Our Voices Will Not Be Silenced: Not a Left or Right Issue

50 years ago tonight Cabaret opened on Broadway

The sun on the meadow is summery warm
The stag in the forest runs free
But gather together to greet the storm
Tomorrow belongs to me

The branch of the linden is leafy and green
The Rhine gives its gold to the sea
But somewhere a glory awaits unseen
Tomorrow belongs to me

The babe in his cradle is closing his eyes
The blossom embraces the bee
But soon, says a whisper
"Arise, arise, tomorrow belongs

To me!"

-  Fred Ebb, Cabaret 1966

Happy November 20th, 2016!
As I sit down to write today's blog, I'm listening to What I Did For Love from A Chorus Line in the background. November 20 is the 325th day of the year. There are 41 days remaining until the end of the year. This date is slightly more likely to fall on a Tuesday, Friday or Sunday (58 in 400 years each) than on Wednesday or Thursday (57), and slightly less likely to occur on a Monday or Saturday (56). 
Thanksgiving is in four days! That's a whole different type of theater! 18 days till my show (more about that below).  
34 days till Christmas! Yikes!!
151 Days till Bette Midler's opening night in Hello, Dolly!
Today, I'm going to address the issue of Mike Pence and Hamilton. 

First of all, you would have to be living under a rock not to know that Hamilton is the hottest show on Broadway. It is sold out a year in advance and has put Lin Manuel Miranda on a level that many of us will not see in our own lifetimes. The show has won just about every award that can be awarded to a show.
From The Public Theater to Broadway, it has been on a wave unprecedented in my lifetime. Over the past fifteen months, I have been feeling like I'm living in a topsy-turvey world. 
Over the past year and a half we have seen a demagogue reality star run for President AND get elected. I will not say that he 'won' the election because Hillary Clinton won the popular vote.

If what we've seen and witnessed over the past 15 months of our lives was a movie even five years ago, no one would believe it. I am reminder of A Face in The Crowd and Elmer Gantry when I look back over this election. I highly recommend that you see both of these movies if you haven't already. It will cause you to look at the results of the past year and a half differently.

I have my own theories as to why Donald Trump has been elected but that would be a whole other blog. I do believe that Trump was elected because he is a celebrity. The media played into that as well over the past year. They've created this! As Les Moonves said very early in the campaign, "He may be all wrong for the country, but he is great for ratings." With all due respect, Mr. Moonves and all others in the media, this is more than ratings.

It's our future and the future of generations to come.

On Friday night, Vice President Mike Pence decided to take in Hamilton on Broadway. He was greeted by boos and cheers. When one is controversial, that is to be expected.
At the end of the show, actor Brandon Victor Dixon had a message for Pence who was walking out as the actors were taking their bows (bad form by the way).

Vice President-elect Mike Pence, center at left, attended a Friday showing of “Hamilton.” Afterward, a lead actor read a statement.

The New York Times reported, "A surprising confrontation erupted on Saturday between

I'm thankful to be able to express my views without fear of censorship

President-elect Donald J. Trump and the cast and creators of the Broadway hit Hamilton, setting off furious debate over American principles like free speech, respect and the ability to challenge authority in the Trump era.

Brandon Victor Dixon in July. At the end of the show on Friday, he told Mr. Pence, “We truly hope that this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and to work on behalf all of us.” Credit Brad Barket/Invision, via Associated Press

President-elect Trump demanded an apology from the cast for making a rare, politically charged

appeal from the stage on Friday night to Vice President-elect Mike Pence, who was in the audience, urging him and Mr. Trump to “uphold our American values” and “work on behalf of all of us.”   Mr. Trump’s response significantly escalated an unusual protest inside a theater into a furor on social media and cable news."
First of all, it is not surprising. Trump has gone after the media every time something is said that he does not approve of.

Early on in his election, he vowed to take press credentials from those who do not support him one hundred percent.
  
Facebook Post: "Make America great again" = make it 1861 again.
"The theater must always be a safe and special place" = theatre must be a place where we are

Carol Channing campaigned for Lyndon B. Johnson

never challenged to think for ourselves and all comments must agree with the State.
Could this get ANY worse? Will I be arrested for posting this?

You may think that this is an extreme way of thinking, however, there are many who disagree. We have a President elect who questioned the Emmy Awards when he didn't win an Emmy Award. He has attacked many in the media. He has been unusually cruel to Rosie O'Donnell and he has said horrible things about Megyn Kelly among many others. On October 2, The  New York Times compiled a list of people that Trump had insulted ONLY during his campaign up to that time. The total was 281!
He took to Twitter again last night to slam Saturday Night Live, calling the NBC show “one-sided” and “biased.” Mr. Trump, you are filling your cabinet with people that are biased and one sided!

THAT is our concern, not on a show based on satire.
He said in his Tweet after Pence attended Hamilton that Pence had been harassed by the cast. FALSE!
Another example of his delusional take on things. You can see on tape what was said.However, he still tries to peddle his own version of an incident to suit his agenda. We must all keep track for when they start to systematically try to delete records of his delusions. 
I just read that Mayor deBlasio was booed last night when he attended a birthday celebration of Tony Bennett in Staten Island.

It goes with the territory. Carol Channing once told me that for every person who likes me, there are an equal number who don't. I get that. There are those that dislike me because of things I've said and/or done. I apologize if I've ever offended anyone. That is never my intention.
I've written about being a bullied kid so many times that I run the risk of sounding like a broken record. I often wonder if there is anything that I have ever said or done that brought/brings that upon myself.  

Donald Trump's attacking tweets through most of his campaign

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, in Johnson City, N.Y., on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016. Photo Credit: Office of the Governor / Darren McG

"America was built on the promise that all of us were created equal and should be treated equally.

In the days since the election, that promise has been threatened."
- Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo

 THAT, Mr. Pence and Mr. Trump, are why people are booing!

Scarlett O'Hara ( Vivien Leigh ):
"Fiddle dee dee. War, war, war. This war talk is spoiling the fun at every party this spring. I get so bored I could scream."

 

Alec Baldwin tweeted this after another one of Trump's Tweets last night: You know what I would do

Is Trump's Twitter account a foghorn alerting us that he will suppress free speech.

if I were Prez? I'd be focused on how to improve the lives of AS MANY AMERICANS AS POSSIBLE.

If retired Gen. Michael Flynn becomes Donald Trump's National Security Advisor, will he continue to be fooled by "fake news?"

Another Facebook post:
I am SO sick of hearing "Make American great again." I can't stand it. America IS great. She is great for her laws, principles, history and people. Sure we have some problems and maybe even some big problems but America is still GREAT! We would not trade it for any other country. Not to offend anyone from another country. Thanks!

Is this our new reality? Trump Supporters Call For A “Hamilton” Boycott After The Cast Addressed Mike Pence. Click HERE for Full article. 


"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”― Edmund Burke

There are many things I don't like in the media. Violence depicted in movies, for example. However, it is not up to me to try and squash it. I simply don't support it. It is a slippery slope when our President-elect starts advocating censorship in the media.
Tweet from Trump: The Theater must always be a safe and special place.The cast of Hamilton was very rude last night to a very good man, Mike Pence. Apologize!

Mr. Trump, PLEASE pay attention to what WAS said. It was welcoming and delivered with respect. The theater is a microcosm of the world. I beg of you, PLEASE make America SAFE again! 

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

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 ,

 

Courtesy Scott Clarke
Click on site 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!   

        

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

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• Richard Skipper Celebrates...December 9th 7PM at the

  

  "A Charlie Brown Christmas" first airing Thursday, December 9, 1965

  
  

  Triad. featured guests will INCLUDE Kevin Dozier, Peggy Eason, Eddie Korbich, Marieann Meringolo Lisa Viggiano...AND A Mystery Guest*! Bryon Sommers, Musical Director with Jeff Carney on bass and Rex Benincasa on percussion.
  

  

   
  

  Richard Skipper Celebrates: A Talk/Variety Show encouraging us to celebrate each and every day and the hidden gems therein. Did you know A Charlie Brown Christmas Debuted in 1965...Buck Henry, Margaret Hamilton, Dalton Trumbo, Douglas

  

  Douglas Faitbanks, Jr.

  Fairbanks Jr were all born on December 9th? 

  Wear Purple! The Ruling Color Of The Day and The Color of Royalty! 
  Tickets are $30.00 plus a two drink minimum. Reservations a MUST! Call 888 596-1027 to purchase tickets or YOU can also do it on THEIR website. http://www.triadnyc.com/buy-tickets

  
  

  

  Hilary Kole

  *Previous Mystery Guests have included Hilary Kole, Melba Moore, and Stacy Sullivan

  Boy Do we Need it NOW!

  
  

  Keeping Entertainment LIVE!
   

  TILL TOMORROW...HERE'S TO AN ARTS FILLED DAY
  Let your voices be Heard!

  
  

  Richard Skipper, Richard@RichardSkipper.com