Laiona Michelle to star as Nina Simone in new Musical she penned! A Triple Threat!
Release Date: 12/14/2018
Time to Spread Joy (and Maybe Some Deductible Dollars): Who You Givin’ To?
The Debbie Nigro Show
Year-End Giving Reminder: The last few weeks of the year are when most charitable giving happens — people feel more generous, tax benefits kick in for those who itemize, and many folks use year-end bonuses or appreciated stock to support causes they believe in. It’s the perfect moment to make a meaningful impact, especially with an organization that stretches every donor dollar farther than you ever could on your own. Why United Way Might Be One of the Smartest Ways to Give Back To Business Monday You know how I like to start a Monday: a little caffeine, a little...
info_outline
Fun, Fast “Wellness Wednesday” highlights from The Debbie Nigro Show aka 'Keeping the Live in Alive!'
The Debbie Nigro Show
Once a week I do my best to share information that I come across that might benefit others like me trying harder at "Keeping the Live in Alive!" I've posted the entire live Wellness Wednesday radio show here but in case youre in a hurry, I've summed up this week’s show highlights. #CrepeConfession: My only use of the word 'crepe' used to be in combination with the word 'paper' as in 'crepe paper' until father time starting beating the tar out of my good looks. I didn't realize what a big problem crepe had become for the world. Now I'm doing my part to try and correct...
info_outline
Fun, fast “Wellness Wednesday” highlights from The Debbie Nigro Show—aka 'Keeping the Live in Alive!'
The Debbie Nigro Show
Once a week I do my best to share information that I come across that might benefit others like me trying harder at "Keeping the Live in Alive!" I've posted the entire live Wellness Wednesday radio show here but in case youre in a hurry, I've summed up this weeks show highlights. #CrepeConfession: My only use of the word 'crepe' used to be in combination with the word 'paper' as in 'crepe paper' until father time starting beating the tar out of my good looks. I didn't realize what a big problem crepe had become for the world. Now I'm doing my part to try and...
info_outline
Human Connection Is Medicine. Celebrate “Talk to a Stranger Week” with Pete Bombaci of GenWell
The Debbie Nigro Show
Every once in a while, the universe taps you on the shoulder and says, “Here ya go … this one’s one of yours.” That’s exactly what happened when I discovered Pete Bombaci, Founder & CEO of GenWell, Canada’s Human Connection Movement — and the man behind Talk To A Stranger Week, happening November 24–30 in Canada. As many of you know, I’m the author of How To Talk To Strangers: Advice From a Professional Stranger Talker, so when I found out about Pete’s work, I thought, “Yup. This is my kinda guy. He won't be a stranger for long! "...
info_outline
Human Connection Is Medicine. Celebrate “Talk to a Stranger Week” with Pete Bombaci of GenWell.
The Debbie Nigro Show
Every once in a while, the universe taps you on the shoulder and says, “Here ya go … this one’s one of yours.” That’s exactly what happened when I discovered Pete Bombaci, Founder & CEO of GenWell, Canada’s Human Connection Movement — and the man behind Talk To A Stranger Week, happening November 24–30 in Canada. As many of you know, I’m the author of How To Talk To Strangers: Advice From a Professional Stranger Talker, so when I found out about Pete’s work, I thought, “Yup. This is my kinda guy. He won't be a stranger for long! " LOL Pete and I are...
info_outline
Why a Virtual Assistant Might Be the Best Business Decision You Haven’t Made Yet
The Debbie Nigro Show
Are you overwhelmed, overextended, and still thinking “Eh, I’ll just do it myself—it’s faster”? Yes? Well the right answer should be NO. That’s entrepreneur delusion talking. I know I am one and I'm not the best dekgator and yes I too try and do far too many things myself. On The Debbie Nigro Show, I linked up with the fabulous Jenna Eichholtz, partner at VA Growth Solutions, who popped in from Pennsylvania to drop some serious wisdom about delegating like a boss—without actually becoming a bossy boss. Here’s the big takeaway: You don’t need a full team… you...
info_outline
From Courtroom to Bagel Boss: How Beth George Is Training a New Wave of Bagel Entrepreneurs
The Debbie Nigro Show
I always try and bring the sunshine and some good energy and often I like to bring some good bagels. Today if you use your 'smellavision' link ( only kidding there is none - yet lol ) it smells like fresh bagels! I want you to meet Beth George, former attorney turned bagel whisperer and owner of Bagel-ish in Beacon, NY, and wow… this woman is rising dough and raising entrepreneurs. Beth’s origin story is pure heart: in 2006 she started baking to help her son manage health and behavioral issues—researching the gut–brain connection long before it was trendy. That journey led her...
info_outline
Sometimes a Simple Act of Kindness Is the Miracle Someone Needs to Move Forward
The Debbie Nigro Show
On this week’s Keeping the “Live” in Alive segment of The Debbie Nigro Show, I was joined by my longtime gal pal (though we’ve never actually met in person!) Linda Arroz, who’s on an inspiring new mission in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Linda is helping raise funds for a short social impact film called Awakening Georgie — a powerful narrative about the hidden struggles of traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors and the miracles that can come from compassion. “Thirty percent of injury-related deaths in the U.S. are caused by a traumatic brain injury. That’s a lot. We need to...
info_outline
Ozempic Teeth? My Dentist Weighs In On This Surprising Side Effect
The Debbie Nigro Show
On The Debbie Nigro Show, I like to dig into stories that make you go, “Wait, what?!” This week’s head-turner: “Ozempic Teeth.” Yep, that’s the headline making waves, and I knew I had to call in my go-to expert, Dr. John Castanaro of Castanaro Dental in Yonkers, NY, to help get to ‘the tooth of the matter’. What Are “Ozempic Teeth”? GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy have taken the world by storm for their weight-loss benefits. But dentists are warning about side effects showing up in the mouth. According to Dr. Castanaro: “It’s not the drug...
info_outline
Montaukila Tequila —a Textbook Case of Entrepreneurial Grit!
The Debbie Nigro Show
On The Debbie Nigro Show, I had the pleasure of spotlighting Simon Cascante, founder of Montaukila Tequila. Boy oh boy his story sure is a shining example of one of my favorite sayings - “Risk It! or Regret It!" Simon skipped college, started bussing tables at the Lobster Roll in East Hampton, and took the long road to launching his own spirit’s brand. No investors. No celebrity endorsements. Just grit, Google, and a dream. That persistence led him to cold-call nearly a dozen distilleries in Mexico until one finally said yes—thanks to a VP who had once vacationed in...
info_outlineLaiona Michelle to star as Nina Simone in new Musical she penned! Laiona Michelle is an amazing triple threat actor/writer/singer. Meet her and Listen Live @ WGCH.com anywhere at 10:06 am EST. Laiona made her Broadway debut in 2015 in the Broadway Musical, Amazing Grace. Five years after beginning her idea of a musical based on the life and songs of Nina Simone, she completed and began workshopping it. This year George Street Playhouse decided to add LITTLE GIRL BLUE: The Nina Simone Musical to their 2018-2019 schedule! Go Laiona! The play will begin previews on January 29th and will premiere on February 1 for a limited run. There is already talk about bringing it back to George Street or take it to Broadway and tickets for these performances have started selling out.
Recently (pictured below) Laiona traveled to Washington D.C. at the invitation of Kennedy Center’s Millennium State to be a part of their series, Broadway - The Next Generation and to give audiences there, a preview of what they might expect if they were to come to a performance of LITTLE GIRL BLUE.
This exuberant musical reveals Nina Simone’s life, lived in between the black and white keys. It charts her passionate journey from classical piano child prodigy to High Priestess of Soul.
Ms. Michelle is no stranger to playing legendary figures. She played Dinah Washington in the Obie- Award winning musical biography, Dinah Was (2007), based on the life of the iconic jazz legend, and received dazzling reviews for her performance.
Laiona Michelle, who is the recipient of an NAACP Award and a Barrymore Award for Excellence in Theatre, is currently working as co-writer on a new theatrical work based on the life of Nelson Mandela, which recently had its first reading in New York City.
Tickets for “Little Girl Blue: The Nina Simone Musical” are now on sale. For more information on Laiona Michelle and to purchase tickets, visit – http://www.laionamichelle.com.