Remembering Rita Gam, Celebrating Meg Flather and Cristina Fontanelli...AND MORE!

Remembering Tita Gam

I have not had a vacation in ages. My vacation is breathing between my work.
-Yoko Ono

Happy April 2nd!
April 2 is the 93rd day of this year. There are 273 days remaining until the end of the year. Here in New York, April showers are in full force. It is a very rainy day. I will spend the day writing and then looking forward to having dinner with a friend who is here in New York doing a lab for hopefully a new Broadway show. More about that at another time.

I begin every day by checking out the birthdays of the day in our local paper. Today, the first name listed is actress Rita Gam. As I googled her to get the latest, I was shocked to find out that she passed on March 22nd. I had no idea!

I wonder how many of my readers knew/know this. Nothing showed up either in my Facebook or Twitter feeds. Beyond that, I wonder how many people from a younger generation even know who she is.  I remember her from the Biblical movies that came out in the fifties. I used to see them on Sunday afternoons on the afternoon movies.  

She was a glamorous actress who starred in such exotic films as Saadia with Cornel Wilde, Sign of the Pagan with Jack Palance as Attila the Hun and Nicholas Ray’s biblical King of Kings She was 88 at the time of her passing.
Rita had her breakout role in Broadway with A Flag is Born in 1946. After seven years doing Broadway, she had her first film role in 1953’s The Thief.
During her career, she also starred in numerous stage productions, which include Wit & Wisdom, Hamlet, and There’s a Girl in My Soup. Her last film role came in 1989 with Midnight.

Rita Gam with Gregory Peck during the filming of the political thriller Night People in Berlin in 1953. Photograph: Kreusch/AP

After leaving the film industry for good, Rita continued to perform on the off-Broadway stage. Before long, she became a producer for the PBS travel series World of Beauty.
HERE is her obituary from The Guardian. 
I have written on numerous time about why these artists are important to me. To reiterate, when I was a kid, I was enthralled (still am) with old Hollywood.
What happened to the glamour? The grunge look does nothing for me and as far as music is concerned, most music today is about angst and screaming! When will the pendulum swing back? 

Happy Birthday, Buddy Ebsen

I grew up in the days of variety specials and TV shows and television spectaculars. In the mid 70s, when I was a young teenager, the nostalgia craze began thanks to the film, That's Entertainment. That opened up that entire world to me. I began getting every book my parents would buy for me on old Hollywood and there were MANY!
I began acting when I was thirteen. My mentor, Miss Florence Epps, instilled in me a reverence for those that had gone before me. She told me on more than one occasion that every time I walked on stage, I was carrying the mantle of all previous artists with me and that it was my OBLIGATION to honor them.
I never forgot that and I think of that every time I have an opportunity to be before an audience. That

Judy Garland, Buddy Ebsen and Deanna Durbin.

means physically and through the many platforms I have available to me now thanks to social media and especially with this blog. It means the world to me that you have taken the time to spend with me.
I did the same for years through my performances of my tribute to Carol Channing.
Rita, I thank you for the gifts you gave to the world. Today, I celebrate the other "gems" today holds thanks to those that passed through this day and those that still are.
On this day in 1972, actor Charlie Chaplin returned to the United States for the first time since being labeled a communist during the Red Scare in the early 1950s.
Notable Birthdays TODAY
1908 – Buddy Ebsen, Dancer and actor Buddy Ebsen performed on Broadway and films, but he’s best known for his role as Jed Clampett on The Beverly Hillbillies, which ran for nine seasons. Later on, he became known as Barnaby Jones. It wasn't until much later that I even knew that he had a musical comedy career. He and his sister Velma were a vaudeville dance act.

AP Photo/Harold Filan

He did musicals with Judy Garland and Shirley Temple early on in their respective careers. Originally, he was supposed to play the scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz. Ray Bolger was originally signed on to be the Tin Man. He campaigned to play the Scarecrow. After all, he was known as Ray "Rubber Legs" Bolger. The powers that be saw his logic and the role of the Tin Man went to Buddy Ebsen. You can actually hear Ebsen's voice in We're Off to See The Wizard when Garland, Bolger, and Haley embark to Oz. THAT is Ebsen's voice, not Haley's! The original make-up was an aluminum paste and it got into Ebsen's lungs, almost killing him. Ebsen was

replaced with Jack Haley and the rest is history. Can you imagine if everything had gone according to plan? Obviously, it would have been a different film? We can only speculate.
Another one of my favorite films is Breakfast at Tiffany's and Ebsen breaks my heart in that film. Happy Birthday, Mr. Ebsen!
Take Buddy Ebsen as The Tin Man home with you by clicking HERE.
Today is also the birthday of Alec Guinness.

Who is more foolish? The fool or the fool that follows it?
 – Alec Guinness

Happy Birthday, EmmyLou Harris and Marvin Gaye. 
Producer/writer/actor/director JACK WEBB born this date (1920–1982). Pete Kelly's Blues, -30-, The D.I., TVs Dragnet.
1927 – Kenneth Tynan, English author and critic (d. 1980).

A critic is a man who knows the way but can't drive the car.

Linda Hunt

Kenneth Tynan

Happy birthday Linda Hunt!
Happy birthday to academic writer and social critic,Camille Paglia.
1949 – Ron Palillo, American actor (d. 2012).
Actor/singer/dancer Jack Buchanan born (1891)

Notable Transitions on this day 
1987 – Buddy Rich, American drummer, songwriter, and bandleader (b. 1917).
Betty Furness (1994).

Milo O'Shea, Irish-American actor (June 2, 1926 – April 2, 2013)

Milo O'Shea, Irish-American actor (b. 1926).
Robert H. Schuller, American pastor and author (b. 1926).

It is difficult to say what is impossible, for the dream of yesterday is the hope of today and the reality of tomorrow. Robert H. Schuller

On April 2nd, 1961, The Marcels started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with the Rodgers and Heart song 'Blue Moon', also a No.1 in the UK.

Revival of The Mikado opened on Broadway (1987) 

In Other Entertainment News
Get your tickets today for Tues April 5 7pm panel on Madeline Kahn! Valerie Smaldone,  Barbara Barrie, Corman, and Joanna Gleason at the 92nd Street Y  CLICK HERE

Singer/songwriter, cabaret performer and author Meg Flather is a Backstage Bistro and MAC Award-

winning performer who has garnered glowing reviews from top New York entertainment publications and websites. Meg is often compared vocally, lyrically and stylistically to legendary singer/songwriters: Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon, Annie Lennox and Suzanne Vega. Meg has released six CDs of her original music (all of which are available on iTunes), and she has written and recorded songs for independent films, the Off-Broadway show Acts of Love, and on behalf of Alzheimer’s, Autism and suicide awareness. Meg is a member of ASCAP and all songs are published by Margaret Hall Music.
Meg has also been a featured performer for The Gay Men’s Health Crisis at New York’s historic Webster Hall, for the Vermont Film Festival and the Tribeca Film and Family Festival. In December 2013, Meg performed her music to benefit the victims of Typhoon Yolanda at the Philippine Consulate. Today, I also celebrate Meg Flather. I first met Meg around 2010 when I was co-hosting Wednesday

Meg Flather

Night at the Iguana with Dana Lorge. I became an instant fan both on and off stage. She is an example of going through life with grace. For the past several years, in addition to a very heavy work load, she has also been dealing with and living with her mom's Alzheimer's.
Last year, she won the Hanson Award presented by the Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs. 
This year, she won for her song, Hold on Tight, which deals with her mother's Alzheimer's. 
Here is my mini interview with Meg.  

What is your Morning Motivation?
I wish I could say that I rise with the sun, meditate, drink herbal tea, run a few miles and complete a Pilates class before opening my mouth, but the truth is I do not. But I aim to exercise and vocalize each day. Since I juggle

many hats it is always a race for balance. Each morning I sip my coffee with my cat on my legs, iPad in my lap and enjoy planning the day, reading e-mails, answering messages. Creating balance is my morning motivation.

How do you approach social media marketing?
I am the worst! I still carry a flip phone and I know that has to change. But because of my home shopping/cosmetic career, I post on Facebook thoughtfully. I remember that I am a brand. So, every time I share I imagine each and every colleague, customer, employer and cabaret audience member reading it. Take a beat and remember everything you write is permanent. 
Be kind, entertain, inspire, educate, support. Never the nasty stuff and no complaining! 

It’s Twitter’s 10th birthday. So how do you feel about it now – love it or hate it?

Still have not figured out how to do that one consistently. So, I guess I am not yet a fan.

What do you still want that you don't have now?
I would like to create a one-woman spoken piece about my years caring for Mom. There is time for that. I know it will be titled, "Chasing Becky."

What is your favorite song?
What a hard question!  Right now, My Best Girl from MAME comes to mind. It is what I sing to Mom. Moves me deeply. She used to sing it with me each night. It was how I measured her memory loss. Now, she does not sing or know the words, but I know she knows the meaning and feels the connection through it. Deep times over here. I need to tell Jerry Herman this story and thank him for that song. 

Batman or Superman?
Oh, Batman because of childhood. I just loved that show. Remember All those awesome guest actors? 

What lesson are you learning in life right now??
Oh, thank you for asking this! I am most proud of staying in the moment. Don't look back too far or for too long. Don't make hard core plans. Because of my experience with Mom's dementia, I stay in her world. That means moment to moment. When I do that gifts just fall in my lap. Everything works out beautifully because I am not forcing, pushing, leaving no room for the miracles to happen. This is what my song, "Hold On Tight" is all about.  (MAC Award winner this year!)

How do you stay focused on what matters most?
Well, staying in the moment answers this question too, but I

would add to look at your week in an old fashioned date book. Make sure you have created lots of space for quiet. If I don't have blocks of nothing time, I burn out easily. Much is asked of me right now. All my hats require me to really communicate, connect with others authentically. So, restoring the battery is essential.  Keep lots of white space in your date book!
Don't miss Meg Flather in Portraits Monday night at Don't Tell Mama. 

I also wish to celebrate Cristina Fontanelli today.
Cristina Fontanelli — has become a well-known personality through her recordings, her appearances on TV, radio, in concert, nightclubs, and opera, and through her acting debut on network television. She has appeared as PBS-TV/NY affiliates host for Andrea Bocelli’s “Live From Central Park” also starring Celine Dion and Tony Bennett; for the “Il Volo Takes Flight” special; Vienna Boys Choir and Qi Gong PBS-TV Specials. 

Tony Bennett and Cristina Fontanelli

In November of 2014 Cristina was chosen by the Italian government as a world-wide representative of the Puglia region to sing in Bari, Italy.  She is the “voice of Domino’s Pizza” on their national radio commercial, the voice of “Nonna” on PBS-TV Chef Lidia Bastianich’s Christmas special (in over 300 PBS outlets across the U.S.) and has appeared on CBS Weekend NY in interview/performance/co-hosting roles for the past 2 years.  Cristina’s beautiful soprano voice has taken her to the White House as part of President Clinton’s holiday celebration and Cristina was invited to open the ceremonies at the Stars and Stripes Inaugural Ball for President George W. Bush.  This following her

“Lifetime Achievement Award in the Arts” from the Order Sons of Italy in America (previous honorees include Luciano Pavarotti).  I met Cristina thanks to our mutual friend, Ellen Easton when I interviewed Rick Lertzman and William J. Birnes at Barnes & Noble on the Upper East Side in celebration of their book, The Life and Times of Mickey Rooney. 
Ellen had produced Mickey Rooney's 90th Birthday Party at Feinstein's in 2010. Crristina sang Happy Birthday to Rooney at that party. 
She joined us in celebration of Rooney this October and then joined us afterward for a wonderful dinner.    

“Vocal genius….. - The New York Sun

Here is our mini interview.
What Does This Time In Your Life Mean To You? 

Add caption

This time in my life is special because I have a body of work to represent my sacrifices and original aspirations as an artist.  It is satisfying that, although perhaps I haven’t yet reached some of my highest goals that I never gave up and through my perseverance have been able to express my inner artistic inspirations and share them in many parts of the world.  It’s like breathing for an artist – to share the artistic vision one has for a song, for a production, in creating a role or the perfect “storm” of a performance.  No matter what the future brings, hopefully more artistic opportunities, I am at peace knowing I have achieved a good measure of what I was meant to do in this world.

Name six things you could not live without
The stage (even watching others on it), wine, pasta, my family/friends, love, GOD

What is your unique value proposition?
I believe this questions means what do I bring to the show business table that is unique? my strength lies in my strong vocal technique and crossover abilities and the talent to connect with an audience.

Who gave you your break in the business? 
There were a few people.  A wonderful elderly woman in Palm Beach who sponsored my voice lessons with NYC’s best voice teacher; the man who originally hired me for my first world-tour as soprano soloist with the Mantovani Orchestra, the PBS-TV producer who heard me sing and entertain at their donor cocktail party and said “We need your energy” and put me in Central Park hosting, the Andrea Bocelli concert along with Paula Zahn.  The show also starred Tony Bennett, Celine Dion and David Foster.  I was in incredible company, don’t you think?

What was your favorite toy when you were a kid and why? 
I LOVED my Barbie doll.  I’m sure she represented my future glamourous life…. Changing outfits, gowns, little plastic high heels in colors to match the outfits.   I even had a “mink stole” for her… which, of course, was not yet politically incorrect!

Why do you keep doing what you do?
I definitely am one of the “cliché”  - if you don’t HAVE to do this, do something else.  I identify as an artist and realize that more and more.  There was a time when I was  terribly shy in real life, and like so many artists, felt incredibly free on a stage, even in front of thousands.  I improved in dealing with people in real life, but still “live” fully on-stage.

What do you still want that you don't have now?
A larger bank account! LOL!

What Saturday wisdom would you like to offer my readers today?  
Find your Joy and live in it.

What is your election fear?
I try not to live with fear of any kind  but trust God that He will help us find the way to deal with the extraordinary issues we face.

By Popular Demand: Voice/Speech Lessons 

and Career Consultations 

www.cristinafontanelli.com 

Call for more info: 212-217-6181

Cristina in Light Opera of Manhattan's Pirates of Penzance

May 15, 2016
Third Annual Great International Songbook, NYC

Click HERE to Order Tickets

 I'd also like to congratulate Jim Speake on winning the Nancy LaMott-David Friedman Award presented

by the Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs. Check out THIS VIDEO.  Visit his Website HERE.  
For more about the MAC Awards, Click HERE. 
Jim Speake is coming back to the cabaret stage in Sweet Life: The Show
The Laurie Beechman Theatre
Tuesday April 12th at 7PM
Directed by Lennie Watts
Musical Direction with Steven Ray Watkins
with the SRW Band
at WestBank Cafe 407 West 42nd Street
Reserve TODAY!


Thank you, to all of the artists mentioned in this blog for the gifts you have given to the world and continue to give!

With grateful XOXOXs ,

 

 

Check out my site celebrating the legacy of Dolly Gallagher Levi!

Bette Midler to return to stage for lead role in 2017 production of Hello, Dolly!

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!   

        

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

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Keeping Entertainment LIVE!
 

TILL TOMORROW...HERE'S TO AN ARTS FILLED DAY

Richard Skipper, Richard@RichardSkipper.com

PLEASE CELEBRATE WITH US April 7th in NYC


Don't Tell Mama Presents...

Wendy Scherl returns in What Do You Do All Day?  Directed by the incredible Helen Baldasarre with great musical direction by Matthew Martin Ward. Wendy is an amazing vocalist with a rangy and rich sound. “This is someone to watch!” Go see her, you can thank me later.
- Sue Matsuki   In “What Do You Do All Day”, Wendy Scherl shares anecdotes and song about the numerous hats she wears every single day as a wife, a mother of two boys and two dogs, a short order cook, a daughter, a house manager, a chauffeur and Cabaret Singer! Her show is both touching and real, theatrical and funny!
This show WILL sell out! So reserve today and be a part of his star studded audience!
You will truly be amazed by what this full-time executive director of a family of four accomplishes every day!  Wendy will wow you with both her choice of material and her talent!
After graduating from Northwestern University with a BA in Theatre, Wendy performed in numerous
regional theatre productions around the country, including some of her favorite productions: Hair (The official 20th Anniversary Production in Chicago), Grease (numerous roles), Annie (Grace), The Pajama Game (Babe), and Godspell.  

$20.00 Cover/Two Drink Minimum Cash Only Reserve at 212-757-0788 (after 4PM or through me)

$5.00 OFF COVER OF ALL MAC MEMBERS
Richard Skipper Celebrates is the publicist for Wendy Scherl and What Do You Do All Day? at NYC's Don't Tell Mama. For press reservations, interview requests, or more information, contact Richard Skipper at Richard@RichardSkipper.com or 845-365-0720