by Sandi Durell . . . .
So many in the cabaret community knew this special lady who passed away on December 9th in Springfield, Ma. She was that redhead who performed whenever she could at Don’t Tell Mama with her musical director on piano, Gerry Dieffenbach. She had a flair for Weill, Brel and Aznavour. The lyric and stories were everything when she performed.
Hearing about her death caused a jolt of sadness that struck deep. It truly hurts the heart. Vickie had a big heart, style, a laugh that was renowned. She was a dynamo, a spirited life force. She was authentic and one-of-a-kind.
I could go on and on expressing so much of what so many have already said and I will. She was what humanity needs most . . . kindness, caring and a gentle soul. She had her own quirky style making her the loveable person she was. She was a hoot!
Sidney Myer knew Vickie for over 40 years and shared that she had played Panache, Rose’s Turn and Don’t Tell Mama, saying “her love of performing was so exhilarating and exciting.”
After her husband passed at the beginning of Covid, she struggled with other personal health issues and moved to independent living in Springfield.
We developed a friendship years ago, meeting through TRU (Theater Resources United), as so many did. For many years, she would come stay at our apartment to cat sit when we took vacation time. She was a cat lady, having had her own at various times. She always left her signature when we returned . . . some drops of red hair dye in the bathtub!
She will be sorely missed by many. Vickie is survived by her daughter Kim.
Here are the funeral arrangements and information for Vickie’s funeral tomorrow December 14 @ 1 pm for those who want to know or to leave a message. HERE
More will be available including a musical celebration arranged by Gerry Dieffenbach on April 24th (it would have been Vickie’s 90th Birthday) at Don’t Tell Mama. Stay tuned.
I unearthed some of the reviews that Theater Pizzazz posted of Vickie’s shows by several former (and current) writers below for those who care to read them.
http://theaterpizzazz.com/vickie-phillips-celebrates-birthday-songs-brel-weill-aznavour/. Apr 30, 2014. (by Joel Benjamin)
http://theaterpizzazz.com/vickie-phillips-one-night/ Jan 29, 2015 (by Joe Regan, Jr)
http://theaterpizzazz.com/vickie-phillips-love-and-life-dont-tell-mama/. June 26, 2015 (by Paulanne Simmons
http://theaterpizzazz.com/vickie-phillips-always-makes-her-point/ Nov. 29, 2017 (by Sandi Durell)
http://theaterpizzazz.com/the-staying-power-of-vickie-phillips/ Nov. 25, 2018 (by Sandi Durell
