A Q&A between Gary Shapiro and Billy Mann:
What kind of work do you do and what projects/shows are you presently working on? I am the producer and host of Game Show Sensation. We produce TV-style game shows for various business and social events. Many companies want to have fun, interactive team building events for their employees. Our clients include Johnson & Johnson, Prudential, Tag Heuer, and the United States Air Force. We also produce our $100K Game Show Sensation in casinos. Presently I am working on a community family event show for a town in Connecticut. The audience will be all ages, kids and adults, but we will put a smile on all of their faces!
What do you like most about being in the arts? Being in the arts allows me to really be myself. On stage, I am so far away from life’s daily tribulations that I can focus solely on what I am doing and enjoy it.
When was your first interest in the arts? As a young kid I used to love going to the movies and then coming home and trying to dress, talk, and act like one of the characters.
What has been your most memorable experience in the arts? When I was 18, I played the trumpet and had a five piece band. RKO had a promotion that involved the stars of the movies being screened making an appearance on stage before the movie began. My band was the opening act. We would work several theaters each day and evening. On one occasion Judy Garland, who was one of the voices in the animated film Gay Purr-ee, was appearing. I think that Ms. Garland knew how nervous I was when I met her backstage. Without asking her, I decided we would play an up tempo version of “Over the Rainbow” for her entrance. The theater was full and the crowd gave her an extremely enthusiastic welcome. As she passed by me heading to the microphone, she stopped and said to me with a smile: “That’s the best arrangement of “Over the Rainbow” I’ve ever heard”. I’m sure it wasn’t, but I never forgot her kindness.
How did you learn about the Lambs? Through a mutual friend and great guy, Joe Cirillo, I met Shepherd Marc Baron. I knew of The Lambs, but not too much. Marc invited me and my wife, Joanne, to The Lambs for the official unveiling of his portrait. It was great to meet other Lambs and to learn much more about the history of The Lambs. Everyone that we met was friendly, welcoming and interesting…and talented!
What hobbies or interests do you have outside of work? Outside of work I enjoy cooking. It’s almost like performing, you can be creative, but to be good at it you have to stay focused and give it your all!