Richard Skipper Celebrates

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ASCAP/Deems Taylor Award-winner Chip Deffaa is an internationally-produced playwright and director with a great love of show business. He is also the author of eight acclaimed books dealing with music and popular culture, including Blue Rhythms and Voices of the Jazz Age, both published by the University of Illinois Press. And he has produced more than two dozen albums--cast albums of his shows and songbook albums celebrating great composers of American popular music. ASCAP Award-winning writer/producer Chip Deffaa's new CD, "Irving Berlin: Love Songs and Such"--starring such Broadway and cabaret notables as Betty Buckley, Anita Gillette, Karen Mason, Stephen Bogardus, Jon Peterson, Jeff Harnar, and Steve Ross--is out now. The album--available from Amazon, iTunes, Footlight Records etc. as either a physical CD or a digital download--may be ordered here. An outgrowth of shows about Berlin that Deffaa has presented at the venerable 13th Street Theater, the album offers more than two dozen Berlin songs--a mix of classics and never-before-recorded rarities--sung by such artists as Seth Sikes, Jerry Dixon, Sarah Rice, Natalie Douglas, Giuseppe Bausilio, Ray DeMattis, Analise Scarpaci, Brian Letendre, Eric Comstock, Bobby Belfry, Matthew Nardozzi, Jack Corbin, Molly Ryan, Michael Townsend Wright, Joan Jaffe, Jed Peterson, Alec Deland, Keith Anderson, Luis Villabon, Dea Julien, Katherine Paulsen, Ryan Muska, Mark Dodici, Will Alvarado, and more, with music direction by Richard Danley. Grammy Award-winner Andy Stein is featured on violin. Widely considered the foremost living authority on Berlin's music, Deffaa has written six published shows about Berlin, and 15 of the 32 albums that he's produced are devoted to Berlin's music.

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Trey Olds is 21 with high functioning autism. He is an actor, writer , voice actor/narrator and radio host. Since 2013, his radio show focuses on interviewing people in the entertainment industry and other related industries like journalism, sports and broadcasting He is interested in how they started in their careers, they share stories of experiences and most importantly their advice to others who want to get into the industry. Before becoming an interviewer, he was a disc jockey and promoter for musicians on radio. As an actor, he has done over 25 independent productions in tv/film, theater and radio drama. He has written over 25 screenplays for independent films as well as a writer. He has interviewed actors Ed Asner, Marion Ross, Emmet Walsh, Joan van Ark, George Galfo of the original Mystics, Jimmy Chapel and Ayla Brown, voice actors Mike Pollack, Peter Jessop, Craig Sechler, Jeff Baker and Wes Johnson. Lastly writers Anne Beatts, Rowby Goren, Frye Gailaird and Ken Farmer. He is semi retired from the industry now.

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The show in which the Arts and Therapy come together to try and make sense of it all! Hosted by Dr. Judi Bloom and Richard Skipper Dr. Judi Bloom is a practical, interactive, solution-focused therapist specializing in relationships and in navigating through major life transitions.

For 26 years she has treated patients of every background and helped them work through a wide variety of personal challenges. She is originally from New York and did her undergraduate work at Cornell University. To close out the year, Dr Bloom and I are discussing letting go of the past and embracing the future and we are bringing a few people on board who have walked the walk, talked the talk, and written about it...The perfect closer to 2021! We will be joined by Kassira McKee (Let That Go!) and Dr. David James (Discovering Your Magnificent Mind) Although holding onto people, places and things is a human trait, it doesn’t mean it’s good for us. It keeps us stuck and attracts more negativity into our lives.In LET THAT GO! Kassíra McKee leaves no stone unturned. Kassira is an entertainer, Ordained Metaphysical Minister with a degree in Bachelor of Metaphysical Science, B. Msc., 4 th Level Reiki Master, former Licensed Massage Therapist, former Professional Pet Care Provider, numerologist and author. She has practiced Nichiren Buddhist since 1988, as well Vipassana and Merkaba meditations. As a pet lover and caretaker, she also researches and writes about pet care, both domestic and exotic. Her book Let That Go! is available on Amazon.com and she has a Let That Go! private coaching practice. As a pet lover and caretaker, she also researches and writes about pet care.  Richard Skipper: www.RichardSkipper.com

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Following her acclaimed comeback act, “Back in Mama’s Arms,” award-winning vocalist Goldie Dver handled the covid shutdown by hitting the recording studio. There she laid down tracks of the music from her show, including songs by her late husband, Paul Dver. For her very first single release, Goldie chose what she feels is destined to become a classic. With words and music by her multi award-winning musical director, Bill Zeffiro, “I’ve Still Got New York” is an elegant jazz tune that captures the resilience, pluck and sophistication of the true New Yorker. “This song is just the boost we need after almost two years of this pandemic,” says Goldie. “Bill’s lyrics capture the real New York spirit: ‘we’ve got guts; we’ve got grit...and we know it’s true—we get back up when we’ve been hit.’” Goldie is accompanied on the track by composer Bill Zeffiro on piano, Tom Hubbard on bass, Tom Murray on sax, and on drums, Chip Fabrizi, owner of legendary PPI Recording Studio. “I’ve Still Got New York” will be available for download and streaming on all platforms on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2022. A veteran of musical theatre and the club circuit—opening for headliners in Atlantic City—Goldie Dver was also a radio personality for many years: first, as a character actress on The Soupy Sales Show on WNBC-AM Radio; then as a weekly guest on Joey Reynolds’ show The Jewish Hour, which had a popular ten-year run on WOR-AM Radio. Goldie made her solo cabaret debut in the mid-90s, and was quickly recognized as one of New York’s most exciting vocalists.

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Dear Richard, It was so much fun being on your show. Thank you for your wonderful questions, an engaging conversation, and your illuminating take on the film, ON BROADWAY! I can tell you have a deep love and understanding for live theater and appreciate you highlighting for your viewers, at this crucial moment in history, how much we all need to support the arts --especially live performance. Oren Jacoby,  www.storyville.org

ON BROADWAY An all-star cast tells the inside story of the Broadway theater, and how it came back from the brink thanks to innovative work, a new attention to inclusion and a sometimes uneasy balance of art and commerce. Key players--Helen Mirren, Christine Baranski, August Wilson, James Corden, Alec Baldwin, John Lithgow, Viola Davis, Hugh Jackman and Ian McKellen--take us behind the scenes of Broadway’s most groundbreaking shows, from A Chorus Line to Hamilton. The film includes performances by Lin Manuel Miranda, Patti Lupone, Bernadette Peters, James Earl Jones and Mandy Patinkin. This 85-minute documentary is a hurly burly ride through Times Square, once again the main street of American show business. Oren Jacoby is an Oscar-nominated filmmaker, writer and founder of Storyville Films. His film On Broadway will be released in 2020. He has produced and directed over 30 films including: Sister Rose’s Passion, Best Documentary Short Film at the Tribeca Film Festival and nominated for an Academy Award; Shadowman premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and was runner up for the audience award. https://www.docnyc.net/film/on-broadway/

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Dottie Ponedel knows how to amuse with rouge. Her autobiography, the story of a pioneering make-up woman in silent movies and early talkies, puts a new foundation on the stars from the Golden Age of movies. Sinners and saints without greasepaint make for memorable close-ups. Enjoy Dottie’s confidential revelations about Judy Garland, Marlene Dietrich, Mae West, Carole Lombard, Clark Gable, Gary Cooper, Joan Blondell, Paulette Goddard, Barbara Stanwyck, and others. Mae, and Dottie’s other clients, often demanded her services, but tomcats and contracts seldom blended. Dottie constantly fought all-male make-up departments at the studios to get the recognition she deserved. Amazing challenges facing a woman at the top of her craft play poignantly against her straight-talking, heartwarming, hilarious encounters with famous faces. Dottie Ponedel. The designer with eyeliner. Danny Miller is a freelance writer, book editor, and co-author of About Face: The Life and Times of Dottie Ponedel, Make-up Artist to the Stars. You can find his articles at Cinephiled and Classic Movie Hub. Born within sight of the famed Hollywood sign, Meredith Ponedel grew up not only in its shadow but imbued by her family with a love of old Hollywood, the Hollywood of the Golden Era. Having been mentored by his formidable older sister, Dottie Ponedel, who had started as an actress and dancer in silent film. Dot quickly went from silent actress to not-so-silent makeup artist by virtue of offering her opinion on Nancy Carroll's makeup in a scene from "Follow Thru".  https://www.amazon.com/About-Face-Dottie-Ponedel-Make-up/dp/1629332852

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Blink & You Might Miss Me is a humorous look back at Larry Blum's personal journey in show business. Sharing engaging stories, rare clips and photos from his long and varied career, Larry illustrates the unique opportunity he has had to experience celebrity up close and personal. Whether dancing in A Chorus Line onstage, in the feature film cult classic Xanadu or on TV's Solid Gold, or acting on every major daytime drama, Larry's love of the business is apparent. He also enjoys the honor of escorting the glamorous women of Hollywood as they ascend the stairs to the stage to accept various awards. Though his name may not be a household word, Blink & You Might Miss Me is his moment to take center stage. The show is skillfully directed by film and television producer/writer Stan Zimmerman. It was originally produced in Los Angeles by Combined Artform. Larry Blum began his career in show business dancing in productions of I Married An Angel starring Phyllis Newman, Bye Bye Birdie starring Lucie Arnaz and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying starring Van Johnson. After playing the role of Greg in the international production of A Chorus Line, Larry settled in Los Angeles and danced on The Third Barry Manilow Special, The Bea Arthur Special, The Tonight Show, the Opening Ceremony of the 1984 Summer Olympics, The People's Choice Awards, and Solid Gold. His film credits include Xanadu and 18 Again (with George Burns), and he has appeared on the television series Roseanne, The Jeffersons, The Golden Girls, and The Garry Shandling Show, among others.

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Patti D’Beck is a long-time veteran of Broadway and regional theatre. Her Broadway credits as Associate Choreographer, Supervisor, Dance Captain, and Actor include the original productions of Applause (Lauren Bacall), A Chorus Line, Seesaw, Pippin (Ben Vereen), Evita, The Will Rogers’ Follies, My One and Only (Twiggy and Tommy Tune), The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, and the Broadway revivals of Annie Get Your Gun (Bernadette Peters), Bells are Ringing (Faith Prince), and Grease! (Rosie O’Donnell, Lucy Lawless). In 2016 Ms. D’Beck collaborated with Jeff Calhoun on the world premiere of Frank Wildhorn’s musical Mata Hari in Seoul, So. Korea. Patti also choreographed the opening number for the 1997 Tony Awards and served as assistant or associate choreographer to Tommy Tune and Graciela Daniele on many productions. She has directed and choreographed many stars including Bernadette Peters, Liza Minnelli, Brooke Shields, Lucy Arnaz, Reba McEntire, Keith Carradine, Sandy Duncan, Lucy Lawless and many, many more. This past fall she worked with American Dance Machine to recreate Will Rogers’ Follies ‘Our Favorite Son’, which she helped create on Broadway. She also was part of a panel for Dancers Over 40, honoring Tommy Tune and Kevin Winkler’s new book. In 2022 she will be directing NUNSENSE, starring Sally Struthers at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts. In addition, she works at the VCU Center for Patient Safety and Human Simulation as a Standardized Patient (SP). As an SP, Patti portrays patient scenarios in order to instruct and train medical students, residents, and fellows in the art of critical thinking, patient safety, team interaction, decision making, clinical techniques and communication.

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Jan is a highly-prolific artist, often juggling multiple projects at once. She’s currently working on a “Best of” album which pulls a number of smash hits from her top selling CD’s. The versatile singer has already landed a Billboards No.#1 for her album “The Way of a Woman,” (penned by Jan herself, among 5 other songs), including tracks from her acclaimed “Where There’s Hope'' CD which was backed by the Les Brown Jr. Swinging Big Band and the Springfield Symphony. Not to mention featuring songs from her “Broadway Memories” CD that Broadway World Magazine raves.. “Daley is a mastery of dynamic vocal range… she delivers these gems in a whole new & refreshing way…Be prepared to be enthralled!” Jan has a few surprises for us, similarly from her “Live” CD, with the beautiful “The Prayer” duet and to top it off, a few Christmas Songs from her Billboard’s No#4 Home for Christmas CD, Expect timeless tracks, beautiful duets and an impressive vocal range in this show-stopping CD that shows us why Jan remains center stage in the traditional Jazz world. “The Best of Jan Daley CD, has something for everyone!! Miss Daley made her major breakthrough in the music industry in 2017 and 2018. Working with legendary Motown producer and writer Michael B. Sutton, she put out her first EP “When Sunny Gets Blue.” It was a worldwide hit, landing her a top spot on the AOL Smooth Music Jazz Chart. She followed it up with Billboards No#1, “The Way of a Woman” and months later “Home for Christmas". www.jandaly.com

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JOHN PIELMEIER began his career as an actor, working at Actors Theater of Louisville, the Guthrie Theater, Milwaukee Rep, Alaska Rep, Baltimore’s Center Stage, and the Eugene O’Neill National Playwrights’ Conference. It was at the O’Neill that his play Agnes of God was first staged. A co-winner of the Great American Play contest, Agnes premiered professionally at Actors Theater of Louisville, which production was followed by several regional productions and a seventeen month run on Broadway. His other plays include Voices in the Dark, produced on Broadway and winner of the 1999 Edgar Award for Best Play (published by Broadway Play Publishing); Haunted Lives, a collection of one-acts published by Dramatists Play Service; Courage, a one-man show about J.M. Barrie, produced at the Lambs’ Theatre off-Broadway, published by Playscripts, Inc. and filmed for public television; The Boys of Winter, produced on Broadway and published by Playscripts, Inc.; Sleight of Hand, produced on Broadway; Jass, presented at the O’Neill Playwrights’ Conference and workshopped at the New Harmony Project; Impassioned Embraces, a collection of short plays and monologues, published by Dramatists Play Service; Steeplechase the Funny Place, a musical (with music and lyrics by Matty Selman) workshopped at the New Harmony Project; Young Rube, a musical (also with Mr. Selman), workshopped at the Gathering at Bigfork in Bigfork, Montana and first produced at the Repertory Theatre of Saint Louis; Willi, a one-man show based on the speeches of mountaineer Willi Unsoeld, which premiered (and was performed by the author) at A Contemporary Theatre in Seattle (breaking box office records); The Classics Professor, workshopped at The Gathering at Bigfork and at CAP21, New York City.