TONIGHT'S TRIPLE CHORD: KLEA BLACKHURST, TERESE GENECCO, AND BARRY LEVITT

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

www.RichardSkipper.com

Follow me on Twitter www.Twitter.com/RichardSkipper


Google me!

Please contribute to the DR. CAROL CHANNING & HARRY KULLIJIAN FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS: http://www.carolchanning.org/foundation.htm



TILL NEXT WEEK...HERE'S TO A MUSICAL HOLIDAY SEASON!
With grateful XOXOXs for your support!
Richard Skipper, Richard@RichardSkipper.com

IT'S MONDAY! IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES: JOAN GUSSOW, JANE SCHECKTER, KATHY KAEFER...AND MORE!

It's Monday! Imagine the possibilities. I had a whole day planned with errands that I needed to get done to plan ahead. The day was going to end with us going to see Jane Scheckter this eve at The Metropolitan Room. More about Jane in a moment. Last night, we went to a book warming party for our friend Joan Gussow. If you could wrap up all the elements of the Nanny Culture in one person, it would be Gussow.
Joan has been able to wield considerable influence in academia (as a nutrition and education professor at Columbia University), in government (as a member of the National Organic Standards Board), and in the foundation world (as a board member at the Jessie Noyes Smith Foundation). Gussow has also been embraced by the nonprofit sector, sitting on the Center for Food Safety’s Advisory Board and the Board of Overseers of the Chefs Collaborative. To top it off, she’s been something of a media darling for over ten years. She is also a friend of mine and Danny's. She may not know this, but Joan is a huge inspiration to me. I cannot wait to read this book...for a lot of reasons.
Shortly after Alan Gussow, Joan's husband of forty years, died, Danny and I had dinner with Joan. She told us of this "seed" she had for this book dealing with his passing and what she was feeling...and what she was not feeling. Because of the delicate subject matter and how others would perceive it,she had to be very careful with what she wrote. That dinner was in 1997. 13 years later, Joan, who is now 82, has this incredible book (I'm relishing what I have read so far!) called GROWING, OLDER: A CHRONICLE OF DEATH, LIFE AND VEGETABLES. She has a previous book called THE ORGANIC LIFE.

Michael Pollan, bestselling author of In Defense of Food and The Omnivore's Dilemma wrote, " Once in a while, when I have an original thought, I look around and realize Joan said it first."

"In Growing, Older Joan Dye Gussow once again proves herself the consummate writer, gardener, cook, professor, and-it turns out-philosopher, too. This is a memoir about death, but much like Joan herself, it's brimming with life. A vivid, unflinching, and unexpected self-portrait."- Dan Barber, chef and co-owner of Blue Hill and Blue Hill at Stone Barns
LEARN, LIVE, GROW

Barbara Kingsolver credits Joan Gussow with shaping the history and politics of food in the United States. Now 82, she is passing along some surprising and inspiring wisdom.

Weeks after Alan Gussow had passed on, Joan told Danny and me (in 1997) that she found herself skipping down the street. With humor and wit, in this latest book, she explains how she stopped worrying about what everyone else might think is appropriate-instead focusing on what is important: the ever-changing world and her own place in it.
Gussow's garden is teacher, child, therapist, confidant, and friend.
Growing, Older is a literary gem-one that people of any age, gardeners, envirionmentalists, or those, like me, who wish to never stop growing will cherish.
Susan Clotfelter, in the Denver Post wrote, "If you hope to stride into your ninth decade with strength, humor and a weeder in one hand, Joan Dye Gussow is your role model."
As stated earlier, Gussow's latest book, "Growing, Older" ($17.95, Chelsea Green), starts from an unlikely place: The disconcerting discovery that her life hasn't been devastated by her artist husband's sudden death from cancer in 1997.
From there, she looks back, and forward, on her life as a daughter, a mother, a scholar and, especially, a gardener: Gussow grows all the vegetables she eats, year-round, on the banks of the often- flooding Hudson River in Piermont, N.Y. where we live by the way.
Sparkill is the armpit of Piermont.

Buy Joan's book today!
Then call me, we'll set up dinner at my house, and Joan will sign the book for you: http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=Joan+Gussow&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&hl=en&cid=8520447123734708312&ei=WkfhTIiUEabOyQWl1O2qAw&sa=title&ved=0CDUQ8wIwAzgA#p

Well, back to last night's book signing...I discovered that Danny has a meeting tonight that he had forgotten about and that he could not get out of. We were also supposed to see Jane Scheckter this eve. I called Jane and gave her the option of my coming solo this eve or Danny and I both coming tomorrow night. Sometimes, it pays to have two shows back to back! Options are GREAT! Of course, she would like to have us both tomorrow night. Would you like to join our party? If so, please contact me. Some of Jane's good friends still misspell Scheckter (which is why her URL is www.singjanesing).

Jane is a jazz lady who sings standards by the great composers. She loves timeless songs with lyrics that have something to say.

I hope you'll listen to some of the samples from Jane's new CD, "In Times Like These" and from my previous album, "Double Standards"

Enjoy...and read on! WALL STREET JOURNAL ONLINE Friday, November 12, 2010

Jane Scheckter with the Tedd Firth Trio: 'The Moon, The Stars, Albert Einstein, and Love'
By Will Friedwald
The Metropolitan Room 34 W. 22nd St., (212) 206-0440 Monday-Wednesday
Slightly more jazzy than Sandy Stewart, yet somewhat less so than Carol Sloane, Jane Scheckter's deep, warm contralto and engaging style takes her near the orbit of those two leading ladies of the essential American songbook. In this thesis on the notion of the songwriter as astrologer, Ms. Scheckter lets us into her celestial home to illuminate how Tin Pan Alley used the cosmos as a barometer of romantic possibilities, and how all the iconic composers took us up a stairway to the stars to see what was written there. The songhound in me delights in the inclusion of Perry Como's theme "Dream Along With Me (I'm on My Way to a Star)" as well as the hyper-rare (and lovely) "Blue Underneath a Yellow Moon" by Arthur Gershwin (George and Ira's younger brother). Perhaps Cassius, that swinging cat, was right: The beat, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in our selves.

MY NEW FEATURE: TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Bistro Award winner Kathy Kaefer!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DURRELL WATKINS!Dr. Watkins wrote Wrestling With God Without Getting Pinned: Old Stories, New Thoughts, & Progressive Spirituality Buy it now at http://www.amazon.com/Wrestling-God-Without-Getting-Pinned/dp/1432748963/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1289834908&sr=8-1

GO HERE TO SEE DR. WATKINS: http://www.youtube.com/sunshinecathedral#p/u/1/1RZmyp5T5dY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JUDY GOLD! http://judygold.com (Shown here with Elysa)Bob Egan's New Hope - Supper Club and Cabaret will welcome two of the top women currently working in comedy -- Judy Gold and Christine Pedi -- for separate engagements in the coming weeks.

Emmy winner and renowned writer/comedian, Gold will appear on Sunday, November 21 at 7:30 pm. She will return the following week, Sunday, November 28 at 7:30 pm for a special themed show to coincide with the LGBT event, Ladies 2000. Christine Pedi, known for her critically acclaimed association with FORBIDDEN BROADWAY and for her popular SiriusXM radio show, will appear on Saturday, December 4 at 8:30pm. All shows are held at Bob Egan's New Hope - Supper Club and Cabaret at the Ramada of New Hope.


JUDY GOLD
Judy Gold is an Emmy Award winning actress and comedian. She is best known as the star of the critically acclaimed, long-running Off-Broadway hit show "25 Questions for a Jewish Mother" - which The New York Times called "fiercely funny, honest and moving." She was nominated for a 2006 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Solo Performance, and a book based on the show was nominated for the prestigious Quill Award. Ms. Gold can be seen regularly on HLN's "The Joy Behar Show", ABC's "The View" & Tru-TV's "The Smoking Gun Presents". Ms. Gold was the host of HBO's "At the Multiplex with Judy Gold" from 1999-2009. Her TV specials include a Wisecrack half-hour comedy special for LOGO, "Comedy Central Presents: Judy Gold" and a half-hour HBO special, in which she received a Cable Ace Award in 1996. Ms. Gold lives in New York City with her two children. She frequently tours theatres and comedy clubs around the country. Her CD, "Judith's Roommate Had a Baby" is currently available on Amazon.com.


CHRISTINE PEDI

Christine Pedi recently starred in NEWSical the Musical at the 47th Street Theatre spoofing Hilary Clinton, Joan Rivers, Nancy Grace, Suze Orman, Liza, Fran Drescher, Oprah (yes Oprah!) and many more. She is the proud host of THE BROADWAY BREAKFAST daily (9a-3p ET) on SIRIUS/XM RADIO where she plays the music of the stage & screen and interviews show biz legends. She shares the mic with the "amaaaaahzing" Seth Rudetsky on Saturdays for DUELING DIVAS (9a-3pET).

Her cabaret GREAT DAMES (2008 New York NightLife Award, Backstage Bistro Award, MAC nomination and "Top Ten Memorable Theatre Moments of the Year" on BroadwayWorld.com.) returned to South Africa in 2009 for the 3rd time (Capetown) and had a month long run at Londons Jermyn Street theatre in the heart of the West End. SHOW BUSINESS WEEKLY named her 2007s "Best Female Cabaret Performer" . Christines long association with the off-Broadway satirical revue FORBIDDEN BROADWAY & FORBIDDEN HOLLYWOOD has earned her a Drama Desk nomination an LA Ovation award & lots of frequent flyer miles. She was most recently on Broadway in Eric Bogosians TALK RADIO starring Liev Schrieber.


At Bob Egan's New Hope - Supper Club and Cabaret dinner is available starting at 6pm. Tickets to events at Bob Egan's New Hope - Supper Club and Cabaret are available for purchase online at www.bobegansnewhope.com. Reservations for dinner should be made with the hotel directly by calling 215-862-5225.( SOURCE: BROADWAYWORLD.COM)

TAKE JUDY HOME WITH YOU! http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=Judy+Gold&hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=9758018495978952239&ei=CVXhTMWXKsO88gbw6u3WDw&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CFQQ8wIwAA#

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PENNY CANDY!

BEYOND THE THREE F's: FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND FELLOW PERFORMERS!....How to build your audience and create a following!
What is the biggest obstacle facing entertainers today? When I speak to most entertainers today, they tell me the biggest challenge they face today is building an audience. My class is a primer on how to get your show up and running and get an audience in the process. The business has changed DRASTICALLY! If you don’t know how to market and promote yourself BEYOND the three “F’s”: friends, family, and fellow entertainers, you WILL be left behind. I could just as easily call this the three “Ifs”. I see so much of “You come see me, I’ll come see you!” To quote a friend who succeeds as an entertainer, “All I owe you is a great performance”. He doesn’t feel the need to rush to everyone’s show…and, yet, his shows consistently sell out. The lines are blurred between who the performers are, who the audiences are, who the press is, who the critics are, who the producers are. MOST are depending upon each other for their very survival!
No one can guarantee SRO houses in today’s tough economic climate. Also, it is tougher to get audiences to go out and see LIVE entertainment with all the options they have in their own homes. The internet, home entertainment networks, 5000 channels on TV, Movies On Demand, Social networking! Woosh…
However, there are methods to “get your name out there”. Ways to get press and in the process get people interested in you. Let me show you how! I fill houses and I KNOW how to market myself. My track record speaks for itself.

RICHARD SKIPPER, critically acclaimed, multi-award winning performer, director, co-producer of the 2010 Bistro Awards, career consultant is bringing years of experience to this workshop. The cost of the workshop is $125 for three hours. Please call (845) 365-0720 for more information and to reserve your space and/or create a specific workshop for YOUR needs (ASK ABOUT OUR SPECIAL OFFER!). There is a Paypal option on the left column of this page to reserve your space now. Richard's shows continue to be wonderful successes around the country, and as he continues making his business great, he looks forward to sharing his experience with others.
This workshop will focus on how to get you the attention that you need. Richard's shows have been sell-outs. Other topics will include how to use the internet to your advantage in marketing; how to get your name "out there"; cold calling; creating a contract specific to your needs; how to create a press kit that shows you to your best possible advantage and more! Richard gets a sense of the various levels of each workshop and custom makes, on the spot, a class catering to the needs of the actual group in the room. He will ascertain YOUR agenda prior to the workshop beginning so that each participant will leave with all of their questions answered, so come prepared!
Richard is also available for one-on-one consultations which afford you the personal time with him catering specifically and only to your needs.
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: www.gcdtp.com.
For general information on workshops or Career Coaching, please contact Richard Skipper directly at 845-365-0720 or Richard@RichardSkipper.com.


THE FOLLOWING ARE COMMENTS FROM
http://www.richardskipper.com/guestbook.html

What a joyous night! Richard, you are the most welcoming, entertaining, beautiful host in town (or, for my money, anywhere)! I had a terrific evening, surrounded by gracious, supremely talented people, greeting old friends, making new ones, and enjoying fabulous food. Thank you for including me in your roster of entertainers last night at the Iguana! JACKIE DRAPER



Enjoyed Richard Skipper's performances in Malibu;
both as himself and as Carol Channing !!!
(the Most Amazingly Accurate Characterization in the world !!!)
keep on keepin' on ...David Dean, Phoenix, AZ



I had the best time at the Iguana last night. it was a night to remember. where else can you go and get that vast variety of a show. it was with out a doubt the most entertaining night of my year! Thanks DeOnzelle Green

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


. . . 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

www.RichardSkipper.com

Follow me on Twitter www.Twitter.com/RichardSkipper


Google me!

Please contribute to the DR. CAROL CHANNING & HARRY KULLIJIAN FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS: http://www.carolchanning.org/foundation.htm



TILL NEXT WEEK...HERE'S TO A MUSICAL WEEK!
With grateful XOXOXs for your support!
Richard Skipper, Richard@RichardSkipper.com