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WHAT THE CRITICS ARE SAYING... |
"Thanks to Richard Skipper's endearing and affectionate tribute, Carol Channing, bejeweled, glittering and warmly glowing, is in residence at Wings Theatre, on Christopher Street."
-- Bruce-Michael Gelbert, QOnStage.com
"Mr. Skipper cavorted, pranced, played with the audience and sang her songs with his estimable on stage band and his knock-out Trio of singing/dancing adorable chorus boys, as he respectfully delineated the star he idolizes."
"Carol has become a fan of Richard Skipper's. He's the bawdy, bigger than life, but brilliant performer who is doing Carol all over the place. "
"Before the parade passes by, you'd better catch Carol Channing in Concert Starring Richard Skipper, who's well known for ebulliently capturing the sibilant, wide-eyed wonder of one of Broadway's platinum treasures."
"To judge from the enthusiastic reaction of the audience, most of whom had obviously seen some version of this show before, Richard Skipper as Carol Channing is well on his way to becoming a cult figure. In a two-act version of his popular cabaret show, Skipper had the time and space to develop his concept of the legendary musical theater star, who has said of him, "He is FABULOUS AS ME!""
"The best part of any Richard Skipper-Carol Channing show is the performer-audience interaction. Just as Skipper is only positive in his Channing tribute, his communication with audience members is as dead on as Channing's own direct innocence."
"This was more than a cabaret show - it was bursting at the seams to become a full-fledged theatrical presentation ... Every arched eyebrow, every gesture, every vocal inflection is duplicated on stage. It was truly a mind-boggling, entertaining and magical hour of cabaret!"
"In "Carol Channing In Concert," Skipper not only looks and sounds like the original star of Hello, Dolly! and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, but his knowledgeable and loving portrayal gives us a realistic glimpse at the woman's passion for performing and desire to make a personal connection with the strangers who flocked to see her."
"In "An Evening with Carol Channing," on July 27th, Richard Skipper brought his dead-on impersonation of the glittery, throaty Broadway diva to the Ice Palace at the Grove Hotel once more. "
"The stage at Don't Tell Mama may be smaller than the stages of the Broadway Theatres a block east, but the talent onstage is just as large"
Channing / Skipper contributed favorite signature tunes "I Put My Hand In," from "Hello, Dolly," and "Diamonds Are a Girls Best Friend," from "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," and sounded uncannily like the ageless Broadway diva."
"Richard Skipper was in top form and his performance at this benefit was as good, if not better, than I have ever seen before. Richard Skipper's beautiful red gown and perfect wig only enhanced our appreciation of the STELLER impersonation he offered of Carol Channing. I have often said that Richard Skipper's Carol Channing IS the standard by which ALL other impersonators of this GRAND lady should be measured since he sings and performs as Carol Channing better than CAROL Channing could currently do herself."
"...when 'Carol' sings, "It Only Takes A Moment" from Jerry Herman's "Hello, Dolly!," Richard Skipper's translucence to Carol Channing's generous spirit leaves every member of the audience convinced of their worth, their dignity, and their ultimate connectedness and interdependence."
Richard Skipper proved himself an even better Carol than Carol.
"Skipper brought to life this icon of the American theatre, she of the broad grin and raspy warble. The evening was a pure delight. It takes a performer with a special touch to involve an audience, and Skipper has it... Woe to the man who tired to slip into his seat after the show had begun; Skipper was onto him like a heat-seeking missile. Skipper's impersonation amounted to adoration, and that was fine by the audience that gave him a standing O."
"Carol Channing, sort of... but better"
"Skipper sparkles with the glow of Channing's charisma, but the extra shine you see on stage is a product of a diamond-like brilliance that is his alone. [A]n unqualified musical comedy gem...[it] could easily transfer from its cabaret setting to an Off-Broadway stage. And it should."
"... the first time EVER I have been shown with such love, respect and polish!..."
"...it is Skipper's broad knowledge and kind understanding of her life and personality, as well as his talent for characterization, that allow him to capture that essence and portray Channing's bigger-than-life persona perfectly without ever falling back on artifice or reverting to mannerisms. No sophisticated viewer could fail to be charmed and thrilled by his performance....Richard Skipper [is] one of the top impersonators working today."
"There is no doubt in my mind that Richard Skipper is well on the way to international recognition and acclaim."
"As Channing, Skipper proves he's not just an impressionist, but a magician who conjures up an illusion. Physically and vocally he is near perfect creating a gender-bending tour de force."
"This is a show where audience interaction is paramount to its success. Mr Skipper's Channing has the great ability to reach into, quite literally, the audience and make them part of the evening's fun."
"... absolutely the best impersonator I've ever seen."
"Richard Skipper's Carol Channing is a living doll."
"[Skipper] is so good that he reinvents the idea of the impersonator and gives it new energy. The secret is that he has the utmost respect for Miss Channing... He doesn't make fun of her."
"There is no one in this town, or any other, who is so convincing as Richard doing Channing. His shows are always gems - diamonds to be exact."
"...95% dazzlingly perfect impersonation + 5% shrewd but - loving commentary = 100% hilarious. I certainly had a swell time." |