Good Bye 2015! Hello, 2016...PART ONE!

December 31, 2015

Good Bye 2015! Hello, 2016...PART ONE!

There are only a few hours left in 2015 — and if I am going to keep moving forward in 2016, I need you with me from day one.This has been a very interesting year. I have always been able to count on you, my friends, family, fellow entertainers, and fans, especially during the big moments.Good, bad, surprising and shocking. I am Grateful everyday for many things. As I go into this new year, I will continue to move forward in gratitude and blessed.

Wishing YOU ALL a Happy, Healthy and Great Abundance in the New Year!
From Karen Mason: Wishing everyone a wondrous and adventure-filled New Year! Peace, joy, understanding, and curiosity, with a really healthy amount of compassion!
Today, I am focusing on most of the things that I have been grateful for this year.

Happy New Year! Come with it 2016!I wish

PEACE, HAPPINESS, ACHIEVEMENT OF DREAMS, and a snark free, Bully free, violence free, gun free, world for all!
Much happiness, music and dancing in the new year! It Was A Very Good Year.
This was a year of triumphs and some sadness as well. We are just a few hours away from the start of a monumental election year, and we have our work cut out for us...but today, let's focus on great entertainment! I want to begin with the entertainment highs I experienced this year.
One of the true highlights of this year was Melba Moore's amazing birthday concert earlier this year. I have been a fan of hers since I first heard her sing. To see her up close and personal and in amazing voice was just out of this world.
Thank you to my friend Craig Witham for asking me us to join him.
The place was packed beyond capacity and it was truly like going to a revival meeting! Thank you, Melba! Melba will be at 54 Below in Melba Moore Live 1/9/2016 9:30pm Tickets on sale now.

This was the year of Sinatra's 100th Birthday. The first show I saw this year celebrating Sinatra was Richard Malavet's wonderful tribute at the Metropolitan Room. He is included in Navida Stein 's TOP PICKS of 2015 over at Stage Buddy for this show, "Very Good Years: The Intimate Sinatra!"

Speaking of Sinatra, the year was very busy with Julie Budd's Remembering Mr. Sinatra shows and Jerry Costanzo's Sinatra Inspired. I spent a wonderful evening at WPIX 11 thanks to Ellyn Marks for producing a show moderated by Marvin Scott that featured Julie, Bill Boggs, and Steve Tyrell.

A big shout out to my designer and friend Glen Charlow. He has been my designer from the beginning of MY internet age and I would be lost without him. A BIG THANK YOU!
Another highlight this year was getting to South Carolina to spend a few days with my sister, Brother Emery, and niece Lakyn.

Unfortunately, my mom left for Pigeon Forge Tennessee and Dollywood just as we arrived and I didn't get a chance to even see her. My sister has had some serious health issues and I am glad that she has pulled through with flying colors!
It was fun to see my cousins Karen, JoAnn, and Patsy, and my Uncle Gilbert while I was home.
You all may not realize it, but you are my lifeblood! Danny and I were lucky enoughto see Bette Midler this summer at Madison Square Garden thanks to Scott Eberle! He told me about StubHub and I was able to get affordable tickets TWELFTH ROW CENTER! Wow! And thank you, Scott!
Another great show that I just saw rounded out the year. That was Michael Feinstein at 54 Below. I'd like to thank Ellen Easton, who has been a TRUE friend this year, for this amazing night and NO ONE surpasses John Iachetti in the hospitality department. He reminds me so much of Jean-Claude Baker, who we sadly lost earlier this year. He was the owner of Chex Josephine and the ultimate host!

I also got to work on some amazing shows this year as a publicist. I began the year working on the film, Life Inside Out, an indie film of a mother returning to her artistic roots. I thank Tessa Bell for giving me this amazing opportunity. It was also wonderful getting to know author and actress, Maggie Baird.
Produced by Tessa Bell ; written by Maggie Baird and Lori Nasso ; directed by Jill D'Agnenica.
I became familiar with Jimmie Bush Jr. through George Bettinger. He made his New York City debut this year at the Metropolitan Room. Sadly, I missed his performance due to the fact that I was in Malibu. He returns The Metropolitan Room Feb 16th RSVP now! I was also happy to get to know and work with Sally Darling on her amazing show, Perspectives. She was brilliantly accompanied by Matthew Martin Ward.
I also got to work on Dean Benner's show at the Triad thanks to Linda Amiel Burns. He was joined by Christine Shuler and a kickin' band led by Richard Danley. Catch him next time he is around.

I would like to thank Bernard and Joanne Furshpan for all the support they have given me this year.

I probably have spent more time at the Metropolitan Room than any other club in town.

Many

of my clients appeared there this year: Julie Budd, celebrity artist in residence did several shows this year beginning with They Wrote the Songs, celebrating great songwriters

with a nod to those that are still writing great songs. I also had the pleasure of doing the PR for David Kenney's Christmas Benefit for WBAI. Check out David's Everything Old is New Again every Sunday night at 9PM on WBAI.

Another highlight was attending Jim Speake's CD Release party earlier this year at the Laurie Beechman Theatre. I worked with Jim last year on his wonderful tribute to Cy Coleman. I will be working with him in the coming months on his latest show celebrating his CD.
Be on the look sometime in the spring.
I am grateful that Sherry Eaker asked me to do the red carpet at this year's Bistro Awards. There were many highlights with this year's award show. One being the incredible Carol Fredette for ongoing jazz artistry.
From Suzanna Bowling:

A new year is all about starting afresh and realizing your
dreams. So, let’s raise a toast to a Happy New Year and even happier beginnings. New is the year, new are the hopes,

new is the resolution, new are the spirits, and new are my warm wishes just for you.

Have a promising and fulfilling New Year.
I'd like to thank Suzanna Bowling of Times Square
Chronicles for the coverage and support she has given to my clients this year.
It is much appreciated. Much success to you in 2016!
Another highlight was hosting Dancers Over 40's 2015 Legacy Awards. I hosted the very first Legacy Awards as Carol Channing.
How wonderful to come full circle and host as Richard Skipper. I thank John Sefakis for this. This year's recipients were Gene Gavin (who sadly passed before the ceremony, Donna McKechnie, Janice Herbert, Tony Sheldon, and James Dybas. I love them all so it was a great treat!
Thank you, George Bettinger, for all of the support you have shown me and my clients this year and congratulations on your induction into the Friar's Club.

I am excited to start my year by seeing Once Upon a Mattress being presented by the Transport Group on Sunday afternoon. What a great way to start the New Year. It has been sold out almost every performance. I am so looking forward to seeing Jackie Hoffman as Winifred the Wobegon!
Princess Winifred the Wobegon is known as the Princess from the Swamps.Also in the cast is the always amazing Lypsinka!
From Christina Via:
Happy New Year to you all!! Ahhhh 🌟 2016🌟 is going to be so blessed, May you always see the beauty around you in you and in others just like this beautiful flower photo!!
That inner Island that is in us all!! and May God shine blessings on your path, in your heart as His Love, and our trust in The Greatest Power ..the spirit in
Happy New Year!!!
All my Love, Christina

us all leads the way... May we all find more kindness and more pause for patience.... and whatever we learned from this past year may we apply it. what we need to be the best we can be and offer to others as we are building our dreams .

George Bettinger will present Jimmie at 7 PM. For reservations call 212 206 0440 or visit metropolitanroom.com.
One site that has become my go to site for entertainment related news this year is Sandi Durell's TheaterPizzazz. Read her cabaret critic's top Cabaret Shows of 2015 http://www.theaterpizzazz.com/top-cabaret-shows-of-2015. No surprise to see Ann Hampton Callaway, Marilyn Maye, Michael Feinstein, BabyJaneDexter, Norm Lewis, and RickyRitzel among that list.

Lemmy

Legendary Motörhead frontman and bassist Lemmy has died following a short battle with cancer, his bandmates have announced. He was 70. Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister, who was also a member and sometime vocalist of the band Hawkwind in the 1970s, found that he was suffering from "an extremely aggressive" form of cancer on December 26 -- the day after Christmas. He died at home with his family.

Jim Bailey passed on this year. In the last few days, another part of the Times Square Landscape has changed. Frankie and Johnny's Steak House is moving to Restaurant Row, on 46th Street.

One of the highlights of this year was Merman's Apprentice Starring Klea Blackhurst. For those of you who are lucky enough to attend on January 16th, you are in for a treat!

"Melodies that have the perfect period pizzazz to remind us of when Broadway really was Broadway.
MERMAN’S APPRENTICE hits the bull’s eye."
Peter Filichia, theater critic, Star-Ledger emeritus

"A hilarious good time from start to finish! Cole, the book writer and lyricist, has struck story line gold. Book and lyrics are solidly supported by David Evan’s tuneful and sprightly music, which includes several lovely ballads for musical texture. Klea Blackhurst is the perfect Merman. Elizabeth Teeter is a young actor to watch; she has talent and confidence.
Her synergy with Blackhurst is apparent. Seriously funny perfection...a true musical comedy!"
Marilyn Lester, Theatre Pizzazz

Here they come boys! Here they come world!
Merman's Apprentice in Concert is returning
for ONE NIGHT only to Birdland on Jan. 18th at 7pm to celebrate the release of the brand new Original Cast recording of the June Concert that SOLD OUT and rocked 44th Street. They've got a fabulous cast featuring Klea Blackhurst, Anita Gillette, Elizabeth Teeter, Bill Nolte, Fred Applegate, Eddie Korbich, Adam Heller, Brian Charles Rooney, Desi Oakley, F. Michael Haynie, Sarah Sesler, Michael McCorry Rose and a 6 piece band led by Larry Yurman.
Go to http://www.birdlandjazz.com/event/1017871-mermans-apprentice-starring-new-york to reserve early!
To see FIVE minutes of the concert that will make you want to see the rest,
Click HERE. Celebrate 2016 with the Films and Music of Virginia O'Brien: MGM's Deadpan Diva ~ Look for the 2016 release of Robert Strom's new book "MGM's Deadpan Diva: Virginia O'Brien" the authorized biography from BearManor Media!
http://www.bearmanormedia.com
I want to give a nod to this year's Kennedy Center Honors. I think this show was one of the best

Aretha Franklin WOWS the 2015 Kennedy Center audience

produced shows I have seen in years. I loved EVERY minute of it. Starting with Rita Moreno, who I was lucky enough to meet earlier this year at Barnes AND Nobel when her memoirs came out. She was interviewed by Lin Manuel-Miranda who is having one of the biggest triumphs in the history of Broadway with Hamilton. I hope I can see it in 2016!
One show that I regret not seeing this year was Ben Vereen at 54 Below.
Want inspiration? Read this great article on Marin Mazzie that appeared in today's New York Times.

To Be Continued...

Thank to ALL of the artists mentioned in this blog for the gifts they have given to the world and continue to give!

With grateful XOXOXs ,