Richard Skipper

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article or section needs to be wikified to meet Wikipedia's quality standards.
Please help improve this article with relevant internal links. (July 2007)

Richard Skipper is an American stage actor, singer and tribute artist. Although he has created a vast array of characterizations; he is most noteworthy for his tribute to Carol Channing.

For more than a decade he has been paying tribute to Ms. Channing in a host of original shows which have been performed all over the world. Most recently, his show "Carol Channing In Concert Starring Richard Skipper!" was expanded to an audience interactive two act evening of theatre featuring a band and three back-up singers which completed a very successful 5 week run at The Wings Theatre in NY. After closing that show, he was off to the Cultural Center Theater in Port Charlotte Florida and on to Aspen for another show after that. On March 31, he was a surprise special guest for the Dancer’s over 40 tribute to Gower Champion, featuring David Hartman and Marge Champion, and he performed there again on May 19 for the Spring Fling. In April, he was a featured performer at the County Executive Arts Awards at the Arts Council of Rockland's 2008 Awards Ceremony. In another exciting development, Marge Champion and Lee Roy Reams, who worked very closely with Carol Channing, will be coaching Richard for his upcoming show, a concert version of "Hello Dolly!"

Richard Skipper's work has been endorsed and supported by Carol Channing herself. Channing appeared with Skipper and the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus at the San Francisco Palace of Fine Arts. Skipper also did a special performance for Carol Channing at The American Theatre Wing Gala honoring Carol Channing, James Earl Jones, and Tommy Tune. He also did the FIRST benefit performance for The Dr.Carol Channing-Harry Kullijian Endowment For The Arts with Carol Channing, Harry Kullijian, Marge Champion, Joe Franklin, Rex Reed, Ervin & Edith Drake in attendance. His special guest star that night was Neil Sedaka.

Carol Channing wrote, "For public dissemination-- Letter of appreciation to a friend and artist to Richard Skipper from Carol Channing. June 12th 2007 Dear friend Richard Skipper, Recently, in New York, at a gala event celebration for the American Theatre Wing, you brought a surprise on June Fourth of 2007. You performed for a newcomer to the field of entertainment, a Ms. Carol Channing. She is young, beautiful, and inexperienced but you honored her anyway. Richard, you helped bring the audience to celebrate a great legend. The following evening you had prepared a venue for a gift to a Foundation for the Arts. Again, Carol Channing was honored by you. You are donating the revenue to the Dr. Carol Channing Foundation for the Arts. These funds will be used to reestablish arts in education for the 6 1/2 million public school students in California. Hopefully, this will become an avalanche and a boon for our kids. Thank you Richard for your continued assistance to restore society with a rich culture that brings honor to us all. The first time EVER I have been shown with such love, respect and polish. You are a TRUE MUSICAL COMEDY STAR! YOU ARE FABULOUS AS ME!!"

Other career highlights have included appearances at Carnegie Hall, long running engagements at Trump's Taj Mahal and The Hilton Hotel in Atlantic City, engagements at Casino Windsor and The Windsor Hilton Hotel in Windsor, Ontario, The Friars Club, the Russian Tea Room, Tavern on the Green, Le Cirque an appearance on Late Night With Conan O'Brien", and WINDSTAR CRUISE LINE.

He was the featured performer for the Makar Caring Community benefit in New York City along with Dody Goodman, Rex Reed, Lee Roy Reams, and Steve Ross. Other celebrities he has shared the stage with include: Celeste Holm (York Theatre), Rue McClanahan, Claire Bloom, Donna McKechnie, Hayley Mills, Tony Roberts, and George Shearing. Richard Skipper often donates his time for benefit performances and fund-raisers including work for The Dr. Carol Channing-Harry Kullijian Foundation for the Arts [1], Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids, The Actors Fund and other charities.

[edit] Awards

Nominated for the 2007 County Executive Arts Awards in the category of Performing Artist by Arts Council of Rockland County, New York
Back Stage Bistro Award for Outstanding Achievement in Impersonation
Winner of 2 MAC Awards (Manhattan Association of Cabaret and Clubs)
Leonardo DaVinci Award for his show Carol Channing's Broadway
Winner of 2 Mickey Awards for his work at "The Ice Palace" on Fire Island
Named Top Cabaret Performer by Cabaret Hotline
2006 IGCITA (International Guild of Celebrity & Tribute Artists) Cloney Award
The Key to the City of Conway South Carolina, presented by the Mayor