HAPPY SUNDAY! APRIL 5th, 2009!

(pictured with Cynthia Crane congratulates John Wallowitch and me at The Friar's Club
on "our" 27th birthday!)

Thought for the week: Just keep checking your little plan off each day off and you will see results.

PUT ON YOUR SUNDAY CLOTHES...Here it is! The much anticipated next Blog! Here you'll find the latest happenings, the hottest news, insider gossip, exclusives and much more! You are going to love this. When President Obama met the Queen last week in England he gave her an IPod with his favorite songs and the first one she turned on and played was Carol singing "Diamonds Are A Girls best Friend!". Dont' you love it!!!! Read more about it here:
President Obama Gives Queen of England the Gift of Broadway http://www.broadway.com/President-Obama-Gives-Queen-of-England-Gift-of-Broadway/broadway_news/5024600

Very exciting news, this year's BISTRO AWARDS are honoring Liza Minnelli, Charles Aznavor and 30 other artists. Go to http://www.bistroawards.com/ to order your tickets. 24th ANNUAL BACK STAGE BISTRO AWARDS GALA
At Gotham Comedy Club, 208 W. 23rd St., NYC - Tuesday, April 28 at 6:30 pm. Sherry Eaker always does an incredible job with this event. And speaking of Sherry Eaker, we are in negotiations to appear together on a panel for TRU (THEATRE RESOURCES UNLIMITED) Keep checking the schedule page on my website for details: http://www.richardskipper.com/schedule.html
A little over a month ago, I heard about a benefit in Mesa, Arizona. The ONEHEART UMBRELLA CAMPAIGN, a fundraising effort launched by the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre to raise funds and awareness for Emma and Taylor Bailey and the Two Sisters - One Heart Foundation.
Emma and Taylor are two beautiful little girls who were born as conjoined twins. They share one heart and are in urgent need of medical attention. I called up and asked if there was anything I could do to help. They told me about a celebrity auction that they would be doing on e-bay and asked me to take part! I went on the site and my heart goes out to these poor children. How awful to be forced to live that way and if they try to separate them, with only one heart, you can guess what might happen.

The Broadway Palm dedicated their current production of Singin' in the Rain to raising awareness of this effort and asked celebrities from film, television, sports, music and theatre to donate autographed umbrellas to be auctioned on eBay. CHECK THIS OUT: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320355024337

The auction ends on the 8th. PLEASE PLACE YOUR BIDS! IT'S FOR A VERY GOOD CAUSE!

God Bless you, Gary Kimble!

Spoke with Carol Channing and Harry Kullijian on Friday. They both are great. Look for some exciting developments over the next few months.

Below is the link to the article Carol did for Reminisce Magazine (1.2 million subscribership and owned by Readers Digest) -http://images.reimanpub.com/newsletters/REM/2009/03/newsletter.html

Last week, I posted on FACEBOOK, " Success is sharing your profits with all your associates, and treating them as partners. Because this quote was from Sam Walton, founder of Wal-mart, a few people focused on the negative aspects of Wal-mart. Then I read this: NJ CEO gives employees $1,000 from his pay. Read the story here. http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/04/02/ap6246110.html Jack Windolf is my hero!

GOOD NEWS FOR BROADWAY! Just heard that Finian's Rainbow is going to Broadway right after Labor Day. I am so happy for Terri White. It's about time!

Went back to Weston, Connecticut yesterday to see the closing performance of Weston High School's production of HELLO, DOLLY! Great work Damian Long (director), Helen Story (costumes),Samantha Rehr (Dolly Levi) and the entire cast and crew. I was lucky enough to help support this production. It only brings home once again the importance of ARTS IN EDUCATION. Please help our mission by contributing to THE DR. CAROL CHANNING FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS: http://www.channingarts.org/

I have been asked to serve on the scholarship program in Rockland County for Rockland Council For The Arts.

Exciting week ahead! Tomorrow night:
Aprl 6 at 6:30pm
THE NATIONAL ARTS CLUB, 15 Gramercy Park South at 20th St., NYC
ERVIN DRAKE, ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 90TH BIRTHDAY
A tribute to Ervin Drake who will be receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award. Performances by John Gabriel, Christine Lavin, Valerie Lemon, KT Sullivan, Leslie Uggams, and yours truly as Carol Channing.. The guest Speakers Tovah Feldshuh, Charles Grodin. Musical Director John Weber. 6:30 pm cocktails, dinner at 7:30. $85 per person, including tax and service charge. RSVP a MUST and should be made by April 2nd. Members of the club may charge to member accounts, non-members may pay at the door by cash or check. Please call (212) 475-3424 for reservations and information.

Wednesday Night: April 8 7pm-11pm IGUANA VIP LOUNGE (upper level)/ www.iguananyc.com/ 240 WEST 54TH STREET & Sue Matsuki is taking over for the evening for Hump Night at The Iguana! I am being featured along with some of the most handsome and talented male singers in cabaret today with a few sexy and sassy gal pals coming in as well. ME (AS ME!) accompanied by Christine Talbott-Sutin on piano, Rob Langedar, Edd Clark and a real "find" from Sue's Vocalese gigs, Kristopher Lowe are the special guests AND Sue has called in favors from the delightful Jenna Esposito, Maureen Taylor, Gretchen Reinhagen & Sarah Rice to also sing for you all. Other singer/drop ins are welcome. Just bring your music and they'll try to squeeze you in.

The Iguana is located at 240 W 54th Street right off of Broadway. You will see the sign there at the bottom of the stairs around the bar. Just come up to the 2nd floor. There is a WAY CHEAP cover of just $10 and NO MINIMUM!!! However, I have heard that the food there is fantastic and moderately priced and the Margaritas are out of this world! I've just heard!
Things kick off at 8:00 pm and go until 11:00. Bring a joke for the "joke off" part of the evening and win a FREE CD! Please come join us and turn a Wednesday from a "hump night" to a really fun night. OK - sing with me now (to the theme of "Show Time at the Apollo") - SHOW TIME OF THE IGUANA!

DON'T FORGET:
Apr 3011am-2pm
AXA ADVISORS, 1633 Broadway, between 50th and 51st St., 3rd Floor
MARKETING AND PROMOTING YOURSELF: GETTING THE VISIBILITY YOU DESERVE!
Get more than your 15 minutes of fame. In this workshop, Richard Skipper and Glen Charlow will hone in on the areas specific to YOUR needs. They will tailor make the workshop and create a game plan that will create the highest visibility for you! What are you waiting for? GET TRAFFIC to your site and get your name out there! SPECIAL RECESSION OFFER: ONLY $100.00. YOU CAN'T BEAT THIS PRICE! RESERVE TODAY! Or call 845-365-0720 for info on setting up additional classes or private coaching.
On board with Richard is graphic designer, GLEN CHARLOW, who brings over 15 years in the business to the participants of this class and who will discuss the concept of image; how to use the internet effectively and how your website "sells" you even before you pick up the phone. To read more on Glen Charlow please visit: http://www.gcdtp.com/.
Reservations are a MUST. Limited to 15 people. PLEASE LET US KNOW ASAP!

Till Next Time, GO SEE A LIVE SHOW!

With grateful XOXOXs!

Richard Skipper 845-365-0720