talents to over 100 benefits, hosting shows for such wonderful organizations as Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids, The Point Foundation, PFLAG, The Matthew Sheppard Foundation, God's Love We Deliver and many more. Scott was awarded a 2005 Out There Award for his work, was nominated for a 2004 HX Award, 2004 Glammy Award, 2007 MAC Award, was chosen by New York Magazine in their ‘Best of New York 2004' issue and most recently appeared as the Cover Model/Story for the March 2010 issue of INSTINCT Magazine.
Scott will be performing a special One-Night-Only performance of his critically acclaimed Solo Comedy show in NYC on Thursday, April 1st at 7pm at the Laurie Beechman Theatre. Stop by www.ScottNevins.com for more info!

THE SKIRBALL CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, New York University, is the premier venue for the presentation of cultural and performing arts events at NYU and lower Manhattan.
Located at 566 LaGuardia Place (at Washington Square South), it provides a large-scale, professional performance space for university productions and events and live professional performances from around the world. The 860-seat theater opened in October 2003 and hosts the only major universitybased professional multi-arts presenting program in Manhattan. As a result, one natural and continuing mission of the Skirball Center is to build young audiences for live performance through a broad range of compelling performance events at affordable ticket prices. For more information and acurrent schedule of events, visit www.skirballcenter.nyu.edu.


Tomlin, Arnaz & More Campaign for Channing Kennedy Center Honor
(SOURCE BROADWAYWORLD.COM)
A slew of celebrities are joining forces to demand that legendary actress Carol Channing be selected for the 2010 Kennedy Center Honors. Among those voicing their support for the nomination are Lily Tomlin, Chita Rivera, Phyllis Diller, Lucie Arnaz, Buzz Aldrin, Kate Linder, Tommy Tune, Loni Anderson, Alison Arngrim, Tippi Hedren and Sen Feinstein. Arnaz and Tomlin's impassioned pleas for Channing's nomination can be read below.

From Lily Tomlin: "I am encouraging all of our friends and colleagues to send a letter to the Kennedy Center of Performing Arts recommending that Carol Channing be selected as one of the 2010 Kennedy Center Honorees. I know I don't have to list all of Carol's accolades or the reasons I feel she has earned this high praise from our country-we all love her.
I hope you will add your voice to the crescendo and write a letter to the Kennedy Center to nominate Carol. It is time that our country recognizes her brilliance at this most respected event. Thanks in advance for your help and participation!"

Sincerely, Lily Tomlin


From Lucie Arnaz: "The woman is a marvel. She is the real deal and always has been. She IS ENTERTAINMENT.
And Carol Channing has been tirelessly, magnificently and graciously entertaining people of all ages and presidents of any and all political bents for decades and decades. She is a national treasure. I would second everything Lily has mentioned about her specific qualifications. I could not say it any better, so I won't even try. But, I hope you will count this email among your many letters of support to include Ms. Channing before she is not able to enjoy the experience. I know there are many deserving and talented performers each year who deserve to be among your honorees (my mother was, indeed, one of the lucky few to be chosen), but, I think it would be a blessing and a no brainer to add an icon like Carol Channing to your announcements this year."

Lucie Arnaz
A Facebook fan page titled 'Carol Channing Should Be a Kenny Center Honoree' is also up and running.

Carol Channing's illustrious and varied career spans movies, Broadway, TV, countless albums, authoring a book and has earned her three Tony Awards, a Golden Globe and and Oscar nomination. Carol Channing originated the role of Lorelei Lee in the Broadway production of 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes' for which she won the 1974 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. Channing also originated the role of Dolly Gallagher Levi in Broadway's 'Hello Dolly!' for which she garnered the 1964 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. Other theatrical credits include 'Jerry's Girls', 'Sugar Babies', 'Lorelei', 'Lend an Ear', 'Show Girl', 'Jule's Friends at the Palace', 'Pygmalion', 'The Vamp' (which earned her a 1956 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical) and 'Let's Face It!'. Film credits include 'Thoroughly Modern MIllie', 'Paid in Full', 'Skidoo', 'Alice in Wonderland', and 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band'.
In 1995, Channing received the Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement.





Bruce Winston · I totally support the nomination of Carol Channing for the Kennedy Center Honors. She created two of the iconic roles in the American Musical Theatre: Lorelei Lee and Dolly Gallagher Levi.
Carol is a true original performer who has never stopped giving all of her comedic gifts to the American public. I sincerely hope she receives this accolade.



Franz Jones ·
I think it's a wonderful idea, and very appropriate that Barack Obama should be the President to bestow it!




Barry Norton ·
I totally agree!! Carol CHanning is a Broadway Legend!!! She should behonored for all her years of hard work and dedication!! She is the BEST Dolly Levi i have ever seen. They should have used her for the movie so we would have her performance on tape. All the best to Carol Channing!!




Paul Brogan ·
Carol Channing is a legend and on top of that one of the most tireless and giving individuals in the world. As she approaches 90 she and her amazing husband Harry are canvasing the country in support of arts in the schools. I brought her to NH in 2007 and 2008 to help fundraise for those infected and affected with HIV/AIDS and she raised tens of thousands of dollars and created an awareness that was previously almost non-existent. For 70 years she has brought smiles to millions with her performances, winning Tony's, a Golden Globe and being Oscar-nominated along to way, to barely touch on the honors bestowed upon this fine person. The Kennedy Center Honor would be a fitting recognition for a lifetime of always embracing humanity.


Support THE ARTS! LIVE THEATRE! Go see a show this week! Send me your reviews and suggestions and I will put them in my next blog coming out next Friday! Here's to an ARTS-filled week! Don't forget to contribute to the DR. CAROL CHANNING & HARRY KULLIJIAN FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS: http://www.carolchanning.org/Foundation.htm

With grateful XOXOXs for your support!

Richard Skipper

Follow me on Twitter @RichardSkipper

HERE IS WHAT AUDIENCES ARE SAYING ABOUT MY WORK:
Hi Richard! Thank you again for a wonderful and entertaining evening at The Iguana on Wednesday night! You and Dana are so terrific and truly a delight to watch and hear. What an interesting line-up of singers, as well! Lots of fun! I thoroughly enjoyed the variety and the positive energy in the room. Looking forward to seeing you Wednesday! Best Always, Lisa Raze





Great show last night, Richard, and congratuations to you for Wednesday Night at the Iguana's great success. You and Dana have created such a wonderful atmosphere where you can not only hear some of the best singers in town, but also schmooze and booze with old friends and new chums! May it and you continue to grow, crow and go strong!
Peter Napolitano(pictured Mark Janus and Peter Napalitano)






Hi Richard, I attended the show at the Iguana last night (3/10/10) and loved it! Such a talented group of singers with lots of variety, and you are a fabulous host in addition to being a fabulous performer. It was a fun evening, and a great value especially considering all the talent and quality of the show. I'll definitely be back! Lori Evanson






FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NYC Now a night out in NY to see a show at a VERY AFFORDABLE price!
Dana Lorge and I have put our OWN spin on the variety show format and are now hosting every Wednesday night in NYC at The Iguana VIP Lounge (http://www.iguananyc.com) in the heart of NYC (240 West 54th Street 8-11PM/with an intermission).



Cover: $12 - no food or drink minimums – but remember – the food is great!
This is a nice night out with the family!

For more info, please call 845-365-0720 or visit _www.RichardSkipper.com_
RESERVATIONS A MUST!!!!!!!!
212-765-5454.
No one admitted before
7:30.


















TOMORROW NIGHT:
March 17th: Bending Threads and Cindy Marchionda returns along with Sally Swallow!

March 24th, Jackie Draper Julie Reyburn, and Diana Templeton returns!


March 31st: Frank Basile (seen here with Celeste Holm) , Deb Berman, Stearns Matthews, Allegra Thieman ...


April 7th: Esther Beckman Group, Sina Lewis, Cindy Marchionda, RJ Shaw, Susan Winter


April 14th: Karen Oberlinjoins us!George Stella returns!

April 21st: Anaiza, Henry Dee, Rita Ellis Hammer, Jim Speake, Susan Eichhorn Young

April 28th: Kecia Craig and Frank Stern!


May 2nd: D'Yan Forest and Tod Hall


May 5th: Anton Van Der Merwe

May 19th: Adrienne Haan


May 26th: Michelle Collier


June 16th: 2010 Julie Reyburn


May 19th: Michelle Collier, Barbara Gurskey
TILL NEXT MONTH...HERE'S TO A MUSICAL MARCH!