Richard Skipper to Celebrate Father's Day at the Beechman

Russ Woolley presents Richard Skipper Celebrates ... A Special Father's Day Brunch Show celebrating the birthdays of Jeanette MacDonald and Sammy Cahn, and remembering Peter Allen on the anniversary of his passing. Sunday, June 18th at 1 pm at The Laurie Beechman Theatre below The West Bank Cafe at 407 West 42 Street.

Musical guests for the event are Sarah Rice, who's known for her cabaret work as well as soprano roles, including being the original Johanna on Broadway in Sweeney Todd, one of her frequent concert co-stars, the versatile baritone, Mark Watson, actor-singer David Sabella (first to play Mary Sunshine in the revival of Chicago, among other theatre, opera, and recording credits) and comic/singer Warren Schein. One of the extra special moments in this ongoing series is an additional performance by a special mystery guest. Previous Mystery Guests have included Melba Moore, Anita Gillette, Hilary Kole, Stacy Sullivan, Jana Robbins, Seth Sikes, Carole Demas, and Ruby Rakos.

Richard Skipper, chipper singing host/interviewer has been hobnobbing with show biz folks for years and knows everyone in Cabaret and almost EVERYONE in show business! and ... almost everything about them, making him the perfect host for this ongoing classic variety/talk show format .. a tour-de-force cabaret show where top names in musical entertainment meet to talk and perform, filled with songs, stories and recollections of lifetimes and moments in show business.

Previous Celebrations have included a Reunion Show for Hello, Dolly! cast members, A Birthday Party for Liza Minnelli, a Celebration of the Music of WW II for Armed Forces Day and A Birthday Celebration for lyricist/bookwriter Yip Harburg. The program will be under the Musical Direction Of Tedd Firth, with Rex Benincasa on percussion and Jeff Carney on bass.

George Washington may be the Father of Our Country, among the men whom Abraham Lincoln famously called "our forefathers," and James Brown may be the Godfather of soul, the recently deceased Chuck Berry one of the fathers of rock and roll, Gilbert and Sullivan are arguably the grandfathers of musical comedy, and Bobby Short the spiritual father of elegant cabaret singer-pianists, but this Father's Day it's time to join the man bringing back variety and chatty interviewing in cabaret, taking the hosting and toasting mantle from men also known to burst into song, like Merv Griffin, Mike Douglas, Steve Allen, and Regis Philbin -who else but the guy bringing back the live and lively chat show format with ageless music-the Foster Father of the Talk/Variety Show, Richard Skipper.

Keeping the flame alive, like when Ed Sullivan and TV musical special extravaganzas filled the air, Mr. Skipper's guest-stuffed shows are a brunch with a special punch of excitement and devilish fun with music, mirth and mimosas.

$30 Cover/$20 Minimum per person. *Bottomless Brunch available. Add $20 to any brunch entree and receive unlimited mimosas, screwdrivers or bloody marys! Doors open 12:15pm. Previous shows in this series have SOLD OUT! Reservations a must! For tickets go to web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/968230. Laurie Beechman THEATRE AT THE WEST BANK CAFE is located at 407 West 42nd Street, New York, NYC.

The afternoon is also made possible by support from Wright Bros. Real Estate, Nyack, New York.

Note: Richard Skipper is an artist in residence at The Laurie Beechman and will be taking a short hiatus after this Father's Day show returning September 10th and scheduled monthly through January 31, 2018.

Photo Credit: Joe Marzullo

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