Richard Skipper Celebrates

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Thrust into the spotlight at the tender age of four, Christopher M. Allport was quickly discovered fearlessly singing America the Beautiful — standing atop a grand piano at a local Japanese restaurant — by former Radio City Rockette, Madylin Clark.  After earning his BA, in Film Production, magna cum laude, with double minors in classical music and journalism, from Loyola Marymount University, Allport continued his studies in the private studios of Maria Newman, the Mary Pickford Foundation, the Annenberg Foundation, the Hearst Foundation and in the editorial traditions of legendary Oscar winner, Walter Murch. Allport has also toured Europe, Africa and North America as a noted Broadway and Classical singer, pioneering new musical roles in both Hollywood and New York. In music composition, Allport’s classical suite Arise Awake o Christmas Day was recorded by the Hollywood Chamber Orchestra and is currently highly regarded as a favorite Christmastime playlist on all major music outlets. With such passion for both music and film — reaching back into cinema’s early beginnings — Allport broadly opines that film can’t exist without music and people don’t want to experience music without film. Therefore, the two are forever intertwined. If you think about it, there really couldn’t be a more graceful marriage! As such, Allport wrote and directed Emily or Oscar — now imminent in its release — a musical, cinematic love letter to old Hollywood and its United Artists founders, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, D.W. Griffith, and of course, Charlie Chaplain. Some of the film’s stars include Susan Boyd Joyce (Happy Days) and Golden Globe winner Susan Blakely.

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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. Helane Blumfield came to both cabaret entertaining and cabaret photography after a long career in the fashion industry that informed and nurtured her talent behind the camera. Pamela Clay is a world-traveled Army brat born in Fort Sill, Oklahoma who lived many years in France and Germany, is fluent in French and speaks some German. New Orleans-born artist-musician Bruce Bermudez has created art for many of Hollywood’s major studios and production houses such as Paramount Studios, Warner Brothers, and Sony Pictures featured on films, television and commercials. As a member of the New Christy Minstrels, Bruce performed at major venues all over the world, including the White House, New York’s Rockefeller Center, and the London Palladium for the Queen of England. Ted Nash was born in Los Angeles into a musical family (his father, Dick Nash, and uncle, the late Ted Nash, were both well-known jazz and studio musicians). He is a co-founder of the New York-based Jazz Composers Collective, a musician-run, non-profit innovative entity dedicated to presenting the original works of composers, and is also a long-standing member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Richard Skipper: www.RichardSkipper.com

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DAVID SABELLA, award-winning singer and actor, celebrates the release of his new CD “Time Heals” at Pangea with his show, “Pandemic Relief.” The album “Time Heals” was recorded live during two previous performances of “Pandemic Relief,” and features musical favorites from Broadway and the Great American Songbook, re-set in new, illuminating arrangements by Christopher Denny, Gregory Toroian, the late Rick Jensen, and Music Director Mark Hartman.  David Sabella, best known for his years on Broadway in the musical CHICAGO, is also an award- winning actor, and an internationally recognized classical singer whom Luciano Pavarotti deemed “Excellent, not good, excellent!” In addition to originating the starring role of “Mary Sunshine” in the 1996 revival of CHICAGO with Bebe Neuwirth, Ann Reinking, Joel Grey, James Naughton and Marcia Lewis, Sabella joined the national touring company of CHICAGO for the historic opening of Mandalay Bay (Las Vegas) and then returned to the Broadway company to appear with Melanie Griffith as Roxie Hart. Sabella also starred in numerous productions, and in various leading roles Off-Broadway, at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall.  After the phenomenal success of CHICAGO, David's personal caricature was unveiled (June 1998) and hangs in the world-famous theater restaurant, Sard's. Sabella is also the author (with Sue Matsuki) of “So You Want to Sing Cabaret,” (2020, Rowman &Littlefield), The Owner and Chief Editor of www.CabaretHotspot.com, and one of NYC’s most sought after voice & performance coaches, www.sabellavoice.com.

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In today’s complex and challenging world, we often find ourselves facing problems for which there seem to be no answers. In this practical and inspirational book, songwriter and author David Friedman explores the idea that there are ALWAYS answers, and they often come in ways we don’t expect, if only we are willing to be open to the possibilities. In 1990, David wrote the song, Help is on the Way, in response to the AIDS crisis. First sung by Nancy LaMott, it has since become the theme song for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, and has helped raise millions of dollars for charitable and humanitarian causes around the world. Each chapter in the book is a line from the song, and is filled with stories, essays, anecdotes, quotations and practical advice. So whatever challenges you may be facing today, pick up this book, and know that Help is on the Way. From We Can Be Kind to Listen To My Heart, Help Is On The Way, We Live on Borrowed Time, Trust The Wind, I'll Be Here With You and hundreds more, David Friedman has written songs of inspiration, love and hope that take on new emotional meaning in these challenging times. With 5 Broadway shows, his own Off Broadway Show , 8 Disney Films, 3 television series and recordings by such artists as Diana Ross, Barry Manilow and Nancy LaMott to his credit, David has, in recent years, come to realize that his true mission in life is to help heal and enlighten people in whatever ways he can. With this in mind, David recently wrote a book entitled The Thought Exchange – A Practical Method of Moving Beyond "Positive Thinking" and spends a great deal of time traveling around the country lecturing, giving concerts and teaching Thought Exchange principles in workshops and private sessions.

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Tony Waag (tap dancer, director, producer, choreographer, teacher & speaker) Tony Waag founded the American Tap Dance Foundation a non-profit New York City based tap dance organization in 2001 with a mission of establishing and legitimizing Tap Dance as a vital component of American Dance through creation, presentation, education, and preservation. He also created Tap City, the annual New York City Tap Festival with premiere performances of all styles of tap by artists from around the world, as well as an extensive training program for adults, teens and children, city wide events, tap jams, student showcases, panel discussions, lectures and film screenings. As a performer and choreographer, he has been featured in hundreds of concert, film and television productions including appearances at the legendary Apollo Theater, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the United Nations, the Lincoln Center "Out-of-Doors" Festival, PBS’s "Great Performances. Mr. Waag has received numerous grants towards the presentation and preservation of tap dance as a unique American art form. In 2002, he created the first International Tap Dance Hall of Fame honoring the contributions of legendary tap dancers by preserving their legacies for future generations to enjoy.  In January of 2010, he opened the American Tap Dance Center in New York City where he currently directs on-going education and training programs for tappers of all ages and levels. Most recently Mr. Waag donated his entire archives to the Jerome Robbins Dance Division of the New York Public Library at the Lincoln Center, NYC. Check out current activities at: atdf.org

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Hailed as “a star performer,” Bart Shatto has made his mark on Broadway, TV, Concert, and beyond. A member of the original Broadway casts of Tony-nominated "Hands on a Hardbody” and "The Civil War,” he has also been seen on Broadway in “War Paint,” the iconic role of Jean Valjean in "Les Miserables” and as originating the role of Quincey Morris in “Dracula.” Helen-Hayes nominated for the Ford's Theatre production of "The Civil War," he has worked with award-winning directors Michael Greif, Andy Blankenbuehler, Des McAnuff, Jerry Zaks, Jason Moore, Neil Pepe, Jeff Calhoun, Richard Maltby Jr. and Gabriel Barre. Regionally, he has performed at renowned regional theaters including Papermill Playhouse, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Alley Theatre, Ford's Theatre and the Barter Theatre, and more. As a voiceover artist, Bart can be heard as the voice of "Gaspard's Papa" in the animated series for Disney Jr. "Gaspard and Lisa". As a singer, he is a veteran member of the Gold/Platinum-selling symphonic progressive rock band Trans-Siberian Orchestra, who have sold over 10 million concert tickets, and 10 million concert albums, and play to 1 million fans each season. Billboard Magazine ranked TSO the top 25 touring artists of the decade. Cast albums include Stephen Schwartz's "Children of Eden" and "Tara Tremendous" (also released by Broadway Records in 2017). Bart’s solo show “Back to Broadway: Heroes, Villains and Dreamers” will be produced at Feinsteins/54 Below later this year.  He resides in New Jersey with his wife, Dr. Amy Bladen PhD, and their German Shepard, Maverick. https://www.bartshatto.com

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The making and impact of West Side Story has so far been recounted only in vestiges. In the pages of this book, the backstage tale comes to life along with insight on what has made the film a favorite across six decades: its brilliant use of dance as staged by erstwhile co-director Jerome Robbins; a meaningful story, as set to Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim's soundtrack; the performances of a youthful ensemble cast featuring Natalie Wood, Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, and more; a film with Shakespearean roots (Romeo and Juliet) that is simultaneously timeless and current. West Side Story was a triumph that appeared to be very much of its time; over the years it has shown itself to be eternal. Richard Barrios received degrees in both music and film history and worked in both music and film before turning his attention to writing. Still in the realm of musicals, he then directed his attention to a beloved film with WEST SIDE STORY: THE JETS, THE SHARKS, AND THE MAKING OF A CLASSIC (2020). For Busby Berkeley: Going Through the Roof, a co-production of PBS Great Performances, Turner Classic Movies, and Channel 4 (UK), Barrios was both narrator and onscreen commentator.  Barrios served as both programmer and lecturer for the film series “Musicals Before the Code.” Among the many venues where he has spoken and presented films are the 92nd Street Y in New York, the American Film Institute, the Smithsonian Institution,and the Gershwin Festival in Washington DC.

https://www.amazon.com/West-Side-Story-Sharks-Classic/dp/076246948X

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Ken has designed nearly 100 Broadway productions including Act One, Chaplin, Hugh Jackman Back on Broadway, The Scottsboro Boys, Sondheim on Sondheim, [Title of Show], The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe starring Lily Tomlin, Footloose, Candide (1997), Annie (1997), Annie Warbucks, Inherit the Wind, Moon Over Buffalo, The Red Shoes, Fiddler on the Roof (1990, 81,76), Lettice and Lovage, Tru, Meet Me in St. Louis, On the 20th Century, Side by Side by Sondheim among others. He has been honored with seven Tony award nominations and received the 1997 Tony Award for his work on Chicago.  For a complete list of Broadway shows go to www.idbd.com. For a more complete list go to www.lortel.org/lla_archive Ken works in all forms of theatrical lighting including opera, dance, concerts and spectaculars. 13 productions for the NY City Opera including: Candide, the American premiers of Silverlake, The Voice of Ariadne and Ashmedai. Other companies include Dallas Opera, Chicago Lyric Opera, San Francisco Opera, La Scala, Theatro Real in Madrid and Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires. Some of the great entertainers that Ken has lit include Hugh Jackman, Ann-Margret, Shirley MacLane, Liberace, Sigfried and Roy, Juliet Prowse, Chita Rivera and Lisa Minelli to name just a few. For 27 years the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular had lighting by Ken Billington as well as the annual Easter Show. Other spectaculars include the relighting of Jubilee at Bally’s Las Vegas in 2004, Fantasmic! at Disneyland, Shamu Night shows at the Seaworld Parks and Illuminights at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.

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As a student at Richland High School, now Pine-Richland High School (Gibsonia, PA; North of Pittsburgh), Calhoun was interested in both athletics and performance, playing football and studying tap dance. He danced in the ensemble at The Kenley Players in Ohio in the late 1970s where he met Tommy Tune. Tune later hired Calhoun to perform in the First National Tour of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Calhoun made his Broadway debut in the stage adaptation of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1982). Calhoun’s collaboration with Tommy Tune resulted in the 1991 Tony Award for Best Choreography for The Will Rogers Follies. His Broadway directing debut was Tommy Tune Tonight! (1992). Calhoun began his association with Deaf West Theatre in 2000 when he directed and choreographed a world premiere adaptation of Oliver! Calhoun directed the Disney musical Newsies. After a critically acclaimed run at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey in Fall 2011, Disney Theatrical Productions announced that the show would transfer to Broadway for a strictly limited engagement. The new musical boasts Best Musical and Best Director of a Musical for Calhoun. Theatre includes: Broadway: Jekyll and Hyde (Marquis Theatre, Broadway); Newsies: The Musical (Nederlander Theatre, Broadway), Bonnie and Clyde (Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, Broadway) Grey Gardens (Walter Kerr Theatre, Broadway); Brooklyn: The Musical (Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, Broadway), Big River (American Airlines Theatre, Broadway), Bells Are Ringing (Plymouth Theatre, Broadway), Annie Get Your Gun (Marquis Theatre, Broadway), Grease (Eugene O’Neill Theatre, Broadway), The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public (Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, Broadway). West End: 9 to 5 (Savoy Theatre). National Tours: Jekyll and Hyde (US Tour), Newsies: The Musical (US Tour)

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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. Performer, producer, activist, community leader, Ray DeForest, a successful lifelong working actor and singer, may also be known to some as his popular theatrical character, Doris Dear. 3 time winner of the MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets) Award, actress and comedienne Doris Dear, has been featured in numerous movie and TV productions, performs in her own sold-out cabaret-style shows and stars in her Telly Award winning series “Doris Dear’s Gurl Talk'', in its 3rd season now streaming on BroadwayOnDemand.  https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2039418/ Jan Daley is a highly prolific artist, often juggling multiple projects at once. She is currently working on a “Best of” album which pulls several smash hits from her top selling CD’s.  https://www.jandaley.com/  After a fulfilling 35 year career as a Reform rabbi/cantorial soloist (and one of the first 50 women to be ordained as a rabbi), Deborah Zecher has now embraced the world of cabaret as a full time passion.  https://deborahzecher.com With 42 years in the entertainment industry under his belt, Richard Skipper has excelled in most areas of show business. He is a proud member of Actors Equity.  His blog, Richard Skipper Celebrates led its way into a talk/variety series that ran for 2 1/2 years.