Happy Holly Daze!

December 13, 2019

Happy Holly Daze!

An orator without judgment is a horse without a bridle.
-Theophrastus

Happy Friday the 13th!
Happy December, Everyone! Happy Friday the 13th!!, December 13 is the 347th Day of the year!. 18 days remain until the end of the year. It is National Egg Nog Month! Happy Birthday to Dick Van Dyke.
Revival of Oklahoma! opened on Broadway (1979). I WAS THERE! Revival of Peter Pan starring Cathy Rigby opened on Broadway (1990)
A Little Night Music revived (1st time) on Broadway (2009). I went with #DanaLorge to see this. Carpe Diem!

Today, I celebrate everyone's art. Today's social media engagement: Comment on something mentioned in this thread and let's keep the next 24 hours upbeat! Have something to promote? Post it here! Now, go out and so something nice for someone without expecting anything in return!

In honor of Friday the 13th, Betsy Palmer!

Celebrate the gifts you have to offer the world! Did you do your Morning Pages? Have no clue what I am referring to? Today, celebrate your crazy ideas and surround yourself with those who will support those ideas! Make it a great weekend! Recommended reading: The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks.

I'm starting a new blog series today.

Ten People/Events on My Mind:

1) Barbra Streisand. Barbra Streisand is always on my mind. She is one of my Holy Grail interviews. Barbra Streisand's impressive career spans over six decades and has garnered her great acclaim. She's won dozens of awards and is one of the few entertainers to collect an EGOT - an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award. Read this great article celebrating her career.
A Guide to Barbra Streisand Movie Musicals! Source: BroadwayWorld

2. 7th Annual Sandy Hook Remembrance Vigil Tomorrow at 10 am! Just a friendly reminder that

tomorrow is the 7th anniversary Sandy
Hook Vigil and Protest in front of the NRA headquarters. The event is
from 10 -11 am and will feature guest speakers including Rep. Gerry
Connolly, Speaker Designate Eileen-Filler Corn, and the MFOL Virginia,
Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Elizabeth Paul. We will also get to hear the magical Crys Matthews perform her beautiful and powerful songs. Click HERE for more info.

3.A HOLIDAY CABARET BRUNCH Hosted by Andrea Marcovicci and Clifford Bell.
A Benefit for PROJECT ANGEL FOOD
Featuring -LOIS BOURGON, JANE KINSEY, DAVID LUCKY, KERRY POWELL plus LIZZY AND THE PALM~
With Special Guest TODD MURRAY
and a Special Appearance by the legendary ARTIE BUTLER-
Doors Open at Noon for Brunch Show at 1pm
ALL PROCEEDS GO TO PROJECT ANGEL FOOD

4. Nancy Opel! Today is her birthday! I love her. She also happens to be one of the Dollys in my CallonDolly.com: A Celebration of the Women (and a few Good Men!) who Have Played Dolly...and those that Have Supported Them!

Dolly Project. Check out
Check out photos that were posted of her when Dolly opened at The Signature Theatre in 2013 by clicking HERE.

5. The 11th Annual Legacy Awards for Dancers Over 40.
The honorees were Candy Brown, Cheryl Clark, Michon Peacock and Kathryn Doby (not present) plus their speakers Eden Lane, Dennis Grimaldi and Cristine Dhimos and host, ME, and performer Pattaya HartPlu Sayampol. — at Lips Drag Queen Show Palace, Restaurant and Bar. Monday Night, December 9th, I am honored that I was asked to host.

6. Robert L. Gedaliah
I was so saddened to hear of Robert's passing yesterday. My life is the better for having had him in it.
There will be a celebration of a life well-lived as we gather to remember Robert L. Gedaliah.
Thursday, December 19th at 2:00 pm
Redeemer Presbyterian Church West Side
150 W 83rd Street (5th floor) in New York
Please consider a donation to the Gedaliah's GoFundMe Campaign. Rande is in urgent need of financial support in order to cover Robert's funeral and medical costs as well as her own care and medical support.

If you wish, please leave a comment for Rande as we collect and print all the comforting and encouraging notes she receives from friends far and wide.
We will meet to honor a great Mensch and to share stories, memories, and laughter as Robert wished that we would remember him.

7.Winter Rhythms

ALPHER AND LITT’S SONGS FOR SAPIOSEXUALS CD RELEASE SHOW

Saturday, December 14, 2019 at 2:00PM

Urban Stages (Frances Hill, Founding Artistic Director and Tom Toce , Musical Director) announces the line-up for this year's award-winning series, WINTER RHYTHMS 2019, which began Wednesday, December 11 with ME! It continues through Saturday, December 21, 2019 at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th St., East of 8th).

Click Here to buy tickets.

With Jennie Litt and David Alpher

and special guests:

Kim Grogg

Ann Kittredge (Pictured)

Drew Minter

Suzanne Gilchrest, flute

Kurt Henry, guitar

Boots Maleson, bass

Scott Neumann, drums

8. Shawn Ryan Live! Shawn Ryan performs "The 12 Days of Christmas" on stage for the Richmond Ermet AIDS Foundation Benefit on Dec. 4th, 2011 at the Marines Memorial Theatre in San Francisco, CA.

9. Imelda Staunton in Hello, Dolly!

A brand new production of Hello, Dolly! is coming to the Adelphi Theatre in London for a strictly limited run! Based on Thornton Wilder’s play The Matchmaker, the musical stars multi Olivier and BAFTA Award-winning Imelda Staunton (Harry Potter), who is reunited with highly-accomplished director Dominic Cooke. Featuring a book by Michael Stewart (42nd Street) and music and lyrics by the legendary Jerry Herman (La Cage aux Folles), the timeless score includes Put On Your Sunday Clothes, It Only Takes a Moment and, of course, Hello, Dolly!

10. Happy Birthday, John Davidson!

From John: Today I am 78. Are you kidding me! I feel great. It's just that my bathroom is the only room in my house that I go into and don't ask myself, "Why did I come in here?"' Read MORE

And Keep in Mind...

Christine Pedi Photo by Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Longtime Sirius XM RADIO personality and musical theater powerhouse Christine Pedi (Chicago, Forbidden Broadway, Newsical the Musical) conjures up Barbra Streisand, Patti LuPone, Liza Minnelli, Julie Andrews, Carol Channing in her joyful and triumphant Snow Bizness. Read MORE

Acclaimed drag queen and 2 time MAC Award winner singer, Doris Dear, announces the all new "Doris Dear 2019 Christmas Special"! The Doris Dear Christmas Special has quickly become a holiday tradition in NYC. Read MORE

Sue Matsuki is at Maureen's Jazz Cellar in Nyack this eve! Click HERE

If you see this and would like to send me a Holiday gift, click HERE

Sunday Dec. 15 3pm at St John's Lutheran Church 81 Christopher Street. No cover, love offering

taken.
As well as lots of amazing inspirational music and message, Reverend Yolanda will also have a potluck buffet. She is bringing vegan "mac and cheese', rice and veggies, and orange marmalade "brownie' with dark chocolate icing, as well as holiday cookies and wine. Go join the music, message, and food- and take a snack to share- Dec.15, this Sunday 3pm at St. John's Lutheran Church, 81 Christopher St. in the Village.

Now, go and do something nice for someone without expecting anything in return!

Thank you all! Here's To a Great End of 2019/Beginning of 2020

A Few Audience Testimonials about Richard Skipper Celebrates

So there I was, working to generate an audience for my Ahrens and Flaherty show to be performed in

Los Angeles, and at the same time creating an entirely new show with Alex Rybeck for The Beach Café (Movie Nite). The shows were only 3 weeks apart. Having worked with Richard Skipper before and been blown away by his commitment and skill as a marketer, I nonetheless, decided to try to save a bit of money and do it myself this time. GREAT LESSON to be quickly reminded that trying to save money was draining my life energy with the amount of time and effort I was putting into doing something I’m not even good at, and best left to the experts.

Richard is that person for me. I TREASURE him. He’s got a quick mind, is never-endingly creative and invested in my success, and most important, delegating the marketing to his more-than-capable

hands left me time to fully immerse in my work as a performer -- and sleep. Yes, turns out sleep is important for performers. Not to mention he was far more effective. Thankfully he was available to jump in and take over for Movie Nite. And turns out spending the money (and he is extremely reasonable) saved me in the long run by making wiser decisions based on his advice, and the benefits of Richard’s work doesn’t end when the show is over. Oh no, it reverberates.

He has become as essential to me as having a music director. Truly.

-Ann Kittredge, NYC https://annkittredge.com/

I usually attend these events (Dancers Over 40 Celebration of Marge Champion) as a theater critic, but since I had a friend involved in the first portion of the evening's show (celebrating Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat), I went as a spectator. I had known OF Richard Skipper but had never seen him onstage.
He was remarkably charming, knowledgeable, and friendly to the entire panel. Consequently, it was well received by a gracious audience. Bravo!
Ryan Leeds, NY

with Bryon Sommers

I was fortunate enough to go see Richard Skipper’s show in Conway, SC Saturday night Sept 28th, 2019.. Richard is the most amazing story teller, performer and artist I've seen!! He brought you through his life ”From Conway to Broadway ” as if you were tagging along with him his entire career! Funny, happy, excited and always smiling, what an honor to know Richard and call him my friend!! So very proud of Richard and a share his passion for show biz and life!!!
Sheri Richardson Richard,North Myrtle Beach, SC

With grateful XOXOXs,