Richard Skipper is an Actor, Entertainer, Host and Historian whom I have known for well over a decade through his tribute shows Richard Skipper Celebrates.

We have only collaborated a few times together in recent years, so when the opportunity to feature Richard came up, I was very excited to be able to spotlight him in this way!

In this interview, Richard answered my call to share:

• How he came up with his new show, Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Richard Skipper (But Were Afraid To Ask)
• What it is like to perform a completely unscripted show
• The most surprising question he has been asked so far in this show
• How he went from celebrating Carol Channing to become her friend
• What is something the public doesn't know about Carol
• So much more

Connect with Richard: Website

Richard is getting ready to perform his newest show, Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Richard Skipper (But Were Afraid To Ask) at the newly renovated Laurie Beechman Theatre in NYC.

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Richard Skipper (But Were Afraid to Ask) is an unscripted, audience-driven cabaret evening that plays like a living memoir. In this one-of-a-kind experience, the audience submits questions and Richard responds in real time — through story, song, and spontaneous connection. No two shows are alike. It’s part talk show, part tribute, part party — and all heart.

Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Richard Skipper (But Were Afraid To Ask)  will play on Friday, May 30, 2025 at 7pm EST at The Laurie Beechman Theatre in NYC. Click here for tickets!

1. You are getting ready to perform your newest show, Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Richard Skipper (But Were Afraid to Ask), at the Laurie Beechman Theatre. How did you come up with the idea for this show? The idea for this show came about when I was asked to perform at the historic Salmagundi Club in March. It felt like the perfect moment to create something new — something personal, alive, and unpredictable.

Over the years, people have often said to me, “You should really turn your life and career stories into a show.” And truthfully, there are so many stories — too many to choose from. So I thought, why not let the audience decide?

That’s when it clicked: I would create a show where the audience asks the questions, and I respond in the moment — through stories, songs, or surprises. I love the spontaneity of it. I love the give and take. It feels less like a show and more like I’m hosting a party — one big room full of curiosity, connection, and shared joy.

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Richard Skipper (But Were Afraid to Ask) is different every night, because every audience is different. And for me, that makes each event an adventure — a celebration of where I’ve been, who I’ve met, and what we all bring into the room together.

2. The show is an unscripted evening shaped entirely by questions from the audience. How do you prepare for this kind of event, if you don't have a script or know what the audience will ask? It’s true — the show is completely unscripted, and that’s what makes it so thrilling. But even in spontaneity, there’s preparation.

Over the years, I’ve developed a knack for navigating whatever’s presented to me and guiding it toward a natural segue — often into a song, which I think of as a kind of emotional buffer in the show. Music becomes the bridge between stories and surprises.

Carol Channing was very scripted but always gave the impression that everything was off the cuff. She once said to me that she marveled at how I was able to just have conversations with members of my audience. That truly separated us in our entertainment styles.

My director, James Beaman, helps me prepare by tossing out completely random questions during rehearsals — I never know what he’s going to ask. That keeps me sharp, open, and in the moment. And my musical director, Dan Pardo, is right there with me. We have a wonderful off-the-cuff rapport, so we’re able to pivot and respond to the energy of the room in real time.

It’s not about having a script — it’s about trusting the conversation. I approach it like hosting a dinner party: I set the tone, but the guests shape the evening. The questions bring out memories, humor, depth, and occasionally the unexpected. That’s where the magic is. That’s why no two shows are ever the same.

Richard Skipper Celebrates 60 Years of Hello, Dolly!
At Santa Monica Playhouse

3. What do you like about the spontaneity this kind of performance will bring about for you? What I love most about the spontaneity of this kind of performance is that it takes me right back to my roots. I used to do lunchtime shows on the front steps of our high school — no script, just energy, instinct, and the joy of connecting with whoever happened to be passing by.

Later, I delivered singing telegrams, which brought their own set of wonderfully unpredictable, unscripted moments. You never knew what door you were knocking on — literally or figuratively.

This show brings that same spirit to the stage. For me, it’s like walking a tightrope without a net — and I find that exhilarating. It’s true improvisational theatre. There’s no hiding, no rehearsed narrative, just presence and play. I have no idea what’s going to come my way on any given night, but I’m open to it. That kind of trust — in myself, in my collaborators, and in the audience — is incredibly freeing.

It’s not about perfection. It’s about truth, response, and real-time connection. That’s the magic of live performance. And when it works — and it almost always does — it’s unforgettable. For the audience, and for me.

4. You have already performed Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Richard Skipper (But Were Afraid to Ask) out of town and at other NYC venues. What is the most surprising question you have been asked thus far? I debuted this show at The Salmagundi Club in New York, and it was a truly special evening — intimate, historic, and full of unexpected moments.

One question that completely caught me off guard was: “What is something you’ve never told an audience before — but should?”

It stopped me in my tracks. There was no time to filter or finesse. I had to go inward in real time and decide how vulnerable I was willing to be — and then trust the room.

That’s the beauty of this show. The questions don’t just invite stories — they invite truth. Sometimes it’s funny, sometimes it’s raw, but it’s always honest. And that particular moment reminded me why I created this format: to allow for real, unscripted human connection.

You can rehearse a punchline, but you can’t rehearse presence. That question brought out something I hadn’t shared onstage before — and probably wouldn’t have, had it not been for the trust in that room.

5. Prior to hosting shows, you were an actor/performer. What was the moment that made you want to move from performer to interviewer/historian? I wouldn’t say there was one defining moment — it was more like a thread that’s always been running through my life.

I grew up watching and admiring Merv Griffin, Ed Sullivan, and Johnny Carson. I was fascinated by the way they drew people out, made space for conversation, and celebrated talent. I always imagined creating my own persona that would combine the best of what they each offered.

And I’ve always had a deep affinity for those who came before me. That love of legacy was instilled early on by my mentor Miss Epps back in South Carolina. She taught me to honor the artists and storytellers who paved the way — and that became a core part of who I am.

Just before the pandemic, I launched Richard Skipper Celebrates — a live talk/variety format that allowed me to bring people together, spotlight others, and build a bridge between generations. Practically on the eve of lockdown, I launched a podcast version to stay connected. And honestly, it got me through the hardest months. It kept me engaged. It gave me purpose. But like so many others, I eventually hit a wall. Everyone had a podcast. It wasn’t sustainable — or profitable — and I missed the energy of the room.

That’s when I knew it was time to return to live performing. Not just to tell my story, but to keep the conversation going in real time, face to face. The historian in me will always be there — but the performer, the entertainer, that’s who I’ll always come home to.

Left to Right:
Brian Ballone, Carol Channing & Richard Skipper as Carol Channing

6. You are well known for your tribute shows to Carol Channing. Out of all the stars you knew at the time, what was it about Carol that made you want to impersonate her? Interestingly, it wasn’t something I ever actively set out to do — it happened organically. I never woke up one day and thought, “I’m going to impersonate Carol Channing.” In fact, my very first introduction to her wasn’t even her — it was Lucy Carmichael impersonating Carol Channing on an episode of The Lucy Show!

I’m a product of 1960s and 70s television. I grew up glued to the screen, absorbing every variety show, sitcom, and musical special that aired. I used to mimic everything I saw — voices, mannerisms, gestures. It wasn’t about impersonation back then, it was about play. It was about finding connection through expression.

But something about Carol stuck. Her energy, her timing, her uniqueness — she wasn’t trying to be anyone else, and that made her unforgettable. Over time, that imitation grew into something much deeper: respect, admiration, and eventually, a personal connection.

Impersonating Carol was never about doing a “drag act” or parody — it became a tribute. A celebration. And I consider it one of the great privileges of my life that I was able to honor her while she was still with us, and that she embraced me and my work in return.

Carol Channing and Richard Skipper
Photo Credit: Stephen Sorokoff

7. How did you go from being a fan of hers to being her friend? My journey with Carol Channing began as a fan — someone who admired her brilliance from afar. But it transformed into something far more personal after I had the privilege of performing for her for the first time.

After that show, Carol turned to the audience and said, “What Richard is doing is not just a tribute — it’s a valentine.” She told them that it was the first time she felt treated with respect, polish, and love. She had seen too many impersonators who were mocking her — and, in many cases, they were. But she recognized that what I was doing came from a place of reverence, not ridicule.

At the time, I was about to do my first full show at Don’t Tell Mama, and I knew I didn’t want to move forward without her blessing. She looked at me and said, “Take the gauntlet and run with it.” And so I did.

As I began performing the show regularly and more publicly, our paths crossed often. Carol was always warm and generous with her time — but it was still at arm’s length. That changed after the very public unraveling of her marriage to Charles Lowe. I wrote her a letter, simply stating that her personal life was sacred and would never be part of my act. She called me personally to thank me.

Our friendship truly deepened after her marriage to Harry Kullijian. Harry was a great supporter of mine and became a bridge between us. He encouraged Carol and me to stay in touch, and I was stunned — and honored — when they invited me to stay with them in Palm Springs during the ceremony for her star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars.

That time we spent together sealed our friendship. What began as admiration became respect, then trust, and ultimately, a lasting bond.

Carol Channing

8. What is something the general public would not know about Carol that you knew because you were her friend? The public knew Carol Channing as the wide-eyed, effervescent force of nature — the eternal Dolly Levi, the sparkling Lorelei Lee. But what many people don’t realize is that much of what they saw was a carefully crafted character — one she performed with absolute mastery.

Carol played “Carol Channing” the way she once played Lorelei — with complete commitment. But behind the trademark voice and larger-than-life persona was a deeply intelligent, incredibly aware, and profoundly wise woman.

She was funny, yes — but her humor was sharp. She was kind, but never naïve. She had a brilliant understanding of the world around her and an uncanny ability to see people clearly. I was lucky enough to be on the receiving end of her advice more than once, and I’ve often said I could write an entire book of just the life lessons she gave me.

She once told me, “You don’t play the icon. You live the truth and let others call it iconic.” That stuck with me.

What I treasure most is that she allowed me behind the curtain. I didn’t just know the showbiz legend — I got to know the woman. And that woman was grounded, wise, loving, and very much in control of the legacy she wanted to leave behind.

How lucky I was to have her support. How lucky I still feel to call her a friend.

Richard Skipper
Photo Courtesy of Sherry Eaker's Social Media

9. One thing I want to know about Richard Skipper is, "Who do you want to have on your show, Richard Skipper Celebrates, that you haven't been able to book yet? That’s a wonderful question — and one that has shifted for me over time.

The truth is, the pursuit of the interview is no longer where I am these days. During the height of Richard Skipper Celebrates, especially during the pandemic, I was incredibly engaged in the process of seeking out conversations, making connections, and shining a light on artists and creatives I admire.

But now, I’m much more focused on being present — on live performance, on audience interaction, and on projects that allow for real-time connection.

That being said, there are still a few people I would have loved to interview. I regret not having the opportunity to sit down with Chita Rivera and Harvey Fierstein — two iconic voices whose stories, humor, and impact I deeply admire.

As for dream guests connected to my CallonDolly.com project — which celebrates the legacy of Hello, Dolly! — my wish list remains strong. At the top: Bette Midler, Donna Murphy, and Bernadette Peters. Each of them brought something unique to the role of Dolly Levi, and their perspectives would be invaluable to the ongoing conversation around the show’s cultural and theatrical impact.

I’ve always said my work is about celebrating legacy. And whether through live interviews or onstage storytelling, I’ll always be drawn to honoring those who helped shape the world I’ve been so lucky to be a part of.

10. What is something we didn't get to talk about in this interview that you'd like my audience to know about you? I think one thing that often gets overlooked — especially when people see the entertainer, the host, or the tribute artist — is that everything I do is rooted in intention. I’m not just here to entertain. I’m here to connect. I want audiences to walk away feeling seen, valued, and part of something larger than themselves.

That’s why I created Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Richard Skipper (But Were Afraid to Ask) — not to tell my story, but to create space for a shared one. The questions may come from the audience, but the answers are built from our common hopes, joys, losses, and memories.

Also, I’ve spent much of my life celebrating others — honoring the legacy of artists who came before me, especially through CallonDolly.com and my tribute work. But now, I’m learning to also honor my own journey. To step into the light not just as a vessel for history, but as someone with a story worth sharing in the here and now.

At the end of the day, I’m just someone who loves people. I love the messy, magical experience of being human — and I try to bring that love into every room I walk into.

That’s what I’d want your audience to know.

Richard Skipper

More on Richard Skipper:

Richard Skipper is an award-winning entertainer, storyteller, and legacy artist whose career spans more than 46 years. Best known for his celebrated tributes to Hello, Dolly! and his longtime friendship with Carol Channing, Richard has performed across the U.S. and the U.K., bringing joy, insight, and spontaneity to every stage he graces.

A former impersonator turned truth-teller, Richard now blends memoir, music, and audience connection into one-of-a-kind live experiences. His current work is less about “performing” and more about hosting the room — inviting audiences into something honest, unscripted, and unforgettable. Whether celebrating Broadway history or sharing stories from his own journey, Richard builds a space where legacy meets presence — and where everyone leaves feeling seen.

Richard is perhaps best known for his tribute performances as Carol Channing, the iconic star of Hello, Dolly! His portrayal of Channing earned him widespread acclaim, and he became one of the most well-known Carol Channing impersonators in the entertainment world. He performed as Channing in various venues across the country, including cabarets and theatres, paying homage to her with a combination of humor, reverence, and a deep understanding of her career and personality.

In addition to his performances as Channing, Richard became a close friend of the Broadway legend, who personally endorsed his tribute. His shows often celebrated Channing’s life and work, focusing on her legendary Broadway career and her impact on American musical theatre.

Richard's shows include Richard Skipper Celebrates Hello, Dolly! which is a joyful, tuneful tribute to one of Broadway’s most beloved musicals and its original star, Carol Channing. Through story and song, Richard shares the legacy of Hello, Dolly!, revisits his personal connection to the show, and celebrates the spirit of theatrical joy that continues to inspire audiences across generations.

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Richard Skipper (But Were Afraid to Ask) is an unscripted, audience-driven cabaret evening that plays like a living memoir. In this one-of-a-kind experience, the audience submits questions and Richard responds in real time — through story, song, and spontaneous connection. No two shows are alike. It’s part talk show, part tribute, part party — and all heart.

Through his platform Richard Skipper Celebrates and his website CallonDolly.com, he has interviewed thousands of artists and created tributes to icons like Carol Channing and Jerry Herman. In 2025, Richard stepped away from social media to focus on deeper community-building — through live performance, newsletters, and audience-driven storytelling.

Whether he’s on stage, hosting a panel, or leading a talkback, Richard creates space for people to feel seen, heard, and uplifted.

Beyond his cabaret work, Richard has also established himself as a writer and public speaker. He frequently gives talks and lectures on Broadway history and the lives of famous performers. His work is often praised for its insight and warmth, as well as its commitment to preserving the rich legacy of American theatre and performance.

Throughout his career, Richard Skipper has earned numerous accolades, including MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs) Awards and other honors for his contributions to the cabaret scene. His performances and tributes have garnered a loyal following and praise from.