Walter Winchell (April 7, 1897 - February 20, 1972) was a syndicated American newspaper gossip columnist and radio news commentator. Originally a vaudeville performer, Winchell began his newspaper career as a Broadway reporter, critic and columnist for New York tabloids. He rose to national celebrity in the 1930s with Hearst newspaper chain syndication and a popular radio program. He was known for an innovative style of gossipy staccato news briefs, jokes, and Jazz Age slang. He claimed that his popularity and influence "turned journalism into a form of entertainment". Winchell was real the founder of "fake news". Much of what Winchell spouted upon, still has relevance today. He not only wrote about celebrities, he invented them.

 

Winchell, the musical (and this recording) has very short scenes, thus almost every scene and every actor rarely speak to each other, which brings on yet another point of relevance, is that no one listens anymore. All of the characters have great moments!

Keith Levenson and Martin Charnin (Annie) wrote Winchell. It ran on broadway for six weeks in 1991, when a scandal involving the producers forced closing the show.  Unfortunately, it was never recorded. In undertaking this recording now, Keith was inspired both by his long collaboration with Martin and by a desire to support the Music Therapy Department of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Trauma/Injuries, Movement Disorders, ALS and Alzheimer’s. This clinic is in downtown Las Vegas and has been a life saver for Keith and his ongoing fight with Parkinson’s. Keith’s conducting pedigree has served him well at the Cleveland clinic as volunteer in their music therapy sessions. This program is in desperate need of funding.