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Health care reform has yet to be reformed. Killer whales are actually killing. The war of the weight loss companies is getting dirtier by the calorie. And a beer-chugging, chain-smoking chimp has entered rehab. Yes, Friars, this is the world we are leaving in. Well, fear not. We’ve got some terrifically talented Friars performing around the country- eagerly providing us some respite for our woes. Let’s take a gander, shall we?
In Theaters: “From Paris With Love”- Lionsgate Films
JOHN TRAVOLTA
While executing a car heist, one of two teenage Florida perpetrators accidentally dialed 9-1-1 from his cell phone, thereby giving law enforcement a wonderful play-by-play of their illegal activities. Oooops. Meanwhile, more competent criminal activity is being battled by Friar John Travolta in From Paris With Love. When James Reese (Jonathan Rhys Meyers), a personal aide to the U.S. Ambassador to France, moonlights as a low-level CIA operative, he gets more than he bargained for thanks to Charlie Wax (John Travolta), a trigger-happy, wise-crackin’, really-big-machine-gun-totin’ Special Ops CIA agent. With enough chases and explosions to keep even the biggest action movie fans at the edge of their seats, From Paris With Love is well, a blast.
On Stage: March 24th @ 7:00 pm: Caroline’s on Broadway, 1626 B’way, NY 212-757-4100 www.carolines.com
LORETTA LAROCHE
No, it probably wasn’t right for that Louisiana woman to sell her children in exchange for $ 175 in cash and a pet cockatoo. But hey, times are tough, folks, and everyone is, well, just a little bit stressed. And if you, too, find yourself so unnerved that you are suddenly inclined to risk jail time for a feathered friend, we’ve got a Friar who can help. Funny woman Friar Loretta LaRoche returns to Caroline’s this month, and boy does she make the art of decompressing fun for Friars! This acclaimed author, humorist, renowned stress expert and Emmy-nominated PBS star has been enlightening and entertaining millions with her unique observations about the absurdities of life, and how to cope with them. You see, according to Friar LaRoche, life is such “a pressure cooker of unrealistic expectations, information overload, relentless marketing and workaholism we spend our days stressed out over being stressed.” Amen to that! Friar LaRoche’s hilarious one-woman comedy shows have played in theatres nationwide, and with her unique blend of contemporary wit and old-world wisdom, this Friar breathes some proverbial fresh air into our proverbially techno-crazed, omni-phobic lives. This month Friar LaRoche will be joined by Christine Hurley (runner up for Nick at Night’s America’s Funniest Mom contest) and comedienne, Kerri Louise, wife of Friar Tom Cotter. And here’s the best part, folks. Friars receive 25% off tickets when they mention the coupon code “FRIARS”. That’s more money you can save for a pet cockatoo! So, order your tickets now to see Friar Loretta LaRoche. (Just leave the cockatoo at home. They always stiff the waitresses-you know, that whole ‘a bird in hand is worth two in the audience’ thing… )
In Bookstores - "You Couldn't Ignore Me If You Tried”/ Mar. 9th Reading- 7 PM, BookSoup, Los Angeles, CA.
SUSANNAH GORA
Apparently, the Olympics inspired all sorts of ‘athletics’. Take, for instance, the two high school teachers who spontaneously performed lap dances at their school pep rally recently. Well, that’s one way to help teens deal with their angst. But when it comes to expressing the complexities of the teenage mindset, no one did it better than the stars and makers of the beloved 1980s ‘Brat Pack” movies. The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, St. Elmo's Fire, Sixteen Candles, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Some Kind of Wonderful, Say Anything- these films gave voice to an entire generation by paying homage to the pimply years and making teen angst not only trendy, but contagious! Well, here tell Friars all about these beloved movies is film journalist and author, Friar Susannah Gora, in her new book, You Couldn't Ignore Me If You Tried: The Brat Pack, John Hughes, and Their Impact on a Generation (Random House/Crown). It’s a complete history of the making of classic 1980's youth films and their impact on pop-cultural, including interviews with Molly Ringwald, Matthew Broderick, Rob Lowe, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy, Andrew McCarthy, Cameron Crowe, the late, great John Hughes and so many more! The New York Post, Publisher's Weekly, Time, The Baltimore Sun and Marie Claire hail this book as a must-read, so check out www.bratpackbook.com and susannahgora.com for info on the book and updates on Friar Gora’s appearances. Then read You Couldn't Ignore Me If You Tried. Because, let’s face it, while pep rally lap dances have their place in the teen world, nothing beat Judd Nelson making out with Molly Ringwald during detention… or John Cusack blasting In Your Eyes from a boom box… or Matthew Broderick shaking it up on a parade float for the best day off ever! Ah, yes, the 1980s youth film- they were, well, some kind of wonderful, weren’t they?
On TV- The Strategy Room- Fox News- http://www.robtaub.com http://live.foxnews.com/strategy-room
ROB TAUB
Getting packages can be risky as we’ve learned from a North Carolina woman who recently took delivery on a package only to discover it was not the new computer she had ordered, but instead, 45 pounds of marijuana delivered to the wrong address. Yikes! Well, if you, too, are busy ducking unwanted deliveries of felonious packages, why not avoid the UPS delivery guy altogether and spend your afternoon clicking onto Fox Fives’ The Strategy Room- the Web's most talked about live show- weekdays (9 a.m.- 5 p.m.) In addition to providing in-depth and entertaining discussions of the day's top stories, as well as a variety of shows focusing on business, health, technology & entertainment issues, The Strategy Room features one of our very own as a regular contributor! Yes, that’s right. Liberal pundit/ writer/ producer/ performer Friar Rob Taub appears about once a week on a segment called News with a View, discussing and debating current political issues affecting our world. (like, for instance, 45 lb. deliveries of pot) Friar Taub’s background includes serving as the principal of two production companies, as well as creating entertainment programming and promotional spots for broadcast television. He has also produced & directed commercials promotional campaigns, and marketing videos. Performing and writing credits include, Unusual Phenomena, Where’s the Party? So, tune in to see Friar Taub weekly as he helps us makes sense of all the things in this world that don’t seem to make sense. You’ll be smarter and wiser for spending time with him on The Strategy Room. (Unlike that poor woman in North Carolina, who got stoned signing for a package delivery.)
March 19, 8-11 PM-Antonia’s by the Park Restaurant, 9011 Palisade Ave., North Bergen, NJ (201) 868-0750 (Reservations suggested for dinner)/ stvnmaglio@yahoo.com / www.stevenmaglio.com
STEVEN MAGLIO
After four sold-out appearances Friar Steven Maglio, a most talented and adored member of our Club, returns to Antonia’s by the Park for a special singing engagement. Using pre-recorded musical accompaniment he works what can only be described as vocal magic performing some Dean, some Darin, and of course, a whole lot of Sinatra! Yes, he’s doing it his way! And for those of you into late night fun, Friar Maglio’s performance will be followed by a DJ playing Latin-style dance music until 2:00 AM. Antonia’s boasts a beautiful dining room, cozy bar, fab food, valet parking, and terrific service. And there’s no additional music charge! And if you’re looking for a smoking venue with a live band, catch Friar Maglio every Saturday evening at the Carnegie Club (W.56th St.) performing with Friar Stan Rubin's Orchestra. Stop by Patsy’s Restaurant (236 W. 56 St.) for dinner before his show and you’ll receive a free copy of Friar Maglio’s CD, Songs For Sinatra Lovers. But wait! There’s more! On April 12th Friar Maglio is featured in Big Pussy’s New Rat Pack Revue- a brand new variety show of jokes and songs hosted by Friar Vincent Pastore (The Sopranos) and featuring Friars Vincent Curatola (The Sopranos), Nick Puccio (Casino), Goumba Johnny (KTU 103.5), Diana Falzone (Cosmo Radio Sirius XM), along with Johnny Al “Mikey Palmice” Sapienza (The Sopranos) Louis “Scoops” Vanari (A Bronx Tale), Paul Mercurio (Dancing With The Stars), Marco Assante, Phyliss Martin, Benny Harrison, Eric Jordan Young, with music by The Killer Joe Band (featuring Frank Pisani) What a line-up~ And all the magic happens at 7:30 PM at the Gramercy Theater (127 East 23 Street, NYC.) Check out LiveNation.com/ www.stevenmaglio.com.
March 13th-8 PM- “Tom D’Angelo Presents Spotlight At the Iguana”- 240 W. 54th St, NYC 212-765-5454
TOM D’ANGELO
A Kansas man is suing the Royals after sustaining injuries when the team mascot flung a hot dog in his eye. Well, as we all wait with bated breath for lawyers on both sides to figure out how to settle the dispute over this latest WMD (Wiener of Mass Destruction) why not take in a great new musical variety show at the Iguana! Friar Tom D’Angelo presents…Spotlight At The Iguana. Take one part Dean Martin and one part Johnny Carson and mix in a little of our charming Friar Tom D’Angelo and you have one of the most exciting new live variety shows in the city! Singer Friar Tom D’Angelo performs an evening of song, comedy and repartee. It’s the kind of show that harkens back to the good old days with the Rat Pack with a whole bunch of surprises mixed in. Musical Director/Bassist: Ritt Henn. Pianist: Bennett Paster. Drums: Bobby Sher. The show features so much excitement, with a talk show segment to it as well ! And there will also be a special guest on hand. Maybe a singer? Maybe a comic? Maybe a singing comic? Maybe a comical singer? Who knows! That’s the fun of Friar Tom D’Angelo’s show! You never know what you’re gonna get, but you always know it’s gonna be great! Friar D’Angelo has performed at Feinstein's, the Metropolitan Room and Trumpets Jazz Club, so we’re talking a pro who knows how to put on a show. A real crowd-pleaser. Get your tickets now. And then do all you can to stay away from flying wieners….at least until Hot Dog tossing gets into the Olympics.
March 4th, 11th, 18th-Catch A Rising Star: Primetime Comedy Club & Theater, 960 Route 9 South, Sayreville, NJ 732-721-6555
GOUMBA JOHNNY & GENO BISCONTE & SUZY YENGO & CRAIG NEIER
52,000 people stripped down to their birthday suits in Sydney to pose for what can only be described as the largest nude photo shoot in history. Well, we may not be able to offer quite the same kind of ‘exposure’ this month where our Friars are concerned, but this is close. Friars Suzy Yengo and Craig Neier, who run with great astuteness the Catch A Rising Star comedy clubs, always know how to put on a great show. And with our favorite Friars comics on the bill, you know you’re in for a great time. Consider, for instance, March 4th, 11th, 18th - when Catch a New Rising Star sponsors a comedy contest at Catch a Rising Star at Primetime Comedy Club and Theater XXXXX hosted by none other than our So You Think You Can Roast?! contest winner, Friar John Sialiano, otherwise known as Goumba Johnny (Radio Host on WKTU 103.5) The contest winner will receive a paid gig at one of our outstanding Catch a Rising Star clubs across the country. And on March 6th - Goumba Johnny appears with Jill Michele Melean (Reno 911!). Then, we spring forward to April 23rd and 24th with another one of our comic Friars, the ever-unpredictable and insanely funny Geno Bisconte who does what he does best at Catch a Rising Star in Princeton, NJ. So, as you can see, there are a lot of laughs coming your way at Catch A Rising Star! Call for reservations now, so you don’t miss out on all the fun. (And please, as much as you may feel inspired by all the nakedness going on in Australia right now with that photo shoot, make sure to wear clothes to these shows. The last thing Goumba Johnny and Geno need is to see a bunch of skin in the audience when they perform their acts… nude people with hair in all the wrong places. Oy!
March 6th 8 PM-“The Honeymoaners”- Antun's Hicksville (244 Old Country Rd, Hicksville, NY) 800-383-6080.
BOB GREENBERG
A Florida woman claims that her love handles saved her life by stopping a stray bullet she sort of got in the way of. Well, if that ain’t a ringing endorsement to suck down a few boxes of Mallomars and skip the treadmill for a few days, we don’t know what is! Speaking of not-quite-svelte folks, who doesn’t love one of television’s most adored shows ever, right? Well, what Friars isn’t a fan of The Honeymooners, right? Then you simply must catch comedian Friar Bob Greenberg who stars this month as "Ralph" in The Honeymoaners- (note one ‘o’ has been changed to an ‘a’- making it an entirely different word! Wow, who knew the Alphabet held so much power! Anyway, we digress…) A hilarious live parody/tribute to Jackie Gleason and his legendary sitcom! The Honeymoaners is in its 10th year and has played in Atlantic City and Native American Casinos as well as numerous other venues, and from what we Friars hear, it’s an absolute blast. Also this month Friar Greenberg goes legit as "Cohen," a former vaudeville star turned burlesque producer in the Prometheus' Fire Production of A Passion for the Shadows- a tale of a missing Burlesque Queen. (3/20, 21, 27 & 28- St. Francis Episcopal Church in Stamford, Ct. 1-203-561-5024/ prometheusfire.org) So, catch Friar Bob Greenberg in The Honeymoaners. He breathes new life into Jackie Gleason’s love handles…
March 25, 27, April 7, 16 -“John Denver, Bernie Madoff & Me” 7:30pm
Don’t Tell Mama, 343 West 46th St., NYC - 212-757-0788
CYNTHIA CRANE
Just a reminder that you can catch Friar Cynthia Crane’s show, “John Denver, Bernie Madoff & Me” Always entertaining. Always pleasing. This is a show not to be missed! Call for tickets now.
March 12th, 8 PM, Rye Arts Center, 51 Milton Rd., Rye, NY, 914-967-0700 / March 31st, 7 PM, Unitarian Church, 11 Orange St., Nantucket, MA, 508-228-5466
JANE CONDON
Still fraught with devastation from missing the annual Cheese Sculpture Contest in Wisconsin? Fear not, for while comedienne Friar Jane Condon may not be able to widdle a hunk of Jarlesburg into the Leaning Tower of Pisa, she sure can deliver a hunk of laughs- especially in her hilarious and touching one-woman show Janie Condon: Raw & Unchained in which Friar Condon, winner of "Audience Favorite—NY” on NBC's Last Comic Standing , takes you on her journey from blue-collar Brockton, Mass. to upscale Greenwich, to professional comic. (“One of the real reasons why I do comedy? I was NOT voted funniest at my suburban Catholic high school. Mary Del Sordo was. And that just put the fire in my belly. Who's a Friar now, Mary?!") Ha! The Associated Press calls this lovable mom an "uppercrust Roseanne” and the New York Times says she gets ‘the audience cackling, guffawing and in hysterics” as she slices her way through marriage, husbands, kids, and politics. Well, that sure sounds a whole lot more fun than watching her slice her way through a hunk of Jarlesburg!
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