Celebrating The "M"s of Music: MacDonald, Matsuki, Miles, and Mimi!

"Vox populi, vox humbug." (The voice of the people is the voice of humbug.)-Gen. William T. Sherman, Union Military Leader (1920-1891), in a letter to his wife written on this date in 1863


In yesterday's blog, I wrote about how much I despise cell phone usage in the the theatre. I'll go a step further. I dislike it in restaurants, parks, when I go for my evening walk. Can you challenge yourself not to take your cell phone with you UNLESS you are in a situation where you are meeting someone. Logistically, it MIGHT be needed. Yesterday, a study came out that excessive cell phone usage causes cancer.
How did we manage 25 years ago? 1986! Not that long ago.
The internet and social media is a two edged sword. We are seeing that right now with Anthony Wiener. I guess no one is immune from "sexting" anymore! If you saw any of the press interviews yesterday, you saw a drowning man. Will be interesting to see what his next move is.


In recent years, chat boards sprung up all over the internet where people were constantly knocking each other and every other artistic endeavor that came down the path. And you didn't/don't even have to use your real name! Hatred can be spewed from an alias! One thing you can always say about me, I stand behind the power of my convictions. I will always sign my full REAL name. If I say it, I own it.
There are also MANY positives to social media. It IS connecting us on a level that we've never known before. Yes, some/most of it may be superficial to say the least. However, when someone like Mimi Hines accepts my friend request, it is very heady to me! This morning Lonnie Quinn "friended" me! Earlier this week,Jackie Josephs. I have the utmost respect for these professionals whose lives have been about their work and not about scandal. Joan Crawford once said, "People pay to see Joan Crawford, they're going to get Joan Crawford!".
Well today, once again, I'm writing about those that inspire me. Mimi, thank you for friending me. Now I have an opportunity to publicly thank you for all the joy you have given to me over the years. Your voice thrills me beyond end. I used to watch you Phil Ford on the talk shows and you always delivered the goods!
Check out Mimi's website at: http://www.mimihines.com
Mimi Hines is a singer and comedienne best known for her appearances on The Tonight Show and her work on Broadway. She replaced Barbra Streisand in the original production of Funny Girl. Hines was born July 17, 1933, in Vancouver, Canada, and resides in the United States.

Mimi Hines’s enduring career as a singer and a comedienne began August 28, 1958 when she and her partner, Phil Ford

, appeared for the first time on The Tonight Show.

Mimi sang “Till There Was You,” “Till There Was You,” cried, and Ford and Hines were in instant demand, frequently appearing on that show and many others.

Mimi Hines worked for a time in Anchorage, Alaska, where she met her partner Phil Ford, while they were working at different night clubs.

After headlining in all the top nightclubs and showrooms in the country, Mimi parlayed her career by replacing Barbra Streisand

on Broadway in "FUNNY GIRL", running this star vehicle for 18 months on her own star power. Following "FUNNY GIRL", Mimi starred in national touring companies of "I DO! I DO!" and "PRISONER OF SECOND AVENUE", as well as star packages of "ANYTHING GOES", "NEVER TOO LATE", "PAJAMA GAME", "THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN", "NO, NO, NANETTE", "SUGAR" and many others. During this period, Mimi also recorded several very successful albums (recently released on compact disc by Harbinger Records) and appeared often on television.
Mimi Hines is a delight! In addition to tremendous talent, she exudes warmth, charm, and joie de vivre. She instantaneously connects with an audience; her look seems to say, "Aren't we having fun?"
In recent years Hines played at Feinstein's at the Regency in New York City

. She appeared with the Los Angeles Pops Orchestra and starred in national tours of "Sugar Babies" and "Nite Club Confidential" and on a recorded salute to Johnny Mercer called "Mostly Mercer". She toured the world for a year in the title role of "Hello, Dolly!" and starred in productions of "A Majority Of One" and "Can Can" in Florida and in revues featuring the songs of Alan and Marilyn Bergman titled "How Do You Keep the Music Playing?" in Los Angeles, as well as the songs of Rodgers and Hart titled "This Funny World" at the Kennedy Center in Washington and the songs of Jerry Herman at The Schoenberg Theatre in L.A..
Mimi appeared as Mrs. Latimer on "FRASIER" and returned to Broadway in the Tommy Tune production of "GREASE", in which she kept the cast in line as the strict but loveable schoolteacher, Miss Lynch.
She also co-starred in the off-Broadway revival of Kander & Ebb's 70 GIRLS 70, with Jane Powell, Charlotte Rae

and Helen Gallagher, was a guest in the final week of "THE ROSIE O'DONNELL SHOW" and stopped the show nightly in two productions for L.A.'s REPRISE, as Letitia Primrose in ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY and as Pippin's wise Grandmother, Berthe, in PIPPIN (which role she recreated at 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle). Recently, she co-starred as Sister Mary Amnesia in the National Tour of the 20th Anniversary production of NUNSENSE, along with Kaye Ballard, Georgia Engel, Lee Meriwether and Darlene Love and starred in AND THEN SHE WROTE at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Springs with Peter Marshall and Christine Andreas. Most recently, she starred in THE FULL MONTY at the Maltz Theatre in Jupiter, FL and the City Center ENCORES production of FOLLIES, causing one critic to comment that "she rips into 'Broadway Baby' with comic ferocity resembling that of a lion at dinnertime, building a bridge between the musical theatre lost and the musical theatre yet to come" and another critic to call her "the living embodiment of show business". Mimi, who was born in Vancouver, currently resides in Las Vegas when she is not on tour.
And, yes, she still does her classic impression of the NBC Peacock upon request. (Source: Mimi's website) Love you, Mimi!

And now...the other 3 "M"s! Forget the three Bs of music. It's the 3 Ms: Jeanne & Sue & Miles at The Palace!

Monday, June 27 · 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Waterbury Palace Theater
100 East Main Street

This event happened because Sue Matsuki, who is now a blonde!, is teaching a Cabaret Class for Seniors through the Osher Learning Center for continued education up at UCONN in Waterbury affectionately called OLLI. Two of Sue's students will be appearing in the show as well. One of them is 93 years young. Sue is in love with her class. They can all sing like you can't believe!
Miles Phillips: Multiple Award-winning (MAC, Nightlife, Drama-Logue, Joseph Jefferson) actor, director, nightclub vocalist and recording artist with appearances in theaters, concert halls and nightclubs from Honolulu to London. He has countless leading New York and regional theatre roles, numerous film and television appearances, a popular solo album and a score of original and studio cast recordings to his credit. His leading man charm, glorious voice and passionate artistry have established him as one of New York's most celebrated male vocalists.

His latest solo show “…Reappearing In My Mind” recently played a triumphant engagement at Feinstein’s and has gone on to play to packed houses and standing ovations across the country.

"Miles Phillips is an actor/singer. He's also a very smart and perceptive artist. When he puts on a show you can expect an act as rich as a seven layer cake … He's comfortable singing in a variety of styles that segue easily from standards to pop and rock, but all of his material is lyric driven ... as a consequence, he often unearths fresh perspectives out of songs you thought you knew. He makes those new perspectives stick thanks to his skills as an actor. One of the - if not THE - most conceptually satisfying show of the year, it is performed with considerable charm, grace, and style."
Barbara & Scott Siegel / TalkinBroadway

For more information and performance schedule visit:
Miles' Facebook Artist Page: http://www.facebook.com/MilesPhillips.ArtistPage
Miles' Website: www.MilesPhillips.com

The Palace is a place that Tony Bennett and Linda Eder have played and it's HUGE (like 1200 seats) so this is a BIG deal for Sue to play her home town. It is also part of my Matsuki Production Company's New York Invasion Series (like we did in PA) but this one came about through her teaching. The guy who asked me to produce this show as part of this benefit knew Jeanne McDonald

and asked Sue to get her on the bill and then said to "bring a boy" and Miles is the perfect choice! Sue has a LOT to celebrate. She just retired from over 21 years at Slome Capital!
'An Evening of Cabaret at The Palace'
A Fundraiser to benefit the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Connecticut

Monday, June 27, 2011
7:00 PM – Reception • 8:00 PM – Performance

Tickets:
$100 - Front Orchestra (limited seats)
$65 - Orchestra
$45 - Rear Orchestra

Reserve Tickets at Palace Box Office
Phone: 203-346-2000
Online: www.palacetheaterct.org
Musical Director: Tracy Stark

Jeanne MacDonald: 2008 MAC Award Winner • 2008 New York Nightlife Award Finalist for Female Vocalist • Back Stage Bistro and MAC Hanson Awards • Julie Wilson Award for excellence in cabaret - Lincoln Center 2005
Join Jeanne's mailing list here: http://www.jeannemacdonald.com/mailinglist.html
Jeanne MacDonald
2008 MAC Award Winner
2008 NY Nightlife Award Finalist
“Watching a singer like Jeanne MacDonald, who brings an emotional balance; a subtle, goodhumored sexiness; and an originality to everything she sings, makes you realize the crucial role good instincts play...” NEW YORK TIMES - Stephen Holden


Jeanne MacDonald has earned a reputation as one of NY’s finest singers in cabaret today; an honest interpreter of the lyric in a genre that embraces a broad range of songs from the American popular music tradition. Peter Leavy of Cabaret Scenes Magazine calls MacDonald “a lyricist’s dream.” MacDonald often creates through her work a seamless blend between traditional standards from such songwriters as Johnny Mercer, Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne, and the music of contemporary songwriters, including Jimmy Webb, Randy Newman and Dar Williams. Most recently, in ‘Come Back To Me,’ her glowing celebration of Miss Peggy Lee, MacDonald proves herself an artist with both the sensibility and sensitivity to convey the essence of this legend, weaving her spell with finesse.

Sue Matsuki (née Trosell): Waterbury native and producer of this show • Eight-time MAC Award Nominee/Three-time Winner • Selected by Julie Wilson herself as the very first Julie Wilson Award Recipient, given by the Mabel Mercer Foundation.



Break a leg!

JUST SAY “TAKEI”by Shelly Goldstein

I love George Takei.

He’s the latest on a ridiculously long list of gay men with whom I’ve fallen madly in love during my life.

They were always symbiotic relationships. I’ve been the beard for so many gay men, my high school nickname was “Z.Z. Top.”

By now, I’m sure you’ve seen Takei’s marvelous video (below) in response to yet another piece of actual legislation that makes me think the Republican Party has stopped taking their moves from the Karl Rove Playbook and are now working strictly from the canon of Lewis Carroll.

In case you somehow missed it, the great state of Tennessee passed a law declaring that teachers can’t use the word “homosexual” in the classroom.
The logic there – if you can call it that – is that if children don’t hear the word, then “homosexuality” will magically disappear.



This is the kind of thinking that assures us of a generation of LGBT children who will grow up confused, ashamed, and bullied, spending their lives so deep in the closet they might as well major in Moth Ball.

But George Takei’s deft handling of this lunacy, done with his usual aplomb and humor, isn’t the only reason I adore him.

He’s a credit to the name George.
Like the great George Gershwin, he’s melodious. Every syllable he utters in his inimitable, mellifluous voice is as smooth as a snifter of 250-year-old brandy, as sweet as Tupelo Honey, as polished as a great mahogany table that’s been doused with half a can of Lemon Pledge.

Like the Father of our Country, George Washington, he cannot tell a lie. He lives his life openly, even when that choice has made him the butt of countless rude and cruel jokes. His dignity and humor make him both a great role model and a fantastic guest on Howard Stern.

Like George Clooney, he’s an eternal classic.

Like two of the great “Georges” of the '60s – Harrison and Jetson -- he brilliantly navigated the grooviest of eras, off-screen as an iconic symbol of pop culture, on-screen leading the Enterprise through the galaxies.
Kirk never could’ve “boldly gone” anywhere without Sulu telling him how to get there.

George FujimoriAnd he shares something else with a George I’ve loved all my life, a man you’ve never heard of named George Fujimori, the father of my oldest and dearest pal Wendy, with whom I’ve been best friends since we were 3.
George Takei and Fujimori were both among the 120,000 Japanese-Americans who, during WWII, were placed behind barbed wire in Internment Camps for the duration of the war.
Both remained loyal to their country.

George Fujimori left the camp to serve in the U.S. Army, to defend the country he loved, the country that had thrown him in prison.

During the Clinton Administration, George Takei served two terms on the board of the Japan-United States Friendship Commission. His dedicated service led the Government of Japan to present him with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette. The decoration was conferred by His Majesty, Emperor Akihito, at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo in November 2004.
George Takei and Brad AltmanI’m guessing George Takei is also the only recipient of that distinguished honor to appear on the Newlywed Game with his husband Brad Altman – the first gay couple ever to appear in the show’s four decades on the air.
They won the game and donated their $10,000 award to the Japanese-American National Museum (the same museum where George Fujimori, now 91, can be found several days a week speaking to school children about the Japanese-Americans who helped defend America in WWII).
George Takei, I love you.

Your entire life has been one of positivity and joy, even in the face of the most dire of circumstances.
Your response to this obscene and ridiculous legislation is inspirational.

You deserve a song. I like to write lyrics – often to other songs -- like this anthem to Gay Marriage, Stupid Callous Homophobic Hateful Legislation, which went viral and was played in more than 13 countries around the world.

Thanks to your video, this month all around the world, LGBT and PFLAG alike will all march proudly in our local “Takei Pride” Parade.

And I, for one, will march to this song:

HEY THERE, GEORGE TAKEI

(to the tune of “Georgy Girl”)

Music by Tom Springfield -- New lyric by Shelly Goldstein -- (Respect to Jim Dale’s original)

Hey there, George Takei

Taking on the law in Tennessee

Banning the word “gay” is lunacy beyond any doubt – it’s crazy!

Hey there, George Takei!

You spoke up for those who had no voice

And it was a noble choice.



For kids frightened to come out

You’ve proved yourself a hero on land and in outer space.

You’ve lived your life with class and with grace – and now we say
Hey there, George Takei!

You were there for kids who are afraid

Now in the Takei Parade we’ll march with our heads held high
And then we’ll cry

Hooray for Takei!

Shelly Goldstein is a writer-producer-performer who has written for every genre of television, film and stage -- and who has performed her one-woman shows to sold-out audiences throughout the US and UK. She has written special material for such performers as Steve Martin, Sharon Stone, Yoko Ono and Liza Minnelli. She has written song lyrics for G-rated children's shows and R-Rated comedy specials such as LOGO's ONE NIGHT STAND-UP. Her YouTube videos are known throughout the world.

SHELLY on YOUTUBE and FACEBOOK
MYSPACE: www.myspace.com/groovyshelly
TWITTER follow me @ groovyshelly


Thanks for being a loyal reader of Richard's Rants And Raves! I wanted to give you heads up on big news coming on June 5th.


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Tomorrow's blog will be about YOU TELL ME!! I'm open to suggestions

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TILL TOMORROW...HERE'S TO AN ARTS FILLED SUMMER!
Richard Skipper, Richard@RichardSkipper.com

Rants about THE END OF THE WORLD, RAVES ABOUT THE STATE OF CABARET, RAVES FOR VINCENT WOLFE...and more!

Happy End of The World!
Well, I'll take this moment to thank all of you who have crossed my path and those whose paths I've crossed! All the ones who have contributed positively to my life,Thank you!
You have made this journey worthwhile. Those of you who add negativity, you add a little more "spice" to my world and I thank you as well! And those paths that I have crossed, I hope I have contributed to your lives on a positive level! Thank you ALL! See you on the other side after 6PM!

(Sue Matsuki and Danny Sherman)
The picture you see at the top of this blog was taken last night at The Triad. That, of course, is Canadian visitor Vincent Wolfe. I say Canadian visitor because he was just in town for just this week singing around town leading up to his appearance last night at The Triad.
My blog, yesterday, was devoted to him. What a great entertainer and story teller. You don't always get both in a show but he delivers both! The show was entitled, "Divas Are A Boy's Best Friend". Vincent has been lucky enough to become friends with some of the greatest divas in the music industry and those who did not become friends, well, at least, they had some great encounters and lucky for us, he shares these stories with us. His encounter with Ella Fitzgerald towards the end of her career was very poignant and grabbed my heartstrings. It is still one of my greatest regrets that I never saw her perform live. Sue Matsuki, who joined us last night, also does a wonderful show honoring Ella Fitzgerald.
One of the divas was even in attendance last night, Julie Wilson.
(Lee Summersand me)
Vincent opened with a rousing "I'M GONNA LIVE TILL I DIE" which Julie sang in MGM's, "THIS COULD BE THE NIGHT". Vincent pulled out the stops and it was a fitting opening number and got the show off to a rousing start. The only thing missing was a gardenia and a boa. Julie, and the rest of the audience(myself included) loved it. Joining us last night were Gary Crawford, Sue Matsuki, and Bart Greenberg. Also in the audience last night were Tym Moss and Colm Reilly and Shane Mathews, who looked fabulous. It has been a few years since I've seen them and it was a nice reunion. I LOVE this community and in addition to seeing shows in New York, it's always nice to run into friends.
It's a shame that it was only one performance. Vincent and an appreciative New York audience need to find each other. I had heard a lot about Vincent for sometime from my friend and songwriter, Bob Levy, who unfortunately, could not be there last night due to a previous engagement. Vincent has a smooth silky voice that reminds me a lot of Mel Torme. I bought his cd last night, DREAM WEAVER, and am listening to it as I write this blog. It is available at CD BABY. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Last night's show was part of Lee Summer's JUST A PIANO series. It's nice to see a performer on stage with nothing more than JUST A PIANO and talent (along with a great musical director!)In this case, it was Mark Kieswetter.
Lee Summers introduced Vincent last night, first of all giving a little history of The Triad and then telling how the JUST A PIANO series started. I wish ALL the cabaret rooms would do this! It is more welcoming than just a discombobulated voice making the usual "turn off your cell phone, etc" announcement. Lee Summers is a class act and the other rooms should take a page out of his book. When I served on the MAC board, I suggested this. I thought it would be a great way to welcome people, explain what MAC is, and let the audience know that they would have the option to become a member of MAC after the show.
MAC needs to reach beyond its borders. The entire cabaret community needs to do that!
The experience for the "average" person (meaning non-entertainer)going into a cabaret room is not always a pleasant one. We (Danny and I) for example live outside the city. Coming in, we are dealing with traffic issues and then finding a parking spot. Luckily last night, and because of the timing of the show (9:30), we were able to park on the street(72nd Street). If the show were at 7:30, for example, we would not have been so lucky.
Then we get there to find out that they don't accept credit cards at The Triad! My first quibble of the evening! And I say this to all clubs who have this policy...Going to these shows is not always "cheap" and if I'm treating several people, I should not be walking around with that much cash on me!Please change this policy! Do whatever you can to entice audiences instead of turning them away! We put up with these things because we are there to see each other.
I can almost guarantee that if Joe & Nancy Schmoe from Idaho happened to come in because they were a fan of Julie Wilson's and they had read about this show, they would not return because of the "no credit card" policy and the 2-drink minimum (which is antiquated and needs to GO!). The 2-drink minimum was implemented in the days when people would go into a nightclub and nurse a drink all night long. Number one, people don't drink the way they used to. Number two, enforcing two drinks in a 55 minute time frame is outrageous! Some people drive! They should NOT be enticed into two drinks. I used to love the way that Scott Samuelson and Eddie Dudek ran The Bradstan Inn at Bradstan Country Hotel in White Lake, NY! I MISS THAT ROOM! I was lucky enough to play there a couple of times! Also loved ALL of the acts I saw there. I NEVER HAD A BAD EXPERIENCE AT THE BRADSTAN INN!
They charged a flat fee. In that fee, a non-alcoholic drink or a glass of wine WAS INCLUDED. If you wanted a beer, a cocktail, or an additional drink, you paid for it! THIS is the way EVERY CABARET ROOM in NY should operate!
Those two "quibbles" aside, I had a great time at The Triad! Great staff and great vibe!
It was appropriate that Vincent referred to Julie last night as his first Diva. This clip captyres the excitement of what it must have been like to see Julie in the nighcluns/supper clubs of the 50s! I miss this glamor! She STILL has it!"Cabaret is one-to-one, like a party, and you're the hostess who wants to please. Most of all you have to have a good time and hope your audience joins in the fun." - Julie Wilson

When Julie Wilson's eyes slyly skim the room, her husky voice toying with Stephen Sondheim's, "Can That Boy Fox-Trot" wow, does she ever evoke that old Maisonette magic of the 'Fifties, when she reigned as hostess over the famed St. Regis Hotel club room.
The rich heritage of St. Regis informs every touch across every address. It is, quite simply, the very essence of the St. Regis brand. Cherished traditions such as fresh flowers, afternoon tea service and midnight supper are carried out as flawlessly today as they were a century ago under the discerning eye of Lady Astor. Likewise, the art of sabering a bottle of champagne is still practiced by the St. Regis Butler, and cognac and hand-rolled cigars remain an after dinner staple. The Bloody Mary, a signature cocktail of St. Regis since it was first concocted by Fernand Petiot in the King Cole Bar and Lounge, is brought to life through new interpretations that reflect the distinct personality of each address.
Fernand Petiot (born in Paris, 18 February 1900 – died in Canton, Ohio 6 January 1975)(Another Aquarian!) was a bartender who claimed to have created the Bloody Mary, a popular cocktail drink.
These time-honored traditions of The St. Regis and countless others have helped create the air of magic and seduction sought after by guests of St. Regis. (http://www.starwoodhotels.com/stregis)


Tossing that scarlet feather boa around her shoulders, Julie can still wear those same signature slinky, silky sequined gowns; her hair is back in a sleek chignon; that white gardenia, a tribute to the late Billie Holiday, is still tucked behind her left ear.
I wished on the Moon --Billie Holiday 1935
20 year old Billie Holiday sings in a first session with the Teddy Wilson Orchestra on July 2 1935 in New York. Next to Teddy on piano the All Star Band consists of Benny Goodman clarinet, Roy Eldridge trumpet, Ben Webster tenor sax, John Truehart guitar, John Kirby bass and Cozy Cole drums. Jazz promotor John Hammond heard Billie for the first time in New York's Monette club in 1933 and wrote in Melody Maker: "Billie although only 18, she weighs over 200 lbs, is incredibly beautiful, and sings as well as anybody I ever heard". Hammond told Benny Goodman, and the two went to this Monette club. Both were impressed and it was the start of Billie's career
But except for that svelte figure, sculptured profile, and generous smile, Julie Wilson has journeyed a long way from her famed niche during the glory days of cabaret.

Here are some of my favorite Divas. I've written in recent weeks about them.
Please visit: http://www.beautyshopstories.com to read more about this year's Bistro and MAC Award winner!




Ann Hampton Callaway:Ann Hampton CallawayAnn Hampton Callaway performs How High the Moon with the Boston Symphony. I used to go see Ann all the time at The Bradstan Inn.
Visit Ann's website @ http://www.annhamptoncallaway.com
Ann is an insatiable creative spirit. Ann fondly remembers the first song she made up at the age of three. But it wasn't until she first heard Carole King's Tapestry that she decided to devote herself to songwriting. As a champion of the great American Songbook, she has made her mark as a singer, pianist, composer, lyricist, arranger, actress, educator, TV host and producer. A born entertainer, her unique singing style blends jazz and traditional pop, making her a mainstay in concert halls, theaters and jazz clubs as well as in the recording studio, on television, and in film. She is best known for Tony-nominated performance in the hit Broadway musical Swing! and for writing and singing the theme song to the hit TV series The Nanny
Callaway is a Platinum Award winning writer and the only composer to have collaborated with Cole Porter, she has also written songs with Carole King
Here is a song written by Carole King and performed by Ann: .
Ann has also written for Rolf Lovland and Barbara Carroll(pictured) to name a few. Callaway's live performances showcase her warmth, spontaneous wit and passionate delivery of standards, jazz classics and originals.
Ann has been a special guest performer with Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and performed for President Clinton in Washington, D.C. and at President Gorbachev's Youth Peace Summit in Moscow.

Ann Hampton Callaway and sister Liz Callaway perform the Rodgers and Hammerstein 1945 Carousel show stopper, 'You'll Never Walk Alone'.Callaway performed with her sister, Broadway star Liz Callaway, in their award-winning show Sibling Revelry and has performed twice in Berlin's famed Philharmonie Hall by special invitation.
It is only natural that Ann become part of this sure-to-be grand tribute to Carole King for Lifebeat. (Source: http://pozevent.blogspot.com/2010/11/lovin-ann-hampton-callaway-out-loud.html)

Two more of my favorite divas/divos:Jeanne MacDonald and Miles Phillips (my Millie!)
Jeanne MacDonald
2008 MAC Award Winner
2008 NY Nightlife Award Finalist
“Watching a singer like Jeanne MacDonald, who brings an emotional balance; a subtle, good-humored sexiness; and an originality to everything she sings, makes you realize the crucial role good instincts play...” NEW YORK TIMES - Stephen Holden

Karen Oberlin (another favorite) and Miles won the 2009 MAC Award for their duo show The Pleasure of Your Company! And their Musical Director Tracy Stark (another favorite) won as well!
The Colony Hotel, Palm Beach Continues 10th Anniversary Cabaret Season with KAREN OBERLIN TONIGHT

The Colony Hotel - which The Palm Beach Post has hailed as "probably the best place for cabaret on the planet" - continues its 10th annual cabaret season in its popular Royal Room Supper Club with: Karen Oberlin: Back By Popular Demand

One of the most most sought-after and celebrated singers in the world of cabaret, multi-award-winner Karen Oberlin was hand-picked by The New York Times as one of the "Saviors of the Great American Songbook." Winner of this year's New York Nightlife Award, Oberlin brings the heart and humor of many of the most beloved songs from the Great American Songbook, with thrilling highlights taken from her critically-acclaimed shows at the Algonquin's Oak Room, Feinstein's, Jazz at Lincoln Center and Town Hall, among others. Oberlin has performed at major clubs and theatres around the country, has starred in more than 100 Off-Broadway performances of the smash-hit show Our Sinatra, and has appeared on All My Children among other television and film credits. Her recordings include the highly lauded "My Standards", and the award-winning "Secret Love: The Music of Doris Day," and the brand-new, critically-acclaimed live CD of her most recent engagement at the legendary Algonquin Hotel Oak Room (which she brought to the Royal Room) of the songs of Frank Loesser. As David Kenney reported on New York's WBAI radio, "She dazzles me from the moment she steps on stage!" For more information, please visit www.karenoberlin.com.


Stephen Holden in The New York Times: Karen Oberlin has "impeccable classic pop style...musical intelligence...arresting and perfect moments (with) beautifully shaped, delicately voluptuous phrasing."

Read more: http://florida.broadwayworld.com/article/Karen-Oberlin-A-Savior-Of-The-Great-American-Songbook-At-The-Colony-20110502#ixzz1N0xFtckK



DORIS DAYDoris Day, the quintessential all-American girl, continues to be revered by her fans, while the media still celebrate her as an actress and singer with a legendary Hollywood "girl next door" image.
However, Doris Day's personal life, faced with steely resolve, was the very antithesis of how most fans perceived her super-stardom. The studios promoted her in screen roles highlighting her wholesome, vivacious blonde personality. However, in hindsight, this concentration on her image belied her great acting and musical talents; a full retrospective appraisal of her career in recent years has brought her fans a fuller appreciation of her gifts. Of her 39 films, Calamity Jane, Love Me or Leave Me and Pillow Talk remain popular favorites, and still run frequently on cable television. Rock Hudson & Doris Day star in this perfect romance & comedy combination movie of 1959. A landmark in many people's teenagehood innocently favorite time. Doris Day was nominated for an Oscar for best actress for this movie.Paralleling her success in big-screen entertainment, a series of excellent albums recorded between 1956 and 1968 expanded her popularity, and are as relevant today as when they were first released.
Born Doris Mary Ann von Kappelhoff on April 3, 1924, in Cincinnati, Ohio, her parents came from German stock. Her father, Frederick Wilhelm Von Kappelhoff, was a music teacher, choir master and church organist and loved classical music. Her mother, Alma Sophia Welz, on the other hand, was an outgoing woman who enjoyed "hillbilly music." Doris was the youngest of three: she had two brothers, Richard, who died before she was born, and Paul who was a few years older. She was named after silent movie actress Doris Kenyon(pictured), whom her mother admired. Doris Kenyon (September 5, 1897 – September 1, 1979) was a popular actress of motion pictures and television. Growing up in the 1930s Doris was attracted to music and dance, eventually forming part of a dance duo which performed locally until a car she was riding in was struck by a train, crushing her right leg, a severe injury that curtailed her ambition to become a professional dancer.Scenes from Doris Day's first movie, "Romance on the High Seas", with various photos of Doris Day through out the years.
However, while recovering, Doris gained a vocal education by listening to the radio, becoming a fan of the embryonic records of upcoming Ella Fitzgerald. Do you sense a theme in this blog? Vincent Wolfe, Sue Matsuki, Ann Hampton Callaway, and Doris Day ALL have Ella in common!
Her mother encouraged her to take singing lessons. Alma took Doris to see vocal coach Grace Raine, who was so impressed with Doris' natural talent that she offered her three lessons for the price of one. Doris credits Raine with impressing upon her the importance of delivering a lyric, and today Doris says that Raine had the greatest impact on her singing career.

I also love the Divos! Yesterday, I wrote about Jim Brochu and touched upon his partner, Steve Schalchlin. Steve is a great entertainer in his own right.I was lucky enough to share the stage with Steve two weeks ago when we shared the stage in the Zani's Furry Friends benefit at Birdland.

I love the comments I'm receiving and THE FACEBOOK requests from those who are reading my blogs.
Thom Waldman, after reading my blog on Julie Sheppard wrote:
"First met Julie Sheppard in the late 70's at open call where huston allred would command the room." Houston Alread was the VERY FIRST person who played for me as Carol Channing when I first got up to sing at THE PIANO BAR at BEEFSTEAK CHARLIES (67th and Broadway)! Remember? I wish that those evenings were on tape.
Everyone of those evenings was a party! Thursday night was their Broadway night. I used to go every other Thursday night. I learned so much from those evenings. I learned how to work an audience and almost every other aspect/technique I have learned as an entertainer. I used to go there and sing as "Richard Skipper". One night, a couple of friends of mine from South Carolina were in attendance. After I sang, Houston asked if I had anything else prepared. I did not. One of my friends yelled, "Do Carol Channing!". I used to do it, believe it or not in school! Houston said, "You do Carol Channing?" I quickly answered an emphatic "No"! My friend responded, "Yes, Ricky, did Carol Channing in high school" which brought the house down. Houston kept egging me on. I finally relented and agreed. I felt I would get it over again and never have to do it again. So, Houston decided to "stage" HELLO, DOLLY! He cast all of the waiters and I began to sing. That one moment changed the entire trajectory of my LIFE!


It took me away, for the most part, of pursuing a "legitimate" acting career with a few detours along the way. I am proud to say that Monday night, due to a phone call from Paula J. Riley, I am returning to my roots in IT'S ALL RELATIVE, scenes depicting THE FAMILY DYNAMIC. I hope that you will join us. As way of introduction to what Paula does and how she assists you on your journey toward a career as an actor, her edict as both a teacher and a coach is as follows: "My aim is to help the actor achieve the greatest possibility for the existence of nuance, through the profound understanding of character development and its inevitable progression."
I'll be dong a scene From Little Murders by Jules Feiffer. Elizabeth Burke (far left in photo) will be joining me as my wife: Cartoonist, playwright, screenwriter and children’s book author & illustrator Jules Feiffer has had a remarkable creative career turning contemporary urban anxiety into witty and revealing commentary for over fifty years. From his Village Voice editorial cartoons (see Explainers: The Complete Village Voice Strips, 1956-1966) to his plays and screenplays including Little Murders(Donald Sutherland performs a wedding ceremony in Alan Arkin's and Jules Feiffer's "Little Murders" (1971).) and Carnal Knowledge, Feiffer’s satirical outlook has helped define us politically, sexually and socially.
Actors in the movie: Vincent Gardenia, Elliott Gould, Lou Jacobi, Jon Korkes, Martin Kove.

Jules Feiffer was the first cartoonist commissioned by The New York Times to create comic strips for their Op-Ed page, Feiffer has since shifted his focus towards writing and illustrating books for children and young adults including The Man in the Ceiling, A Room with a Zoo and Bark, George!


He won a Pulitzer Prize and a George Polk Award for his cartoons; an Obie for his plays; an Academy Award for the animation of his cartoon satire, Munro; and Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Writers Guild of America and the National Cartoonist Society. Feiffer has taught at the Yale School of Drama, Northwestern University, Dartmouth, and presently at Stony Brook Southampton College. He has been honored with major retrospectives at the New York Historical Society, the Library of Congress and The School of Visual Arts.



May 23
6-8 pm

ROY ARIAS STUDIOS/THE PAYAN THEATRE, 300 West 43rd Street/5th floor
IT'S ALL RELATIVE
Paula J Riley Presents: Primary Principles of Acting workshop Industry Showcase. Five scenes that examine the family dynamic from: ROYAL FAMILY, BEAUTIFUL CLEAR-EYED WOMAN, DARK AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS, WAKE & LITTLE MURDERS. e-mail Paula to reserve.

Whenever I am in San Francisco, I always make a point of visiting MARTUNI'S!
Martuni’s welcomes Martha Lorin(Another favorite diva)in
“Just Jazz”"Martha Lorin has developed into one of the most emotive singers to hit the jazz scene."

Growing up in Pueblo, Colorado, Martha Lorin found herself at a crossroads of diverse cultures. Martha's early vocal development was nourished by two generations, her Welsh grandmother, Sarah Dalton, a highly touted popular singer of the 1920's, and her jazz pianist/singer/songwriter mother, Margaret Dalton.
Martha will be joined at Martuni's with
Grant Levin (piano) Dean Reilly(bass)(Dean Reilly pictured on bass) Bob Blankenship (drums)

May 28th, 2011
Showtime
7:00pm to 9:00pm

Music Charge $15
Martuni’s
4 Valencia St.
San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: (415) 241-0205
E-mail: skipzsf@aol.com
ATM, Cash, Mastercard, Visa

Martha Lorin
www.marthalorin.com


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Tomorrow's blog will any other 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

Sue Matsuki, David Kenney, and Phillip Officer!

On Saturday afternoon, I will be part of a very special benefit for Zani's Furry Friends. I have written about that in previous blogs. It will be at Birdland Jazz Club, 315 West 44th Street RESERVATIONS A MUST!!!!! 212-581-3080) at 4:30PM. One of the entertainers that I am sharing the stage with is my dear friend, Sue Matsuki (pictured above with David Kenney and Phillip Officer).
When I get up to start my blog each day, I think about what I'll write about. Sue's beautiful ad that she had in the recent Bistro Awards program caught my eye this morning so I thought I would write about Sue. I've written about her before. Doing a google image search this morning, I found a picture of Sue with David Kenney and Phillip Officer and, voila', I had the theme for my blog today!
The picture above is with With DAVID KENNEY & PHILLIP OFFICER following their Live-In-Studio On-Air performances at EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN to promote their Fall 2004 engagements.
Sue Matsuki is not Japanese. She comes to her name through her Japanese husband, Kenro. She took his name when they married because it was a "trade up" name. You see, her maiden name was Trosell, which made her "Suetrosell" which, to her, always sounded like an antacid. At least "Susiematsuki" makes her sound like an Asian Porno Star.
Sue is actually of Swedish and French descent which means nothing really except that she's a big chested, great kisser (her words, not mine!).Visit Sue Matsuki's website at www.SueMatsuki.com


Please keep checking into Sue's SCHEDULE page for upcoming gigs.

Sue also receives many great comments from the press and fans and, of course, she shares them on her REVIEWS page. What makes Matsuki so varied? Well, when was the last time a cabaret entertainer mixed the likes of Irving Berlin and Elvis Costello? When was the last time a jazz singer delivered one-liners worthy of a stand-up club? And when was the last time a performer captured your heart, not with carefully planned "tear-jerking" patter but with simple sincerity that informed every sung note and spoken word?Sue does it all! Looking forward to Saturday, Sue!


David Kenney has a great radio show called EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN.EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN began on radio in Boston in the mid-1970’s under the title “The Great Entertainer." The broadcast focused entirely on the music, career and life of a particular Star. Each Saturday morning, the Boston radio audience tuned in to listen to a show spotlighting such talents as FRANK SINATRA, BARBRA STREISAND,
EDITH PIAF etc.
After moving from Boston to New York, in the spring of 1979 (I moved to New York in the summer of '79!), producer/host DAVID KENNEY approached the Program Director of WBAI-FM about the possibility of bringing a program like “The Great Entertainer” to the New York airwaves. The program expanded its focus to feature vocal groups and Big Bands, as well as solo performers. In addition to these “feature artist” segments, the show presented an unusual blend of big band Jazz, Swing, Standards, Showtunes and Contemporary Cabaret. http://www.oldisnew.org/indexaudioon.html
EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN
can be heard every Sunday 9-11 PM(ET)
over WBAI 99.5 FM
and on the Internet at:

www.wbai.org

I Love and miss Phillip Officer! Phillip Officer was such a fixture of the NY cabaret scene throughout the 90s and then he moved to Las Vegas. Phillip Officer is one of those rare performers who truly inhabits a lyric, wearing it as if it were a second skin. Thus, he is able to take the most overdone standards, like "Over the Rainbow" or "Heart and Soul," and breathe new life into them. He is also an accomplished actor and made his Broadway debut in the cult classic Side Show playing the Geek. FANCY MEETING YOU: The songs of EY Harburg is available at Amazon.com
(Buy THE THOUGHT EXCHANGE by David Friedman http://www.librarytalespublishing.com/products/The-Thought-Exchange.html)

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 MAY!


Richard Skipper, Richard@RichardSkipper.com