Ben Rimalower, Ann Hampton Callaway, and Leslie Orofino are all doing shows!

Fred Astaire and Judy Garland rehearsing for Easter Parade

Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.
- Albert Einstein, German-American physicist (born 1879, transitioned this date in 1955)

Happy April 18th!
April 18 is the 108th day of the year. There are 257 days remaining until the end of the year. 
It is a beautiful day here in New York and as I began today's blog, I was listening to Ethel Merman's Disco Album. The track playing is I Got Rhythm to be exact!
If that doesn't get one energized, nothing will. 
I hope all that read this had a great spring holiday, whatever you celebrate. 
 
What a stunningly beautiful weekend we had. Plenty of nice weather and only a few raindrops. All in all, perfectly lovely. What would make it even nicer is if I got to see YOU soon at one of our events. I miss you! 
That's what today's blog is about. I hope that all of my readers will find the time to attend at least one of the shows mentioned here. PLEASE tell them you read about it in my blog!

Ann Hampton Callaway can't wait to unveil The Ella Century at Birdland tonight through this

Ann Hampton Callaway

Saturday, with shows at 8:30 and 11! She is inspired to be celebrating one of the most extraordinary people of the 20th century. This shy girl who overcame a childhood no one should endure, who didn't have the beauty queen looks expected on the band stand, went on to become our beloved "First Lady of Song," selling over 40 million records and winning countless awards including 14 Grammy's and The National Medal of the Arts.
Please join Ann, Matt Baker, Dean Johnson, Tim Horner and  Benny Benack III for a feast of exciting music laced with story and love in honor of Ella Fitzgerald! For tix call (212) 581-3080.
 Ann Hampton Callaway — the “…superbly intelligent, singularly creative pop-jazz stylist who can stand shoulder to shoulder with Streisand, Ronstadt, Shirley Horn, and Dianne Reeves...” (JazzTimes) — returns to Birdland with an exciting show kicking off Ella Fitzgerald’s centennial year. Callaway explores the breadth of Ella Fitzgerald’s repertoire in a show titled “Ella Century” including fresh takes on classics such as, How High the Moon, Mr. Paganini, and Every Time We Say Goodbye.

Ben Rimalower tells me that he is so excited to join Mark Cortale's roster of talent for the Provincetown Art House Theatre this summer. But you can see him right here in New York next Monday April 24 when he begins his spring extension of the Patti Issues/Bad with Money double bill.
I hear tickets may be available on Goldstar.

"A classic/crazy/funny monodrama that crashes through the wall of 'too much' into a realm pretty close to art." - Jesse Green, New York Magazine (February 2017)

And guess what! Ben is one of my guests in Richard Skipper Celebrates...September 10th! SAVE THE DATE! 

Celeste

 CELESTE ENTERTAINING...PICCO TAVERN WEDNESDAY'S 7-10PM 160 Prospect Ave Hackensack NJ 07601
201-880-8750
Great restaurant and Bar...food can be ordered at the Bar.
Beautiful surroundings.
Free Valet Parking under building.
Celeste is really enjoying her gig there. Sound system is nice.The food is great and the staff are professional. Best Meatballs she's ever had besides her own. Picco Tavern on Facebook too.
http://piccotavern.com
(Lexington and 3rd Ave.)
Saturdays from 8 to 11 pm.
Reservations: 212. 582.6900. There is a lot of strife in the world right now and we have to celebrate whenever and however we can.

Leslie Orofino

Countdown....In 2 Days....Thurs. April 20 at 7:00. Go celebrate Cole Porter with Leslie Orofino and her fabulous trio. Daryl Kojak on piano, Boots Maleson on bass and Rex Benincasa on drums. Directed by Louis Pietig and dedicated to Julie Wilson. Don't miss out. Call 212- 757-0788 after 4 pm today or go to www.donttellmamanyc.com. Details www.leslieorofino.com.


Congratulations to Dan Goggin! The Little Sisters of Hoboken are coming to the small screen! The first episode of NUNSENSE: the TV Series debuts April 25. Learn more and sign up get an email when it's available to watch at nunsensetv.com.

Thank you, Tina Marie Casamento Libby for posting this on
Facebook today:
As a new show opens daily this season, remember to go and see shows for yourself before relying on reviews. This was the 2003 review for WICKED:

An “overproduced, overblown, confusingly dark and laboriously ambitious jumble,” ruled Newsday. “The show’s twenty-two songs were written by Stephen Schwartz, and not one of them is memorable,” wrote The New Yorker.
Perhaps The New York Times carried the most damning review: “Wicked does not, alas, speak  hopefully for the future of the Broadway musical.”
And Clive Barnes on LES MIZ in 1987:
"...found the score monotonous, the book full of "brutish drama and tear-stained sentiment" and the show in general "instantly disposable trash."
One man's "disposable trash" is more than a million others "treasure".

As an industry, let us embrace the art we are creating, and accept that Art is subjective. Buy your tickets, and enjoy this incredible season!
Bobbie Horowitz returns on May 15th on the latest installment in her  MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs) series, It's Just a Number, and I'm in it celebrating Peggy Eason! Also being feted that evening are Rian Keating and Tex Arnold! Can't wait!

Caissie Levy and Patti Murin
(Photo: Disney Theatrical)

Frozen Broadway Musical Sets Its Cast; Rob Ashford Aboard In Choreographer Shuffle. He has replaced Christopher Gattelli. Caissie Levy will play Elsa, and Patti Murin will play Anna. Disney’s new musical is aiming for a spring 2018 Broadway bow. They topline a principal cast that includes Jelani Alladin as Kristoff, Greg Hildreth as Olaf, John Riddle as Hans and Robert Creighton as Duke of Weselton.


Cabaret Cares is the not for profit organization that helps and assists children, teens and youth living with HIV and AIDS. This series that benefits Help Is On The Way Today a non for profit created by cabaret producer Joseph Macchia, Cabaret Cares is a ongoing monthly series that was created to benefit Help Is On The Way Today a non for profit organization that helps children, teens and youth living with HIV and AIDS. Once a month a new show is created and can feature Broadway show casts, up and coming talent and many of the New York Cabaret Community.Cabaret Cares 12 will be hosted by John DeMarco, winner of the 2007 MAC Award for Jazz Vocalist and 2008 MAC Award for Best Jazz Record. Lead singer
for Follies Bergere in Paris and Las Vegas and has played all the major cabaret rooms throughout the country.

Also Performing are Julie Gold, SIDNEY MEYER,KAREN SAUNDERS, MICHELE BALAN,  and TONY CORRAO.

 

Life is so much better when you stop caring about what everyone thinks, and start to actually live for yourself!!

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

Announcing that I have two shows left in Richard Skipper Celebrates this season...May 20th and June 18th (Father's Day). We will take off July and August and will return on September 10th and play once a month through January...All brunch shows except January 31st 7PM show celebrating Carol Channing's birthday with an all star cast! Thank you, Kenny Bell and Russ Woolley!

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 ,

 

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NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED.  FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES

One of World War IIs most famous pin-ups! (Broadway's 4th Dolly, Betty Grable)

ONLY!

Please do what YOU can to be more aware that words and actions DO HURT...but they can also heal and help! 

Great time, great fun, great host, great guests.
-Eileen Slater: Woodbourne, NY

Announcing Next Edition of Richard Skipper Celebrates...May 20^th Laurie Beechman Theater 1PM Brunch Show

Let's Celebrate: May 20^th at 1PM at The Laurie Beechman Theater. Russ Woolley proudly presents Richard Skipper Celebrates The Music of World War II. Richard will be joined by Diane J. Findlay, Sue Matsuki, KT

-Eileen Slater: Woodbourne, NY

KT Sullivan

Sullivan...AND a Mystery Guest All under the musical Direction
of Michael Lavine with Jeff Carney on bass and Don Kelly on Percussion . This is a 1PM SHOW! (90 minutes) At The Laurie Beechman Theater Reservations a Must! Please Reserve Today. 

$30 Cover and $20 Minimum per person

Diane J. Findlay

You Never Know Who You Might See There and what might happen!

Go To RichardSkipper.com and click on

Sue Matsuki

the Yellow Star to Order Your Tickets Today

This afternoon is also made possible by Wright Bros. Real Estate, Nyack, NY

*Previous Mystery Guests have included Anita Gillette, Hilary Kole, Melba Moore, Stacy Sullivan, Jana Robbins, AND Seth Sikes

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