Singer Lynn Henderson will reprise her performance of A Skitch in Time: My Friendship with Maestro Skitch Henderson on Saturday, November 2 at 4 PM at Don’t Tell Mama. The show features arranger and music director Douglas J. Cohen with Bob Sabin on bass and New York Pops violinist and Skitch Henderson discovery, Sara Caswell. The show is directed by Klea Blackhurst.
A Skitch in Time is a tribute to the New York Pops founder who built the Pops from an idea to a beloved international institution. Lynn Henderson and Skitch were not related—but they shared a surname and admiration of the Great American Songbook. After bonding over music at a benefit in their Connecticut town, Skitch assisted Lynn as she created a show about his friend, Cole Porter, for a local club, with a cast ranging in age from five to eighty five. Later, Lynn and her musicians brought her cabaret shows to Hunt Hill Farm, the cooking school, store and gallery that was home to Skitch and his wife, Ruth.
NiteLife Exchange: When did you realize you had the gift of singing and what were your early influences?
Lynn Henderson: Yes, singing is a true gift! I have been singing my whole life since about 4th grade which I fell in love with Doris Day singing “It’s Magic” and wore out the record. I have been blessed my whole life. My major influences have been Lena Horne and Cleo Laine. I have sung in church choirs an professional choral groups. I created shows in my Connecticut community with casts made up of ages 5 to 85, usually about famous American song book composers and their lives. Skitch helped me create a show about Cole Porter whom he knew. What fun we had!
Early in my marriage, we lived in Westport, Ct where I was a saloon singer and put on five one woman shows at the outdoor Levitt Pavilion. I’d worked in advertising and PR during the day.
NLE: How do you eventually get into cabaret?
LH: I have gravitated to cabaret as I have aged. I will be 80 in November. What a wonderful cabaret community we have here in NYC, all so supportive of one another. My first three different cabaret shows were at the Metropolitan Room where Bernie
Furshpan was a mentor. Doug and I took part in the wonderful New Year’s marathon Bernie and Joanne hosted. It was a joy to work there. Since then, I have loved working at Don’t Tell Mama and with its wonderful booking agent and my dear friend, Sidney Myer. The Brick Room has been our home and a perfect place for the video that is part of my Skitch show.
NLE: Which is the most memorable experience you’ve had in your singing career? Favorite performance?
LH: Every performance is my favorite. I love it all. I cannot say what is the most memorable experience of my career since it has been a long one. I began as a dance band singer with the Bob McGlothin band in college at Ohio University and was also soloist with the Ohio University Concert Band.
NLE: You have been a great supporter of other cabaret artists over the years. What has that experience been like for you?
LH: I love to see and support other artists! The problem is that there are SO MANY it is impossible to catch them all.
NLE: What would you say is your current motivator?
LH: My current motivator is to KEEP GOING and never give up!
NLE: What do you like to do on your spare time?
LH: In my spare time, I have always biked, water skied, competed in 100 mile horse back competitions all over the East coast, completed the NYC Marathon in 1979 and traveled all over the world on bike and horseback. Currently, I have suffered from some health problems but am getting stronger.
There is a $20 cover charge and a two-drink minimum per person, cash only. For reservations, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/y2fjh8cg or call: 212.757.0788 ext. 6.
Don’t Tell Mama is located at 343 W. 46th Street, NY, between 8th and 9th Avenues
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