How-do! I'm Carol ... Carol Channing!

By David Moon
Profile portrait by Gor Megaera

Little introduction is needed to introduce media legend Carol Channing. She is the recipient of three Tony Awards, a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination and so much more.

Carol Channing's latest project, “For Heaven Sake,” includes many of the songs she came to know and love as a child with spirituals that she learned from her family. The CD features handpicked spirituals from Carol's childhood, taught to her by her father as well as hymns and rousing classic gospel tunes that southern gospel fans and people of all ages will know and love. The album produced by Larry Ferguson and John Wyatt will be released on Sept 18th (2009) by Daywind Records in association with Ferguson Music with major distribution in both secular and Christian retail through New Day and Word Entertainment Association a Warner Brothers Company.

Name:
Carol Channing

Profession:
Actress

Location:
CA to NY

Web site:(and any other social networking, relevant links, videos or media):
http://www.carolchanning.org, http://www.channingarts.org and http://www.youtube.com/ChanningArts


TS: Please briefly tell us about yourself:

CC: Briefly? Oh, I am almost 89 years old and done 10 Broadway shows, numerous albums, concerts, tours and TV shows - Would it be all right to just send the Smithsonian mini bio? It was very good and short.

"Since her Broadway debut in Blitzsteins’ For An Answer and a Time Magazine cover story, which hailed her performance as Lorelei in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Miss Channing has been a star of international acclaim. Her Broadway appearances include some of the most memorable characters in theatrical history, winning three Tony Awards® including one for her legendary portrayal of Dolly Levi in Jerry Herman’s Hello, Dolly! as well as one for Lifetime Achievement. Carol’s career has been varied and continuing. During her first film role in The First Traveling Saleslady starring opposite Ginger Rogers, she also gave newcomer Clint Eastwood his first on screen kiss. 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. In 2008, Carol was inducted into the Smithsonian Institute in D.C., along with eight other legendary ladies of stage and screen. She still performs with the gusto of a young aspiring actress and has recently committed her life to bringing a refocus on the Arts to the public educational system. Through the Carol Channing/ Harry Kullijian Endowment for the Arts Foundation, Carol offers lectures and performances, hoping to engage the public’s support for education in the Arts while also creating scholarships."

TS: I often ask our interview subjects to share one little-known fact about themselves that they think we should know. One important fact that I feel everyone should know is your involvement with the DR. CAROL CHANNING & HARRY KULLIJIAN FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS. Would you please tell us about the foundation and its mission?

CC: Little known fact? My favorite flower is the Sun Flower. You certainly don't need to know about that I suppose, but it is a little known fact.

Regarding the foundation - That’s the entire focus of my life right now. My husband, Harry, and I were both influenced by the Arts when we were young, I can’t imagine a child today not being given the opportunity to experience Arts in the public school system. The future of America depends totally upon the education of our youth and Arts is a key contributor to learning. Statistics show that Arts enhance other areas like math, science and English. They need the arts to stimulate the brain. It also does wonders to help children with communication, teamwork, self-confidence … Oh and so many other areas. The foundation has set up scholarships, supplied schools with instruments as well as other things. We don't need to save the Arts; we need to help the Arts save our children.

TS: What was the inspiration to start the organization?

CC: A couple of years ago I received an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from CSU Stanislaus. I was reminded how very important the Arts had been to me as a child and the idea that children were being denied access to the Arts was unacceptable. So with my newly received doctorate in hand I started making house calls. Harry and I started going to schools, offering performances to help them raise money for their Fine Arts departments, teaching master classes … Oh I do so love meeting the students … Oh and so much more.

TS: You've recently produced several PSAs with help from good friends and supporters. What kind of response have the spots received, and what other plans do you have for future PSAs?

CC: Actually we have only done one PSA so far focused on California, with the help of friends like JoAnne Worley, Lily Tomlin, Phill Lewis, Kate Linder, Alec Mapa, Donna Mills, Stefanie Powers, Florence Henderson, Lesley Ann Warren and Kevin Sorbo … Am I leaving anyone out? Oh I hope not. Anyway, we are planning more and I have spoken to Clint Eastwood, Tippi Hedren, Johnny Depp, Romi Dames and others about participating in a future PSA.

TS: What has been your strategy to reach the parents of children in the California school system to fully realize the value of well-funded arts programs in public schools?

CC: Media, Media, Media

TS: Do you have future plans to expand the program into other states?

CC: Yes, as of June next year we are launching a national campaign in Memphis TN.

TS: When you see success stories from people who benefit from your work like Alexander Gaither (a recipient of a scholarship from the foundation), how does that make you and your husband, Harry feel?

CC: More determined than ever that we are doing the right thing.

TS: What can California residents do to help the foundation? What can any American do to support and further the program?

CC: Speak out. Fulfill the lack of information that exists in our culture that the Arts do have a very positive effect on our children and their future.

TS: If you could make a wish right now for the foundation, and it would come true - what would you wish for?

CC: That the legislature of CA would immediate acknowledge that the Arts are a catalyst to learning and that they should immediately fund a refocus on the arts in the public school system. Then, that the nation as a whole would follow suit.

TS: Final thoughts? What's one important question that we forgot to ask that we need to know the answer to?

CC: The media has been magnificent in their support. We can't do it without you.

TS: If you had 5 words to describe or sum up your “Theatre Story”, what would they be?

CC: Lifting the lives of others