Julie Reyburn will perform tonight at The Iguana! Tonight Dana Lorge and I are celebrating our 25th week at The Iguana!
Obviously, we have a lot to be Thankful for as we go into this holiday season.
TONIGHT'S SHOW IS AT 7pm
IGUANA VIP LOUNGE, 240 West 54th Street, NYC
THANKSGIVING EVE AT THE IGUANA
Barry Levitt on keyboard & Morrie Louden on bass. PLEASE NOTE: SHOW STARTS AT 7PM - - Tonight's guests include: Christopher Gerrard, William Blake, Jim Speak, David Vernon, Diana Templeton ... A few other surprises as well! Remember $10.00 Cover/No food or drink minimum! Reservations a must (212) 765-5454
When we were first approached by Joan Crowe, our goal was to raise the bar. I didn't want to do another "open mic".
I wanted a real opportunity for entertainers to showcase themselves and build their fan base! (Joan Crowe, pictured)
After Ray Jessell appeared in our show last week, 12 people from that night's audience came to his show Monday Night at Don't Tell Mama.
Meet some of the entertainers we have tonight:
David Vernon is a self-trained song stylist with a seemingly endless repertoire of music.
His vocal range is as broad as his song-list. Developing an early appreciation and study of performance art he strives to challenge material and weave it into an experience to be heard.
Testing and developing his gift by performing in dozens of nightclubs he has established a loyal following and continues to recruit new listeners. By the age of 19 he had already produced and directed himself in a three-act nightclub engagement. He then went on doing engagements featuring standards and theatre compositions.
David first entered the recording studio in 1986 to record his first demo and has since continued to record 5 more albums all showcased on this website. Shortly after relocating to New York he has been commissioned to do demo work for several different composers. David Vernon has done television appearances with both his performance and design showcases.
David the designer specializes in Haute Couture. David builds his own designs from paper to finished product with a close eye on detail and expert tailoring.
In 2000 he unveiled his first full collection. His agency has pushed him forward and will be the foundation for future collections.
His current project stems from a nightclub act done in New York City.
The Album of that show entitled “By Myself” is a compilation of songs that conjures up the emotions and questions derived through solitude.
The album is currently available at this website. When David is not performing or designing he spends his time working for not-for profit arts organizations raising funds and recruiting patronage.
David Nathan Scott has a lovely stage presence...' Phil Geoffrey Bond - Laurie Beechman Theatre. J. Michael Reeds. Feel free to check out his CDs! http://www.jaymichaelreeds.com/discography.html
Rita Ellis Hammer.
When the petite, elegant, bird-like lady walks out on stage and stands in the spotlight, chances are she\'ll have you expecting some delicate crooning.
Not on your life. Rita Ellis Hammer could fill a room the size of Radio City Music Hall with her voice alone--no microphone necessary. This is one of those prodigious, force-of-nature sounds, a Broadway belt, a Mermanesque vibrato and High Brooklynese enunciation that are not for the faint of heart. Prepare to be walloped.
Diana Templeton is making a rare NYC appearance this eve! Diana Templeton is a singing actress - or an acting singer, I can't decide which. Having both a lovely sweet voice that can sail over a wide ocean of notes as well as the talent to convey emotions and tell good stories, Templeton seems virtually unlimited in her repertoire of song.
Esther Beckman who won the MAC 2007 Award for Best Female Debut!
Jim Speake with Steven Ray Watkins on piano. Jim Speake is an actor/ singer living in New York City. Jim is originally from Alabama. His early years were spent on a cotton farm. As an adult he lived and worked in Atlanta, Georgia where he built his own company, Speake Garden Furnishings. This company sold quality garden furniture and accessories to the design trade from a showroom in The Atlanta Decorative Arts Center. While in Atlanta, Jim worked with several local theater companies including The Savoyards Musical Theater Company. In 1996, Jim was one of four "Catfish" in the Opening Ceremonies of The US Olympic Games.
Erin Cronican Proud Member of AEA, SAG and AFTRA. Currently residing in New York City, Erin was raised in San Diego, California and has been acting/singing/dancing since the age of 9. Erin's first role was as the gander in "Charlotte's Web" and this was only the first of many gender-bending and species bending roles! In fact, it wasn't until college that she started to play roles in her own age range, ethnicity and gender
Maria Ottavia! Her connection with both audience and her material - serving as a conduit for the feelings and thoughts expressed in the show- was amazing. Quite honestly, I have never heard the very familiar "If I Loved You" done quite as well! Several song pairings were surprising - and perfectly performed. And when it comes to a ballad, no one does it better than Maria on songs like "A Quiet Thing." Truly someone ready to make her mark on the cabaret scene, Ms. Ottavia is a performer to watch - and catch when she makes her next appearance.
Stu Hamstra, Cabaret Hotline
AND POSSIBLY YOU! All other singers present will be chosen by lottery! Check out the fun we have at The Iguana!
Support THE ARTS! LIVE THEATRE! Go see a show this week! Send me your reviews and suggestions and I will put them in my next blog coming out next Tuesday! Here's to an ARTS-filled 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
HERE IS WHAT AUDIENCES ARE SAYING ABOUT MY WORK: You were fabulous! You made me cry when you recited the soliloquy from "Dolly". You look wonderful and are such a precious person all around. Keep on going ...pleease.... with your talent extraordinaire!!!! Sondra was a delight. I wish her the best of good fortune. Loved chatting with Donna Hanover. Our sons attended the same high school (not at the same time). She is so sweet and I am so glad she found happiness! Thanks for letting me come. Love, Lozita, New Jersey
I had the honor of participating in a very special memorial concert for musician/composer Jim Fradrich who passed away in August. This wonderful evening was produced by Jim's partner Kevin McMullan and took place at the Actors Chapel on 47th St in Manhattan. Kicking off the concert was Richard Skipper who's amazing voice vibrated through the entire church..it was like a choir of angels. Jim was smiling down upon us I'm sure. Julie Reyburn, http://www.juliereyburn.com
Hi Richard, I am away at a Music Therapy Conference in San Diego but I wanted to thank you for last Wednesday night (11/11/09). I think the show seems to be unique in that it offers singers the oppurtunity to perform Jazz, Broadway, comedy and even opera. Within that the diversity every performers uniqueness made it truly interesting and exciting. The talent seems to get better and better. More importantly the audience seems to feel comfortable and enjoying themselves which in turn makes the performers feel connected and good about what they are doing. Barry is also a joy to work with and you and Dana just know how to make everybody laugh and smile. As a singer, counselor and Music Therapist I feel you have created a show of diversity, comfort, talent and joy and that is what connects to people. I have no doubt you and Dana will continue to be a huge success. And I a very grateful to be a part of your organization. Please tell me what I can do to be of further assistance. Allegra Pigott, Stamford, CT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NYC
Now a night out in NY to see a show at a VERY AFFORDABLE price! Dana Lorge and I have put our OWN spin on the variety show format and are now hosting every Wednesday night in NYC at The Iguana VIP Lounge (http://www.iguananyc.com) in the heart of NYC (240 West 54th Street 8-11PM/with an intermission). WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT THE IGUANA!
Barry Levitt on keyboard and Morrie Louden on bass! on bass. Time: 8 - 11:00 p.m.
Cover: $10 - no food or drink minimums – but remember – the food is great!
This is a nice night out with the family! A "throw back" to the variety shows we grew up with. For more info, please call 845-365-0720 or visit _www.RichardSkipper.com_ RESERVATIONS A MUST!!!!!!!! 212-765-5454. No one admitted before 7:30.
December 2nd: Cynthia Crane, The debut of The Marquee 5 (Mick Bleyer, Adam Hemming, Vanessa Parvin, Sierra Rein, Julie Reyburn) singing selections from their upcoming revue, "We Can Make It...The Songs of Kander & Ebb" and Hector Coris!
December 9th: Richard Holbrook, Josh Zuckerman, Helena Grenot, Jillian Laurain, Jerry Wichinsky
December 16th: Jessee Luttrell and Susan Eichorn-Young
December 30th: Ritt Henn, Annie Hughes, Yvette Malavets-Blum, David Nathan Scott
January 20th: D'Yan Forrest and Scot Wisniewski Keep checking http://www.richardskipper.com/schedule.html
Tickets are now available for the 19th Birthday Party of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE that will be held on Thursday, July 9th at 7:00 pm at THE WEST BANK CAFE/LAURIE BEECHMAN THEATER (407 West 42nd Street, NYC - 212-695-6909 - http://www.westbankcafe.com/ ). Sales are limited to 75 seats. They've already lined up some great performers for the show: Tom Andersen, Terrell Baker, Raisa Katona Bennett, Ryan Greer and Jim Speake to start. Two more performers have been invited - they are waiting to hear back - and they're still checking out 3 or 4 more to ask.
The cost per ticket is just $15 to 2009-2010 members and $25 for those who have not renewed their memberships yet or haven't joined yet. SILVER memberships are just $20 so you can join/renew as a member for $20 then get your ticket for $15 and receive a full year of benefits. Tickets and memberships are not refundable. NO RESERVATIONS WILL BE TAKEN BY THE CLUB - no tickets sold the day of the event. Program Booklet ads are available as well - in just three sizes: 1/4 page (square), 1/2 page (horizontal) and full page. Pricing is $75 full page, $50 for 1/2 page and $30 for 1/4 page.
Those of you who know me personally and/or if you have been following my blogs, you know that ARTS IN EDUCATION is my main cause. Here are a few news items And facts I have discovered since my last blog last Thursday. ...Research has shown that the arts have a positive effect on students not just for their own sake but that also improve academically. Leading figures from the cultural sector are being urged to work more closely with teachers, so that between them they can produce a national strategy for educating young people in the arts. A spectacular new arts high school in downtown Los Angeles cost an equally spectacular $232 million. Now that the campus is complete, with its state-of-the-art theater, ceramics studios and other eye-popping amenities, the critical next step for school leaders is to avoid wrecking it. My prescription: Don't rush the school into a September curtain-raising, and don't diminish what could become a national beacon of arts education by turning it into a neighborhood school. In other arts related news, President Obama picked the Broadway producer Rocco Landesman to lead the National Endowment for the Arts.
For years, school systems across the nation dropped the arts to concentrate on getting struggling students to pass tests in reading and math. Yet now, a growing body of brain research suggests that teaching the arts may be good for students across all disciplines. The U.S. Department of Education reports that when comparing the amount of arts education received by first-graders to third-graders, first-graders were much more likely to receive education in art, music, dance and theater than third graders. This means that the educational process is not being carried out even to the third year of many children's schooling. In Pennsylanaia, Wilkes County high school and middle school performing arts programs received a major boost Tuesday with a $115,526 donation from Lowe's Companies Inc. Dr. Steve Laws, Wilkes school superintendent, said the North Wilkes, East Wilkes, Wilkes Central and West Wilkes high school band directors have access to $25,000 apiece to buy musical instruments for their high school and middle school bands starting next week. In addition to $100,000 for the band programs, said Laws, the four high school choral programs are getting $2,500 each to buy rights to sheet music and fund other performance-related expenses. He said $5,000 will go for the drama program, with drama instructor Wes Martin teaching for one period apiece in each Wilkes high school in the 2009-10 school year. Laws said that with funding cuts for performing arts programs likely due to the local school system's major budget challenges, this latest major donation from Lowe's is particularly timely.
Due to the likelihood of cuts in operational funds, said Laws, members of booster organizations for bands, choral groups, athletic teams and certain other Wilkes school programs can expect to be faced with the challenge of raising additional money. "Fundraising will be even more difficult in the coming year," he added. The West Wilkes, East Wilkes, North Wilkes and Wilkes Central band programs normally get $3,000 each from the Wilkes Board of Education, plus two of the three get an additional $3,000 on a rotational basis. The choral programs normally get $500 each annually, while drama has no set budget. He said the $115,526 donation again illustrated the important partnership role of Lowe's in public education initiatives in Wilkes, which have included technology, facilities, career education, athletics and more. "Over the past three years, the Wilkes Board of Education has focused on upgrading the arts program in the schools as one of its goals," he said, with a particular emphasis on building stronger band programs. The number of band students, particularly in the four Wilkes middle schools, continues to increase following the hiring of new band directors at Wilkes Central, East Wilkes, North Wilkes and West Wilkes. "Thankfully, the middle school band program has grown so fast that many of the instruments purchased (with the $100,000 from Lowe's) will go for it," said Laws.
"One of the joys I have had is watching our young people perform and seeing that they get better every year. The talent and ability of our young people to excel is there. It's the adults working with them that makes the difference," he added. Laws said all research shows that arts education contributes greatly to the overall development of young people, including students who perceive that they have little artistic talent. "It costs money to provide opportunities for these young people and Lowe's recognizes the importance of making this investment." Laws said that largely through Lowe's and people associated with the company, the Stone Family Center for Performing Arts opened in 2008 to improve opportunities for Wilkes students to perform and showcase their talents. He said this includes providing a venue for visual arts, with student artwork regularly featured in the Stone Center and elsewhere in a portion of the 65,000-square-foot former Lowe's store on Cherry Street, North Wilkesboro. School administrative offices fill most of the building. Over half of the $800,000 needed to create the Stone Center came as donations from Lowe's President and Chief Operating Officer Larry Stone, and his wife, Diane; the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation "Hometown Grants" program and five retired Lowe's executives and their spouses: Leonard and Rose Herring, Pete Kulynych, Arnold and Becky Lakey, Dwight and Ann Pardue and Phil and Scotti Stevens. All of these people live in Wilkes and Stone is chairman of the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation. Laws noted that two years ago, the Lakeys donated $50,000, or $12,500 each, for high school band directors to purchase instruments. The $115,526 donated this week by Lowe's came from the company's planogram facility, which is where Lowe's evaluates products for possible sale in its stores. Laws had requested $100,000, based on $25,000 for additional instruments for each high school band program. Before submitting the request, he asked each band director to prepare a list of instruments they would purchase with $25,000 each.
MY FEATURED PERFORMER FOR THE WEEK IS SHARON MCKNIGHT!On Tuesday, June 2 7:30pm - Sharon McKnight performs her acclaimed SONGS TO OFFEND ALMOST EVERYONE at the Hoover-Leppen Theatre 3656 N Halsted, 3rd floor Chicago. www.centeronhealsted.org
REMEMBERING SCOTT SCHECHTER Scott Schechter, expert fan By Sally A. Downey
Scott Schechter, 48, formerly of Philadelphia, an authority on the careers of Judy Garland and her daughter Liza Minnelli, died of an apparent heart attack May 14 while traveling by train from a business dinner in New York to his home in Asbury Park, N.J. In 1998, Mr. Schechter coproduced what critics considered the definitive audio overview of Garland's career. The four-CD box set, Judy, spans the singer's career from her earliest known recordings in 1929, when she was 7, to her final appearances in 1969. Mr. Schechter also co-produced the set's 32-minute video and co-wrote its 100-page book.
He also wrote Judy Garland: The Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Legend, a 2002 book that describes the "alternately astonishing, trivial, revelatory, mordantly funny act of possible madness known as Judy Garland," according to reviewer David Patrick Stearns, an Inquirer music critic.
The book lists the contents of Garland's address book, tells when she had teeth pulled and migraine headaches, and gives details of a day of filming of The Wizard of Oz that was wasted when a raven flew off the Scarecrow's shoulder and did not return.
In 2004, Mr. Schechter compiled The Liza Minnelli Scrapbook, a pictorial biography of the singer. He had good people skills and was able to gather unique images from photographers who shared his vision, said Mr. Schechter's life partner, Russell Klein.
Mr. Schechter befriended Minnelli, who chose him to run her official Web site. His expertise as a Garland-Minnelli historian was acknowledged on his TV and radio appearances, and he was a consulting producer to companies that continue to release Garland and Minnelli material.
Mr. Schechter grew up in the Melrose Park Gardens neighborhood of Philadelphia. He told Stearns that he had found metaphysical irony in having grown up in the town where Garland began her U.S. concert career in 1943 (at Robin Hood Dell) and concluded it in 1968 (JFK Stadium).
Mr. Schechter told Stearns that he had discovered Garland when That's Entertainment, a 1974 anthology of MGM musicals, opened at the old Fern Rock Theater.
"Then Channel 48 purchased a package of MGM musicals that were shown on weekdays at 1 p.m.," he told Stearns. "I had a pact with my mom that if I kept my grades up, I could come home for lunch on those days when they showed Judy's movies and not go back to school in the afternoon. I was 13."
After graduating from Northeast High School in 1979, Mr. Schechter worked for insurance companies in Philadelphia and New York before making Garland and Minnelli a career.
An animal-rights activist, Mr. Schechter doted on his rescue dog, Tigger, Klein said.
Mr. Schechter and Klein were involved in neighborhood revitalization efforts in Asbury Park, where they had lived since 2003. In addition to his partner, Mr. Schechter is survived by a brother, Herman; a sister, Rene Schechter Klein; and two nieces.
A byword for Broadway, a synonym for ‘star’, Liza Minnelli is Hollywood royalty. An Oscar, a Grammy, an Emmy – all hers. Throw in three Tonys and two Golden Globes.
Her personal life is no less compelling. From disastrous marriages to successful affairs, from booze to pills to health problems – she’s always been her mother’s daughter. Judy Garland’s daughter. Dorothy’s daughter.
How surreal to be speaking to the woman herself. I tell her as much when she calls Queensland Pride from New York.
“But don’t be silly!” she replies in her distinctive voice. “I’m just a person like everyone else. I’ve had two hip replacements, honey!”
The response is pure Liza. Like her mother, she’s always seemed very human and vulnerable. Another example: the nerves she exhibits. The morning of our chat coincides with the ticket release for her tour – and Liza is nothing if not nervous. “Well, of course I’m nervous!” she says, when I express my surprise. “I get very nervous before tickets go on sale because I want people to come and see the show! Every time is like putting myself on the line.”
She has nothing to worry about, of course. Tales subsequently emerge of ticketing sites going into meltdown. In Sydney, demand is so great that her two Opera House shows are supplemented with an extra date at the much larger Sydney Entertainment Centre.
The show itself is based on her recent New York engagement, Liza’s At The Palace – the Broadway run of which provoked ecstatic reviews from The New York Times (“Liza is a pure entertainer”) and The New York Post (“A triumph of which show business mythology is made”). “I’ve got the best show I’ve ever done in store for you!” she promises. “I’m gonna work my butt off and give you everything I’ve got!”
And I, for one, believe her. This is a woman who was told she’d never walk again after contracting viral encephalitis in the year 2000. She had to learn to talk again, let alone sing.
At several points, she was reported close to death and media outlets the world over readied obituaries.
And today? Forget walking and talking, she’s singing and dancing like a mad woman, getting some of the best reviews of her career.
So what got her through?
“Faith,” she replies. “I had faith. Faith in myself, faith in God, faith in the people taking care of me, faith in my fans. There was no great plan, I just had faith.”
And so Australia gets to see Liza’s Lazarus-like ‘second wind’ when Liza Minnelli in Concert begins in Sydney on October 16 and visits Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne, before winding up in Brisbane on October 30. It marks Minnelli’s first visit to these shores since 1989, when she toured Australia with Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jnr in The Ultimate Event. “It’s been looong time,” Liza concedes. “And you know what? I don’t know why! I love Australia and Australians!”
Of course she does. She spent seven years married to one of us – one of our own famous stars, the late Peter Allen. “He was just the best,” Liza recalls. “Absolutely the best. He wrote the best songs, he was so sensational. He was the kindest man you’d ever want to meet. And I was so lucky to get to know him.”
There was just one problem. Peter Allen was gay.
It’s been variously reported over the years that Liza knew this when she married him, but the Cabaret star categorically denies it when asked by Queensland Pride.
“Why would you ask that, honey?” she says, just a trifle testily. “I didn’t know. No, of course I didn’t know! And I don’t think he knew either. He hadn’t come to terms with it yet. And when he did, of course he told me and of course I said, ‘I understand’. But it was hard.”
Liza is less understanding, however, of The Boy From Oz, the jukebox musical based on Allen’s life, which played to 1.2 million Australians in the late ’90s before moving to Broadway starring Hugh Jackman as Allen.
Liza was one of the main characters portrayed in the musical, as was her mother.
“I didn’t see it,” Liza replies airily, when I ask her opinion of it. “I didn’t feel the need to,” she says, when pressed for a reason. And then there’s a pause, followed by: “I had no need to see it, I lived it. I was there the first time. And nobody asked me anything about it; nobody could ask Peter anything. It was absolutely done without input from the people who were there.”
It should be noted that she says none of this with rancour. The words are delivered casually, almost sweetly.
Nor is she rancorous when asked about the image portrayed of her in some sections of the media; that of an out-of-control, drug-fuelled virago with a loose grasp on reality, to put it bluntly. “I’m not a mess,” she maintains. “If I was a mess, there’s no way I could perform night after night, like I do. I’m one of the most disciplined people I know! But you know what? I don’t care what people say. They’re gonna say what they’re gonna say.” Strong words, but again delivered sweetly, even pleasantly. And again it strikes me that there’s nothing rancorous about Liza, nothing bitter.
Despite the well-documented heartaches, the very public relationship breakdowns, the near-death experiences, the drug addictions (Andy Warhol once recalled her demanding “every drug you’ve got”), and the mantle of tragedy surrounding her upbringing, Minnelli consciously chooses to focus on the good times. The woman who once said “reality is something you rise above” seems to live by the words.
“Life is here to enjoy,” she tells me. “It’s a gift we’ve been given. There’s just no point dwelling on the bad times.”
Life is a cabaret, old chum?
“Yeah, that’s it,” she laughs.
And she sings in that unmistakable voice, loud and clear, quavering only so slightly with its 63 years.
“Life is a cabaret, old chum / Only a cabaret old chum / And I love a cab-aar-reeeeet!” Liza Minnelli in Concert: 8pm Friday, October 30, 2009 at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Boondall. Tickets ($99-$279) available from www.ticketek.com.au or 132 849.
Visit www.lizaminnelli.com.au for further details.
THE LIFE OF LIZA
1946 Liza is born to singer/actress Judy Garland and film director Vincente Minnelli. 1949 Makes her first film appearance (In The Good Old Summertime), at the age of three.
1963 Begins performing professionally on stage.
1964: Releases first album, Liza! Liza!; landmark appearance with Judy at the London Palladium.
1965 Becomes youngest person to win the Tony Award.
1967 Marries first of four husbands, Peter Allen. They divorce in 1974. 1972 Stars in Cabaret; wins Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe. Makes Liza with a Z television special.
1977 Stars in New York, New York, theme song of which becomes her signature song.
1981 Leading lady to Dudley Moore in hit film, Arthur.
1989 Releases acclaimed album Results, produced by the Pet Shop Boys.
1997 Returns to Broadway in Victor/Victoria.
2000 Reportedly close to death with viral encephalitis. Told she will never walk again.
2002
Triumphant Broadway return in Liza’s Back!; marries producer David Gest. They soon divorce, Gest claiming Liza is violent alcoholic with herpes. 2004 Joins cast of Arrested Development.
2009 Announces Liza Minnelli in Concert Australian tour including Brisbane performance on October 30. A life celebration will be scheduled next month.
This Wednesday is Delores Hope's 100th Birthday! CBS is doing a celebration and I'm getting a group together to sing HAPPY BIRTHDAY Live on the air for her! We will gather at CBS between 7AM & 7:15 to sing Happy Birthday to Delores!We want 100 voices for 100 years!
Time: 7:15AM at 59th and 5th (next to Apple store). We are working on securing individuals now. Are you interested? Please forward this to EVERYONE YOU KNOW!
I can be reached at845-365-0720.Please call to confirm! DRESS NICELY! This will be seen nationally!
Thanks for everything. Dolores will be in Los Angeles, where the party will be held that day. TEN DECADES OF DOLORES. With grateful XOXOXs to all of you who have come through for me ESPECIALLY Georga Osborne!! Richard Skipper 845-365-0720Don't forfet to contribute to the DR. CAROL CHANNING & HARRY KULLIJIAN FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS: http://www.carolchanning.org/Foundation.htm
I will be hosting in this new comedy and musical variety show, with special guest stars Ritt Henn, Bobbie Horowitz, Hector Coris, Bernadette Pauley, Maureen Taylor. Jordan Clawson on keyboard, Saadi Zain on bass...and a few other surprises as well!
(Joan Crowe, pictured)
has a lovely stage presence...' Phil Geoffrey Bond - Laurie Beechman Theatre. 
