Carol Channing -- still raising the roof

Where does Carol Channing get her endless energy? While other divas are retired, Channing continues to take to the stage with mike in hand and perform. This past Monday, Channing presented Carol and Friends, at the Sacramento Music Circus, with classic comedienne Jo Anne Worley as emcee and including a stellar cast of singing and dancing talent. This isn't a one-off appearance for the Broadway legend, Channing's career is more active than singer's half her age.

"I still love what I do," said Channing "Plus, now I am getting to do what I love for causes that I think are important. I guess I should retire...I don't know, I still have a few things I want to do. Hopefully, people can appreciate what I am involved in now. "

Channeling energies

The recipient of three Tony Awards. Channing is best remembered for roles like Lorelei Lee in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Dolly Gallagher Levi in Hello, Dolly!, and memorable guest appearances on that mythic Love Boat. The 88 year-old performer is now channeling her energy into three personal and important projects all reflective of her love of arts, spirituality, and community.

First on the octogenarian's slate is the fundraiser Carol Channing Raises the Roof, a benefit to help the Altadena Community Church. Channing hopes to raise over 100K for much needed repairs due damage from both earthquake and rains. The highly progressive church is home to two of Channing's favorite communities, a swelling group LGBTQ attendees and arts programs for children.

Arts programs for children are a personal love of both Channing and her fourth husband Harry Kullijian. The junior-high school sweethearts reunited a few years ago, but originally met and developed a romance through their school arts programs. Over the years, the performer has made speeches at public schools and universities to help raise much-needed funds for Fine Art departments. Her philanthropic organization is the Dr. Carol Channing & Harry Kullijian Foundation for the Arts. To say she is passionate about Arts education is an understatement.

"The arts fertilize your brains for things you would not expect, for thing that have nothing to do with the arts," said Channing. "Many schools are forced to drop them from their curriculum due to money issues, and that is not fair to the students."

Importance of arts

Channing acknowledges that the Arts play an important part in building the self-esteem and identity of students. "Not everyone can be on the football team or a science whiz. Some children need to sing, or dance. I know I did. Whether it's music, dance, theater, painting, photography or graphic design, the arts do so much for our children. Exposure to the arts in school builds self-confidence, self-discipline and teamwork. Ultimately this creates better, safer schools for our children. You and I don't need to save the arts. We need to help the arts save our children."

Channing is also using her appearance at Altadena Community Church to promote her new Gospel CD. Entitled "For Heaven Sake," the CD includes handpicked spirituals she came to know and love as a child.

"When I listen to the songs on this CD, I hear my father's voice. He taught me these great classics, like 'His Eye On The Sparrow.' I wanted to do a CD that featured some great spiritual medleys for all kinds of people."

Connecting with all kinds of people, and her divergent fan base, is extremely important to Channing. Channing is a performer with a unique following in the gay community. The world renowned reedy voice, wide eyes and luminous smile of Broadway legend Carol Channing have often been the perfect foil for parody. Check out enough drag performances, and you're sure to eventually see at least one Channing impersonator take to the stage. But the effusive and witty entertainer takes no umbrage at the legion of faux-Channings.

"I'm flattered! I am always flattered when someone takes the time to research me, study me, and honor me in such a manner," Channing told Edge from her Modesto home. "I've seen some incredibly talented boys pretend to be me - and boy, did they really do amazing jobs."

Beyond her drag doubles, Channing has enjoyed a long love-affair with the gay community. In 2002 San Francisco proclaimed February 25, to be Carol Channing Day in honor of her advocacy of gay rights. She has also been the celebrity host of the Gay Pride Day festivities in Hollywood. She returns to the Arts for the reason behind her before vogue tolerance and acceptance.

"It was the arts; music, drama, dance...that showed me we all have this universal harmony. We are all part of this infinite orchestration, no matter who you are or who you love."

Carol Channing Raises the Roof! plays Sunday, September 6th, 2009, 943 E. Altadena Drive, Altadena, CA 91001. 6:30pm Silent Auction; 7:00pm Concert. $125 Floor Seating. (Ticket includes admission to VIP Reception with Miss Channing herself following the concert.) $75 Floor Seating; $35 Balcony Seating - Adult; $10 Balcony Seating - Child. For more information visit ChanningArts.org