He’s baa-aack!!!! Multi-award winner Richard Skipper, rested and refreshed and raring to go, the go-getter is getting ready for his Sunday, October 8 return to the New York cabaret crowd crunch (and brunch!) after the summer break from his otherwise monthly Richard Skipper Celebrates at the Laurie Beechman Theatre downstairs from West Bank Cafe. We can’t quite promise that— when he arrives and descends those stairs — he will be greeted by red-coated waiters who will look up lovingly and burst into chorus after chorus of “Hello, Skipper/ Well, hello, big tipper!/ It’s so nice to have you back to sing your song/ You’ll toast Les Mis, Richard/ All of show biz, Richard/ Shubert Alley, Sally Darling, too… So,/ Toast Miss Friel, Skipper/ Douglas and McGraw. Real deal, Skipper/ We think Sugar Babies was so great/ Rouben Mamoulian was born this date/ So let Richard Skipper celebrate them all.”
But, it’s possible. Russ Woolley proudly presents the event with host Skipper’s special musical guests: cabaret favorite Natalie Douglas, Sally Darling (recent MAC Hanson Award winner), Nancy McGraw (original cast of Ninea) and Danielle Freil (Mary Poppins at Paper Mill Playhouse). And, acknowledging theatre history, the day also celebrates the director of the first productions of Oklahoma! and Porgy and Bess, Rouben Mamoulian, born on the show date. Also being toasted are two shows that opened in this week in past years: Sugar Babies, starring Ann Miller and Mickey Rooney (Broadway) and Les Miserables (London).
October’s ever-shifting members of the band are David Maiocco on piano, bassist Ritt Henn and percussionist Rex Benincasa.
Richard Skipper has been booked as an artist in residence for a second season. Press notes say that this talk/variety show “encourages people to celebrate each and every day and each other. This wildly popular show format, in which Skipper builds the show around the date booked, allows him to create a different show every time, so whether you’re there to Liza Minnelli’s birthday or because you’re a die-hard fan, you’re always guaranteed a great time!”
Multi-award winner and critically acclaimed Richard Skipper has an almost 40-year career which has taken him from South Carolina to New York to Hollywood and all points in between. He is an entertainer, raconteur, arts advocate and theater historian. Under the umbrella of Richard Skipper Celebrates! he has conducted over 700 interviews celebrating people in the arts. Recent interviews have included Mary Jo Catlett, Frank Ligon (currently on Broadway in Hello, Dolly!,Carol Lawrence, Rich Little, and David France, author of How to Survive A Plague.
Here’s what people are saying:
“I was most impressed with the balance and variety of Richard Skipper Celebrates… on June 18th. I love hearing Sarah Rice, and her Bourne-Jones beauty is a joy on top of that. That segment was really top notch. David Sabella was so moving when he was talking about his children, and the Sondheim montage was unexpectedly thrilling. I liked the little table where I was sitting because I could watch Richard Skipper’s reactions to everything, and that just added to the joy. I don’t think a smile left my face for the entire show. Good for Richard!!!! “
—Jacqueline Parker, NYC
“On June 18th, 2017, I had the great good pleasure of singing in one of Richard Skipper’s extravaganzas par excellence at the Laurie Beechman Theatre. This one celebrated Father’s Day. It was a terrific show and Richard was, as always, a wonderful host and singer. The show ran smoothly and professionally and the performance level was exceedingly high. Upbeat and fun, it reminded me of those wonderful TV variety shows of my youth. But it isn’t an imitation of one of them, it is Richard’s own, unique creation. If you have never been to one, I recommend it highly, if you are one of the regulars, you are already hooked. — Mark Watson
Anyone who has an opportunity to see Richard Skipper’s cabaret shows should, by all means, do so! They’re sensational! Great entertainers, wonderful music, lots of laughs, just the best way to spend an afternoon! I just cannot wait for the next show because I will definitely be in the audience (quietly singing along)!
—Arlene Jacks, New York, NY
The music charge is $30, plus a $20 food/drink menu minimum. For information, or to order online, visit http://www.westbankcafe.com/laurie-beechman-theatre or call 845-365-0720.
The Laurie Beechman Theatre is located at 407 West. 42nd Street, NYC 10036 | 212.695.6909
This series is partially sponsored by Wright Bros. Real Estate – Nyack, NY
Please visit www.RichardSkipper.com for more info
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