Notes From The City: An Abundant Life

I've written about Richard Skipper in these pages before, but because he always is creating new reasons for excitement and joy I recently followed up with him to see if I could add some of his newest stories here. On September 10th he launched his second season of monthly shows at The Laurie Beechman Theatre at the West Bank Cafe, and on October 1st he was at Barnes & Noble on East 86th Street in Manhattan to interview the beautiful and insightful author Patty Farmer and talk about her new book. Meanwhile, he's been adding more delightful and uplifting interviews to his own book, "Call On Dolly: From Carol to Bette!", updating the book's website, http://www.callondolly.com/ and regularly hosting Facebook Live interviews with the best and the brightest of the Broadway and Cabaret worlds. With more than 700 interviews and more on the way, "Call On Dolly: From Carol to Bette!" is a tour de force about a show that has a history that spans not only the history of Broadway, but one that follows the history of the world during the years that it has been produced. As Carol Channing herself has said, "There are very few individuals who know more about Dolly Gallagher Levi than I . . . Oh, and Jerry Herman of course. However Richard Skipper certainly comes close. When it comes to the history of Jerry's brilliant production, beyond the 5,000 plus performances of my own, even I turn to Richard Skipper when I have questions about the remarkable ladies who followed me in the role. . . . I am so glad that Richard has taken the time to chronicle the history of the Dollys. She is theatre's ultimate Broadway Baby . . . with all due respect to Maria Von Trapp, Eliza Doolittle, Sally Bowles, Mama Rose, and Mame." And respect them he does, sharing the highlights, celebrating their triumphs, and allowing the wonderful and talented people he interviews to shine as bright as they are.

Richard's monthly show at the West Bank Cafe "Richard Skipper Celebrates! . . ." is another something wonderful to celebrate about, as he brings people from the Broadway and Cabaret world together to celebrate a day in history each month. Well established, up and coming, new faces and those more familiar, each month is such a show of excellence that it's truly the best ticket in town. There is always so much that is new and exciting in Richard's world that I can only share a bit of it here, but if you follow the link to his website you can follow along and be a part of it. As I spoke with Richard, I was again uplifted - somehow the air about him is just different in a very magical and powerfully positive way. And when he starts to sing, the sound is so joyful that it opens your heart to how beautiful life can be.

Richard Skipper

"Richard Skipper Celebrates! . . ."
His Monthly Show

At The West Bank Cafe
www.RichardSkipper.com
http://www.westbankcafe.com/