WAYNE RICHARDS
pianist/vocalist
composer
playwright
actor
journalist
This web site is a celebration of over fifty years of entertaining! It has been, is now and will forever be my purpose in life. Here you will find information about my current activities as well as reflections of a lifetime of projects.
I am currently honored to be in the community of musicians, writers and actors that spread across the Villages, Fla. Of course, I keep talented individuals from Chicago (my home town) and from overseas very close to my heart. Please enjoy exploring this site and return often! It updates quite often!
pianist/vocalist
composer
playwright
actor
journalist
This web site is a celebration of over fifty years of entertaining! It has been, is now and will forever be my purpose in life. Here you will find information about my current activities as well as reflections of a lifetime of projects.
I am currently honored to be in the community of musicians, writers and actors that spread across the Villages, Fla. Of course, I keep talented individuals from Chicago (my home town) and from overseas very close to my heart. Please enjoy exploring this site and return often! It updates quite often!
FOR SOME SPECIAL COMMENTS ABOUT FACEBOOK click here
SPECIAL CHALLENGE TO THE VILLAGES SONGWRITER'S CLUB
On the evening of September 12th, I had the pleasure of addressing the Village's Songwriter's club created by a very nice gentleman named Jerry Durbin. During the presentation, I offered a challenge to all members. "GENUINE FEAR OF FLYING" is a tune I composed almost 30 years ago. But a thought occurred to me. If you were given the lyrics, what accompanying tune would another songwriter come up with? That is the challenge to you. Actually...its really more of a fun experiment.
I have provided a shortened version of the lyrics and I invite you to come up with music and perform your creation during a designated upcoming meeting. I will have a recording of the original tune and I will bring it for comparison. Have fun! If there is anything I can do to help in any other regard please contact me via the CONTACT PAGE.
GENUINE FEAR OF FLYING
Paced the airport like a man insane
Sweat pouring from my brow like a pouring rain
Heartbeat racing like never before
My friend Jack Daniels is spinning the floor
(It happens every time!)
I stumbled onto a DC 10
I got a busted seat in the middle again
Flight attendants appear so calm
I'm sitting here with clammy palms
(It happens every time!)
I got a genuine fear of flying
Don't want to be so high
I want to stay on terrafirma
Don't want to touch the sky
(repeat)
NO! NO! NO!
DEAR SONGWRITERS...There are additional verses and a bridge. But for now let's just come up with a basic musical form to follow. Enjoy! BY THE WAY.....If you'd like to listen to some recordings of my material, please request them via e-mail. Let's communicate!
On the evening of September 12th, I had the pleasure of addressing the Village's Songwriter's club created by a very nice gentleman named Jerry Durbin. During the presentation, I offered a challenge to all members. "GENUINE FEAR OF FLYING" is a tune I composed almost 30 years ago. But a thought occurred to me. If you were given the lyrics, what accompanying tune would another songwriter come up with? That is the challenge to you. Actually...its really more of a fun experiment.
I have provided a shortened version of the lyrics and I invite you to come up with music and perform your creation during a designated upcoming meeting. I will have a recording of the original tune and I will bring it for comparison. Have fun! If there is anything I can do to help in any other regard please contact me via the CONTACT PAGE.
GENUINE FEAR OF FLYING
Paced the airport like a man insane
Sweat pouring from my brow like a pouring rain
Heartbeat racing like never before
My friend Jack Daniels is spinning the floor
(It happens every time!)
I stumbled onto a DC 10
I got a busted seat in the middle again
Flight attendants appear so calm
I'm sitting here with clammy palms
(It happens every time!)
I got a genuine fear of flying
Don't want to be so high
I want to stay on terrafirma
Don't want to touch the sky
(repeat)
NO! NO! NO!
DEAR SONGWRITERS...There are additional verses and a bridge. But for now let's just come up with a basic musical form to follow. Enjoy! BY THE WAY.....If you'd like to listen to some recordings of my material, please request them via e-mail. Let's communicate!
IF I KNEW I WAS GOING TO BE THIS BUSY AFTER RETIREMENT, I WOULD'VE RETIRED SOONER!
Just because I have removed myself from the arena of entertainment does not mean, by any stretch of the imagination, have I abandoned the arts. In fact, for the first time in my life, I am EMBRACING the aspects of creativity and performing I have always desired, without having to worry about the pressures of competition.
First of all, this web site contains pages of information, video and sound files which, in a a way, celebrate moments of my career and life that I hope you will find entertaining. You will also find information about the shows and venues I appear at these days in the "LAND OF THE GATORS".
In particular, I am feeling a strong sense of satisfaction at becoming involved with theatre...something there is quite a bit of down here. I have recently been cast in a very funny short play called, MASHED TURNIPS, which will be presented this coming fall. If you like dysfunctional family comedies, you'll love this show. Watch this site for further information about where and when this work will be presented.
At the same time, along with the very talented dramaturge, DEAN CORBETT, we are nurturing a new musical I've created called, THE DREAM ROAD. Developmental readings have begun and bit by bit, the play is being tightened and polished. Again, please check here for further information.
I am also a member of the CHICAGO CUBS WORLD club and have been participating in the creation of a monthly o newsletter. You can check it out anytime at www.cubsworld.org
The newly formed SONGWRITER'S CLUB demonstrates that the area in which I live is packed full of very talented souls. It will be my pleasure to give a special presentation about SONGWRITING and how it enhanced my career. The meeting is private and will be held in September.
Just because I have removed myself from the arena of entertainment does not mean, by any stretch of the imagination, have I abandoned the arts. In fact, for the first time in my life, I am EMBRACING the aspects of creativity and performing I have always desired, without having to worry about the pressures of competition.
First of all, this web site contains pages of information, video and sound files which, in a a way, celebrate moments of my career and life that I hope you will find entertaining. You will also find information about the shows and venues I appear at these days in the "LAND OF THE GATORS".
In particular, I am feeling a strong sense of satisfaction at becoming involved with theatre...something there is quite a bit of down here. I have recently been cast in a very funny short play called, MASHED TURNIPS, which will be presented this coming fall. If you like dysfunctional family comedies, you'll love this show. Watch this site for further information about where and when this work will be presented.
At the same time, along with the very talented dramaturge, DEAN CORBETT, we are nurturing a new musical I've created called, THE DREAM ROAD. Developmental readings have begun and bit by bit, the play is being tightened and polished. Again, please check here for further information.
I am also a member of the CHICAGO CUBS WORLD club and have been participating in the creation of a monthly o newsletter. You can check it out anytime at www.cubsworld.org
The newly formed SONGWRITER'S CLUB demonstrates that the area in which I live is packed full of very talented souls. It will be my pleasure to give a special presentation about SONGWRITING and how it enhanced my career. The meeting is private and will be held in September.
Many thanks to the cast and crew of the Bohemian Cafe's tribute to laugh-In's tribute to Woodstock. Don't ask. The show was presented at the Village's Paradise recreation Center on their big stage.
I'm hear to report that it was great fun being dragged around stage and I mean that quite literally. (Guess you had to be there.)
Thanks to everyone who showed up. It was a very funny evening and I'm sure there will be many more....in fact a month from now! Check here in the near future for details.
I'm hear to report that it was great fun being dragged around stage and I mean that quite literally. (Guess you had to be there.)
Thanks to everyone who showed up. It was a very funny evening and I'm sure there will be many more....in fact a month from now! Check here in the near future for details.
EVERYTHING SEEMS DYSFUNCTIONAL AT THANKGSGIVING...ESPECIALLY THE FAMILY IN FREDERICK STROPPEL'S COMEDY.....
MASHED TURNIPS!
This very funny one act play will be presented as one of four selected short works under the title of SKITS AND GIGGLES. The show will be presented on Friday Nov 8th and Saturday the 9th on the beautiful Rohan stage. Both shows are at 7 pm. Ticket information will be announced soon.
All four plays will be directed by Joanne Riley.
I am the only male in the cast which includes TINA SHAPIRO...CHARLOTTE KOEHLER...and CAK MARSHALL.
TRUST ME! This is a very funny piece as are all the works included in this special showcase!
Hope to see you there!
MASHED TURNIPS!
This very funny one act play will be presented as one of four selected short works under the title of SKITS AND GIGGLES. The show will be presented on Friday Nov 8th and Saturday the 9th on the beautiful Rohan stage. Both shows are at 7 pm. Ticket information will be announced soon.
All four plays will be directed by Joanne Riley.
I am the only male in the cast which includes TINA SHAPIRO...CHARLOTTE KOEHLER...and CAK MARSHALL.
TRUST ME! This is a very funny piece as are all the works included in this special showcase!
Hope to see you there!
Please check out and enjoy my new CHICAGO CUBS WORLD CHATTER newsletter. Since I've moved to the Florida Villages, my wife and I have joined a Chicago Cubs club that currently enjoys a membership of over 400 people. With the growth of this community in high gear it is most certain that additional Cubbies enthusiasts will soon be joining. The CUBS WORLD CHATTER web site and newsletter are designed to operate together. My newsletter will always be available not only here but also linked to the larger site called CUBS WORLD. CLICK HERE
NEWSLETTER ON THIS SITE CLICK HERE
NEWSLETTER ON THIS SITE CLICK HERE
It is always an honor to sing the National Anthem! Click below to see one of my performances for CUBS WORLD!
THE DREAM ROAD began as a small script I pieced together for the ACTOR'S STUDIO in the Villages. However, the group was closed a while back. This was the decision of its founder and coach, DEAN CORBETT. (NOTE...Dean trained under the great Lee Strasburg at the Actor's studio in New York.)
However, much to my surprise, Dean requested that I continue to develop the story into a full length musical. I gave myself a deadline of four months to complete, quite a different approach to a work since my previous musical, A SUMMER STORM, took over 20 years to complete.
However, THE DREAM ROAD just didn't pop out of my head recently. Its something I've thought about for a few years and was just waiting for the right opportunity to commit effort into the project. Dean Corbett was the encouragement I needed. He has and continues to be my theatrical guiding light and I urge you to check back on this web site in the not too distant future for details.
However, much to my surprise, Dean requested that I continue to develop the story into a full length musical. I gave myself a deadline of four months to complete, quite a different approach to a work since my previous musical, A SUMMER STORM, took over 20 years to complete.
However, THE DREAM ROAD just didn't pop out of my head recently. Its something I've thought about for a few years and was just waiting for the right opportunity to commit effort into the project. Dean Corbett was the encouragement I needed. He has and continues to be my theatrical guiding light and I urge you to check back on this web site in the not too distant future for details.