Fresh Fruit Awards And Six-Degrees Of Richard Skipper

A good time was had by all at Bowery Arts & Science, 310 Bowery (at First Street), in NY on Monday night, May 14 as the annual Fresh Fruit Awards were celebrated. Writer/performer, Lisa Kron and activist, Allen Roskoff, were honored with Community Service awards prior to a cavalcade of accolades for some powerful and enlightening works by new as well as established artists. Three pieces that took home multiple awards were the musical, La Maupin, the political dramedy, The Diplomats, and the semi-autobiographical play, The Phillie trilogy, which was a tour de force for several acclaimed performers.

La Maupin took home Outstanding Musical Direction; Lead Musical Performance (Ariel de Ment); Featured Musical Performance (Cassidy Layton); and Outstanding Fight Choroeograhy (Jared Kirby & Tony Mita); not to mention Audience Favorite; while Diplomats accepted honors of Outstanding Play (Nelson Diaz-Marcano); Direction-Full Length (Blayze Teicher); Lead Performance (Ricki Lynee); and Supporting Performance (Chris Callahan)

Acclaimed playwright, Doug DeVita, proudly stood up for his play, The Phillie Trilogy for Outstanding Production: DeVita & Dennis Corsi; Outstanding Performance in a Lead Role: David Sabella; Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role: Teresa Kelsey; and Outstanding Scenic Design: Alex Petersen.

DeVita's play also has the distinction of being six degrees of Richard Skipper, the renowned entertainer and cabaret & musical raconteur. Broadway performer, David Sabella (pictured far left) is a regular guest at Mr. Skipper's Sunday cabaret events, including this Sunday, May 20 for the Art of Cabaret 1 PM at THE Laurie Beechman THEATRE, 407 West 42nd Street (lower level of the WEST BANK CAFE).

DeVita himself (second from the right) is a colleague of Skipper's and will be appearing on his interview program in the near future. Further, DeVita is the book writer for Lane Bradbury's memoir-musical LET ME ENTERTAIN YOU AGAIN; which was featured on a previous Skipper program. Her musical director, Joe Goodrich, is also Skipper's musical director for several programs - including the upcoming one.