Stories | Rants | Classics | Jazz | Broadway | Nostalgia
Chip Defaa, writer/director/producer NYC wrote on Facebook:
“Happy birthday to radio host/entertainer Judy Stadt. Over the years, I’ve done a lot of radio and TV interviews, to discuss shows or books I’ve written, or albums I’ve produced; often times the host hasn’t had time to actually see the show, or read the book, or listen to the album we’re discussing–that’s simply the reality of the business. But when Judy Stadt had me on her program to talk about my Off-Broadway show “One Night with Fanny Brice” and its cast album (on Original Cast Records), she not only knew the subject inside-out, she knew all the songs on our album, and was singing them “live.” (She even put on a headdress for “I’m an Indian”!) I had the feeling she could have starred in a production of my show. I’ve never seen quite such thorough preparation. Anyway, it was fun doing her program. She’ll be celebrating her birthday by singing songs of the Gershwins and Rodgers & Hart, with Herb Gardner at the piano. Saturday, July 28th at 76 House, Tappan, NY.
http://www.76house.com/events.html
“The Lunch and Judy Show” direct from New York City, hosted by award winning actress, comedienne and singer, Judy Stadt. Radio with Pizzazz! Sometimes edgy, sometimes provocative, always spontaneous, heartwarming and funny too, Judy delivers nostalgic stories; she writes and performs original monologues, rambling rants, sings classic jazz tunes, shares inspirational philosophies of survivals, and interviews celebrities. She’s one of a kind!
RETRO RADIO
A Rockland County actress brings old-time radio back to the Valley
Article by : Jessica Friedland
Published May 14, 2010
The moment you begin a conversation with radio show host Judy Stadt, you just know you’re talking to a bona fide star. Though she’s likely perched in front of the mic at WTBQ studios in Warwick — where she delivers her weekly variety program, The Lunch and Judy Show — she speaks dreamily, as if waltzing across a Broadway stage. Not that that is much of a stretch: an accomplished television and theater actress (who’s appeared in Spin City, All My Children, and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, to name a few), Stadt certainly knows how to shine in any spotlight.
“Honey, I was born to be an entertainer,” she points out with a throaty chuckle. And entertain, she does: Stadt’s radio show covers just about everything, from renditions of jazz hits and spoken word poetry, to interviews with celebrity friends (like Renee Taylor from The Nanny), to heartfelt (and occasionally provocative) discussions about life in general.
Of course, Stadt’s varied background — or the fact that audiences have dubbed her the American Judi Dench — might have something to do with her celebrity demeanor, too. A quick look at her résumé reveals that she’s appeared in more than a dozen films and 80 plays (several of which she wrote herself); produced illustrations and greeting cards for her company, JudyStadt Graphics; designed fashion jewelry for JStadt Jewelry (found at high-end retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue) and clothing for the now-retired Judith & Charles boutiques in Rockland County. She’s even a licensed real-estate sales representative. Throw in a handful of awards (including Rockland County’s “Entertainer of the Year”) and skills in jazz-singing, character-voicing, puppeteering, ballroom- and tap-dancing, and you’ve got a regular Renaissance woman.
Which begs the question: Why does Stadt limit herself to radio?
“All of my life I’ve been a devotee of radio,” she proclaims. “I grew up with it in the Golden Age, as they say, with all of the wonderful programming and comedies and entertainment. It’s always been a part of me.”
So it’s only natural that The Lunch and Judy Show, which celebrated its first year on-air this past May, pays tribute to Stadt’s upbringing, when she listened to 1940s and ’50s broadcasts featuring hosts like Arthur Godfrey and programs such as Let’s Pretend.
“No one knows how to communicate anymore — there’s too much hate in the world,” Stadt sighs, referring to today’s talk radio. “I want everybody to laugh. The ’40s were so naïve and very sweet. I’d like us to get back to that kind of closeness, the way it used to be. We’re so lucky in this country that we have such a diverse population — there’s so much to learn from each other. So let’s chat!
