Richard Skipper Celebrates

Warren Schein, has been entertaining audiences on stages throughout the US and Europe. He has played leading roles Off-Bdwy, Regional Theater and in Summer Stock productions which include Micky in Sugar Babies, Max Bialystock in The Producers and Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls, and most recently as Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, just to mention a few. He has been performing his one-man shows, Remembering Mel: A Musical Tribute To Mel Torme and Spend An Evening With Mr. Saturday Night, a medley of timeless music and comedy to sold out audiences throughout the country. Mr. Schein also garnered glowing reviews from his show “From the Borscht Belt to Broadway'' which included a tribute to the entertainer extraordinaire, Al Jolson. For many years Mr. Schein has been participating as one of the major headliners performing in the famous Provincetown Cabaret Fest in Massachusetts. The impressive list of performers he has opened for and performed with includes: Marty Allen & Steve Rossi, Jerry Stiller & Anne Meara. Milton Berle, Red Buttons, Totie Fields, Buddy Hackett, Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme, Danny Kaye, and Tony Martin. Warren is especially known for his classic jokes from the Golden Era of Comedy and of today’s lifestyles. Warren's interaction with his audience makes him one of the foremost improvisational comedy performers in the business.  https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenschein1 https://warrenschein.com/ https://warrenschein.com/videos-list/ https://youtu.be/6-15NRdIxTQ https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5162663/

Dori Berinstein is a four-time Tony-winning Broadway producer, an Emmy-award-winning director, producer and writer of film and television and the founder and CEO of The Broadway Podcast Network. Dori’s most recent Broadway production is The Prom (Best Musical – Drama Desk Award). Dori is partnered with Ryan Murphy on the Netflix adaptation, starring Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, James Cordon, Keegan-Michael Key, Andrew Rannells and Kerry Washington. Dori’s other Broadway shows include: Marianne Elliot’s revival of Company, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf (Tony Award – Best Play Revival); Legally Blonde: The Musical (Olivier Award – Best Musical), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Tony Award – Best Musical), The Crucible, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest (Tony Award – Best Play Revival), Fool Moon (Special Tony Award), Flower Drum Song, Enchanted April and Golden Child. As an award-winning Documentary Filmmaker, Dori directed, wrote and produced: ShowBusiness: The Road To Broadway (Showtime); Marvin Hamlisch: What He Did For Love (Emmy Award / American Masters); Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (Showtime); Gotta Dance (adapted for the stage as Half Time); Some Assembly Required and the documentary short The Last Blintz. Dori executive produced and/or supervised over 50 feature, special f/x and/or animated productions, including Isaac Mizrahi’s award-winning documentary Unzipped, Dirty Dancing (both the feature & TV series) and Jim Henson’s MuppetVision 3D and Walt Disney Imagineering. https://www.dramaticforces.com/ https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0075225/ https://broadwaypodcastnetwork.com/

Robert Viagas, founding Editor in Chief of Encore Monthly magazine, is an author, journalist, lecturer, podcaster and professor with more than thirty-five years’ experience, much of it working on Broadway with Playbill Inc., the iconic theatre program company. The founding editor of Playbill.com, Playbill’s theatre news website, Viagas served as editor of the "Playbill Broadway Yearbook" annual for ten years. Among his 19 books on the performing arts, he was chosen by the original cast of A Chorus Line to tell their story in “On the Line: The Creation of A Chorus Line,” and by the creators of the original The Fantasticks to tell their story in “The Amazing Story of The Fantasticks.” Viagas served a term as a nominator for Broadway’s annual Tony Awards. He frequently appears at libraries and universities performing one of his three lively, entertaining talks, “The Ten Secrets of Broadway,” “The Haunted Theatres of Broadway,” and “Inside the Tony Awards With a Tony Awards Insider.” https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertviagas/ https://encoremonthly.com/ Playbill.com https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-us/books/robert-viagas/playbill-broadway-yearbook

Luke Yankee (yes, it’s his real name) is a writer, director, producer, actor and teacher. He is the author of the memoir, Just Outside the Spotlight: Growing Up with Eileen Heckart (published by Random House, with a foreword by Mary Tyler Moore). His play, The Last Lifeboat, is published by Dramatists Play Service and has had more than 50 productions in North America. His other plays include Marilyn, Mom and Me, Confessions of a Star Maker, The Man Who Killed the Cure, The Jesus Hickey and A Place at Forest Lawn. His website is www.lukeyankee.com. In 1956, when Marilyn Monroe was cast as the lead in the film Bus Stop, she was the biggest star in the world. She had taken the previous year off to study with Lee Strasberg and had become the poster child for “Method” acting, where an actor has to experience every moment truthfully. The tough, no-nonsense, Broadway character actress Eileen Heckart was cast as her best friend in the movie. As a part of her newly discovered style of acting, Marilyn was determined to make Heckart her best friend – both on screen and off. Reluctantly, Heckart went along with it for the sake of the film and found herself emotionally entrenched in the life of Marilyn Monroe. From all outward appearances, Monroe had it all. And yet, more than anything, she yearned for what Heckart took for granted: a stable marriage, two kids and a respected Broadway career. Forty-five years later, Heckart’s middle-aged gay son, Luke, is trying to unravel his mother’s relationship with Monroe in order to better understand his own path with this highly critical, caustic, yet loving woman. Why did his mother burst into tears every time someone mentioned Marilyn’s name? The play utilizes the chaotic world of movie making in 1950’s Hollywood to uncover universal truths about love, acceptance and what it really means to feel loved and wanted.

Ray DeForest is a 42-year professional actor/singer/model/commercial theater and TV producer, who has spent years performing on stages around the world and appearing in TV shows on The Food Network, Lifetime, HGTV and through his syndicated design show. Ray created his character Doris Dear, a multiple Award winning mid-century modern gal known as “America's Perfect Housewife" after his mom passed away from Alzheimer’s. Doris is everyone’s aunt and loves sharing stories of growing up with her perfect parents, Taffy and Duke, on Staten Island! Now! Come along with Doris Dear in her new show “Doris Dear’s Gurl Talk” with a cocktail in hand, chat, recipes and more from the Rumpus Room of “America’s Perfect Housewife’ on Broadwayondemand.com starting Friday Nov 6th at 9pm ET and 6PM PT. Hear some beloved stories, get household hints, learn some fun facts and discover new ideas on how you too can be absolutely PERFECT in a Covid world! The Rumpus Room is rockin’ and giggling with Doris Dear at the bar cart! https://www.broadwayondemand.com/watch/channel/all-shows/series/jTfGeLJQTJ5X-doris-dears-gurl-talk/episode/ https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2039418/

Dedicating her life to the friendly citizens and responsible merchants of her hometown of Richfield, Minnesota, “where butter is a spice and gravy is a beverage”, Miss Richfield 1981 is one of America’s national treasures. This Midwestern maven is winning over theater audiences around the country with an interactive format that combines homespun warmth and edgy improv, leaving audiences in hysterics. Her live performances have received critical acclaim with The New York Post declaring Miss Richfield 1981 “the must-see act in Provincetown.” and Twincities.com noting: “In these divided times, Miss R is tonic—and gin—for the soul.” In addition to selling out venues each year in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, San Diego, Philadelphia, Atlanta, South Florida, and Minneapolis, Miss R continues to fill the Pilgrim House in Provincetown, Mass, nightly each summer, and tours with Atlantis Events cruise ships and resorts. Miss Richfield’s national appeal includes riotous appearances on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”, “Today” on NBC, “Cake Boss” on TLC, and “Watch What Happens Live” on Bravo. Currently, she is part of the cast of “Talk Show The Game Show” on TruTV, and a television spokesperson for travel company Orbitz. Additionally, she serves as a national brand ambassador for the City of Palm Springs. What makes Miss Richfield unique is the combination of midwestern sensibilities with an off-the-page humor, stemming from her creator Russ King. A former journalist and Minnesota native, King created the character with a rich history that begins with her life-long goal of being crowned beauty queen of her first-ring suburb of Minneapolis.

Elaine Ballace is a Native CALIFORNIAN! She became a Professional Ice Skater at age 8. Along with her Professional Ice Skating she began acting in Commercials by age 9. Some of her more recent credits include: FERN on the AWARD-WINNING Comedy "The RICH and The RUTHLESS." DARED, the highest-viewed series on YouTube, and FREE LUNCH EXPRESS, which is awaiting a release date. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0050507/ http://amprofile.blogspot.com/2012/03/elaine-ballace-is-camp-elaine.html https://www.facebook.com/ElaineBallace https://www.wallofcelebrities.com/celebrities/elaine-ballace/home.html https://www.facebook.com/Elaine-Ballace-Actress

Dr. Judi Bloom and Richard Skipper have joined forces to address the issues facing those in the entertainment industry in the new world we now find ourselves in. This is the show in which therapy and entertainment come together to show artists how to not only cope in the age of COVID but also how to keep creating. This week's episode topic will focus on Film and Television Production in the Age of COVID. With special guests Lori Kaplan (Owner and Head Fairy Bra Mother at Bra Tenders Inc Greater New York City Area). Tym Moss is a multi talented performer. He is making a name for himself in film, NY theater, television and music. In addition to his incredible comedic timing, he is an accomplished dramatic actor as well as singer and songwriter. New York City based, he travels the country performing. Michael Musto:  journalist who has long been a prevalent presence in entertainment-related publications, as well as on websites and television shows. https://www.facebook.com/CreativityintheAgeofCOVID https://www.drjudibloom.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-skipper-celebrates-7b94106 https://bratenders.com/ https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3797051/ https://www.facebook.com/michael.musto.96

Devanand Janki is an award-winning director-choreographer based in New York City. His credits include Off-B’way: Zanna, Don’t! (Winner Lortel, Callaway and GLAAD Awards), Junie B. Jones, Henry and Mudge, and The Yellow Brick Road. The All Star Broadway concerts for the Actors Fund: Hair, Funny Girl, Dreamgirls (Assoc.) and Seth Rudestky’s Broadway 101. Lincoln Center: Amahl and the Night Visitors, Babes in Toyland, and Anything Goes in concert (Choreo. Assist.); 9 years as Artistic Assoc. for BC/EFA’s Broadway Bares. Regional Theatre: Little Girl Blue - The Nina Simone Musical (George Street Playhouse), The Wings of Ikarus Jackson , Barrio Grrrl! (Kennedy Center), Rent, Xanadu, Rocky Horror Show (Hangar Theatre) Disney’s Aladdin (Chicago Shakespeare), Asphalt Beach,The Full Monty, The Scarlet Pimpernel, and Man of La Mancha. TYA tours: Martha Speaks, Nate the Great, If You Give a Pig Pancake, and The Berenstain Bears. He is Director of the Musical Theatre Division at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting. As a performer Dev has appeared on Broadway in Cats, Miss Saigon, The King and I, and Side Show and tours of West Side Story and A Chorus Line. He is the Artistic Director of Live & In Color, which develops new plays and musicals that celebrate diversity.  TheatreInColor.org  https://stellaadler.com/profiles/devanand-janki/ https://liveandincolor.org/ https://www.playbill.com/person/devanand-n-janki-vault-0000002750

Penguin Rep Theatre in Stony Point, New York founding artistic director Joe Brancato is Richard Skipper’s guest. His credits include critically acclaimed productions of McKeever's DANIEL'S HUSBAND and AFTER which transferred to Off Broadway from Penguin Rep, as well as Erasmus Fenn's DROP DEAD PERFECT at Theatre at St. Clements; Angelo Parra's THE DEVIL'S MUSIC: THE LIFE & BLUES OF Bessie Smith (Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel, Off Bway Alliance & Audelco Award nominee), which he also staged at the Montreal Jazz Festival; Tom Dudzick's MIRACLE ON SOUTH DIVISION STREET; TRYST (Outer Critics nomination for Best Play) at the Promenade and at Irish Rep; Lee Blessing's COBB (Drama Desk winner); FROM DOOR TO DOOR at The Westside Theatre; ONE SHOT, ONE KILL at Primary Stages; and ESCAPE FROM HAPPINESS starring Marsha Mason at Naked Angels. His credits include such venerable companies including The Alley, Cleveland Play House, George Street Playhouse, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, Seattle Rep, Westport Playhouse, and Williamstown Theatre Festival.   https://www.penguinrep.org/ https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Joe-Brancato/

Richard Gayzur has lived within 30 miles of ‘Don’t Tell Mama’s’ his entire life. He’s a screenwriter, a copywriter, a composer/musician, the founder and on-air commentator of ‘Center Left Radio: The Progressive Voice of Hope Politics and Jazz’, a video producer, a novelist, an attorney… and another incorrigible optimist. These days, he gets to see Hudson River sunsets from a hillside in Westchester County, NY, just across the river from yours truly. The Prison Dialogue is his first novel and will be available from Amazon books, and several other sources, on December 4th. https://www.facebook.com/richard.gayzur

Cynthia Basinet (often called “C” by her friends) has had a colorful and successful life in several fields. She is an exquisite and glamorous singer with a highly expressive voice and a real feel for American standards. Cynthia’s natural musical abilities, along with a very good vocal coach, resulted in her making her first recordings including the now iconic, “Santa Baby” in 1997 and two years later founding the Welcome To Dreamsville label. CynthiaBasinet.com https://www.amazon.com/How-Be-Civil-Uncivil-World/dp/1480892718 https://twitter.com/cynthiabasinet

Here is the complete inside story on the making of Psycho, the forerunner of all psycho thrillers. Stephen Rebello takes us behind the scenes at the creation of one of cinema’s boldest and most influential films. From Hitchcock’s private files and from new in-depth interviews with the stars, writers, and technical crew we get a unique and unparalleled view of the master at work. Rebello’s carefully researched book tells us everything we could ever want to know about the making of Psycho. Starting from the gruesome crimes that inspired the novel on which the film is based, he takes us through the novel’s adaptation into a screenplay and the film’s pre production, shooting, post production, and ultimate reception. https://www.amazon.com/Alfred-Hitchcock-Making-Stephen-Rebello https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Hitchcock_and_the_Making_of_Psycho https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/862057.Alfred_Hitchcock_and_the_Making_of_Psycho

A deeply researched warning about how the digital economy threatens artists' lives and work―the music, writing, and visual art that sustain our souls and societies―from an award-winning essayist and critic There are two stories you hear about earning a living as an artist in the digital age. One comes from Silicon Valley. There's never been a better time to be an artist, it goes. If you've got a laptop, you've got a recording studio. If you've got an iPhone, you've got a movie camera. And if production is cheap, distribution is free: it's called the Internet. Everyone's an artist; just tap your creativity and put your stuff out there. The other comes from artists themselves. Sure, it goes, you can put your stuff out there, but who's going to pay you for it? Everyone is not an artist. Making art takes years of dedication, and that requires a means of support. If things don't change, a lot of art will cease to be sustainable. So which account is true? Since people are still making a living as artists today, how are they managing to do it? William Deresiewicz, a leading critic of the arts and of contemporary culture, set out to answer those questions. Based on interviews with artists of all kinds, The Death of the Artist argues that we are in the midst of an epochal transformation. If artists were artisans in the Renaissance, bohemians in the nineteenth century, and professionals in the twentieth, a new paradigm is emerging in the digital age, one that is changing our fundamental ideas about the nature of art and the role of the artist in society. https://billderesiewicz.com/ https://www.amazon.com/Death-Artist-Creators-Struggling-Billionaires/dp/B083QMCJ5H

Judi Mark was born in Chicago to a musical family who encouraged her to express herself creatively. Her dynamic range of training included ballet, modern dance, jazz, tap, acting, vocals and piano which set the stage for a successful performance career spanning over decades. She has appeared on concert stage, regional theater, cabaret, and the high seas. While studying acting with Bill Hickey, she performed in Off-Broadway productions, film and television. Her vocal studies with many world-renowned professionals prepared her for work at dinner theaters, cabarets and distinguished venues such as The Algonquin, The National Arts Club, The Triad, The Laurie Beechman Theater, Don’t Tell Mama, The Metropolitan Room, The Iridium, Sweetwater’s, Sign of the Dove, Judy’s Chelsea, Cabaret in the Museum and Florida nightclubs; Les Violins, The Copacabana, The Konover Hotel and the Boca Black Box Center for the Arts in Florida. She has shared the stage with Marilyn Maye and Anita Gillette in South Shore Theatrical’s “Showtune” at the Madison Theater and was a recent guest performer in Richard Skipper Celebrates “May Flowers” at the Laurie Beechman Theater. Performer/Producer Judi Mark has passionately written three one woman shows that played in NYC, Chicago, New Jersey, Connecticut and South Florida, ‘Judi Mark: Dancing Through Life’, singing songs made famous by the ladies who danced…a tribute to Miller, Miranda, MacLaine, McKechnie and more! ‘I Feel a Song Coming On’, a tribute to old Broadway and Hollywood nostalgia and most recently, ‘Laughing Through Life’…bites back at life in the Big Apple thru stories & songs from Hip to Hip replacement… featuring comedic backstage stories with song and dance. https://www.judimark.com/

Robert W. Schneider is an award-winning director and producer based in NYC. He currently holds the titles of Original Programming Producer at Feinstein’s/54 Below, Artistic Director of The J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company, Host of the podcasts Behind The Curtain: Broadway’s Living Legends (w/Kevin David Thomas) and Gay Card Revoked (w/Robbie Rozelle), and faculty member at Penn State University, New York Film Academy, and Mount Union University. Robert has had the great fortune to collaborate with such theaters as Second Stage, Lincoln Center, Center Theater Group, Walnut Street Theater, The York Theater, NYMF, and many others. Proud member of SDC! https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Robert-W-Schneider/ https://www.robertwschneiderdirector.com/bio https://broadwaypodcastnetwork.com/hosts/robert-w-schneider/ https://54below.com/artists/robert-schneider/ https://twitter.com/robwschneider?lang=en https://www.facebook.com/robwschneider https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6509714/

Called, “a true force of nature,” and "in a league of her own," by Clive Davis of The Times (UK) in his TWO five-star reviews of two different London appearances, Natalie Douglas is a Nightlife, two-time Backstage Bistro, twelve-time MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs) & BroadwayWorld Best Cabaret Vocalist Award Winner and recipient of the Donald F. Smith & Margaret Whiting Awards from the Mabel Mercer Foundation. Natalie’s portrait also hangs on the legendary Birdland Jazz Club Wall of Fame. In addition to her work as a singer/actor, Natalie is a popular & much sought after educator, working worldwide with singers of all ages in her capacity as the master teacher for the Mabel Mercer Foundation. Natalie specializes in diversity workshops & masterclasses for public and private schools, as well as devoting attention to individual study. Natalie is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of USC with a Magna Cum Laude Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology with certificates in Theatre and Women's Studies and holds a Master's Degree in Psychology from UCLA. AWARDS The Mabel Mercer Foundation Donald F. Smith Award The Mabel Mercer Foundation Margaret Whiting Award Twelve MAC Awards for Outstanding Vocalist, Major Artist (4x), Jazz Vocalist, Show of the Year, Celebrity Artist & Major Recording - "Human Heart" with sixteen nominations Nightlife Award Winner: Outstanding Piano Bar Entertainer BroadwayWorld Cabaret Award: Best Vocalist Back Stage Bistro Award Winner: Outstanding Female Vocalist Back Stage Bistro Award Winner: Outstanding Recording "Human Heart"

Critics have called Geoffrey Mark a walking encyclopedia of show business history. Born in Brooklyn, NY and raised all over the country, Mr. Mark has spent his entire life in one part of show business or another. His books are the bestselling The Lucy Book, and Ethel Merman: The Biggest Star on Broadway, as well as The Family Affair Cookbook. His newest book is Ella: A Biography of Legendary Ella Fitzgerald. Upcoming books include his memoir, The Devil Was Born in Brooklyn, as well as The New Lucy Book. Geoffrey is the producer of Nigel: Come Back to Me, a CD with a seventeen-piece Big Band, and directed Spirit of the King, an Elvis show at the Spa Casino in Palm Springs. Mr. Mark lives in Desert Hot Springs, CA. https://www.amazon.com/Lucy-Book-Complete-Decades-Television/dp/1580630510 https://www.amazon.com/Ethel-Merman-Biggest-Star-Broadway https://www.amazon.com/Family-Affair-Cookbook-Kathy-Garver/dp/1593934580 https://www.amazon.com/ELLA-Biography-Legendary-Ella-Fitzgerald/dp/0976951355 https://www.amazon.com/Come-Back-Me-Nigel/dp/B003Y2Z02E

Roslyn Kind is a dynamic, multi-talented entertainer who has forged a successful career in all facets of entertainment from critically acclaimed recordings to sold-out performances on Broadway and in top concert venues and nightclubs the world over. Ms. Kind recently performed with her sister, Barbra Streisand, during an 8 city US/Canadian tour and a 6 city International tour, which brought her to acclaimed venues including the Hollywood Bowl, The 02 Arena in London and Rogers Arena in Vancouver. In addition to performing historic duets with her sister, Ms. Kind shared the stage with her nephew Jason Gould and famed trumpeter Chris Botti. A vibrant musical artist, Ms. Kind is familiar to both national and international audiences for her headlining appearances at some of the most prestigious venues including Lincoln Center, The Greek Theater and London’s Cafe Royal. The London Times noted “To say she is superb would be an understatement.” In 2006 she made her long awaited and received Carnegie Hall debut with her frequent musical collaborator and friend, Michael Feinstein. She began her performing career while still in her teens with the release of her first album, Give Me You. A whirlwind of performing activity followed including engagements at the nation’s top nightclubs, acclaim from Time Magazine and three appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show leading up to her show-stopping New York debut at the Plaza Hotel’s legendary Persian Room. https://www.facebook.com/RoslynKind https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roslyn_Kind https://roslynkind.com/ https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0454238/

Peter Vincent is an electrifying, versatile entertainer, whose dynamic songs and dances have thrilled audiences in a wide variety of settings across the country. Peter has been featured in leading roles in musical productions and delighted audiences on board several major cruise lines. Peter tours with corporate industrial shows and performs on television networks nationwide. Peter can be seen and heard with the acclaimed Hallandale Symphonic POPS & Sunrise Symphony Orchestra. In addition, he has sung at top resorts and night clubs across the world. You can hear and see him nationally in jingles and commercials for McDonald's, Pizza Hut and AT&T, MTV, Telemundo, as well as many others. In addition Peter has shared the stage and silver screen with such stellar performers as Mary Wilson, Charo, Phyllis Diller, Diahann Carroll and Jim Carrey. PeterVincent.net