As we say goodbye to 2017, we remember all of those we have lost in this past year. From actors to directors and musicians, these people have shared their gifts with us and they will not be forgotten. Join BroadwayWorld in remembering some of these people below.
With the Statue of Liberty gazing on from the harbor at the Museum of Jewish Heritage at Battery Place Jerry Zaks, 4-Time Tony Award-Winning Director was honored at a fantastic Benefit Concert last night and BroadwayWorld was there.
In 1904 the Friars started meeting, and in 1918 The Yiddish Art Theatre was founded. How symbolic that the Yiddish Theatre, now a City Village Cinema movie house was the scene of The Friars Sunshine Committee's annual morning of Christmas cheer for New York City Children. The kids are entertained by clowns, are given their early Christmas presents by some famous Friars, and the theatre staff makes sure they have unlimited popcorn while enjoying a movie.
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!
Julianne Boyd, artistic director of Barrington Stage Co. announced that the BSC/NYC sold out Benefit recently held at the Friars Club was the theatre company's most successful New York City event to date having raised $125,000 for the 2018 New Works Initiative. The evening featured performances by BSC actors and the presenting of the William Finn Award for Excellence in Musical Theatre to Joe Iconis.
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.
The invitation proclaimed An Evening of Pure Joy and the Barrington Stage Company's NYC Benefit held at The Friars Club last night surpassed all expectations. A star studded roster from the BSC actors bench filled the Friars Club with song as Tony Award Winning Composer/Lyricist William Finn presented Joe Iconis with the William Finn Award for Innovation and Excellence in Musical Theatre. Julianne Boyd, artistic director and founder of Barrington Stage Company, Mary Ann Quinson, Board Chair, and Marita O'Dea Glodt, opened the evenings festivities. The SRO guests in the legendary Friars Club were entertained by BSC performers, Jennette Bayardelle, Allison Blackwell, Ellen Harvey, Lauren Marcus, Kyle Dean Massey, Jeff McCarthy, Anastasia Mccluskey, Anne L. Nathan, Will Roland, Scarlett Strallen, Will Swenson,Jason Sweetooth Williams,Eric William Morris, and Stephanie Umoh. Musical direction was by Darren Cohen.
The Bernie & Sid Show is one of the most popular Talk Radio programs in the tri-state area and they were joined by Rita Cosby, Television news anchor, correspondent, radio host and best selling author for an evening of talk at the Friars Club last night. As usual, what happens in the Friars stays in the Friars. Bernie & Sid had a lively discussion about current events that wouldn't make the censors cut on 77 WABC but the Friars didn't have a problem with in the Frank Sinatra Dining Room. Rita Cosby's beautiful complexion turned a little redder than usual as she steered the two provocative talk show personalities around many of the issues of the day. The Q&A was also a lively event with Mayoral Candidate Bo Dietl having some interesting comments about the recent New York City election.
Barrington Stage Company (BSC), the award-winning theatre in Downtown Pittsfield, MA, under the leadership of Artistic Director Julianne Boyd, will host its annual New York City Benefit, BSC/NYC, on Monday, November 13, 2017, to celebrate their New Works Initiative and honor composer Joe Iconis with the William Finn Award for Innovation and Excellence in Musical Theatre.
Comedy legend Dick Capri and son, acclaimed comedian Jeff Capri, return to the Comedy Club at the Borgata Hotel & Casino to appear on the same show for the second time.
Every month Ben Asher curates NY's most superlative comedy show, DoublePlusGood Comedy, bringing you comedy that reaches up into your brain with the force of a fist through the nose. Top pro comics and performers from TV and NYC's major clubs performing long (20+ min) sets on an intimate stage. The best comedy value in the city. Every 3rd Wednesday of the month at Salzy.
BOCA BLACK BOX is proud to present vocalist CHARLIE ROMO, for one night only, Friday, October 20, 2017 at 8pm. He will be accompanied by the Tom Regis Quartet.
The plaque on the Friars Club building (The Monastery) reads Jerry Lewis. On the main floor it's the The Frank Sinatra Dinning Room. Downstairs we have the Billy Crystal Bar and upstairs are the Milton Berle, Barbra Streisand, Ed Sullivan, and William B. Williams Rooms. Today a very important room often frequented by Friars had a plaque installed.
Crystal Bowersox, the American Idol season nine (2010) runner-up has been announced to join the cast of the Amas Musical Theatre and The Amas Musical Theatre Lab staged readings of Play It by Heart, a new musical, with music by David Spangler, Jerry Taylor and Marty Dodson, lyrics by David Spangler, Jerry Taylor, R.T. Robinson, and Marty Dodson, and book by Willy Holtzman.
FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Jenna Esposito in Memories Are Made Of This: A Centennial Celebration of the Life and Music of Dean Martin on Friday, October 27, 2017 at 9:30 p.m.
Patrick Hamilton's mystery thriller Gaslight will be opening Oct 8th on the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage at Barrington Stage Company. BroadwayWorld was there for the curtain call at a recent preview.
Amas Musical Theatre and The Amas Musical Theatre Lab will present staged readings of Play It by Heart, a new musical, with music by David Spangler, Jerry Taylor and Marty Dodson, lyrics by David Spangler, Jerry Taylor, R.T. Robinson, and Marty Dodson, and book by Willy Holtzman.
Comedy legend Dick Capri and son, acclaimed comedian Jeff Capri, return to the Comedy Club at the Borgata Hotel & Casino to appear on the same show for the second time.
Amas Musical Theatre and The Amas Musical Theatre Lab will present staged readings of Love and Other Fables, a screwball romantic musical comedy, with a book by John McMahon and music and lyrics by Jay Jeffries.
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