Milton Berle News

There will be a special industry reading of THE WRATH OF CONNIE by Jon Marans and directed by Brian Hargrove to be presented by the Friar's Club and Chris Massimine. This special Friars and invitational presentation will be on Wednesday, January 30th at 8:00 p.m. at the Friar's Club, 57 East 55th Street (between Madison and Park Avenues) in the Milton Berle Room.

Over the past hundred years the theater community has celebrated some of the most notable events in Broadway's history at the Friars Club.   Last night the Barrington Stage Co. the award-winning theatre in Downtown Pittsfield, Ma. under the leadership of Artistic Director Julianne Boyd held their New York City Benefit in the legendary building where so many legends of the theater community have socialized and entertained each other.   John Rando the famed director was celebrated for his extraordinary talent and his contributions to BSC.  John has directed two of the most popular musicals in BSC history, The Pirates of Penzance and On the Town, which transferred to Broadway and received four Tony Award nominations, including Best Director.  At BSC John also directed The Royal Family of Broadway and Guys and Dolls and on Broadway, he won a Tony Award for his direction of Urinetown, The Musical.  

The Wick Costume Museum's sixth installation, "those were the days" pays homage to the Broadway shows, signature fashions and pop culture moments of the 1950's and 1960's. The interactive tour features a star-studded collection of costumes worn by Barbra Streisand, Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Milton Berle, Cher, Lily Tomlin and more.

Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts,  which brings audiences world-class theater, dance and music performed by many of the most sought-after artists,presents Chris Walden Big Band with a program that pays tribute to the "Rat Pack" era on Saturday, October 27, 2018, 7:30 pm,in the Bram Goldsmith Theater at The Wallis. Walden, a seven-time Grammy-nominated composer/arranger/conductor, has scored more than 40 feature and TV films and written more than 1,500 orchestral and big band arrangements for artists ranging from Aretha Franklin, Paul McCartney and Barbra Streisand to Diana Krall and Rihanna, among many others.

In 1983 Phyllis Diller had to dress up in drag to sneak into a men's only Sid Caesar's Friars Roast. Last night women's champion Friar Gloria Allred resplendent in an attractive pants and gold jacket was escorted through the front door of The Monastery for that time-honored Friar privilege of being Roasted. BroadwayWorld was there for photos only. What's said in the Friars, stays in the Friars.

In a darkened Frank Sinatra Dining Room an off stage voice using that classic Dean Martin intro ' And Now Direct From The Bar' announced co-hosts Bill Boggs, Bruce Charet and countless actors, singers, celebrities and friends to toast one of the most beloved entertainers in show business…..Deana Martin.

In our town full of struggling actors and others from all aspects of show business, it's no wonder so many solo shows about the Industry make their way into local theaters. And any of us who have endured that backstage moment when overwhelming fear makes us forget every single line we were about to speak, or when a spotlight hits your face and makes you freeze will certainly understand many of the familiar moments shared by Steven Shaw in LOST & FOUND: A GUILT TRIP THROUGH SHOW BUSINESS, returning to Theatre 40 in Beverly Hills after a sold out run in January 2017.

DECADES Network, the multicast TV network from Weigel Broadcasting Co. and CBS Television Stations, proudly presents the television premiere of 'Wait For Your Laugh' the untold story of fame, love, tragedy and 90 years of American show business through the eyes of the woman who did it all Rose Marie. 'Wait For Your Laugh' will have its television premiere on Tuesday, May 1 at 9:00 PM ET on DECADES, alongside episodes of Marie's performance in 'The Doris Day Show' and a guest role on 'Gunsmoke'.

Country music and soap opera fans joined Club members last night for an intimate acoustic evening of original country songs at the iconic Friars Club. 

He was a boy from Tupelo who grew up to become the biggest star in music. Along the way, he absorbed a staggering range of influences, creating a revolutionary sound in his lifelong search for self-expression.

He was a boy from Tupelo who grew up to become the biggest star in music. Along the way, he absorbed a staggering range of influences, creating a revolutionary sound in his lifelong search for self-expression.

Time Life proudly release the inaugural DVD release of THE JACKIE GLEASON SHOW IN COLOR, one of the '60s most beloved programs - and unseen for nearly 50 years!

Adrianne Tolsch, the first female House MC at the legendary Catch a Rising Star was remembered at the Friars Club last night and you can only imagine what happens when comics commemorate one of their own in the confines of the Milton Berle Room's husband, former Letterman writer Bill Sheft hosted the evening which featured some of his wife's favorite comics… Maureen Langan, Brian Cichocki, Rose Bennett, Jeff Stison, Cory Kahaney, Patty Rosborough, and Judy Gold.

Humor has always been a major element of the Friars Experience and a new generation of younger comics and audiences are now becoming a part of that history. The club is bringing the brightest young comedians to the place where many jokes and laughs have been heard .The Milton Berle Room of the Friars Club.

Tony Babino, performer Carol Ostrow and the Actors' Temple Board of Directors are celebrating their 101st year honoring the historic entertainers who have passed through their doors, with their annual gala YOU AIN'T HEARD NOTHIN' YET. Entertainers past and present will commemorate this mecca of modern Jewish culture, including Tony Babino, George Bettinger, Sir Frank London and Friends and special guest Star of the Yiddish Theatre, Joanne Borts. The gala takes place on Monday, March 19, 2018 at 6:30 pm in the Barbra Streisand and Milton Berle rooms of another hub of entertainment greats, the Friar's Club (57 East 55 Street, NYC). Tickets vary in prices and are available at www.theactorstemple.org/events.

Time Life proudly release the inaugural DVD release of THE JACKIE GLEASON SHOW IN COLOR, one of the '60s most beloved programs - and unseen for nearly 50 years!

With growing Birmingham audiences looking for new and fun ways to laugh and be entertained, it looks like 'Nick & Jacob: A Two-Man Variety Show' is the right show at the right time.

There have only been 9 Abbots in the history of the Friars Club starting with George M. Cohan who held the position from 1907-1932. Then came: George Jessel, Milton Berle, Mike Todd, Joe E. Lewis, Ed Sullivan, Frank Sinatra, Alan King, and the current Abbot Jerry Lewis. The actor, singer, director, philanthropist and comic legend who passed away this year was saluted and given a heartfelt curtain call by The Friars last night. BroadwayWorld attended the event and you can check out full photo coverage below!

Friars have socialized and been entertained by every major Broadway and Great American Songbook composer starting with Friar George M. Cohan, who in addition to writing over 50 Broadway shows and 300 songs happened to pen Over There at a table during lunch at the Friars Club. Last night continuing this tradition, and in the same building that Friar Irving Berlin, Sammy Cahn and countless luminaries have performed, musical theatre legends Richard Maltby Jr. and David Shire entertained The Friars with a major dose of Maltby & Shire music.