Well, here we are at the end of November, the last day to be exact! At this point, most of us have stuffed ourselves on a Thanksgiving feast and are hurling towards the holiday season and the end of the month. I don't know about you, but November was a VERY busy month for me. If you've been reading my blogs, you know. Some of the highlights of the month include Donna McKechnie at The Laurie Beechman (a great way to start any month!), a class with Judith Light, a web marketing seminar in Rockland where I actually did learn a few new things, Jane Scheckter's show at The Metropolitan Room, a VIEWPOINTS class at PRIMARY STAGES, an audition that same day for their playwrighting department (I got 4 readings as a result of that audition...my first being tomorrow!), The Sheet Music Society where I got to see Quinn Lemley, Pamela Luss, Eric Comstock and Barbara Fasano ALL in the same show! Seeing Liza Minnelli again at the top of her game along with Billy Stritch. Thanksgiving in Buffalo with Danny's family! And I am ending the month with Klea Blackhurst guesting with Terese Genneco and her little Big Band conducted by Barry Levitt.In the film New York, New York, Jimmy Doyle,played by Robert DeNiro, refers to those perfect moments in life where everything comes together as triple chords. That's why I'm referring to tonight as a triple chord. Three ARTISTS (joined by others) to create magic tonight at The Iridium. I am thrilled that we are going to see Terese this evening at The Iridium. When I found out her guest was Klea Blackhurst, that was an added bonus!
KLEA BLACKHURST has been on the scene several years now and I am a HUGE fan of hers! If you want to read more about Klea, please visit her website at http://www.kleablackhurst.com
Klea Blackhurst is best known for her acclaimed tribute to Ethel Merman, Everything the Traffic Will Allow. Among many accolades, this production earned her the inaugural Special Achievement Award from "Time Out New York" magazine. The recording of Everything the Traffic Will Allow was named one of the top ten show albums of 2002 by Talkin' Broadway.com. Klea next turned her passion for musical-theatre history toward the Broadway career of composer Vernon Duke and debuted Autumn in New York: Vernon Duke's Broadway at New York's Café Carlyle which subsequently played a sold-out engagement at Joe's Pub at The Public Theater. In the Fall of 2007 Klea teamed with Billy Stritch to create Dreaming of a Song: The Music of Hoagy Carmichael which they debuted at Manhattan's Metropolitan Room. This performance received a Backstage Bistro Award. The recording of Dreaming of a Song: The Music of Hoagy Carmichael will be released in June 2008. Klea's many concert appearances include the recent London Palladium presentation of "Jerry Herman's Broadway." She made her Carnegie Hall debut starring with Michael Feinstein in an evening devoted to the work of composer, Jule Styne. In 2002, Klea made her London debut (stage, radio and television) at Royal Albert Hall. As part of the BBC Proms, she sang the role of Ado Annie in a special concert version of Oklahoma! celebrating composer Richard Rodgers centenary. She returned to London the following spring to debut Everything the Traffic Will Allow at the Greenwich Theatre.
Take Klea home with you! Klea Blackhurst - Autumn in New York: Vernon Duke's Broadwayhttp://www.amazon.com/Autumn-New-York-Vernon-Broadway/dp/B000A6T2DU
TERESE GENNECO! I have been in love with Terese ever since I saw her phenomenal tribute to Francis Faye. ScoBar Entertainment, Terese's co-producer, has agreed to extend her into 2011. Tonight will be the 21st performance of her run at The Iridium since her first show there in March of 2009...thus the title of "the longest running nightclub act on Broadway!" You can also take Terese home with you!http://www.bugoutmusic.com/?section=home
"There's a monthly party going on in New York and you're all invited! Don't be crying in your beer if you miss your chance to see Terese Genecco at Iridium while the ticket is still reasonably priced and before she moves on to the world's great halls! The irrepressible Genecco - an old-school, world class entertainer the likes of which many decry that they don't make anymore - bounds onto the stage with her eight piece band... this dynamo - like many of the greats before her - is short in stature but gigantic in talent and charisma! Someone should be writing a show for this woman. If the powers that be think there are no new big stars to be found, they aren't looking hard enough. My suggestion? Get yourself down to the Iridium on the last Tuesday of the month. Pronto. This kind of comet doesn't pass our way nearly often enough!" ~ EDGE New York
BARRY LEVITT!
What can I say about Barry? I truly do have a history with Barry. I first met Barry when he was directing and producing LYRICS AND LYRICISTS at the 92nd Street Y. I contacted him when I found out he was doing a tribute to Jule Styne. We met and he hired me! What an honor to share the stage with Rex Reed, Karen Saunders (who became a good friend), Lorna Dallas, and others. It was a hit and Barry and I have remained friends. He booked a show with me and Marilyn Michaels several years later. I suggested Barry as president of MAC. Don't know if he will ever forgive me for that one! We even served on the board together. Barry spoke eloquently about my work on one of my demo tapes. When Dana Lorge and I started WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT THE IGUANA, we were thrilled when Barry came on board. He was/is a major asset to that evening and, in all honesty, mine and Dana's MAC Awards should be shared with Barry (and Saadi Zain). He continues to play in what is now Dana Lorge's WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT THE IGUANA! tomorrow night, they are celebrating Hanukah at the Iguana-kah.Check them out! I was thrilled that Barry called me to go to Florida in March in a tribute to Jerry Herman! Looking forward very much to this. Thank you, Barry, for ALL that you have done for me on SO MANY LEVELS! Here he is along with the joyous Jeff Carney accompanying Maria Ottavia at The Iguana.
Barry Levitt will be playing for Vickie Sander (December 8, 7pm)as part of Urban Stages' second annual Holiday Cabaret Nights series, with proceeds going to help support the Urban Stages Outreach Program which brings theatre to children and families through over 200 programs to over 92 libraries in over 44 Council Districts throughout the five boroughs. For more information, visit www.urbanstages.org.
If you would like to see these three amazing artists at work, please join me tonight for the 8PM show at The Iridium.
THE FOLLOWING ARE COMMENTS FROM
http://www.richardskipper.com/guestbook.html
I have seen Richard's show many times! OK I am a big fan. This summer Richard brought the show to Provincetown. How perfect. My friends and I could not have enjoyed it more. Congratulations Richard.
Phyllis B. Frank, http://www.gaypriderockland.org
t was my first time seeing Richard Skipper perform as Carol Channing and it was wonderful. I think he does important work reminding us of the talents and value of stars like Carol Channing who we don't see as often in the public eye as we once did. As Carol, Richard was charming and amusing. I especially liked the cell phone bit. Thanks, Richard. You made the evening a delight.
Deardra Shuler, NY
I can not think of the last time I smiled so much. Richard held us in his hands and in his heart, while teaching and entertaining us the old fashioned way. Carol Channing is so blessed to have this artist pay tribute to her incredible life with such care and integrity. This is a show that should be seen by the world. So many life lessons and good energy to be shared. Thank you, dear Richard. Love, Meg Flather, NYC
Richard's class, wit and resourcefulness shines through, whether as "Carol" on stage at St. Luke's or as himself when he interviewed the "real, Carol at Barnes & Nobel last week. Always a joy to encounter Richard.
Bart Greenberg, Special Events, BARNES & NOBLE LINCOLN SQUARE NYC
SEE FOR YOURSELF DECEMBER 22nd at ST. LUKE'S THEATRE, 46th Street, NYC 2PM!
. . . the first time ever I have been shown with such love, respect and polish. Richard Skipper is a true musical comedy star! He is fabulous as me!"~ Carol Channing
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TILL NEXT WEEK...HERE'S TO A MUSICAL HOLIDAY SEASON!
With grateful XOXOXs for your support!
Richard Skipper, Richard@RichardSkipper.com
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