Richard Skipper Celebrates

We will talk about Melissa’s career, life, and surviving and creating miracles in the midst of Covid-19 AND of course, her positive approach to creativity in the midst of a pandemic. Since the 1970s, her songs have been carried by adult contemporary radio stations. She has also appeared on television, in films, and on stage. Her debut album, Home to Myself, was released in 1973; Manchester co-wrote many of its songs with Carole Bayer Sager. Two years later, Manchester's album Melissa produced her first top-ten hit, "Midnight Blue", which enjoyed 17 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. She also performed the song live on Burt Sugarman's television series Midnight Special in 1974. Manchester appeared with Richie Havens, Melanie, and Frankie Valli as a contributor and performer in the 1977 NBC special documentary "How the Beatles Changed the World". Manchester collaborated with Kenny Loggins to co-write Loggins' 1978 hit duet with Stevie Nicks, "Whenever I Call You Friend". In 1979, she performed two nominated songs on the Academy Awards show: "I'll Never Say Goodbye" (from The Promise) and "Through the Eyes of Love" (theme song from Ice Castles). https://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Manchester/e/B000AQ3632/works https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melissa_Manchester https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbDS1TRj9hLPcy0bOgVC1Tg https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0541386/ https://www.allmusic.com/artist/melissa-manchester-mn0000407986/biography

Designer David Josef creates wedding dresses and gowns for Broadway glitterati. Now, he's making face masks. In March, he and husband Daniel Forrester turned Josef's studio into a mass production line for the masks, which are donated to medical facilities, nursing homes and front-line workers. Josef has also been using social media to show how he creates his masks, and to teach others how to make their own. The process can be monotonous, but he will not stop working. Today, Josef speaks with Richard Skipper about the road that has brought him to this point, creating in the age of Covid, and his vision for Tomorrow. https://www.facebook.com/David-Josef-Masks-104580777941641

Richard Skipper and Dr. Judi Bloom in Creativity in the Age of COVID Episode 1: Stage Blight  (9/3/2020) Dr. Judi Bloom and Richard Skipper are NOW joining forces to address the issues facing those in the entertainment industry in the new world we now find ourselves in. Twice a month, they will come together to address YOUR concerns. This week's guest's include Bob Hofmann VP Broadway Inbound at The Shubert Organization), Jazz Singer Nancy Soule, and Scott Westervelt Wardrobe Supervisor at Hamilton ) We will also be taking YOUR comments/questions. https://www.drjudibloom.com/ www.RichardSkipper.com https://www.arivalevent.com/orlando-2019/who/speakers/bob-hofmann https://www.facebook.com/nancy.soule1 https://www.facebook.com/scott.westervelt.7

Joanne Zippel’s Creative Coaching practice evolved out of her work as a manager of playwrights and screenwriters—guiding their careers and helping them to pursue their passions in what is well known as an often difficult, changeable and sometimes arbitrary business. Helping highly motivated people clarify and achieve their vision has long been, and remains, central to her work as a producer, entrepreneur and coach. Through the unique combination of her professional experience in the entertainment industry and her life coaching she can help you clarify your vision, build a solid foundation from which to make authentic career and life decisions and take practical action on them. She has over 25 years experience as an entrepreneur, working in theatre and live event production, marketing, promotion, sponsorship, development and literary management in the entertainment business.  Joanne is a long-standing member of NYWIFT and looks forward to helping her fellow NYWIFT members achieve both personal and professional success! To learn more about Joanne go to www.zipcreative.net

Anastasia Barzee is a celebrated Theatre, Film and Television actor. She began her career in Television at the age of 6, doing commercials with her older brother and has been actively working in the industry and teaching for over forty years. Anastasia made her Broadway debut in Miss Saigon as the American wife, Ellen. She also starred on Broadway as Emma in Jekyll and Hyde, as Hope in Urinetown, and as Lorna in the musical, Golden Boy.  At Lincoln Center, Anastasia co-starred as Lady Mortimer opposite Kevin Kline, Ethan Hawke and Audra McDonald in the Tony award winning production of Shakespeare’s Henry IV Parts One and Two. A couple of her greatest achievements are creating the role of Josephine in London’s West End in the musical Napoleon and creating Betty Haynes in the musical White Christmas. She can be heard on both these soundtracks in addition to the original cast album of Sunset Boulevard and her own solo album, The Dimming of The Day on Ghostlight Records. https://www.broadwaymentorsprogram.com/anastasia-barzee https://lawandorder.fandom.com/wiki/Anastasia_Barzee https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0059530/ https://the-society-netflix.fandom.com/wiki/Anastasia_Barzee

Singer/songwriter, cabaret performer and author Meg Flather is a five time BroadwayWorld Award nominee, two time Backstage Bistro and four time MAC Award-winning performer who has garnered glowing reviews from top New York entertainment publications and websites. She has written and recorded songs for independent films, Off-Broadway and on behalf of HIV/AIDS, 9/11, Alzheimer’s, Autism, suicide awareness and political activism. Meg has been a featured performer for The Gay Men’s Health Crisis at New York’s historic Webster Hall, the Vermont and Tribeca Film Festivals, to benefit the victims of Typhoon Yolanda at the Philippine Consulate, and at the Rose Theater at Jazz At Lincoln Center for the 2018 Mabel Mercer Cabaret Convention. Meg has performed in commercials and corporate films and for 16 years has served as Brand Ambassador for skincare lines sold on QVC, HSN, SHOP NBC, TVSN, Australia, and The Shopping Channel of Canada.  Meg trademarked the name, “Home Shopping Diva”® and her 2011 one-woman show of the same was named as one of the “Top Ten Cabaret Shows of the Year” by Times Square Chronicles cabaret reviewer Stephen Hanks. Meg's autobiography, Home Shopping Diva . . . Lessons, Lyrics and Lipstick, is available here: https://www.amazon.com/Home-Shopping-Diva-Lessons-Lipstick/dp/149287051X MegFlather.com

Richard Skipper and best-selling author Stephen Rebello sit down to discuss Dolls! Dolls! Dolls!: Deep Inside Valley of the Dolls, the Most Beloved Bad Book and Movie of All Time. The occasion is Jacqueline Susann's 102nd Birthday! "A blissful treasure trove of gossipy insider details that Dolls fans will swiftly devour." --Kirkus Reviews The unbelievable-but-true, inside story of Jacqueline Susann's pop culture icon Valley of the Dolls--the landmark novel and publishing phenomenon, the infamous smash hit film ("the best worst movie ever made"), and Dolls's thriving legacy today https://www.amazon.com/Dolls-Inside-Valley-Beloved-Movie/dp/0143133500

Richard Skipper sits down to chat with John Meyer to discuss Judy Garland. John Meyer's songs have been performed by Shirley Bassey, Lily Tomlin, Madeline Kahn, Eartha Kitt, Linda Lavin and, most prominently, Judy Garland. His memoir, Heartbreaker, (Kensington, 2006), details the dramatic eight weeks he spent with Garland. In October of 1968, John met Judy Garland, then at the tail end of her career. She embraced both John and his song, I'd Like to Hate Myself in the Morning. The pair embarked on a tempestuous romance, at the end of which Judy performed four of John's numbers on national TV, including the ballad It's All For You and the melancholy Christmas song, After the Holidays. John detailed the adventure in a memoir, Heartbreaker. Holidays was subsequently recorded by Margaret Whiting and Paula West. Linda Eder performs It's All For You in her act as well. https://www.amazon.com/Heartbreaker-Memoir-Garland-John-Meyer/dp/0806527544

William “Bill” Berloni is an American Animal Behaviorist, Humanitarian and Author, known for his training of rescue animals for stage, film and television. Bill Berloni was a 20-year-old apprentice at the Goodspeed Opera House when Martin Charnin offered him his big break: a chance to act professionally and gain his Equity Card. In return, all Bill had to do was find and train a dog to play Sandy in the original production of Annie. What Bill didn’t know was that this was a bigger challenge than it seemed. Animal performances in movies or television can be stitched together using different takes, different camera angles, even different animals. To perform in a featured role, an animal actor would have to be trained to ignore the distraction of the audience and respond to the same cues the same way night-after-night, just like his human counterparts. It had never been done before. From Broadway to Hollywood and beyond, William Berloni's Theatrical Animals are stars of many mediums. They are beloved by many, all over the world, but most importantly...by Dorothy and Bill Berloni. The animals, most of whom are rescued and adopted, are cared for with the highest standards of medical and emotional welfare. From dogs to donkeys, pigs to parrots, llamas to lizards, scores of Theatrical Animals have comfortably lived and been trained by Bill Berloni over the past 40 years at their farm in Connecticut. There are currently 25 dogs, 3 cats, 2 horses, 2 pigs, 2 geese, 1 donkey, 1 Macaw and 1 Dwarf bunny at the farm! https://www.gofundme.com/f/animal-actors-fund

Richard Skipper sits down to celebrate Dr. Judi Bloom: Dealing with Reality- COVID for the long-term. It will be with us for the foreseeable future, and tensions are high. We discuss how to control your own emotions, fears, conflicts with others in uncertain times. We also get into any other headline topics that are getting people riled up like Black Lives Matter or demonstrations now going on around the country. The emphasis is on understanding why this is happening, it's relation to COVID frustrations, and how to handle your own reaction to it. Dr. Judi Bloom is a former television news anchor and reporter, and a licensed psychotherapist in California for the last 26 years. https://www.castingnewlives.com/dr-judi-bloom/ http://www.safeplaceforyouth.org/

Gabrielle Stone is no stranger to the world of entertainment. Growing up on set with her legendary scream queen mother Dee Wallace (Cujo, E.T.), she had days of licking off mommy’s fake blood and getting the travel bug at an early age. Gabrielle experienced one of the world’s real-life horrors when she lost her father suddenly at age seven. After many years in the industry herself, Stone transitioned from meaty acting roles to writing and directing. Her award-winning films It Happened Again Last Night and After Emma gained her awards for writing, directing, and acting—but she had a bigger role in life that would soon present itself: freaking badass. After the rug was vigorously pulled out from under her when her husband’s affair came to light, she found herself falling into the arms of another man. After a second failed attempt at love, a massive heartbreak, and yet another rug being yanked from her feet, she decided instead of landing flat on her ass—she’d make a career out of it. And so came the birth of Eat, Pray, #FML, where she shares all the mistakes, all the lessons, and most importantly, how she became a badass from it all. Get the book and join in the conversation! https://www.amazon.com/Eat-Pray-FML-Gabrielle-Stone/dp/1733963707

Best known for his record-setting performance in the title role of “The Phantom of the Opera” on Broadway, Howard has appeared extensively in leading roles on Broadway and London’s West End. Other leading roles on Broadway include “Gigi”, “The Kiss Of The Spider Woman”, “She Loves Me”, “The Secret Garden”, “Anything Goes” (nominated for Tony and Drama Desk Awards), “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” (Tony and Drama Desk nominations, and received the Theatre World Award), and “Sunday in the Park with George”. On London’s West End, Howard starred in acclaimed revivals of “Mack and Mabel” and “Anything Goes”. He was nominated for a Drama Desk award for his New York theatrical debut in the New York Shakespeare Festival's production of “La Bohème” opposite Linda Ronstadt. His solo CD “Howard McGillin: Where Time Stands Still” is available online at cdbaby.com. https://www.howardmcgillin.com/ https://www.broadwaymentorsprogram.com/ https://www.projectals.org/

Richard Skipper and Jamie deRoy discuss the state of theatre in the midst of the Coronavirus Pandemic and what it takes to be a successful Broadway Producer. Jamie deRoy is a show business tour de force --- an award-winning producer; cabaret, stage, film and TV performer; recording artist/producer and humanitarian. In addition to seven Tony Awards®, Jamie has won eight MAC Awards, six Drama Desk awards, two Audience Choice Awards, six Drama League Awards, four Back Stage Bistro Awards, 13 Telly Awards and CaB Magazine’s Lifetime Achievement Award. She has been honored by Theatre Works/USA, Primary Stages and the Ruth Kurtzman MAC Award. A frequent presence on the New York nightclub scene, Jamie has produced nine CDs in the Jamie deRoy & friends series on Harbinger and PS Classics labels. Her long running shows benefit her favorite charitable causes, such as “The Actors Fund: Jamie deRoy & friends Cabaret Initiative,” a program to assist people in the cabaret industry with help for medical needs and concerns. Jamie’s has co-produced 60 Broadway shows and 46 off-Broadway shows. Jamie’s London credits include: Marguerite, Make Me a Song and The King's Speech.  Other TV and film producing credits include: the Emmy-nominated "The Biggest Little Operas in Town" for Channel 13 and Rick McKay's documentaries Broadway: The Golden Age and Broadway: Beyond The Golden Age. This conversation is to raise money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS JamiedeRoy.com https://broadwaycares.org/

Richard and Karen discuss Covid-19, her early beginnings, Broadway, cabaret, concerts, Brian Lasser, and so much more.  www.KarenMason.com https://actorsfund.org/ https://secure2.convio.net/afa/site/Donation2?idb=1735228997&DONATION_LEVEL_ID_SELECTED=1&df_id=4057&mfc_pref=T&4057.donation=form1&idb=0

Anthony Crivello won a 1993 Tony Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical as the original Valentin in Hal Prince’s Kiss of the Spiderwoman at the Broadhurst Theater. During the show’s pre-Broadway run, Mr. Crivello also received the Canadian stage honor of a 1992 Dora Mavor Moore Nomination. He received a second Dora Mavor Moore Nomination in 1997 for the pre-Broadway production of Jane Eyre at the Royal Alexander Theater in Toronto. Mr. Crivello won the 1996 Joseph Jefferson Award as the Best Leading Actor in a Musical, for the pre-Broadway production of The House of Martin Guerre at the Tony Award winning Goodman Theater in Chicago directed by David Petrarca. Mr. Crivello received his second Joseph Jefferson Nomination in 2005 for his “comic perfection” on stage in the David Ives interpretation of the farce A Flea in Her Ear at the Tony Award winning Chicago Shakespeare Theater, directed by Gary Griffin. He won the 1985 Carbonell Award for Best Supporting Actor in the Broadway Musical The News. https://fundraise.projectals.org/campaign/prosetin-2020

Jaya Jaya Myra and Richard Skipper discuss Jaya's upcoming book, The Soul of Purpose, which looks at the intersection of spirituality, purpose and health and shows the profound connection between your life’s purpose, your body size, shape and structure, and your overall well being. In this book, you’ll learn The WELL Method, created by Jaya Jaya Myra, outlining the 4 cornerstones to a healthy mindset (that affects personal and societal wellbeing), and create a custom-tailored purpose and wellness plan based on your unique type. You’ll also learn how even when you don’t know how to get well, taking the steps to live your purpose is the same journey and steps you’ll take to improve your health. Everything is interconnected! https://www.jayajayamyra.com/the-soul-of-purpose-book-jaya-jaya-myra

Richard Skipper sits down to celebrate actor and animal trainer Brian Michael Hoffman. If you are a lover of entertainment AND Animals. This Show is for YOU! www.brianmichaelhoffman.com www.theatricalanimals.com http://www.brianmichaelhoffman.com/reviews.html

Memorial Day, Richard Skipper celebrated the launch of So You Want to Sing Cabaret with authors Sue Matsuki and David Sabella. The show was so well received they are returning for ‘PART TWO’. Actually, at the suggestion of cabaret entertainer, Dawn Derow, this time around we will be discussing the BUSINESS of cabaret. https://www.amazon.com/You-Want-Sing-Cabaret-Performers/dp/1538124041

In a career spanning several decades, vocalist and entertainer, Marta Sanders has continued to draw on her mastery of the American nightclub style with her bold and brassy personality. Soon after arriving in Manhattan, her career led her to the New York cabaret circuit, and she was eventually cast in the original Broadway production of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. She went on to conquer Cabaret and performing arts venues around the world. She is a multi-award winner and critically acclaimed. Most recently, she joined forces with powerhouse entertainer Leanne Borghesi to create ShowBroads. Richard and Marta will discuss her past, present, future and her body of WORTH. The Bowery Mission: Serving New Yorkers in need since 1879 by meeting immediate needs (meals, shelter & other care) and transforming lives from poverty & hopelessness to hope.

Tony winner Donna McKechnie took to the airwaves with Richard Skipper through Richard Skipper Celebrates on Facebook AND YouTube for Project ALS June 15th at 5PM ET. They discussed Donna's past, present, and future. Listen in and please make a contribution to ProjectALS.