Today marks the 8th anniversary of Carol Channing and Harry Kullijian's wedding after a 70 year separation!My blog today is their story.I am SO LUCKY to call them my friends. The first time I met Harry was when Carol was appearing in THE FIRST 80 YEARS ARE THE HARDEST. A part of a series called SINGULAR SENSATIONS at The Village Gate with Glen Roven. Harry welcomed me with open arms and insisted I stay in touch. Every time they have been in NY since then, they always fit me into their ALWAYS busy schedule. Last year, I was lucky enough t interview them both at Barnes and Noble Lincoln Square in conjunction with her latest CD, FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE. I stayed at their condo in October when Carol received her star on the PALM SPRINGS WALK OF FAME. Two of the greatest people I know and an inspiration to us all. This is their story. This is my anniversary gift to them. I hope they and YOU enjoy this! I'm a sap for great love stories:GONE WITH THE WIND, WUTHERING HEIGHTS, LADY AND THE TRAMP. But if you want to see a truly amazing love story, don't miss CAROL CHANNING: LARGER THAN LIFE produced and directed by Dori Berenstein, edited by Alan Zuker, and co-produced by Harlan Boll. (all pictured here). Dori Berinstein is a Tony-winning Broadway producer of "Thoroughly Modern Millie," "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and "Fool Moon." She's also an award-winning documentary filmmaker, chronicling a toy-making competition, "Some Assembly Required," and an entire Broadway season, "Show Business: The Road to Broadway." It is the truly amazing story, not only of Carol Channing's amazing career, but of this truly amazing love story of Carol and Harry Kullijian.Carol and Harry were junior high school sweethearts at Aptos Junior High (now called Middle School) in San Francisco. She had an entire new battery of faculty members and students to take home in her imagination. They both had a love of the arts. Harry led the school band. Carol ran for vice-president of the student body and he wrote her campaign song, "When I'm vice president..." Carol gravitated to the school band because she needed them for her campaign song. Her slogan was "If Carol is your vice, it's a virtue." The president and vice president functioned with, and were elected by , the entire school. Harry and Carol were both serious students. They developed a passionate love of the arts. He gave her a book of poetry by Edgar Allan Poe. Their favorite poem being Annabelle Lee. He says Carol was his Annabelle Lee. Harry and Carol were both serious students. On weekends, they would go for ice cream, and with the little bit of cash his band brought in, he could buy. Harry confided to Carol's mother how affectionate she was to him. He had a serious talk with both Carol's parents (without her), assuring them, "I will never get your Carol into any kind of trouble". Carol says "Being With Him was the happiest time in my Life" Their love story is passionate, tender, and enduring. When Harry's family spent summers in Southern California, he wrote her love letters. He even had a conversation with Carol's parents, promising to take good care of her. Carol's father said, "I like that boy."They both remember a rare kiss at Carol's house.
They met in their early teens more than 70 years ago, in 1933. "When I first saw him", she says, "he looked biblical, as if he should have been sitting on Mount Sinai eating a fig." According to Carol, Harry had silken, bronze skin; long, almond shaped eyes that stretched almost to his ears; and that "sweet contented smile with which camels in the holy land are born.Standing in the sun was a bronze god, so you can imagine why I never stopped hugging and kissing him.Gorgeous! The Turks are built with wide shoulders and great strength. I simply felt extremely girly-girly standing next to a boy-boy, and he treated me as suck". Harry, too, was smitten.Harry said that at first he was intimidated by Carol's family. But they were so warm to him. Harry's father was a tailor, a Turkish immigrant who'd only gone through sixth grade. Although Harry was proud of her accomplishments, he wanted all of her time on weekends. Like most great love stories, they drifted apart. He went off to military school because it was the natural course of things. They agree that although they were not together, they always remained connected spiritually. There were bleak years for Carol. Breaking into the New York theatre world was daunting, and whenever she was rejected, she thought of Harry. She would think of Harry because being with him was the happiest time of her life. Carol, of course went on to a smashing success in the 1950's Broadway musical GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES.
Then in 1964 she tore up the great white way as matchmaker Dolly Gallagher Levi in HELLO, DOLLY!It's no surprise that Carol has won numerous Tony Awards and a Golden Globe. On occasion over the years, Harry tried to contact Carol just to send his regards but he could never get through. As most of you know, Carol had been married. Three times prior to Harry. The last being a lengthy one in which she was mistreated. She used to ask if God really loved her, and was "He" watching out for her? "Look," she told God, "I know that YOU exist. Help me, please!" She wanted a sign. You won't believe this, but around the same time, Harry also prayed, " Lord, I'm lonely (his wife had just died) and if you want it so, I'll be alone." Their prayers were answered.Carol wrote her memoir, JUST LUCKY I GUESSCarol Channing, took on her most challenging role yet: as the author of this funny, ribald, and moving memoir. In her book, Carol described Harry as "exotic and beautiful," and recalled that she loved hugging him. Mervyn Morris of the Mervyn Department stores was a neighbor of Carol's near Palm Springs. Merv read Carol's book AND found a matchmaking opportunity as irresistible as it would have been to Dolly herself. He just read how dearly Carol felt about Harry in the past, so he gave Harry Carol's number.
Carol recalled that even after 70 years she was not nervous while awaiting Harry's call, " I knew him too well," she said, " and I'd loved him." Their reunion at the condo was explosive. No doubt in Harry's mind was that Carol was about to come his wife. Their romance took off from there. He proposed to Carol at a breakfast for 35 people who were their neighbors. It just evolved. Once again, she could not stop hugging and kissing him. Harry began to help Carol with work challenges, such as planning Carol's performance schedule and making sure her management was honest. The invitation to their wedding showed a picture of Carol and Harry from their junior high days. Carol said that Harry made her feel so girlie and feminine even though she was wearing a silk PANTS suit and low heels. They now laugh at the memory of their quick Thoroughly modern-day courtship and admit that part of the rush is that they WAITED to be intimate until THEY were man and wife. People were and are so intrigued by their romance that when they appeared on THE LARRY KING SHOW on CNN, all lights on the incoming phones lit up. Carol has been performing her one-woman show to rave reviews across the county and overseas. She and Harry treasure their homes in Modesto, California and Palm Springs. Their story is all about hope. Society is at a place in history where LOVE and respect seem to be fading away, but they are helping to change that by respecting the institute of marriage. The love they have is invigorating, and they are younger than springtime. And their LOVE for each other extends to a love of instituting the arts back in education. So today, I want to remind you of the DR. CAROL CHANNING & HARRY KULLIJIAN FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS. The Arts are among the most important things we learn about in school. They provide a well-rounded education not based on a test's requirements. Every study of how to make cities more attractive to prospective citizens, new businesses, etc. says that a thriving arts scene is a key issue. So of course the local yokel politicos ignore that and invest in new stadiums. The return to the teaching of the arts in the public schools requires that each state and its citizens reevaluate, reexamine and rethink the benefits to be derived from a complete and adequate education that includes exposure to the arts as a part of the regular curriculum. Education, not only in the arts but education as a whole in California and throughout the United States must be lifted to a considerably higher priority. If we do not act upon this soon and begin serious discussions about remedying this increasingly serious lack of the standards for which this country was known, we are at risk to lose the main ingredient of the world class goals of a true democracy. On May 2nd, 2009. The Children's Arts Advocate Award 2009 - the state PTA's first such award - was presented to the First Lady of Musical Theatre during an appearance at the organization's 110th annual convention. She and her husband, Harry Kullijian spoke to a crowd of thousands of PTA members and delegates, representing the organization's nearly 1 million volunteer members in the state of California.
Once again, Happy Anniversary, Carol and Harry! Wow! What you have accomplished these past eight years! I can't wait to see what the next eight years bring! Everyone, if you love Carol and Harry as much as I do, please make a contribution to The Dr. Carol Channing-Harry Kullijian Foundation For The Arts! http://www.causes.com/causes/148596 (PLEASE NOTE: The sources for this blog were MY BOYFRIEND'S BACK 5o True Stories of Reconnecting With A Long-LOST Love by Donna Hanover and JUST LUCKY I GUESS: A MEMOIR OF SORTS by Carol Channing
Happy Tuesday to you all!
All you have to do today is bask in the LOVE and talent that surrounds you! (Buy JUST LUCKY I GUESS: A MEMOIR OF SORTS by Carol Channing)Available at Amazon
Tomorrow's blog will be YOU TELL ME...the first three suggestions I receive!
Please contribute to the DR. CAROL CHANNING & HARRY KULLIJIAN FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS: http://www.carolchanning.org/foundation.htm TILL TOMORROW...HERE'S TO AN ARTS FILLED WEEK! Richard Skipper, Richard@RichardSkipper.com
30 years ago today (August 5th, 1979), I arrived in NY! Thank God, I had the opportunity to pursue my career. I am grateful for all. And if you've been following my blogs, then you know how compassionate I am about Arts Education. So today, I'm jumping right in! "They've got to take the money out of something besides the arts," Channing says. "Schools have got to do it."Carol Channing says, "The lack of arts education is like before the fall of the Roman Empire. See, what people don't understand is that the arts are the basic study."
"It's what we fight for when we go to war and what we dream of in a lover's lap." She said her childhood was full of poetry and singing and credits an academic medal at Aptos Middle School not to her IQ, but to the arts. She created the Channing-Kullijian Foundation with her husband of six years, Harry Kullijian, a fellow student and beau at Aptos. To Carol Channing, art is as important as air. "My goodness gracious, you take away the heart, the soul, the connection in society when you take away the arts," Kullijian says.
The product of San Francisco's Aptos Middle School and Lowell High School has created a foundation to raise awareness about the importance of art and music in education and provide instruments to schools. She's hosting a benefit show Saturday, 7 p.m. at the San Francisco State University College of Creative Arts, McKenna Theatre. Tickets run from $25 to $75. (Go to cityboxoffice.com for more information.) Great news in the state of Wisconsin! Wisconsin will get nearly $320,000 in federal stimulus dollars to preserve arts jobs in the state.
The money will be divided among 18 arts organizations.
Gov. Jim Doyle's office says it will help cover artistic directors, gallery curators, volunteer coordinators, artists and education directors. A Wisconsin Arts Board study from 2007 says the state's nonprofit arts industry generates about $418 million in economic activity annually, including 15,000 jobs.
Continuing her fight to support Arts education in our schools, Carol Channing has created a Public Service Announcement to stress the importance of the initiative. ACC-UCC presents "Carol Channing RAISES THE ROOF!" as a Benefit Concert for ACC's Roof Repair Fund. An unplugged evening that follows a simple format, as Carol Channing offers memories, humorous storytelling and an advance preview of her new gospel CD entitled "For Heavens Sake" and several of her signature tunes, including "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend," " Little Girl From Little Rock" and, of course, "Hello, Dolly!" that brings the audience up close and personal with the Ultimate Broadway Baby. Hurry! Don't wait to make your reservations for Carol Channing RAISES THE ROOF!
WHEN: Sunday, September 6th, 2009 at 7:00PM at Altadena Community Church, 943 E. Altadena Drive, Altadena, CA 91001 TICKETS: (626) 395-9923 Balcony - $35 dollars for adults, $10 for children 13 and under. Main floor - $75, VIP - which includes a reception with Miss Channing, $125 per ticket If theatergoers were to be polled about what they felt was the most memorable scene in musical comedy, most would probably cite the moment when the curtains part atop the stairs of the Harmonia Gardens Restaurant and Dolly Levi appears in her red Freddy Wittop gown, beginning her descent to "rejoin the human race." Carol Channing's latest project, "For Heaven Sake," includes many of the songs she came to know and love as a child with spirituals that she learned from her family. The CD features handpicked spirituals from Carol's childhood, taught to her by her father as well as hymns and rousing classic gospel tunes that southern gospel fans and people of all ages will know and love. The album produced by Larry Ferguson and John Wyatt will be released on Sept 18th (2009) by Daywind Records in association with Ferguson Music with major distribution in both secular and Christian retail through New Day and Word Entertainment Association a Warner Brothers Company. Altadena Community Church was founded in 1940 by a group of people seeking a freedom of religious thought that they had not found in other churches. In 1967 ACC joined the United Church of Christ, a denomination made up of self-governing congregations from four Protestant traditions. Each United Church of Christ congregation makes its own decisions, chooses its own pastor (who becomes a member), and respects the differing approaches of other congregations in the denomination. Member churches draw support from the UCC in many ways and, in turn, come together in the UCC to pool their resources for mutual aid and wider mission. In 1986 Altadena Community Church became the thirteenth church in the UCC denomination to declare itself Open and Affirming: People of all sexual orientations are welcome in all aspects of the life of Altadena Community Church. For more information, go to www.altadenaucc.org. And Carol is pretty upset that art is an afterthought -- at best -- in our state's schools.
Ah, the perils of creating an iconic musical comedy role! That can be said to be both the magic and the frustration of the Carol Channing.
The Amazonian comedienne with the distinctively profound basso first gained recognition in the 1948 revue Lend an Ear, where she clowned through a variety of roles. While merely a featured player, she gave an irresistibly hilarious performance as a 1920ish musical comedy flapper in the extended sketch "The Gladiola Girl." So much so that Jule Styne and Anita Loos, in the process of musicalizing the latter's Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, chose the unlikely Carol — cast wildly against type — to portray Lorelei Lee, the "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" gal, in the resulting 1949 smash. Channing happily played Lorelei on Broadway and took the show out on a rollicking road tour.
After regaling audiences for five years as a misplaced 1920s flapper, what do you do next?
Especially when your property is purloined by no less than Marilyn Monroe (who died 48 years ago today!) — cast wildly to type — in the 1953 motion picture version of the musical. For Channing, this meant finding another role. The opportunity arose to replace Rosalind Russell in Wonderful Town, in New York (briefly) and on the road. Channing was reportedly quite good in the role, but she had two strikes against her. Ms. Russell had scored a phenomenal personal success in the show, and was cemented in the public's mind as the one and only Ruth Sherwood by virtue of having played the role not only on Broadway but in the earlier, non-musical screen version of the play ("My Sister Eileen") on which the musical was based. What's more, a significant portion of the audience which flocked to see Carol Channing in those very same cities where she'd regaled them in Blondes were half expecting to see another variation of Lorelei Lee; Channing as Ruth Sherwood, without a single diamond, faced a tough task. Which is the peril of creating an iconic musical comedy role.
What next? A new Broadway musical, The Vamp (1955), which lasted a mere seven weeks at the Winter Garden. At this point, Channing got rid of her second husband, an ex-football player and co-producer of The Vamp, and got a new one, television producer Charles Lowe. He lasted a lot longer, although the marriage ended in what you might call a sea of recriminations. But here was Carol, the legendary Lorelei; one of Broadway's biggest stars only seven years earlier, and unable to find a stage to cavort on. Lowe arranged a round of nightclub bookings, with a fair amount of success, but still — this wasn't Broadway. So Lowe packaged her into a new stage revue. Charles Gaynor, who devised Lend an Ear, wrote the songs and sketches for what they called Show Business, which opened in San Francisco in the fall of 1959. Not a one-woman show, mind you; there was also a comic foil, Wally Griffin, and a French singing quartet, Les Quat' Jeudis (or the Four Thursdays, if you will). But it was mostly Carol, which was all to the good. After 14 months on the road, the show came to the Eugene O'Neill Theatre in January 1961; for the occasion, the title was changed to Show Girl and Griffin was replaced by Jules Munshin (who was much better known). Munshin made his name on Broadway in the 1946 revue Call Me Mister and after Show Girl co-starred in the 1961 musical The Gay Life; he is best remembered as part of the Sinatra-Kelly-Munshin trio of sailors cavorting "On the Town" in the M-G-M musical of that title.
The girl of Show Girl, though, was Ms. Channing. Gaynor reprised a couple of "Gladiola Girl" songs in the proceedings ("Join Us in a Little Cup of Tea," "The Yahoo Step"); incorporated Channing's already-familiar impersonations of Judy Garland and Marlene Dietrich; and gave the two stars a reportedly very funny sketch in which the Lunts fussed about the housekeeping at the recently-opened Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. (Munshin also scored in a sketch where he played a Sol Hurok-type.) These sketches are not included on the original cast album, which has just been issued by Kritzerland in a limited release of 1,000 copies.
Mr. Munshin makes only two appearances on the disc, a negligible duet with Carol and a somewhat more interesting number with the Frenchmen. The quartet has three spots, one with each star and a French ditty of their own called "Mambo-Java" (the one song not written by Gaynor, coming from Noel Guyves). This includes a section where one of them sneezes rhythmically while another hiccups.
Show Girl played ten weeks on Broadway, which given the economics of the day was sufficient to allow this touring enterprise to show a profit. For the New York run, producer Lowe partnered with Oliver Smith, the celebrated scenic designer who had co-produced Carol's Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, and Los Angeles showman James A. Doolittle.) The show then went back on the road, with Griffin resuming the place he had vacated for Munshin. And then, in late 1963, Channing undertook Hello, Dolly! and found a second iconic musical comedy role even bigger than the first.
Show Girl gives us a fine portrait of the post-Lorelei, pre-Dolly Carol Channing. And she is quite droll. The highpoint of the CD is a sketch that has happily been included. "The Inside Story" it is called, with Ms. Channing portraying one Cecilia Sssissson, ssstar of the sssilent ssscreen.
This dame made one talking picture, "Missssissssippi Melody," and then overnight "hit the ssskidsss, ssso to ssspeak." Altogether hilarioussss. This article courtesy : ON THE RECORD: Carol Channing's Show Girl (PLAYBILL.COM) By Steven Suskin
Channing was scheduled to perform in San Francisco last year, but canceled after breaking her leg.
This is from Jenna Esposito:
Wednesday evening found me at the VIP Room of The Iguana for Wednesday Night Of The Iguana, the weekly open mic/singers’ showcase hosted by the talented team of Richard Skipper and Dana Lorge. Started by Joan Crowe and recently passed into the capable hands of the aforementioned dynamic duo, this 3-hour show includes five featured performers, each of whom perform 3-song sets, as well as a variety of other talented singers whose names are drawn out of a hat to insure fair treatment for all. I had received a last minute request to fill in as one of the five featured performers for that evening, and I was thrilled to be able to do so.
It ended up being a really terrific night of entertainment, with wonderful performances by the other four featured performers (Deb Berman, Susan Winter, Jana Robbins, and Maureen Taylor), as well as by some of the other singers who found their way to the stage that night (including Sarah Rice, Esther Beckman, Jillian Laurain, and Joan Crowe). Richard and Dana did a wonderful job as hosts - they were charming, gracious, welcoming, and had a nice, natural rapport with each other and the audience...and their songs were great, as well! Taken from The Cabaret Chronicles by Jenna Esposito
You’ve got to give respect to our old pal Joan Rivers, the girl never gives up. Her new show “How’d You Get So Rich?” will air opposite Jay Leno’s new 10 p.m. NBC show. Rivers claimed that she is delighted with Leno competing with her and says, “Leno has become very boring. Nobody remembers what he says anymore. So, let him try and play the game with me, maybe he’ll learn a few things.”
If you remember, after several appearances on the “Johnny Carson” show years before his passing, the legendary nighttime king refused to have her on his regular guest list. Carson claimed that Joan was a bit too aggressive for him. When she wanted something, there was nothing she would not do to get it. Obviously, the surviving Rivers has been deeply affected by the hardness and insensitivity of the business, giving her the image that many have had to develop in order to remain marketable.
I take my hat off to Joan for staying alive, where many in her generation gave up without a fight.
Madonna is excited about the release of her “Celebration” album. It spotlights her greatest hits and she swears that she will do anything and go any place to show people her gratitude. “I have much to be thankful for,” she said. “I have a wonderful life that affords me to meet some of the most exciting people in the world. I receive thousands of e-mails and letters every week from young people who tell me that I inspire them to make something of their lives. Now this makes me feel good. I came from a rather poor background and I know how it feels to dream and hope for something better. You know, there is so much darkness and unhappiness in the world today, and anything that I can do to make things a little better, I want to do it. Life can be beautiful but we must realize that it takes work – and the challenge itself makes it all exciting and worthwhile.”
In the early ‘70s, Lorna Luft was approached to co-host a weekly talk show, but because of scheduling, it didn’t work out. Lorna is a fantastic singer, easily rivaling her sister, Liza Minnelli. Unfortunately, she never really got the big “push” that Liza received when starting her career.
However, she has appeared in numerous Road Productions of Broadway shows, wowing the audience every time she hit the stage. She appeared on the bill with the late star Bea Arthur and Rita Moreno. Her voice was undamaged, even better than her late mom or sister, Liza.
Now she has been approached by producer Burt Mayo to release an album of her mother’s most famous songs introduced in films. I think it will be an exciting project. “I have always loved the songs she did and when she wasn’t around, I would sing them over and over again.”
Lorna admitted that both she and Liza have hesitated to revamp Judy’s music because her fan base is still extremely strong, and they didn’t want to do anything which might offend them. “No matter where we go in the world,” Lorna noted, “people mention momma with such love and loyalty. To them, she is still with us and in a way, she is. It’s all about the music, isn’t it?”
By Lorna Luft
Was another celebrity killed by an enabler who happened to be a physician? I lost my mother, legend Judy Garland, on June 22 1969, 40 years ago, to an accidental overdose of prescription drugs. She was only 47 years old. I still remember it like it was yesterday. I was only 16. I remember the burning pain, confusion, the sense of fear of ‘what’s going to happen to me,’ and of course a sense of loss I have never gotten over.Lorna-Luft-Judy-Garland
Over the past forty years I have relived her passing away every single day. When I see one of her numerous movies shown on television, pass by a store with her iconic photo as the little girl from Kansas, Dorothy Gale, or hear one of her recordings, I remember her brilliant artistry on countless stages.
My mother was a magnificent human being and a talent we will never see again. And yes, my mother was addicted to prescription drugs. I spent my early adolescent years filling her prescription medications with sugar so she wouldn’t overdose. In the end, no one could have saved her. We did not have the knowledge, education and facilities we have now.
I know we have all heard this story before. I wrote a book about my life in the hope that telling my story would shed some light, and make a difference in the way many people viewed a life that ended way before its time. It was also the story of how far we have come in the education and knowledge of the world of addiction. In the book I told of how I battled my own addiction and have been sober for 26 years.
But what has saddened, disturbed, angered and frustrated me in the last 40 years is still the unethical and irresponsible way that many doctors in the medical field continue to over-prescribe drugs to celebrities and the rich and famous. It seems that we haven’t learned anything over the past 4 decades.
The countless stories I hear of being able to walk into certain doctors’ offices and walk out with a shopping cart full of prescription drugs is endless. We have all heard the stories of the various “Dr Feelgoods” in the 1930s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and now. Also, we hear countless references to drugs in rhythm and blues and rock n roll lyrics. We have also heard the phrases “Mother’s Little Helpers” for decades.
I think a lot of blame can be attributed to the culture we live in, the financial benefits to all concerned, and the fanaticism of being around the wealthy and famous. Like moths to a flame, some think maybe their fame will rub off on the one who stands nearest the “Star.”
My belief is that the responsibility of the addict is absolutely number one, but we can’t forget the enablers who have helped them all on their journey into the abyss – the ones who have “lied” to protect, “deceived” to protect, “loved them” to protect, and most importantly, BENEFITTED FROM their addiction. God only knows I know how hard it is to have an addict in your life. The pain, grief and chaos it causes is unbelievable and unbearable. I stand with everyone who has fought to get peace and serenity in their tumultuous lives.
We are facing a moral and ethical dilemma: shameful doctors who took an oath to save lives have now helped destroy them. These people must be severely prosecuted and given long and healthy prison sentences.
To the countless people who have lost a loved one and who are suffering the same pain, anger and bottomless grief in their lives today: Stand up and say, “No more!” Let’s not let our poor, lost and sick souls who we loved with all our hearts and whose we couldn’t reach, die in vain.
For more information, visit www.channingarts.com.
Murrieta Repertory Theatre recently received a grant from the California Arts Council to start a program that provides after-school theater lessons to K-12 students.
"It's about sharing our expertise in the field of theater with the students in our area," said the group's artistic director, Jim Marbury. Artists in Schools is a statewide program that partners community groups with schools to provide education in arts for all students.
The program gives out two types of grants -- a planning grant for organizations establishing a program, and a grant for groups continuing their existing program.
Murrieta Repertory Theatre is the only group in the Inland region to receive the $2,500 planning grant this year, while Riverside Arts Council and Sinfonia Mexicana in San Bernardino received $7,200 each to fund continuing programs, said Mary Beth Barber, spokeswoman for the California Arts Council.
Murrieta Repertory Theatre used to perform at the Murrieta Community Center but recently moved its performances to locations in Hemet.
Marbury said the 12-week program, set to begin in the 2010-11 school year, will be open to students from schools in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Students will be exposed to acting, directing, writing and the technical aspects of theater production.
He said that theater teaches students critical thinking skills, teamwork and ways to express themselves.
For information about Artists in Schools, visit www.cac.ca.gov/programs/
ais200708.php LIZA MINNELLI has dismissed rumours of a guest appearance on hit U.S. show UGLY BETTY - after she was spotted dining with TV bosses in New York. The Cabaret star sent internet gossips into a spin after she was recently seen having lunch with Ugly Betty creator Silvio Horta, executive producer Richard Hues and casting director Geoff Soffer at Manhattan's Waverly Inn. The sighting sparked rumours Minnelli was lined up for a cameo role in the programme - but a representative for the star insists Minnelli is actually set to join the cast of comedy series Drop Dead Diva, not Ugly Betty. The rep tells New York Post gossip column PageSix, "Liza is not scheduled to appear on Ugly Betty. She is, however, going to be appearing in an episode of Drop Dead Diva that airs on Lifetime on Sept. 6. Hope that clears things up.” To learn more about Murrieta Repertory Theatre, visit www.myspace.com/murrietarep
Reach Erica Shen at 951-763-3466 or eshen@PE.com GO SEE A LIVE SHOW THIS WEEK! Don't forget to contribute to the DR. CAROL CHANNING & HARRY KULLIJIAN FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS: http://www.carolchanning.org/Foundation.htm
With grateful XOXOXs for your support!
Richard Skipper
Follow me on Twitter @RichardSkipper
TONIGHT: Aug 5 8pm IGUANA VIP LOUNGE, 240 West 54th Street, NYC WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT THE IGUANA Tonight, we are celebrating Richard's thirtieth Year in New York. Richard arrived in NYC on Aug 5th, 1979. Richard Skipper, along with Dana Lorge host. What they are doing is NOT being done anywhere else! Each week will showcase 5 entertainers. Other entertainers that show up will be inserted throughout the show as time permits/this is done by lottery! AND each are joined by Barry Levitt on keyboard and Morrie Louden on bass. Each week will be different. The price is ONLY $10.00 with NO food or drink minimum (although the food at The Iguana is top notch). This is a nice night out with the family! The show will also be done with class and elegance. A "throw back" to the variety shows we grew up with.
Tonight's guests include: Sandi Durell, Bobbie Horowitz, Carolyn Ohlbaum, Brent Winborn ... and a few other surprises as well! Remember $10.00 Cover/No food or drink minimum! Reservations a must (212) 765-5454
So today, I want to remind you of the DR. CAROL CHANNING & HARRY KULLIJIAN FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS. You say "arts and education" to people and their eyes glaze over. Mention it on a broadcast and viewers will flip the channel so the anchors go to something else. This week, President Obama released his FY 2010 budget request to the Congress. It includes $38.16 million for the US Department of Education’s (DOE) Arts in Education program. This is distinctly different from years past; at one time, previous administrations proposed zeroing out this program altogether. There's no easy visual component to an issue like public funding of arts in education. So it's as if the issue does not exist!
The Arts are among the most important things we learn about in school. They provide a well-rounded education not based on a test's requirements.Every study of how to make cities more attractive to prospective citizens, new businesses, etc. says that a thriving arts scene is a key issue. So of course the local yokel politicos ignore that and invest in new stadiums.
The return to the teaching of the arts in the public schools in the State of California requires that the State and its citizens reevaluate, reexamine and rethink the benefits to be derived from a complete and adequate education that includes exposure to the arts as a part of the regular curriculum. Education, not only in the arts but education as a whole in California and throughout the United States must be lifted to a considerably higher priority. If we do not act upon this soon and begin serious discussions about remedying this increasingly serious lack of the standards for which this country was known, we are at risk to lose the main ingredient of the world class goals of a true democracy. With more that 4,000 in attendance, Carol Channing was honored for her unstinting support of the arts in education at the PTA Convention on May 2nd, 2009. The Children's Arts Advocate Award 2009 - the state PTA's first such award - was presented to the First Lady of Musical Theatre during an appearance at the organization's 110th annual convention. She and her husband, Harry Kullijian spoke to a crowd of thousands of PTA members and delegates, representing the organization's nearly 1 million volunteer members in the state of California. See more here: http://broadwayworld.com/article/Photo_Flash_PTA_Honored_Carol_Channing_On_52_20090506
Once again, Happy Anniversary, Carol and Harry! Wow! What you have accomplished these past six years! I can't wait to see what the next six years bring! Also, Happy Mother's Day to ALL Mothers! If you have or had a great mother, celebrate. If you have or had a horrible mother - celebrate being great despite parental abuse. Everyone rocks.
It is with saddened hearts that I inform you of the passing of one of the most popular and beloved of all actors and comedians Dom DeLuise. Mr. DeLuise passed away last week in Los Angeles, CA at the age of 75. More than 20 years of film and television appearances include the successful "Cannonball Run" films, Mr. DeLuise is well remembered also as a dead ringer for celebrity Chef Paul Prudhomme. A chef himself, DeLuise authored two cookbooks and frequently appeared on morning television whipping up his favorites.
The following was sent by Sharion Daniels:
What can I say about Danny Gans? As a fellow impressionist, he did not disappoint!
As soon as you got off the plane and arrived at the Vegas airport, what did you see? Billboards of Danny Ganz as the entertainer of the year over and over again. Every year for at least a decade it has been Danny! And so, having been in this business for so many years and only seeing Danny perform on a short spot on Regis many years ago...as Danny did not promote himself on television...I could not wait to catch his act. At that time he was at the Mirage. Danny, who was blessed to be in that tremendous theater, entered with a hair raising bang! His singing impressions were astounding, with his impeccable dance moves to go along with them. His voices and comedic timing were right on, pleasing his audience to the nth degree. Not to mention his drama...Phantom of the Opera and a stunning Al Pacino from Scent of a woman come to mind. And to top it off, a band to beat the bands, enhancing his precious gifts to thrill his audience to no end!
Danny, a handsome, gifted performer and family man was taken from us so quickly I could not believe the words I heard Friday, May 1st, 2009. What strikes me most about Danny? His striving to push the envelope to please audiences of all ages by doing the gamut of entertainers from George Burns to Michael Jackson, to Nat King Cole and his daughter Natalie. His classic Tony Bennet or his cool Smokey Robinson, along with Kermit the Frog to bring out the kid in all of us.
There are few famous celebrities that Danny did not do, male And female, leaving each audience touched, full and electrified!
Danny was a religious man who put family first. May his spirit shine eternally.
Danny, you have been an inspiration to me to strive to be the very best, as your memory will bring out the best in all of us in this business. You will be sorely missed. Rest in peace, Danny.
FOREVER PLAID 20th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL SINGS ITS WAY INTO SELECT MOVIE THEATERS NATIONWIDE WITH FIRST-EVER, LIVE SING-A-LONG FOR ONLY ONE NIGHT THIS JULY
NCM Fathom and Forever Plaid Productions Present Special Anniversary Big Screen Event Featuring Exclusive LIVE Performances by Select Members of the Original Cast FOREVER PLAID SINGS ITS WAY INTO SELECT MOVIE THEATERS NATIONWIDE WITH FIRST-EVER, LIVE SING-A-LONG (from Harlan Boll) – May 11, 2009 – “Forever Plaid,” one of Off-Broadway’s most popular and critically acclaimed musicals, is making its first appearance on the big screen in the Forever Plaid 20th Anniversary Special event on Thursday, July 9th. Select members from the original “Forever Plaid” cast will introduce the event LIVE from the red carpet at Los Angeles’ Club Nokia to fans in movie theaters across the country, followed by a specially-taped 20th Anniversary performance of “Forever Plaid.” Audiences across the country will experience a memorable evening, combining the 20th Anniversary event classic production with new and interactive twists, including a first-ever LIVE, coast-to-coast in-theater sing-a-long with “The Plaids.”
Mickey Carroll, who starred in the classic film, “The Wizard of Oz,” passed away on Thursday. According to Reuters, Carroll had died of natural causes at the home of his caretaker in Crestwood, Missouri.
Carroll, whose given name was Michael Finocchiaro, was in the entertainment business early in his life as a child. One of his first jobs was appearing in seven episodes of the Spanky and Our Gang series, in which he played as “Mickey.”
He attended school with Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney. After becoming friends with Garland, she offered him a part in the 1939 film, The Wizard of Oz.
Carroll accepted the role as the Munchkinland’s violin-playing “Town Crier.” His costume consisted of a purple cloak with a yellow flower sticking out of his striped vest.
In 2007, Carroll and a few other surviving Munchkins attended a ceremony that dedicated a Munchkin star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
On a good note, Joan Crowe, who has been hosting HUMP NIGHT AT THE IGUANA for several months is now moving on to other projects. She asked me to take over! I'm thrilled! My first night to host is on the 27th! I hope you'll join me. My special guest performer that night is Ritt Henn (who was my base player for some time!). Other guests to be announced. If you have any suggestions for guest stars, please let me know!Remember to GO SEE A LIVE SHOW THIS WEEK!
"Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-wing- ed bird that cannot fly." - Langston Hughes, (1902-1967)
As you may or may not be aware, I have been working along side Carol Channing and her husband, Harry Kullijian on the DR. CAROL CHANNING ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS. http://www.drchanningfoundation.org/
Please check out: http://www.richardskipper.com/foundation/index.html. My goal is to make the importance of Arts in Education a national campaign. The arts contribute so much to the economy, to the education, to the cultural life of this city, and I'm not convinced that everybody is always totally aware of that.
Any ideas and/or suggestions you may have are greatly appreciated!
We have raised $650.00 through my FACEBOOK page! I would love to double that by the end of the month!
Can you help? Any dollar amount helps! Please tell AT LEAST 25 of your friends about our cause today!
Thanks in advance! Carol, Harry, and I thank you!You can make a donation here: https://www.causes.com/fb/donation Music in high school was the highlight and joy of every day I was there.
My fondest memories were my drama class and chorus. It changed my whole high school experience. I couldn't imagine a school without the arts. How did we do it in the 60's? And why is it on the chopping block today. I don't get it. In my town, a town full of parks and ball fields complains of money to education constantly.
However the town is YET planning another park and more ball fields.
My friend, Shawn Ryan BEAT MERYL STREEP! He reached the Number One Spot this Week on Broadway's Cafe Society Radio!
Right above Meryl Streep and Lily Tomlin's "My Minnesota Home".
History Shown at Fox Theater This past weekend.Tony Award winning actress Carol Channing was a special guest and spoke about how as youngsters she and her husband Harry Kullijian visited a Fox Theater while growing up in San Francisco.
Walking down one of the aisles of Pomona's Fox she remembered San Francisco's Fox. "This is like deja vu," she said. Kullijian and Channing spoke about their work promoting the use of fine arts in school curriculum. Seeing what has been done with Pomona's Fox Theater is is a sign that Pomona value the arts, he said. After their remarks Channing sang a signature tune for the audience. "You have to forgive me but I'm still in love with the Broadway musical," she said before singing part of "Hello Dolly!" She sang and then invited the audience to sing along which the crowd did filing the Fox the song for the first time in years. At the end the audience gave her a standing ovation. See full story here: http://www.dailybulletin.com/ci_12178826
The Beales of Grey Gardens continue to fascinate!
Did you see Grey Gardens Saturday night? Kudos to Drew Barrymore, Jessica Lange, and everyone involved. I see Emmys galore for this production. Especially for Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange!Ihighly recommend renting the dvd of the documentary Grey Gardens and watching it before you watch the movie. Though, it was done so well, it could stand on its own.
Are you around Wednesday night in NYC? Apr 22 7pm THE PLAYERS THEATRE, 115 Macdougal Street (below West 3rd) CABARET: ECONOMICAL LAUNCHING PAD FOR NEW WORK? Co-moderated by Sherry Eaker, editor-at-large of Back Stage. Featuring Suzanne Adams, Opening Door Theatre Company (Closing Notice Series at the Duplex); Sharon Carr, producer (Glimpses of the Moon at the Algonquin); Bill Daugherty, self-producing artist (Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? at the Triad); Richard Skipper, self-producing artist (CAROL CHANNING IN CONCERT STARRING RICHARD SKIPPER!); Lee Sommers, General Manager/Booker Triad Theatre; others to be announced. Doors open at 7:00pm for networking and refreshments, panel starts promptly at 7:30pm. FREE for TRU members; new pricing - $12 for non-members. Please call at least a day in advance for reservations: 212-714-7628; or e-mail TRUnltd@aol.com
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!
This past week will be remembered as the week we came to know Susan Boll. Susan Boll was all over the media this week! When someone described her to me, she asked "Did you see the ugly woman who sings so beautifully?" I said why describe someone like that!?!?! On Anderson Cooper afterwards Friday night was the story of a 12 year old in Springfield, Massachusetts who committed suicide earlier this week because kids were making fun of him in school and calling him "gay". When does this prejudice and hatred stop!?!?! Susan teaches us that we can still, regardless of our ignorances, see and appreciate true beauty, beauty of the human spirit and soul ~ music connects all peoples and all souls, as with the theatre, it is about CONNECTION with each other ~ Brava, Susan!
Remembering Columbine 10 years later. Everyone personally affected by this tragedy are in my thoughts and prayers.
Today marks the 8th anniversary of Carol Channing and Harry Kullijian's wedding after a 70 year separation!My blog today is their story.I am SO LUCKY to call them my friends.
(all pictured here). Dori Berinstein is a Tony-winning Broadway producer of "Thoroughly Modern Millie," "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and "Fool Moon." She's also an award-winning documentary filmmaker, chronicling a toy-making competition, "Some Assembly Required," and an entire Broadway season, "Show Business: The Road to Broadway."
Carol and Harry were junior high school sweethearts at Aptos Junior High (now called Middle School) in San Francisco. She had an entire new battery of faculty members and students to take home in her imagination. They both had a love of the arts. Harry led the school band. Carol ran for vice-president of the student body and he wrote her campaign song, "When I'm vice president..." Carol gravitated to the school band because she needed them for her campaign song. 
Harry said that at first he was intimidated by Carol's family. But they were so warm to him. Harry's father was a tailor, a Turkish immigrant who'd only gone through sixth grade. 
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Carol wrote her memoir, JUST LUCKY I GUESSCarol Channing, took on her most challenging role yet: as the author of this funny, ribald, and moving memoir. In her book, Carol described Harry as "exotic and beautiful," and recalled that she loved hugging him.
Carol said that Harry made her feel so girlie and feminine even though she was wearing a silk PANTS suit and low heels. They now laugh at the memory of their quick Thoroughly modern-day courtship and admit that part of the rush is that they WAITED to be intimate until THEY were man and wife. 
So today, I want to remind you of the DR. CAROL CHANNING & HARRY KULLIJIAN FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS.
