Ralph Compagnone News

When you enter the Friars Club on 55th street the world immediately becomes a better place. The first space you encounter is the Billy Crystal Room where you hear the laughter and the animated conversations as Friars share stories with one another. Last night in only the 8th time in the Club's 114-year history The Icon Award was presented by Robert De Niro to Billy Crystal at the Ziegfeld Ballroom to a capacity filled New York/Hollywood audience. The Icon Award honors individuals whose extraordinary accomplishment raise the standard of entertainment and positively redefines our culture. Billy is following in the footsteps of entertainment icons Douglas Fairbanks, Cary Grant, Frank Sinatra, Martin Scorsese, and Robert De Niro.

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.

Last night the show at the Friars Club was all about the food and two legendary kitchens united to create a culinary event that got a four star rating and standing ovation from the audience. The lore, lure and legacy of Le Cirque was celebrated at the club and a classic four course dinner prepared under the direction of Le Cirque chef and CEO/owner Mauro Maccioni.

The Friars archives and Wikipedia have finally been corrected. Nineteen Eighty Eight was a watershed year for women. They gained membership to numerous private men's clubs that heretofore were off limits to women. The Friars, being one of the more famous of the bunch had an article heralding the event written by a less than factual reporter for The New York Times. The paper of record, in an early forerunner of fake news only listed the first 7 women and overlooked number 8...Jamie deRoy who was in that initial group, along with Liza Minnelli, Joan Rivers, Brooke Shields, and other prominent female entertainment figures was not mentioned.

The security was tight in the Monastery last night as politicians, tennis legends, celebrities and Friars gathered in the Frank Sinatra Dining Room to pay tribute to David Dinkins on his 90th birthday.   The security protection wasn't good enough however to stop one of the greatest comedians on the planet, Dean Emeritus Freddie Roman (MC) to have some fun with the former Mayor.  As a matter of fact Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who made a special trip down from Albany to be at the Friars got some laughs himself during his heartfelt tribute to Mr. Dinkins.  There was much love, laughter, joy, and a few tears in the club during the evening, as there always is in the Friars Club.  I couldn't help thinking as I watched all the Democrats and  Republicans in the room enjoying each others camaraderie, how great it would be if all our representatives in Washington would become Friars, meet in The Monastery, feel the love, and solve the nations problems. 

 An Evening With… are three of the most powerful words in the entertainment world and they are so often posted and signify an event that can only happen at the Friars Club.  In the early days of the club it was  an evening with James Cagney, George M. Cohan and other show business greats.  Then came evenings with Milton Berle, Frank Sinatra, and many other legends. 

Beloved director, producer, screenwriter and actor Martin Scorsese was honored by the Friars Club with their highest tribute last night, and BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the evening below! The Entertainment Icon Award was given to Scorsese, whose career spans more than 50 years, and who will be one of only a handful of recipients of the award in the Club's 100-year history.

Gianni Russo, actor/singer best known for his role as Carlo Rizzi in The Godfather headlined an evening of entertainment at the legendary Le Cirque restaurant last night and BroadwayWorld was there.

 Last night at the legendary Le Cirque, Gianni Russo dropped his tough guy image and created a musical fun filled evening.  The Cafe was packed and Gianni with his 4 piece band created a fantastic party as he went through the Sinatra American Songbook. Some of his celebrity friends were "coaxed" by Gianni to join in. Although remembered most for his portrayal of Carlo Rizzi in "The Godfather", his first acting job, his career has spanned over 40 films including such hits as The Freshman, Rush Hour, Any Given Sunday and Sea Biscuit as well as television roles in Kojak, The Rockford Files and Prison Break. And most recent.. due out this fall "Send No Flowers". Russo believes it's his crooning that separates him from the mob of other on-screen wise guys. 

Friar Stewie Stone in introducing Friar Dominic Chianese said, "if you are a Friar you are not a member of a club, you are a member of a family!"