Richard Skipper Celebrates

On February 25, 1963, Columbia Records released The Barbra Streisand Album. The first song was “Cry Me a River,” and with that a star was born. Barbra Joan Streisand had a zany personality backed by a talent that Stephen Sondheim once described as “one of the two or three best voices in the world of singing songs,” adding “It’s not just her voice but her intensity, her passion and control.” Harold Arlen, another of her favorite composers, commented, ”This young lady . . . has a stunning future.” With all-male rock groups like the Beatles, the Beach Boys, and the Four Seasons ruling the charts, no one expected a twenty-year-old female singer from Brooklyn to not just hit No. 1, but repeat that accomplishment every decade that followed all the way to the next millennium and become the best-selling female recording artist of all time. Now, for the first time ever, comes the definitive book on the extensive recording career of this towering cultural icon, the Funny Girl considered by many to be the most talented singer of her generation. Barbra Streisand: The Music | The Albums | The Singles takes readers on a journey through every album, soundtrack, and single Streisand has released over the past sixty years. Our guide on this musical tour is Matt Howe, who has run Barbra Archives, the definitive Streisand-themed website, since 2003. He also has assisted Team Streisand on her Release Me album series. Besides analysis of every studio, live concert, and official compilation release, the book contains over three hundred FULL-COLOR photos from the albums, press kits, and Streisand herself.

Chocolate Covered Cashews Day, National Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet Day occurs annually on the third Friday in April. The day aims to raise awareness and effectively rid homes of unused or expired prescription and over-the-counter medications sitting in medicine cabinets, nightstands, or kitchen cabinets that have the potential for misuse or abuse by family members, friends, or visitors. Each year on April 21st, National Kindergarten Day honors the birthday of the man who started the first Kindergarten. Friedrich Wilhelm August Fröbel (April 21, 1782 – June 21, 1852) is credited with starting the very first Kindergarten in Germany in 1837. Frobel was a German teacher and a student of Johann Pestalozzi. Frobel laid a foundation for modern education, recognizing that children learn through play and experience. Recent Bistro AND MAC Award Winner Ann Talman returns to our show today! Ann Talman was born in Welch, West Virginia. She is an actress and writer, known for Limitless (2011), Wall Street (1987) and Serendipity (2001).

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Hillary Rollins is an award-winning bicoastal multi-media creator - working as a writer and producer in music, theater, television, live performance and new media. Her specialty lay in telling deeply human stories by bringing humor and insight to life’s absurdities. Now, she’s excited about adding the wisdom of age and experience to the passions of her youth. Current projects include a music video of the song, My Daughters (Hillary Rollins - lyrics, Michele Brourman - music, inspired by a poem by Jo-Ann Mort), an emotional call to action for women of all generations. In post-production is a collaboration with writer/producers John Forster and Tom Toce, The New Decameron, a video concert of original story songs performed by celebrated singer/songwriters during lockdown. In the developmental stage is Don’t Embarrass the Office a documentary film about her father, legendary talent manager Jack Rollins & his impact on the comedy world. Which explains Hillary’s penchant for all-things funny and a life-long addiction to show-biz. And music. In fact, her mother, Jane, sang professionally with the quartet, The Tattlers, in both night clubs and on television prompting Hillary to follow suit. Her first foray into performance was as a member Hilly, Lilli and Lulu, a vocal trio - noted in the NY Times - for their 1940’s style harmonies peppered with charm, humor and patter. She went on to perform in a variety of genres and venues from downtown cabarets to European opera houses and toured with an international production of the Broadway musical, HAIR. “I enjoy performing, but, first and foremost, I’m a writer. How could I not be?"

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Herbie J Pilato is a producer, writer, and TV personality who has worked for Sony, Warner Bros., NBC/Universal, Bravo, TLC, E!, A&E, and more. In 2010, he founded the Classic TV Preservation Society, a formal 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the positive social influence of classic television programming. Pilato’s extensive list of pop-culture/media tie-in books includes Retro Active Television, The 12 Best Secrets of Christmas, celebrity biographies of Mary Tyler Moore, and Elizabeth Montgomery, and many more. Pilato has written for the Television Academy and Emmys.com, Closer Weekly, and served for over 25 years as Contributing Editor to Larry Brody’s prestigious TVWriter.com. In 2019, he hosted and co-executive produced Then Again with Herbie J Pilato, the hit classic TV talk show on Amazon Prime and Shout! Factory TV. He’s appeared as a cultural commentator on a number of TV documentaries, and DVD and Blu-ray releases, including the Saturn-award-winning Blu-ray release of The Six Million Dollar Man. Pilato has recently appeared on CNN’s acclaimed 8-part series, History of the Sitcom, and will soon be seen in the Reelz Channel’s new documentary, Elizabeth Montgomery: A Bewitched Life (for which he also served as a co-writer and co-executive producer). His new biography of Sean Connery will be published in the fall (for the 40th Anniversary of Never Say Never Again – Connery’s final bow as James Bond). He just completed a new biography of Diana Rigg. He working on a new combined book about George Lucas and Steven Spielberg and their blockbuster films, and a new Christmas TV Memories book, while he also readies his new Christmas music CD.

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Lolita Milena is a paraplegic actress and author. Born in Siberia, Milena immigrated to the United States in 2002 as a toddler with her then foster family. As a result of a fall, through child abuse, Milena was left permanently paralyzed. It was shortly after she was adopted by her current family. Her introduction to the arts began in musical theatre at the early age of 6 years old. Having performed in an accumulated 20 theatrical productions, Milena had turned to social media platforms to create content ranging from short skits to special effect makeup. During her junior year of high school in 2017, Milena had taken on the challenge in writing a 50,000 word novel in only 30 days. Not only did she surpass the word count goal by 14,000, but did so in 20 days. Her first published novel, "2459," won her first place in her state for the NANOWRIMO content. In 2017, Milena had discovered TikTok, opening a new world of possibilities and opportunities. She had gained popularity on the platform by uploading short acting and comedic skit clips. As of January 2023, Milena had been steadily climbing the ranks on the popular app, with around 720,000 followers. In 2019, Milena was discovered by her management through TikTok, eventually booking the character, Jenna in Lionsgate and Buzzfeed's "1UP". While being an actress and self-published author, Milena also begun work relationships with cosmetic and clothing brands through social media platforms. These brands being and not limited to: TTDEYE, Abercrombie & Fitch, and OrangeJuicetheBrand Clothing. Milena was adopted by her current family at the age of 2 years old after the incident.

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Imagine you are an 8-year-old introvert informed by your father that you will spend the afternoon at a famous actor’s house—a famous actor you’ve never met! In fact, this famous actor from Hollywood’s golden age will be your babysitter. From the spooky car ride up a narrow driveway in Benedict Canyon to the creaky opening of the front door that reveals an elderly James Cagney, you are captivated! The star of The Public Enemy, Yankee Doodle Dandy, White Heat, Mister Roberts, and many other Hollywood classics is nothing like you’d expect. He’s not brash; he’s not a killer; he isn’t loud and he doesn’t sing and dance. He is quiet and gentle and full of imagination. In one afternoon away from the pressures of a perfectionist father, you relax and fall under the spell of a wonderful babysitter who makes you feel special and encourages you to enter an imaginary world where leprechauns come to life and owls speak to you from the trees. Hours later, you leave James Cagney’s house changed from a timid child into an enthusiastic young man who’s infused with self-confidence and ready for life’s next adventure. Ryan Cassidy is the youngest of the Cassidy brothers and is often placed into context with brothers David Cassidy (half-brother), Shaun Cassidy and Patrick Cassidy or parents Shirley Jones and the late Jack Cassidy. At first, Ryan was unswayed by the lure of show business and considered a career in law enforcement. Johnny Ray Miller, a native of Canton, Ohio, has been an aficionado of the Partridge Family television program and their recorded music from the show's beginnings. Miller is a concert and theatre producer, actor and director.

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Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Ron Lytle, we celebrate the 100th Birthday of Ann Miller. With clips and reminiscences from friends and colleagues. This is an episode you will not want to miss! Ann Miller was an American actress, dancer and singer. She is best remembered for her work in the Classical Hollywood cinema musicals of the 1940s and 1950s. Her early work included roles in Frank Capra's You Can't Take It with You and the Marx Bros. film Room Service.

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For over a century, the Miss American Pageant has been a symbol of beauty, glamour, and inspiration, funding women’s education, serving in multiple philanthropic organizations, and admired globally for its contributions. Experience the history, influence, controversy, and evolution of this iconic institution through the resolve of the women and men who fight to retain its legacy and future. Daniel FIsher is a documentary filmmaker that attended the University of South Carolina and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a minor in Film Studies. He and his brother Stephen conceptualized and built Fisher Films in 2011. Daniel has worked on numerous local and global productions. Stephen Fisher is a documentary filmmaker who has been a part of Fisher Films since its inception in 2011 alongside his brother, Daniel. Stephen’s abilities in visionary and creative thinking have been a tremendous asset in the success of Fisher Films. He is a lead on all creative aspects of projects. His expertise in production has led to consultative roles at multiple other companies and local television stations to help produce their own projects and content. 

Jay Pitts is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a degree in Political Science. Throughout his career he served 4 Governors over a span of 29 years as Real Estate Commissioner and Executive Director of the Engineers and Land Surveyors Board for the State of South Carolina. He also worked as Corporate Relations Director for the University of South Carolina and Director of Tourism, Marketing and Special Events for Pickens County. He recently joined Fisher Films as Executive Producer focusing on a lifelong passion of working in the production field.

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Today, I'll be wrapping up the week with five artists making a difference. Grab some coffee cake and join us!

Celia Berk is an award-winning vocalist whose recordings have attracted listeners around the world. She has made memorable appearances at Carnegie Hall, Jazz At Lincoln Center, Birdland Theater, The Town Hall and the National Arts Club. https://celiaberk.com Dana P. Rowe is an American musical theater composer whose works have been performed internationally with productions in London’s West End (Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Prince of Wales, The Donmar Warehouse), Russia, Czech Republic, Japan (including Tokyo’s Imperial Garden Theatre), Germany, Australia, New York City, São Paulo, Brazil and Slovenia.  

A native New Yorker, Deborah Stone began studying ballet at age eight at the Metropolitan Opera Ballet School. She became smitten by the stage when cast as a supernumerary in Met Opera productions from that time forward into her late teens. While there, she studied with Margaret Craske, Alfredo Corvino, and Antony Tudor.

Mark Nadler is an internationally acclaimed singer, pianist, tap-dancer and comedian. He is the recipient of the 2015 Broadway World Editor's Choice Award for Entertainer of the Year. His recent off-Broadway hit, I'm a Stranger Here Myself, has been honored with the 2013 Nightlife Award Mark Nadlerand was nominated for a Drama Desk Award and two Broadway World Awards. The show was presented at The Adelaide Cabaret Festival in Adelaide, Australia, where it was nominated for the prestigious Helpmann Award.

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This week on Creative Chat with Dr. Judi Bloom and Richard Skipper, they will celebrate three artists who are making a difference in the direction of the the theater! Before his arrival in Florida, Bryce Alexander served as the Artistic Director for Phamaly Theatre Company - at the time, one of the only semi-pro disability based theatre companies in the country. Recently named one of the “Women to Watch on Broadway” in 2023 by the Broadway Women’s Fund, Nico Juber is an award-winning musical writer, playwright, Millennial mom, and twenty-year lymphoma survivor. Brian Koons - from Delaware County, Pennsylvania , has performed in over 20 shows at 10 different venues. Most recently, he has performed locally with Stage Left Theatre and Theatre of The Republic. TOR is my hometown theatre where I made my debut 49 years ago!