RICHARD SKIPPER AS "CAROL CHANNING" IN CONCERT Begins Off-Broadway

New York City is getting a very special Christmas "Carol" this year! Richard Skipper, brings his critically-acclaimed show Richard Skipper AS "Carol Channing" IN CONCERT Off-Broadway, with performances set to begin December 22nd at St. Luke's Theatre, 306 West 46th Street (between Eighth & Ninth Ave.) Opening night will be Wednesday January 12th. The production will be directed by Mark Robert Gordon. A portion of the proceeds from this Off-Broadway premiere will benefit The Dr. Carol Channing & Harry Kullijian Foundation for The Arts.

Richard Skipper AS "Carol Channing" IN CONCERT celebrates the career and persona of the unique theatrical legend. Accompanied by a three-piece band, Skipper blends Channing's standards with original material and other familiar songs sung in a spot-on Channing-on-Broadway perfection. The musical surveys Channing's life with many stops along the way for Skipper's unique --and riotous-- "ad-lib" interactions with the audience.

Richard Skipper is a four-time recipient of the MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabaret) Award and a Back Stage Bistro Award for Best Performer. He was named one of the Top Ten Cabaret Performers by Cabaret Hotline and one of the Top of the Century Premiere Cabaret Acts by Cabaret Scenes Magazine.

Director Mark Robert Gordon is the Founding Artistic Director of Do Gooder Productions (2 1/2 Jews, On Deaf Ears), has co-starred in a dozen Off-Broadway plays (Grandma Sylvia's Funeral, The Magic Formula, the dreamer examines his pillow), has directed New York premieres by noted playwrights, and is the author of multiple plays. Later this season, he will perform in the Off-Broadway premiere of his one-man play about Alexander Hamilton, "H": Hamilton or Honour.

Carol Channing made her New York debut in Blitzstein's For an Answer and is the winner of three Tony Awards: Best Actress in a Musical (for her legendary portrayal of Dolly Levi in Jerry Herman's Hello, Dolly!), a Special Award, and Lifetime Achievement. Other notable Broadway credits include: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Show Girl, Lorelei, and The Vamp. Among her numerous TV and film successes was the madcap Muzzy in Thoroughly Modern Millie, which earned her an Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe Award.

The Dr. Carol Channing & Harry Kullijian Foundation For The Arts is dedicated to building a nationwide awareness campaign heralding the benefits of arts in the curriculum of public schools and providing musical instruments for low income school districts via the funding of scholarships for students and teachers in the arts.

Richard Skipper AS "Carol Channing" IN CONCERT is presented Off-Broadway by The Camelback Kid.

Performances will be every Wednesday at 2 pm and 8 pm; special added performances December 24th (7:30pm), Sunday January 2nd (3pm) and Monday & Tuesday January 10th & 11th (7pm). Tickets will be $41.50 to $66.50 (with Premium Seats at $76.50) and are available at www.Telecharge.com or by calling 212-239-6200. For more information, visit www.AsCarol.com.

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