The Most Wonderful Time Of Year! A Season of Music

November 29, 2018

The Most Wonderful Time Of Year! A Season of Music

Pioneers are Seldom from the nobility. There were no Dukes on the Mayflower.-Mack Sennett

Happy Thursday, November 29th, 2018!
November 29 is the 333rd day of the year. There are 32 days remaining until the end of the year.
A friend of mine told me that 333 is the 'God' number. I looked it up and found this: Angel number 333 symbolizes aid and encouragement. It means that your angels are just nearby, ready to help and reassure you that your plans are going well.

It sends the message that your prayers have been answered, and seeing 333 means that whatever you requested for is on its way to you.

What are you going to do with those 35 days?
It is Electronic Greeting Card Day.
Think of this blog today as a greeting card celebrating some exciting things happening around town.
Check out my latest interview. This is with Steven Ray Watkins for Cabaret Hotspot. Check it out HERE.
Let me suggest a show! When I was a kid, I looked forward to the Christmas specials on TV: Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Andy Williams. Then there were

the animated specials: Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer, A Charlie Brown Christmas,How the Grinch Stole Christmas!:all with classic musical scores.
Before 1962, when Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol premiered, true Christmas specials made for TV were either adaptations of stories such as A Christmas Carol (with live actors), or the Nativity Story, or episodes of variety shows highlighting Christmas music. They were often hosted by such celebrities as Perry Como, Jane Wyatt, or Florence Henderson.
(A notable exception was The Spirit of Christmas in 1950, which, although featuring an appearance

by Alexander Scourby, who also narrated, starred the Mabel Beaton Marionettes.)

This all changed once variety shows began dying out and Rankin-Bass began producing more and more Christmas specials.

One notable television special usually seen at Christmas was Amahl and the Night Visitors, the first opera written especially for television. Composed by Gian-Carlo Menotti with a libretto in English by the composer, the opera told of a disabled beggar boy living with his (presumably) widowed mother in the Holy Land. They are visited by the Three Wise Men who are on their way to see the Christ Child, and when Amahl offers his crutch as a gift, he is miraculously cured. Commissioned by NBC, the opera was telecast annually in the U.S. from 1951 to 1966. In 1978, it returned to television, but this new production did not have the spectacular success that previous ones did.

Those of us who live in New York are very lucky! We can go to holiday
shows and non holiday shows. on any given night. I am plunging into the calendar listings and choosing shows and events worth savoring as nourishment for heart, mind, and spirit.

KT Sullivan and Jeff Harnar

ITis the season! Go and enjoy theses shows but please do not photograph or video without permission from the artists on stage AND the audiences around you. Please respect this request.
I was just reading that Stephanie Block had to ask an audience member to start filming her last night during The Cher Show. I wish we could go back to a time in which this did not happen. I was watching the Tree Lighting Ceremony last night at Rockefeller Center. Most of the audience had their phones up in the air. What happened to just enjoying a show?

TONIGHT:
Christopher Caswell is CabaretHotspot.com's pick of the week!
7pm at the Laurie Beechman Theater (407 W. 42nd Street, just west of 9th Ave (downstairs at the West Bank Cafe). Arrive a bit early to get a good seat!
$20 cover/$20 food/drink minimum (the food is fabulous!). Use MAC discount code ‘CAZ5’ for $5 off if you buy tickets in advance at https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pe.c/10334708 (sales will close a few hours before the event, so just showing up is also OK!)
"Step Into The Sun"
Songs from an Honest, Open and Willing Me

KT Sullivan and Jeff Harnar reprise their
“REMEMBER: Songs of the Holidays”
Wednesday Dec 5 at 7pm

Jeff Harnar

The Laurie Beechman Theater Music Director: David Gaines
The show was televised on PBS and features seasonal favorites and surprises from the songbooks of Sammy Cahn, Tom Lehrer, David Friedman, Frank Loesser, Paul Simon, Carol Hall, Carole King and more.
For tickets:
https://m.ovationtix.com/pr/1001643
MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs) Discount Code: KTJEFFMAC.

Renee Katz, who saw the show last night, wrote on Facebook today: Go see KT Sullivan and Jeff Harner’s holiday show “Remember” at the Beechman!

They are the masters of their craft with brilliant vocals, gorgeous medleys, flowing seamlessly...we certainly will remember.

It’s the hap happiest season of all! Invisible people and flowers have feelings too! Getting ready for December 1st!
Marieann Meringolo! Use SPIRIT5 for $5 off!

It began with a text exchange between Meg Flather and Lisa Viggiano. “Why can’t there be a show that celebrates the grit as well as the glow of the holiday season?” A year later, “#realjoy” materialized with Musical Director, Tracy Stark, Director, Lennie Watts, and opens at 6 pm on Dec 2 at Don’t Tell Mama.

Congratulations to my friend Lawrence Leritz who is being honored with a Dancers Over 40 Legacy Award. Read a great interview with Laurence HERE. The Dancers Over 40 Legacy Awards take place at Lips on December 10th. Click on the link above to order your tickets.

Happy Birthday, Ann Kittredge!

You can catch Ann in NYC on either Dec 12 or Dec 22. At the Songwriters Alliance Showcase Saturday, Dec 15 2pm, Ann will sing a song written by Shelly Markham and Tom Toce, with the incomparable Tracy Stark at the piano.

What a night this is going to be! the 10th Anniversary of Winter Rhythms at Urban Stages in NYC on Dec. 12th will feature Liam Forde Stephen Cole recreating their recreation of Ethel Merman and Mary Martin's Ford 50th Anniversary Medley. Who Could Ask for Anything More? Tix are going fast. https://lnkd.in/eS4HmiB

Stephen Cole and Liam Forde

and Then Songs of Hope, the closing show the following Saturday, Dec 22 at 5pm. Steve Ross and Natalie Douglas were just added to an already incredible lineup. Music direction by Jon Delfin.

Tickets available here: https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/cal/34657…

I am thrilled that Shawn Ryan will be in New York on December 15th.
If you have not experienced Shawn, you are missing out!
He will be at New York's Don't Tell Mama.
I will be there to cheer him on and welcome him back to New York.
TIME: DOORS 7:30pm / SHOW 8pm
Tickets: $25 plus 2 Drink Minimum (Cash Only)
Special Guest: Paul DeVincenzo
“Shawn Ryan Live!” Album Release and National Tour Comes to New York City.
One of today’s greatest Entertainers hits the road in support of this 3rd Album, “Shawn Ryan Live!”.

A not-to-be-missed! The outrageously eccentric “Other Queen of Cabaret”, Shawn Ryan will give U.S. audiences a pure holiday entertainment treat in New York on December 15th at Don't Tell Mama!

"Shawn’s hilarious romp through tinsel town with song and story will have audiences busting at the seams and standing in the aisles begging for more!"
-The Times Picayune

“A rollicking house party of a show…the audience never wants Shawn to leave the stage and he obliges.”
– Cabaret Scenes Magazine

"Shawn Ryan Live!" and the entirety of Shawn's catalogue is available for physical purchase online at http://www.shawn-ryan.com/Music.html and is AVAILABLE NOW on all streaming platforms (Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music, etc).

Order your copy today and get it signed at the show, or listen before the show so you can sing along to all your favorites!

Can't make it to this particular date?
A limited number of tickets are still available for the rest of the tour!
The tour dates are:
11/30 Oakland, CA The Sound Room
12/01 Palm Springs, CA The Purple Room
12/09 Guerneville, CA The Main St. Station
12/11 Los Angeles, CA Rockwell Table and Stage
12/14 New Hope, PA The Rrazz Room
12/15 New York City Don’t Tell Mama
12/17 San Diego, CA Martinis Above Fourth

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Looking for stocking stuffers for Broadway and theatre fans this holiday season? Look no further!
Tony winner Jim Dale takes on all the characters (and books) of the Harry Potter universe in the Penguin Random House audio books—but he's not the only stage favorite to shoulder the challenge of bringing to life your favorite books. Here are 10 more stage stars who also recreated written worlds for your listening pleasure. Read more HERE

This December, the popular theatre podcast Broadwaysted is once again releasing a star-studded parody radio play to celebrate the holiday season...and this time, it's a musical! (Source: BroadwayWorld)

When lifelong arts lover Gayle Inman moved to a senior living community, she called on her neighbors for help with a project. Together, Inman and 18 fellow residents would pay tribute to the most beloved musicals of all time while raising money for children. Check it out HERE

Now, go and do something nice for someone without expecting anything in return! Treat Them to Two Tix to Jennifer Roberts at Pangea on December 5th as she celebrates Sheldon Harnick!
Order Tix HERE
See a Clip HERE
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Thank you all! Here's To a Great Holiday Season!

Russ Woolley Proudly Presents

Richard Skipper Celebrates

Returns for A Special Presentation on February 10th with An Aquarian Love Song: In Honor of Richard's 58th Birthday!

Carol Channing is a Fellow Aquarian!

1 PM Brunch Show Laurie Beechman Theater

We will be celebrating with Meg Flather, Rosemary Loar,Lina Koutrakos, Stacy Sullivan, AND A Mystery Guest! ALL Aquarian Women!

All under the Musical Direction of Christine Talbott Sutin.

Tickets Go on Sale January 10th! Let's Celebrate!

RESERVATIONS A MUST!

With music, reminisces and an afternoon of fun and show business! 90 minutes of merriment and excitement . . .As we Celebrate the Present, we Honor the Past!

Congratulations to the Yiddish Fiddler on The Roof

When and Where:
Sunday, February 10th - 1 PM, Doors open 12:15

THE LAURIE BEECHMAN THEATRE, 407 West 42nd Street (lower level of the WEST BANK CAFE) Producer: Russ Woolley $30 ticket plus $20 food/beverage minimum - exquisite and reasonably priced food and drink.

Happy Birthday, Jackie Hoffman

Richard Skipper has assembled a great cast to Celebrate and honor . . . RICHARD SKIPPER has become synonymous with "feel good entertainment of the highest quality". For decades Richard has entertained thousands and celebrated the careers of many of Theatre Row’s finest and most honored stars… The afternoon will prove to be an event where all will arrive and leave with smiles! This will be similar to the old-fashioned TV specials and series where we get to chat with and honor this Entertainment Icon.

Tickets Go On Sale January 10th!

A Few Audience Testimonials about Richard Skipper Celebrates

Richard Skipper, Lisa Dascoli, Annie Weiss

Richard Skipper’s Monday night FB Live from the York Theatre Gala was as exhilarating and fun to watch as any awards show!! I wish I were there in the room!! Not only does Richard always conduct an informative interview, but it’s so much fun to watch!! I look forward to seeing these interviews.

Lisa Dascoli, Little Falls NJ

I have LOVED Richard's Blogs and Articles, and have really enjoyed his Facebook LIVE series......they are always so helpful and informative. I've been able to catch a few of them,

Jennifer Roberts

most recently - last week's featuring Melissa Manchester and the investigation and recovery of Judy Garland's Ruby Slippers. Melissa was so inspiring! Thank-you Richard!!

-Jennifer Roberts, West Detroit, Michigan

Richard Skipper was born to this mantle. What a spot-on splendid job he does. Always a treat to hear those glorious pipes when he sings AND now add to that this charming, spontaneous yet thoroughly primped, delightfully funny role as Host. What a gem of an entertainment he has concocted ... I was honored to be a part of the festivities

(He had me from the “Opening Credits!” Abundantly BRILLIANT)

Jeff Harnar, NYC

This Show Is Also Made Possible by Wright Bros. Real Estate, Nyack New York

With grateful XOXOXs,