Discover Richard Skipper’s celebrated shows & workshops

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.

Show Descriptions

Richard Skipper Celebrates! Life Lessons from Legends

What did Carol Channing teach Richard Skipper about the difference between entertainers and performers?

Why might a life lesson from Lesley Ann Warren resonate with a 40-year-old accountant?

And what can all of us learn from the artists, mentors, and legends who helped shape our lives?

In Richard Skipper Celebrates! Life Lessons from Legends, entertainer, host, and LIVE ENTERTAINMENT historian Richard Skipper invites audiences on an audience-interactive journey through the wisdom, humor, resilience, and humanity he has gathered from some of the most celebrated artists of our time.

Part storytelling, part cabaret, part conversation, and part "musical TED Talk," this unique evening combines songs, personal stories, audience participation, and unexpected moments of connection. Through lessons learned from legends including Carol Channing, George Chakiris, Ruta Lee, Lesley Ann Warren, and many others, Richard explores the timeless truths that continue to guide us today.

No two performances are ever the same. Audience members help shape the evening through questions, memories, and shared experiences, creating a celebration that is as much about the people in the room as it is about the legends being honored.

Directed by James Beaman, with Musical Direction by Dan Pardo and a special guest when feasible.

This is not a show you simply watch.

It's a show you become part of.

Because the greatest legends don't teach us how to become them.

They teach us how to become more fully ourselves.

Richard Skipper Celebrates Hello, Dolly!
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.

Carol Channing Tribute

Skipper 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 theaters, 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, Skipper 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 theater.