Friars Club News

Mitch Cartwright Productions is proud to announce the VOD release of the award-winning new dark comedy, Feeding Mr. Baldwin, through Devolver Digital Films.

The Outer Critics Circle, the organization of writers covering New York theatre for out-of-town newspapers, national publications and other media beyond Broadway announced the nominees this morning for the 2013-14 season. Click here for a full list of nominees. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the big announcement below!

The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre, the acclaimed comedy/variety show, will make its premiere performance at THE RRAZZ ROOM on Thursday, April 17 at 8:00 PM. After extended runs at 54 Below and Joe's Pub in New York, the show will make its Pennsylvania debut with this show. The Meeting* has been called 'delicious and delightfully droll' by The New York Post, and 'hilarious and sardonic' by The Village Voice. A recent story for Slate.com called the evening 'so deliciously icy that it left me shivering with fear and delight.' The show will feature special guests Colleen McHugh.

The Friars Club was full of laughter last night as Friar Mickey Freeman was remembered by a group of comics who dubbed themselves Mickey's Kids. Comics Mike Fine and Bob Greenberg produced the event and along with Dave Konig assembled these “kids” to recreate the humor and pay respect to one of the legends in the world of comedy. Mickey Freeman also gained fame as a character actor who appeared as a regular on The Phil Silvers TV Show (Sgt. Bilko). He also appeared on episodes of Naked City, the Lloyd Bridges Show and The Equalizer, in addition to his travels as a stand- up comic. Performers at the event were, Larry Stevens, Mike Fine, Jerry Coe, Dave Konig, Jake Ehrenreich, Bob Greenberg, Marc Eliot, Joe Franklin, Paul and Goldie Dver, and 99 year old Prof. Irwin Corey.

NJPAC will celebrate Governor Brendan T. Byrne's 90th birthday on Tuesday, April 1 at 5:30pm with a Roast and toast of the former Governor by his predecessors in the New Jersey governor's office, celebrity comedians and other New Jersey politicians. Held in NJPAC's intimate Chase Room and benefiting the Arts Center's education initiatives, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie will act as Roastmaster and lead Tom Kean, James Florio, Donald DiFrancesco, Jim McGreevey, and Richard Codey, as well as Assemblyman Jon Bramnick in saluting New Jersey's 47th Governor. Joining the politicians onstage to roast Governor Byrne will be acclaimed 'Saturday Night Live' alumnus Joe Piscopo, comedian and former talk show host Joy Behar, Vice President of New York Friars Club, Stewie Stone, and New Jersey judge turned comedian Vince August. World renowned jazz singer and guitarist John Pizzarelli will provide musical accompaniment for the evening. Additional celebrity guests and politicians may be added to the lineup.

Returning to Las Vegas for a record-smashing 55th consecutive year, internationally renowned comedian, actor and entertainer Don Rickles is set for The Orleans Showroom in 2014. The upcoming March 22-23 dates for Don Rickles at The Orleans Hotel and Casino have been postponed to August 16-17. Tickets for the August dates will go on sale May 3. Mr. Rickles' previously announced October 11-12 dates at The Orleans remain intact and on schedule.

Many show business greats have been honored by the Friars Club, and have performed before an audience of entertainment savvy members at the club house on 55th street. Nicole Henry was the latest addition to that list on Feb. 10. This great tradition was continued in the Frank Sinatra Dining Room with an event produced by Friar Historian Bruce Charet and co-produced by Friar Jeff Leibowitz. Singer/pianist Loston Harris was also on the bill. Rosario Dawson hosted the evening of great dining and great music.

Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC), currently celebrating its first full season in its new state-of-the-art theatre in Warwick, will present Rhode Island's own Nicolas King in concert for a one-night-only event on Sunday, March 2 at 7:30 pm.

The 2014 theatre awards season is quickly approaching, and keeping track of all of the important dates for the many ceremonies and their corresponding nomination announcements is no easy feat. Stay up to date on all the need-to-know facts with BroadwayWorld's Awards Season Calendar below!

JOAN JAFFE WINNER 2012 MAC Award - Best Musical Comedy Performer, was named one of the Top 15 in New York Cabaret 2010 by Kevin Scott Hall - EdgeNewYork.com, and was also a 2010 MAC Award nominee. Joan Jaffe's FOOD is a smorgasbord of comedy and music guaranteed to make you laugh. You'll thrill to hear Joan sing songs about FOOD - most funny, some very tasteful and some obscure. The patter written by Joan, is so good - there won't be a dry seat in the house - you'll hunger for more.

Comedy's Lovable Queen of Mean, Lisa Lampanelli is a cross between Don Rickles, Archie Bunker, and a vial of estrogen. Lampanelli has won accolades from many of her peers including the King of all media, Howard Stern, who called her, 'a true original and a brilliant comedy mind.' Known for saying things that most people are afraid to think, Lisa Lampanelli's raunchy, gut-busting performances are wildly popular at theaters across the country and sure to make for an unforgettable evening at The Colonial Theatre.

The Friars Club today announced that Peabody Award-winning radio, television and internet show host Larry King has been appointed as the new Dean of the Friars Club, taking over for Freddie Roman. As Dean, which is also known as the President of the club, King will work closely with the Friars Club's Abbot Jerry Lewis, overseeing the Board of Governors on all matters surrounding the “Monastery,” including participating in the famous Roasts and dinners, as well as other events happening in and around the Club, for the next two years. The appointment will be made official at a special ceremony at the Friars Club.

JOAN JAFFE WINNER 2012 MAC Award - Best Musical Comedy Performer, was named one of the Top 15 in New York Cabaret 2010 by Kevin Scott Hall - EdgeNewYork.com, and was also a 2010 MAC Award nominee. Joan Jaffe's FOOD is a smorgasbord of comedy and music guaranteed to make you laugh. You'll thrill to hear Joan sing songs about FOOD - most funny, some very tasteful and some obscure. The patter written by Joan, is so good - there won't be a dry seat in the house - you'll hunger for more.

The Friars Club today announced that comedian Jeff Garlin will take the helm as Roastmaster at this year's Friars Club Roast honoring Boomer Esiason.

The Sunshine Committee of the Friars Club hosted a Holiday Party and special film screening of Sony Pictures Animation's 'Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2' at the Ziegfeld Theater in New York City. For over twenty-five years, the Friars Club Sunshine Committee, which is funded through an annual holiday raffle held at the club, has been providing entertainment, companionship and tons of love to senior citizens, musicians, comedians or performance artists to brighten up the residents of nursing homes, or providing clowns, magicians and entertainment for disadvantaged children in group homes, the Sunshine Committee is dedicated to enhancing each and every life they touch. Friars members who handed out gifts to the children after the movie were, Former Mayor David Dinkens, Former New York Ranger Rod Gilbert, NY Yankee Broadcaster Michael Kay, Former NY Knick Cal Ramsey, Pix News Marvin Scott, Pix News Jodi Applegate, and Boxing Champ Michael Spinks.

Long time Friar Jamie deRoy brought her long running and hugely successful Jamie deRoy & friends variety show to the Milton Berle Room at the legendary Friars Club last night The friends in this addition of Jamie's show were Christina Bianco, Daisy Jopling, Reese Waters, Wade Preston, Penny Fuller and Anita Gillette. Ron Abel was music director and Barry Kleinbort directed.

Joan Jaffe's FOOD is a smorgasbord of comedy and music guaranteed to make you laugh. You'll thrill to hear Joan sing songs about FOOD - most funny, some very tasteful and some obscure. The patter written by Joan, is so good - there won't be a dry seat in the house - you'll hunger for more.

Friar Neil Sedaka, wife Leba and daughter Dara were in the Frank Sinatra Room of the Friars Club last night to attend a Tribute Show to Connie Francis and Neil Sedaka. Jenna Esposito and Jim Van Slyke performed the hit songs of Connie & Neil and the show was produced by Jeff Leibowitz, Laura Slutsky and Jenna. Friar Bill Boggs hosted. A special Tribute Menu was presented by Friars Chef Anatoly Veksler. It consisted of "Stupid Cupid Vegetables, Mama's Potato Crusted Brook Trout, Roasted Loin of Veal Is Hard To Do, Artichoke & Peppers On Your Collar Chicken Breast and Where The Chocoholics Are Pyramid." Connie Francis was present via a wonderful video message. An emotional highlight of the evening was when Neil was "coaxed" to take the piano bench. He sang a song he wrote for his cousin who recently passed away..Eydie Gorme.

JOAN JAFFE WINNER 2012 MAC Award - Best Musical Comedy Performer, was named one of the Top 15 in New York Cabaret 2010 by Kevin Scott Hall - EdgeNewYork.com, and was also a 2010 MAC Award nominee. Joan Jaffe's FOOD is a smorgasbord of comedy and music guaranteed to make you laugh. You'll thrill to hear Joan sing songs about FOOD - most funny, some very tasteful and some obscure. The patter written by Joan, is so good - there won't be a dry seat in the house - you'll hunger for more.

A tribute to one of the great Friars was held at the legendary club last night. Significantly it was held in the Frank Sinatra room, the crooner who is most identified with Sammy Cahn's songs. Songwriter Sammy Cahn career was presented in live performance, rare video clips, and historical lecture.