Friars Club News

The 54th Annual Drama Desk Awards, hosted by Harvey Fierstein, today released a list of some of its celebrity presenters for the awards ceremony which will take place at the F.H. La Guardia Concert Hall at Lincoln Center on Sunday, May 17, 2009, at 9 PM.

Nominations for the 54th Annual Drama Desk Awards were announced this morning at the New York Friars Club by Faith Prince and Jim Dale, multi-award winning stage stars. They were joined for the announcement by William Wolf, Drama Desk President, Barbara Siegel, Chairperson of the Drama Desk Nominating Committee, Robert R. Blume, Executive Producer of the Drama Desk Awards ceremony, and Randie Levine-Miller, Director of Special Events for the Drama Desk.

Nominations for the 54th Annual Drama Desk Awards will be announced on Monday, April 27, 2009, at 9:30 AM at the New York Friars Club, 57 East 55th Street, in Manhattan. A continental breakfast will be available at 9:00 AM. Multi-award-winning stage actors Faith Prince and Jim Dale will announce the nominations in the various categories.

Broadway star Lee Roy Reams received The Friars Club Thespian Award while honored by friends and colleagues in a star-studded musical tribute on Monday, April 20th at 8:30PM at The Friars Club (57 East 55th St). BroadwayWorld.com was there to cheer the theatre favorite on as he was joined by the starry crowd!

Multiple Drama Desk and Tony Award winning actor/writer Harvey Fierstein will host the 54th Annual Drama Desk Awards ceremony on Sunday, May 17, 2009, at 9 PM at the F.H. LaGuardia Concert Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City, it was announced by Robert R. Blume, Executive Producer of the annual Drama Desk Awards ceremony, and William Wolf, President of the Drama Desk, an organization of theater critics, writers and editors that honors excellence in all areas of New York theatre, including Broadway, Off Broadway, Off Off Broadway and not-for-profit theater. This will be the fourth time in the past six years that Fierstein has hosted the Drama Desk Awards, having emceed the Awards in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Nominations for the 54th Annual Drama Desk Awards will be announced on Monday, April 27, 2009, at 9:30 AM at the New York Friars Club, 57 East 55th Street, in Manhattan. A continental breakfast will be available at 9:00 AM. Multi-award-winning stage actors Faith Prince and Jim Dale will announce the nominations in the various categories.

On Monday, March 9th, 2009 the Friars Club presented DIVO NIGHT! in the Frank Sinatra Dining Room at the Friars Club.

The 54th Annual Drama Desk Awards will take place on Sunday, May 17, 2009, at 9 PM at the F.H. LaGuardia Concert Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City, it was announced by Robert R. Blume, Executive Producer of the annual Drama Desk Awards ceremony and telecast, and William Wolf, President of the Drama Desk, an organization of theater critics, writers and editors that honors excellence in all areas of New York theatre, including Broadway, Off Broadway, Off Off Broadway and not-for-profit theater.

Barry Manilow was inducted into the legendary Friars Club on Saturday, February 14th, joining the ranks of such greats as Frank Sinatra, Billy Crystal and Whoopi Goldberg in the exclusive entertainers' group reports the New York Daily News.

Just in time for the holiday season, Alan Ayckbourn's SEASON'S GREETINGS makes its return to the New York stage for the first time in over 20 years as Hudson River Repertory Company brings this hilarious and cynical comedy to the McGinn/Cazale Theatre beginning November 20th.

Comedian Danny Leary's hit variety show is back and stirring it up with his signature cocktail that's two parts stand-up, a twist of musical comedy and a splash of cabaret served up 'On the Rocks!' This season will feature an original opening theme song written especially for the series by the award-winning team of composer Alan Cancelino and lyricist Hector Coris. Every Thursday at The Duplex, Danny Leary hosts a new and frisky assortment of top-shelf entertainment from comedians of Comedy Central and late night TV, musical comedy and cabaret acts from the city's most celebrated nightclub performers, thrilling variety acts and even hilarious 'celebrity' cameo appearances. Jazz pianist Jessica Stewart is on the piano. 'On the Rocks with Danny Leary' dubbed 'a marvelous rambunctious evening' by Cabaret Exchange has been featured on the CW11 and was picked as a Best Bet in Time Out New York. Last season 'On the Rocks' also hit the road to San Francisco for two sold-out performances. See for yourself why every Thursday evening at 9:30 PM at the Duplex. WHAT: 'ON THE ROCKS WITH DANNY LEARY' WHEN: Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 9:30 PM (SEASON PREMIERE) Thursday, September 18, 2008 at 9:30 PM Thursday, September 25, 2008 at 9:30 PM Thursday, October 2, 2008 at 9:30 PM WHERE: The Duplex Cabaret Theatre 61 Christopher Street at 7th Avenue South (1) Train to Christopher Street / Sheridan Square COVER: $10 + 2 Drinks WEBSITE: http://www.dannyleary.com http://www.theduplex.com Lineup for September 11, 2008 at 9:30:* Comedian BECKY DONOHUE from Comedy Central headlines. YouTube sensation and Patti LuPone sing-alike MICHAEL BURBACH recreates LuPone's legendary performance from this year's TONY Awards! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gXKxipviCY The sexy cabaret stylings of JENNA ESPOSITO. The infamous WENDY HO SHAWN HOLLENBACH from Here! TV. LEAH DUBIE from Dykes on Mics. H. ALAN SCOTT from the 5 Funny Fags Tour. ...and a very special visit from everyone's favorite 'GOLDEN GIRL!' Lineup for September 18, 2008 at 9:30:* Comedian RACHEL FEINSTEIN from Comedy Central headlines. Smooth crooner SCOTT BARBARINO and his fabulous doo wop sensations THE BEV NAPS The sexy cabaret stylings of JENNA ESPOSITO Sultry musical comedian ADIRA AMRAM. SUSAN ALEXANDER from The Friars Club roasts! DAVE RUBIN from Here! TV. JACKIE MONAHAN from Logo's 'One Night Stand-Up' Lineup for September 25th at 9:30 PM:* Comedian POPPI KRAMER of NBC's 'Biggest Loser' headlines. JARED THE CONJUROR and his amazing escape artistry! The sexy cabaret stylings of JENNA ESPOSITO. Musical comedians THE PARODIVAS put a twist on your Top 40 faves. BRIAN BALTHAZAR from The Today Show and NBC's Olympic Coverage. JENNY RUBIN from Here! TV. BROOKE VAN POPPELEN from Chicago! Lineup for October 2nd at 9:30 PM:* Comedian MICHELLE BUTEAU from Comedy Central headlines. Musical comedy team BOOTH & PAT perform a high energy medley of just about every song on the radio! Rock legend KEITH RICHARDS appears along side VENTRILOQUIST CARLA RHODES! The sexy cabaret stylings of JENNA ESPOSITO. SUSAN PREKEL from Comedy Central. CLAUDIA COGAN from MTV. JAFFE COHEN from the original Funny Gay Males. *Lineups are subject to change without notice. About Danny Leary: Danny Leary is one of America's rising comedians and can be seen most weekdays on national television as a regular commentator on MTV's FNMTV. This fall, Danny Leary's stand-up will be featured live in performance on Here! TV's Hot Gay Comics. He has appeared on the CW-11 Morning News, on the nationally syndicated Joey Reynolds Radio Show and Here! TV's Busted. His comedy delights audiences across the country on the national 5 Funny Fags tour and in New York at major comedy venues including Comix, Gotham, Caroline's and Broadway Comedy Club. http://www.dannyleary.com

On Monday, August 4, 2008 the Friars Club presented DIVA NIGHT! in the Frank Sinatra Dining Room at the Friars Club. The evening was Hosted & Produced by Randie Levine-Miller and starred Christine Andreas, Anna Bergman, Beth Fowler, Alice Frazier, Liz McCartney, Rena Strober, Christianne Tisdale, Deborah Tranelli. Paul Chamlin served as Musical Director for the evening. The theater and cabaret stars performed songs from 'The Broadway Songbook'.

Nick Spangler, who is currently starring as Matt in the revival of The Fantasticks at The Snapple Theater Center, has been awarded the Theater Hall of Fame's 2008 Elaine and Jerry Orbach Musical Theater Fellowship. The award was presented by Elaine Cancilla-Orbach on Thursday, June 19 at a luncheon held at the Friars Club.

The full cast and crew has been announced for ReVision Theatre's one night only benefit production of Richard Skipper as Carol Channing in 'Hello, Dolly!'

On Thursday, May 1st 2008 The Friars Club hosted their celebrity luncheon in honor of Len Cariou. Len is best known as the Tony-award winner for his performance in 'Sweeney Todd'.

Nominations for the 53rd Annual Drama Desk Awards were announced this morning at the New York Friars Club by Bebe Neuwirth and Len Cariou, multi-award winning stage, screen and television stars. They were joined for the announcement by William Wolf, Drama Desk President, Barbara Siegel, Chairperson of the Drama Desk Nominating Committee, Robert Blume, Executive Producer of the Drama Desk Awards, and Randie Levine-Miller, Director of Special Events for the Drama Desk.

Nominations for the 53rd Annual Drama Desk Awards were announced this morning at the New York Friars Club. 'A Catered Affair' led the way with 12 nominations.

The cast of [title of show], the original musical that will open on Broadway at the Lyceum Theatre in July, will host the 53rd Annual Drama Desk Awards on Sunday, May 18, at 9:00 PM, it was announced by Robert R. Blume, Executive Producer of the awards ceremony, and William Wolf, President of the Drama Desk.

On Thursday, March 27th The Friar's Club luncheon honoring Liz Smith. Jeffrey Lyons conducted the interview and the event was produced by Randie Levine-Miller. Liz Smith is a New York Post and nationally syndicated gossip columnist. Press notes state that 'Liz has had a remarkable career in print and on television. She's probably the only gossip columnist who is truly loved' Liz Smith recently accepted the Harold Clurman Lifetime Achievement Award for a lifelong commitment to the ennoblement of humanity through culture from HBO's Sheila Nevins at the Stella Adler studio Starlight Benefit.

The Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs (MAC), this year celebrating its 25th Anniversary, presents some of its top up-and-coming talent in NEW FACE SHOWCASE, an evening of comedy and song - the second showcase of its kind produced by MAC, on Friday, March 28th at 6:30pm at Don't Tell Mama.