Richard Skipper Celebrates

"Deconstructing the Rat Pack: Joey, The Mob and the Summit" is a new look at the true creation of the group of entertainers that rocked the world. For twenty-eight consecutive nights in February 1960, a dusty town called Las Vegas became the epicenter of the world. All eyes were on the party happening at the Sands Hotel and Casino, the new headquarters for The Chairman of the Board― Frank Sinatra. NY TIMES bestselling author Richard A. Lertzman is a film historian and author. His books include his newest book, "The Dr. Feelgood Casebook" co- authored with William J. Birnes along with Dr. Feelgood, The Life and Times of Mickey Rooney and Beyond Columbo: The Life and Times of Peter Falk. Lon Davis is a film historian, book editor, and author. He was born in upstate New York in 1959. Lon and his wife, Debra, have co-authored six books and have edited more than three hundred academic books on the performing arts. Currently, Lon has partnered with Rick Lertzman to write a series of show-business-related books, including Deconstructing the Rat Pack: Joey, the Mob, and the Summit, and forthcoming volumes on The Three Stooges and Jerry Lewis. https://www.amazon.com/Deconstructing-Rat-Pack-Joey-Summit/dp/1098341619 https://thelifeandtimesofhollywood.com/new-shocking-book-deconstructing-the-rat-pack-joey-the-mob-and-the-summit-how-the-mob-used-frank-friends-to-turn-vegas-into-a-worldwide-destination

"Going Attractions: The Definitive Story of the Movie Palace,” from writer-director April Wright, is a loving documentary celebrating cinema and movie houses. Movie palaces were ornate, opulent theaters that showed films from circa 1910 through WWII. April Wright is an award winning filmmaker who brings a fresh and creative approach to her documentaries and narrative projects.  She’s drawn to material based on real events, especially stories with an unexpected hero or point of view.  Working as a narrative programmer for the Sundance Film Festival for the past 15 years, Sundance has been her film school. April’s latest documentary “Going Attractions: The Definitive Story of the Movie Palace” has enjoyed a theatrical release, won numerous Best Documentary awards at film festivals, was named by critics as one of the top documentaries of 2019. Forbes called it “a richly crafted look at our passion for movie theaters.” April's documentary “Stuntwomen: The Untold Hollywood Story” with Executive Producer Michelle Rodriguez also releases in 2020. Special guest Rosie Novellino-Mearns is the author of SAVING RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL: A Dancer's True Story.  https://www.goingattractions.com/ https://vimeo.com/201732456 https://youtu.be/z4qFybEDUMo https://www.amazon.com/Saving-Radio-City-Music-Hall/dp/0990855635/ https://www.facebook.com/rosie.novellinomearns

Norman Mathews has written for the concert stage, musical theater, and opera. He has also written a play, Drone, which recently one a place at FutureFest in Ohio. His autobiography, The Wrong Side of the Room: A Life in Music Theater, has been unanimously praised by critics. Mathews is also an experienced cook and gastronome, who operates a food blog on his website. Born in the wrong town, the wrong era, and with the wrong name, Norman Mathews was forced to conjure a more enticing, if imaginary, world to better navigate the perils of childhood. In this world, he didn't suffer from a lack of self-assurance that dashed his dreams of romance and fame. He wasn't psychologically abused by a priest nor did he endure ludicrously funny psychotherapy over his sexuality. And he didn't attempt suicide, nearly shattering his promising future. But in the real world, he survived all of this and more, and in his autobiography details with stark honesty and humor how Mathews' resolve to build a meaningful life led him to the life of his dreams.From the ashes of near-calamity rose the existence Norman Mathews always dreamed of. An injury cut short his career as a performer and forced him to seek creative fulfillment elsewhere. He reinvented himself as a pianist, composer, and playwright and as such created award-winning works for the concert stage, Tony-Award winners, and opera luminaries. This passionate and inspirational autobiography is steeped in dark humor, celebrity gossip, and backstage intrigue. Mathews brings his colorful Sicilian-American family, his triumphs and heartbreaks, and his mine-strewn path to love vividly to life. This riveting drama is a paean to all late-bloomers - proof that no matter how many wrong cards you are dealt, it's possible, with hope and tenacity, to come up with a winning hand. http://normanmathewsauthor.com/

Just a few months ago, Debbie Wileman was a suburban housewife living in the UK, raising her daughter and looking for something inspiring and fun to do during the global pandemic that has many people self-quarantined and people in some countries under mandatory lockdown. Like many, Debbie was looking for some creative outlet that might serve as a distraction or an entertainment for her handful of Facebook friends. Nearly a month later, Debbie has more than doubled her social media following and started a virtual career that is, most definitely, going places. (Source Stephen Mosher, Broadway World) Internet sensation Debbie Wileman, whose Song a Day videos on Facebook and YouTube have garnered tremendous response during the past eight months joins Richard Skipper for a conversation about her singing and impressions and discussing the women she channels including her Judy Garland, Doris Day, Julie Andrews and Barbara Streisand impressions and her latest duet with Billy Stritch. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk7N7BjmXJd7sVr9QDzICxA https://www.broadwayworld.com/cabaret/article/BWW-Interview-Debbie-Wileman-Emerges-As-Virtual-Virtuosa-And-Internet-Inspiration-20200419 https://www.facebook.com/debbie.saloman http://dougmilesmedia.com/2020/08/05/singer-impressionist-debbie-wileman-as-judy-garland-2/ https://vimeo.com/427230050

This week's guests include Karen Mason, Sharon McNight, Harold Sanditen, and Rev. Shawn Moninger. Karen Mason is an American theatre actress and singer. She has appeared on stage in Broadway theatre, notably as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard, and is a multiple award-winning cabaret performer. Sharon McNight made her Broadway debut in 1989 in “Starmites”, creating the role of Diva, receiving a Tony award nomination. Londoner and bon vivant, Harold Sanditen, has about as much Oklahoma left in him these days as Brad Pitt, but he actually was born in the heartland state. It’s London where he’s been tripping the light fantastic since 1987. Rev. Shawn Moninger is an ordained Unity Minister. He has been the Senior Minister at Unity Center of Norwalk since Sept. 2004. https://www.drjudibloom.com/ RichardSkipper.com https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_Mason https://www.ma4sd.com/service/sharon-mcnight/ https://www.facebook.com/shawn.moninger https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Harold-Sanditen/ https://www.drjudibloom.com/about-me/

"Joi Lansing: A Body to Die For colorfully chronicles personal and intimate details of the last four years of the talented ‘50’s “blonde bombshell” star’s fascinating life. After three decades of successful TV and movie appearances and Vegas singing stardom, Ms. Lansing died far too young at just 43. Though her funeral was attended by luminaries of the day (Frank Sinatra sent a huge floral display), her light went out relatively unceremoniously. Always just on the verge of “making it big,” Joi packed them in with standing room only in Vegas, but when the curtain came down and the audience was gone, who was she? Sadly, the one relationship where she was loved for the sweet, gentle woman she really was, the friendship that might have given her the strength to finally cross the finish line for that one moment of glory for which she had run since she began in show business as a little girl of 14, was ended at her death from breast Cancer in the arms of her dear friend, “Rachel.” "Author Alexis Hunter (“friend/baby sister”) was the only person who really knew Joi and knew how she struggled with a suicide-obsessed self-image and deadly drug problem after being a child star at MGM where “uppers” were a common way to keep the kids working 20 hour days." —Kate Porter-Avery https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/joi-lansing-a-body-to-die-for-a-love-story-alexis-hunter https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joi_Lansing https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0487103/

Ruthie Darling, author of "The HOLE Story," a nationwide and global success, is a former Elementary Grade School teacher who has been inspired by children throughout her life. She is passionate about all forms of creative self-expression and pursuing the Arts continues to fill her soul and capture her spirit. For more information about Ruthie’s upcoming projects and events, visit ruthiedarling.com.

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 COVI. This week's guests include Thomas Quinn: writer and producer for Documentary television for more than 20 years, for Discovery, History, Travel Channel, and others, most recently Expeditions Unknown with Josh Gates. Stuart J. Allyn is an acoustical, audio, video, film and control systems designer, engineer, consultant and recording engineer/producer. Cyrus Voris has been a screenwriter and television creator.  https://www.facebook.com/CreativityintheAgeofCOVID RichardSkipper.com

Sarah Dash defines the word "legend." As an award-winning vocalist, songwriter, motivational speaker, educator, entrepreneur, and humanitarian, Sarah is a unique force whose voice has touched millions of listeners around the world. From co-founding Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles and making history as a member of Labelle to becoming the very first Music Ambassador (2017) of Trenton, New Jersey, Sarah has blazed a trail in every facet of her remarkable career. Music has been a constant source of inspiration in Sarah's life ever since her childhood in Trenton. The seventh of thirteen children born to Elder Abraham Dash and Mother Elizabeth Dash, Sarah sang in the Trenton Church of Christ Choir as a young girl and entertained her classmates with renditions of standards like "With These Hands." The radio dial introduced her to everything from R&B and rock 'n' roll to country and polka, with the voices of Tina Turner, Gladys Knight, and Smokey Robinson shaping some of Sarah's earliest influences alongside albums by Mahalia Jackson, Nat "King" Cole, Andy Williams, and her brother's jazz collection. Doo-wop groups The Capris and The Dells inspired the name of Sarah's first group, the Del-Capris, which included another Trenton-based singer, Nona Hendryx. When Sarah and Nona teamed with Patricia (Patti) Holte and Cynthia (Cindy) Birdsong of The Ordettes, a new group was born — The Bluebelles. Beginning in 1962, Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles were among the most dynamic vocal groups of the 1960s, recording for major labels like Cameo-Parkway and Atlantic, touring the Chitlin' Circuit, and earning rave reviews for their appearances at the Apollo Theater where they were affectionately nicknamed "The Sweethearts of the Apollo." Visit SarahDash.net for more info

When Madeline Kahn signed on for a limited tour of Hello, Dolly! In 1992, she had never seen the show, and the closest she’d gotten to performing in it was a Forbidden Broadway-style spoof called “The ‘Dolly’ Sisters” in a nightclub revue at the start of her career. Alongside Betty Aberlin (later of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood) and Fannie Flagg (author of Fried Green Tomatoes), Madeline mocked the original Broadway production, which was still running at the time. Margery Lowe has performed in New York and across the country in various national tours, as well as at Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, The Muny, the Fox Atlanta, Theatre Off Park, Sanford Meisner Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre of Maine, Kansas City Starlight, Stages St. Louis, Maine State Theatre, Stage West, and many others. Additional Florida credits include GableStage, Zoetic Stage at the Arsht Center, Caldwell Theatre Company, Coconut Grove Playhouse, Actors’ Playhouse, and Stage Door Theatre.  Sherie L. Seff has been a casting director for over 30 years. New York credits include the Broadway and National Companies of ANNIE, CAMELOT starring Robert Goulet, ANNIE WARBUCKS, TAPESTRY, and most recently, Martin Charnin's SOMETHING FUNNY'S GOING ON AT 54 BELOW. Tony Nominated Lee Roy Reams (director) made his Broadway debut in Sweet Charity in 1966. Reams was nominated for both the Tony and Drama Desk Awards as Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his performance in the original production of 42nd Street in 1980. He played the role of Frank Schultz in the 1989 Paper Mill Playhouse production of Show Boat, which was televised on Great Performances by PBS . http://www.callondolly.com/madeline-kahn

Sally's background in theater and related areas is rich and varied: actress, director, coach, narrator, cabaret performer. Her first professional role as an actress was 'Anna' in "the King and I" with Leonard Graves. (As Yul Brynner's understudy, he played the King over a thousand times on Broadway.) She has since performed with Barry Manilow, James MacArthur, David Carradine, Katharine Houghton, Sarah Rice, Hal Linden...... She has staged operas, narrated with symphony orchestras, and directed everything from Thurber to Shakespeare. In the '70s she created and staged three revues of the music of Noel Coward and Cole Porter, then created a fourth for the Theater Guild which she tailored for Patricia Morison, Larry Kert, Dick Shawn and Tony Tanner. As a narrator for The Talking Book program of The Library of Congress and for Recorded Books, Sally has over 250 fiction and non-fiction books on tape, including "To Kill a Mockingbird" for Recorded Books, for which she was chosen over more than 100 applicants. She has won awards for her compelling voice and her unmatched interpretive skills. In 2005 she collaborated with the late Paul Trueblood on a cabaret program, "Noël and Cole". Since then she has created 11 completely new shows, four more with Paul and now seven (and counting!) with Matthew Martin Ward, with whom she's found not only a bond but a strong rapport. Paul started her on the cabaret path; Matthew has taken her ever further. To both she is forever grateful. AWARDS: *2016 MAC Hanson Award *2017 Bistro Award. Tribute Show, "Totally Noel" *2016, 2017, 2018 MAC Award nominee TheaterScene described her remarkable ability this way: "She made the lyrics come alive with her great interpretive skills." SallyDarling.net

When Madeline Kahn signed on for a limited tour of Hello, Dolly! In 1992, she had never seen the show, and the closest she’d gotten to performing in it was a Forbidden Broadway-style spoof called “The ‘Dolly’ Sisters” in a nightclub revue at the start of her career. Alongside Betty Aberlin (later of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood) and Fannie Flagg (author of Fried Green Tomatoes), Madeline mocked the original Broadway production, which was still running at the time. Margery Lowe has performed in New York and across the country in various national tours, as well as at Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, The Muny, the Fox Atlanta, Theatre Off Park, Sanford Meisner Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre of Maine, Kansas City Starlight, Stages St. Louis, Maine State Theatre, Stage West, and many others. Additional Florida credits include GableStage, Zoetic Stage at the Arsht Center, Caldwell Theatre Company, Coconut Grove Playhouse, Actors’ Playhouse, and Stage Door Theatre.  Sherie L. Seff has been a casting director for over 30 years. New York credits include the Broadway and National Companies of ANNIE, CAMELOT starring Robert Goulet, ANNIE WARBUCKS, TAPESTRY, and most recently, Martin Charnin's SOMETHING FUNNY'S GOING ON AT 54 BELOW. Tony Nominated Lee Roy Reams (director) made his Broadway debut in Sweet Charity in 1966. Reams was nominated for both the Tony and Drama Desk Awards as Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his performance in the original production of 42nd Street in 1980. He played the role of Frank Schultz in the 1989 Paper Mill Playhouse production of Show Boat, which was televised on Great Performances by PBS . http://www.callondolly.com/madeline-kahn

Barbara Carole Sickmen is a lyricist/composer and recording artist who has performed onstage with Eddie Fisher, Jerry Vale, Alan King, Buddy Hackett, George Jessel, and Jackie Mason. She was a resident playwright at Kids For Kids Theater, where she developed musicals including Alice in Appleland and The Prince of Poland (Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis). She taught Theater Arts at Stony Brook University with John Houseman and Martin Gottfried and is a member of the Dramatists Guild, ASCAP and Women in Theater. Ben, Virginia, and Me (The Liberace Musical) Before Liberace entered the world of glitz and glamour, the legendary showman crossed paths with history's most notorious gangster and his girlfriend, forming a unique bond. Featuring a lavish original score, this world premiere musical explores the phantasmagorical life of the iconic performer and his nearly career-shattering struggle to maintain privacy with respect to his sexual orientation. Friendship, love, and the quest for redemption play out for one of showbiz's most unique trios in the telling of this remarkable story. https://newyorklifestylesmagazine.com/articles/2017/06/96.html https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Barbara+-Carole-Sickmen/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-carole-sickmen-6483a175/

Bestselling author, performer, producer, promoter, and talk show host, Vicki Abelson, thrice appeared on Saturday Night Live, co-starred in a pilot for Comedy Central, and optioned a music reality show to Telepictures. For the past eleven + years, Vicki has been presenting the crème de la crème of the music, screen, & literary worlds at her celebrity-driven literary salon, Vicki Abelson's Women Who Write. Guests have included: Norman Lear, Cloris Leachman, Michael Imperioli, Jackie Collins, Kevin Pollak, Ed Asner, Valerie Harper, Marilu Henner, Paul Williams,Mike Nesmith and Micky Dolenz to name but a few. A featured contributor to The Huffington Post, The Fix, Reimagine, S-Curves, and Step 12 Magazine, Vicki leads workshops, does speaking engagements, and coaches privately, in the real and cyber worlds. Vicki can currently be seen in Henry Jaglom's The M Word. Her first book, five-star Amazon Bestseller, Don’t Jump: Sex Drugs, Rock ’N Roll… And My Fucking Mother, published by Carl Reiner’s Random Content, made the San Diego Book Review’s Best of 2015, was named One of the 7 Best Books By Or About Women, and #1 Best Summer Read 2016 by Amazon. Her weekly talk show, Game Changers with Vicki Abelson, can be seen LIVE on Facebook Wednesdays at 7 pm PT/10 pm ET, and subsequently on YouTube. All shows as podcasts are also available on iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher & TuneIn for your listening pleasure.  https://www.vickiabelson.com/ https://twitter.com/vickiabelson

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 virtual theater and live streaming in the age of COVID. This week's guest's include DJ Bucciarelli (2a Productions & Creator/Executive Producer/Exclusive Owner Carole's Kings), Ron DeStefano (Producing Director/Co-Creator Shades of Bublé: A Three-Man Tribute to Michael Bublé) and Dana Bentz (Head of Marketing for Streamyard).  https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/DJ-Bucciarelli/ http://www.caroleskings.com/ http://www.epicartsmanagement.com/meet-the-team https://www.linkedin.com/in/danabentz/ https://twitter.com/drjudibloom https://www.facebook.com/CreativityintheAgeofCOVID https://www.RichardSkipper.com https://www.drjudibloom.com/ https://www.facebook.com/dj.bucciarelli

Mary Callanan is an actor and cabaret performer, currently furloughed from the National Tour of the Lincoln Center production of My Fair Lady. Previous Broadway shows include, Annie, Mamma Mia! and Bandstand. With long-time cabaret partner Brian Patton, she has performed in NYC, Boston, Provincetown and cruise ships. https://www.marycallanan.com/

We will talk about Leslie’s career, life, and surviving and creating miracles in the midst of Covid-19. Actress/Singer, Leslie Orofino has been enchanting sold out audiences with her sultry voice from New York City's legendary Algonquin Hotel's Oak Room to Napa Valley's Silverado Country Club for over 30 years. Leslie is accompanied by her musical director on piano or the entire trio (piano, bass and drums) in theaters, nightclubs, benefits or private parties with her several critically acclaimed cabaret acts. After seeing Leslie Orofino at the Laurie Beechman Theatre International Cabaret Star, Julie Wilson exclaimed, "I had such a great time, I had to go back again...She's a winner! Leslie has a certain elegance mixed with sex appeal that sells each and every song. She's also a great comedian." https://www.leslieorofino.com/ https://www.facebook.com/leslieorofinojp/ https://www.facebook.com/leslie.orofino https://twitter.com/leslieorofino https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-orofino-66b33a61/

Drawing on his own life and career and the rich lore of The Lion King, Alton Fitzgerald White, Broadway's longest-running ''King,'' delivers his message of service -- taking responsibility for and deriving happiness from commonplace achievements -- as a philosophy that anyone can get through each day with satisfaction, pride, and a sense of accomplishment. If you've ever wondered how an actor can perform the same role hundreds of times without burning out, in White's book you'll meet someone who does it for thousands more with unabated joy and renewal of purpose. From his life experience, White has learned the secret of tapping his inner resources to meet the challenge of routine and repetition in work and relationships. https://altonfitzgeraldwhite.com/ https://www.amazon.com/Pride-Broadways-Record-Breaking-Lion-King/dp/148478040X/

In his groundbreaking book, style expert George Brescia shows you how to transform yourself from the inside out. More than a style guide, this revolutionary book by a seasoned stylist teaches a method of conscious dressing that begins with a powerful internal change. Instead of just grabbing for whatever’s on hand, you’ll learn to set your goals for the day, determining how you want to be perceived, and then dress in a way that helps manifest those intentions. https://www.amazon.com/George-Brescia/e/B00GH4KAYO http://www.georgebrescia.com/ https://www.facebook.com/hellogeorgebrescia https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/George-Brescia/413219537 https://twitter.com/georgebrescia https://www.pinterest.com/georgebstyleny https://www.instagram.com/georgebrescia https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-brescia-897914bb/

The Age of Enlightenment changed the way mankind thought about life, culture and human relationships. In her evocative new book, The Power of Acknowledgment, Judith W. Umlas unleashes the concept of an Age of Acknowledgment we can all help bring about. In a time of celebrity worship and self-absorption, Judy's well-reasoned and heartfelt appeal is so counterculture as to be revolutionary. Imagine, as does the author, people acknowledging each other s humanity, accomplishments, talents and wisdom on a continuous basis. It might just catch on. And wouldn't that be something. This 45-minute read will change your life and the life of everyone around you! Judith W. Umlas is Sr. Vice President, author and trainer at International Institute for Learning (IIL), a global corporate training company. She is the publisher of IIL Publishing, New York. She is the author of the ground-breaking book, The Power of Acknowledgment ©2006, IIL Publishing, New York, which has been credited with changing workplaces and lives by making use of the 7 Principles of Acknowledgment she developed. Her book on Grateful Leadership: Using the Power of Acknowledgment to Engage All Your People and Achieve Superior Results was published by McGraw-Hill Professional in association with IIL in early 2013 and You’re Totally Awesome! The Power of Acknowledgment for Kids was published in late 2013 by IIL Publishing. https://gratefulleadership.com/power-of-acknowledgment https://www.amazon.com/Power-Acknowledgment-Judith-W-Umlas https://www.amazon.com/Power-Acknowledgment-Judith-Umlas-ebook