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FRIARS IN THE MOVIES:
“The Taking of Pelham 123”
JOHN TRAVOLTA & JAMES GANDOLFINI
Let’s be honest. Some pretty annoying things can happen in a New York City subway. Your Metrocard can get stuck in that thingie you have to slide it through to get into the station (or worse yet, you can get stuck in that thingie you have to slide through to get into the station.) You can be attacked by a rat the size of an elephant. Step in a puddle of something that no sane person would ever want stuck to the bottom of his or her shoe. Get stuck listening to a panhandler singing Yoko Ono’s greatest hits. The list goes on and on. But even worse than all that is finding yourself the victim of a pretty sticky underground hostage situation- as do the passengers in summer blockbuster, The Taking of Pelham 123. As you may recall Friar Jerry Stiller starred in the original version of this no-holds-barred thriller, and rest assured, the remake, starring Friar John Travolta and Denzel Washington, is just as terrific! A NYC subway dispatcher (played by Washington) finds himself in a race against time to outsmart a dangerous criminal mastermind (Friar Travolta) who, along with a heavily armed (and particularly cranky) group of co-conspirators, hijacks a subway car mid-station. Travolta’s demands are simple:
$10 million dollars within the hour- or the hostages start dying. Friar James Gandolfini, adored for his portrayal of Tony Soprano on The Sopranos, and currently starring on Broadway in God of Carnage, plays the Mayor trying to do right by the city. The Taking of Pelham 123 is an action-packed, highly tense thriller that will have you clutching the edge of your seat. (and probably opting to take the bus for a while.)
“Land of the Lost” (Universal)
MATT LAUER
Men are famous for not asking for directions when they’re lost. Well, sometimes, as in the case of the hero of the summer blockbuster, Land of the Lost, that’s just not an option. Based on the 1970s children’s television show of the same title Land of the Lost stars comedy favorite Will Ferrell as has-been scientist, Dr. Rick Marshall, who gets sucked back through time. Waaaaaaaay back. We’re talking dinosaur and weird flying bat thingies time. Armed with only a questionable degree of intelligence and dubious survival instincts- Dr. Marshall finds himself fighting for his life against really odd creatures, and even more bizarre circumstances. And thanks to a cast that includes funny man Danny McBride, Anna Friel, and Jorma Taccone (who does a bang-up job portraying the furry little creature, Chaka) Land of the Lost will have you lost in laughter for 93 minutes- maybe 96.7 minutes, if you take a bathroom break during the previews. Snappy dialogue, wonderfully childish comedy antics, and adventure. It’s all in Land of the Lost. But the highlight of this fun-filled film is a hilarious cameo appearance by Friar Matt Lauer, who plays himself suffering the misfortune of interviewing guest, Dr. Rick Marshall, on the Today show. If you thought Friar Lauer was hysterically funny during his speech as Guest of Honor at our Friars Club Celebrity Roast 2008, just wait till you see him dealing with Will Ferrell. You’ll laugh so hard you’ll forget you paid $ 436 dollars for a tub of week-old popcorn at the concession stand.
“Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” (20th Century Fox)
ROBIN WILLIAMS & ROBERT BEN GARANT & THOMAS LENNON
When you visit a museum of Natural History you expect things to be, well, natural, right? Generally, exhibits are supposed to stay in their places on the museum floor as opposed to say, getting up and walking around. Stuffed creatures are supposed to stay stuffed. Famous dead people are supposed to stay dead. And ancient artifacts are supposed to stay in place, secure in fancy protective glass exhibit cases attached to all sorts of screaming alarms. But in the newly-released film Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, it turns out a lot more is going on at the American Museum of Natural History than meets the eye. In this outrageously fun sequel to Night at the Museum Ben Stiller (son of Friar beloved Jerry Stiller) returns as Larry Daley, the unfortunate night watchman who continues to encounter living and breathing museum exhibits looking to stir up all sorts of trouble. This time feature exhibits of the museum are being moved down to the Smithsonian Institution. But trouble, and hilarity, ensue in the process- with appearances by the likes of Teddy Roosevelt (played by Friar Robin Williams); Ivan the Terrible; Al Capone; General Custer; and Napoleon Bonaparte. The rest? Well, as they says, is history. Clever? Yes! Funny as heck? Yes! No surprise, though, considering Friar Robert Ben Garant and Friar Thomas Lennon co-wrote the film with Scott Frank. If you’re a fan of Comedy Central’s, Reno 911 ! you’ll recognize Garant and Lennon from their hilarious roles as Deputy Travis Junior and Lieutenant Jim Dangle.Two of the funniest actors in one of the funniest television shows. Other writing credits for this most talented creative duo include the films: Balls of Fury; The Pacifier; Night at the Museum; and Taxi. So, take a break from the intense July heat and go witness a Battle of the Smithsonian. With two Friars penning the script, and a cast that includes Friar Robin Williams, Hank Azaria, Ricky Gervais, Owen Wilson and Amy Adams- well, you just can’t go wrong.
FRIARS ON STAGE:
In Concert Nationwide:www.TomJones.com
SIR TOM JONES
What’s new, Pussycat? Woah, Woah, Woah. Friar Sir Tom Jones, who was honored with the 2009 Friars Foundation Artistic Scholarship Award, is touring the USA! Yes, that’s right. From the East Coast to the West Coast, from the Northern states right on down to the Southern ones, our favorite Welshman is taking his act on the road for a limited engagement. This is your chance to hear Sir Tom Jones, a recent inductee into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, sing such classic favorites as It’s Not Unusual; What’s New, Pussycat?; She’s A Lady; Delilah and soooooo much more!If you missed Friar Sir Jones’s amazing performance at our Friars Foundation Gala, now’s your chance to see what you missed. And if you saw Friar Sir Jones’s performance at the Friars Foundation Gala, then you are, most undoubtedly, eager to see more! So, we’ve pretty much got you covered both ways. Check www.TomJones.com for tour venues and dates. And then get ready to enjoy a legendary performance by a legendary performer. Friar Sir Tom Jones in concert- doesn’t get better than that! Woah… Woah… Woah…
July 4- The Villa Roma Resort, Calicoon , NY 845-887-4880/ July 22 & 29-“The Way It Was: An Evening of Comedy and Music”- Triad Theater- 158 W. 72 St. NYC-212-868-4444 (Also August 6th & 13th)
SAL RICHARDS
In today’s day and age, we have a tendency to obsess about the future. What’s going to be the latest fashion trend? Which brand of ice cream will make us fat in ten years? Who’s going to win the Grammy for Best New Re-Make of an Old Song By A Former Supermodel-Turned-Actress-Turned Singer? Well, as Friars know, sometimes it’s more fun to enjoy fond memories of the past instead of worrying so much about the future. Time for a dose of The Way It Was: An Evening of Comedy and Music starring comedian/singer/actor/director/writer Friar Sal Richards. Joining Friar Richards’ is special guest, Jerry Cardone, singing the songs of former Friars Abbot, Frank Sinatra. Now, as you already know, Friar Richards’ special brand of comedy has made him one of the favorites in the business. In fact, the Daily Newscalled him, "One of the funniest guys in showbiz.”Sal’s credits include: Rounders, Fighting Back, Out for Justice (with Friar Steven Segal), Love is All There Is, the soon-to-be released, My Sexiest Year, Law and Order: Criminal Intent, Deadline, Bachelor Life, an HBO Comedy Special, Merv Griffin, Make Me Laugh, The Comedy Shop, The Dean Martin Show, and The Sopranos. and presently working on his autobiography, and we just can’t wait to hear all about his life! But until then, we can sit back, relax, and enjoy an evening of laughter and music at the Triad Theater with performances by Friar Sal Richards and Jerry Cardone. And if you’re looking for something fun to do on July 4th celebrate Independence Day with Friar Richards at The Villa Roma Resort. Sure beats standing by the Hudson River behind that family with 400 kids- all balanced on their shoulders, blocking your view of the fireworks!
July 1st- 8:30 PM “If You Ever Leave Me: I’m Going With You”- Feinstein’s at Loews Regency
JOE BOLONA & RENEE TAYLOR
Most marriages are considered successful if the couple has managed to solve the whole toilet seat-up/ toilet seat down conflict. But Friars Joe Bologna and Renee Taylor have gone way beyond that. They’re not only happily married, but an award-winning writing, directing and acting team with credits that include Made for Each Other, Acts of Love and Other Comedies, Bedrooms, and It Had to be You. And for one night only you can see them live in, If You Ever Leave Me I'm Going with You- which recently completed successful runs nationwide- at Feinstein’s. Friar Bologna’s credits include: My Favorite Year, The Woman in Red, Blame It On Rio, Chapter Two, Honor Thy Father, Coupe de Ville, Cops and Robbers, Mixed Company, The Big Bus. Big Daddy, One Cooks, the Other Doesn't, A Time to Triumph, Sins, Torn Between Two Lovers, Copacabana, An Inconvenient Woman, The Danger of Love, Citizen Cohn, and Rags to Riches. Friar Taylor’s include: her Emmy-nominated portrayal of the title character's mom on the hit series, The Nanny, Dream On, Daddy Dearest, Luv, Last of the Red Hot Lovers A New Leaf, The Detective, Lovesick, White Palace, The Rehearsal Three Sisters, Annie Get Your Gun, Li'l Abner, Wish You Were Here, Abbot Jerry Lewis' The Errand Boy, as well as her acclaimed one-woman show Golda. So, start off the month of Independence with a bang, enjoying a marvelous performance by our charming and talented Monastery duo- Friar Joe Bologna and Friar Renee Taylor.
July 25 (Previews)-Opens Aug. 2nd- “Burn The Floor !”- The Longacre Theater- 220 West 48th Street, NYC
SHARON KLEIN
So, you know that thing you do at weddings when the live band begins to play and you’ve had one too many glasses of champagne? You know the move- that jutting, stumbling, off-tempo ‘move’ you do that makes everyone clear the dance floor and head for the valet? Well, compared to what audiences are treated to in the international dance show sensation, Burn The Floor!, Featuring an ensemble cast of the world’s top ballroom dancers this sizzling new show, takes audiences on wild ride through the most exciting dances in the ballroom dancing genre. The Cha-Cha, Charleston, Salsa, the Paso Doble, the Viennese Waltz, the Tango, Samba, Mambo, Swing, Quickstep- it’s all in there! With direction and choreography by Jason Gilkison, Burn The Floor ! Friar Sharon Klein, a professional dancer, is one of the producers, and heads up Sharon Klein Productions which produces and cast special events for corporations, hospitals and charities around the world (www.sharonkleinproductions.com). And she’s thrilled to be a part of this exciting show! Burn The Floor ! will have you gasping for breath as some of the best dancers in the world strut their stuff on stage. Legs kicking here, arms twirling there, pelvises thrusting here… and there… and everywhere! The show premiered in Bournemouth in ’99, and has since toured the world playing stages in Australia, Ireland, Great Britain, Spain, Japan, China, and now, America! And guess what? Dance superstars Max and Karina from Dancing With The Stars will be on hand to help steam up the stage when they open with the show and join the cast. So, trust us, if you think summer in NYC is sizzlin’, just wait till you see the veritable hotness that is Burn the Floor !
July 1,8,15,22, 29: 7 PM- Comedy Contest Catch on Broadway located at 318 W 53rd St.
SUZY YENGO & CRAIG NEIER & GENO BISCONTE
Nowadays, you can ‘catch’ a lot of things. You can ‘catch’ a ball at a Yankees game. You can ‘catch’ a big fish over the weekend. You can ‘catch’ a foreign film with subtitles at the local theater, and then ‘catch’ a nap in the middle of it because you don’t understand a blessed thing. Or you can ‘catch’ some great comedy talent featured during the Catch A New Rising Star contest sponsored by Catch a Rising Star comedy club partners, Friars Suzy Yengo and Craig Neier. This city-wide contest features a line-up of laugh-filled shows hosted by our very own Friar Geno Bisconte- one of our So You Think You Can Roast?! finalists. Described by fellow comics as a “fast talking wise guy…that you just have to love,” this Philadelphia-born is a veteran of the NYC comedy circuit, and his resume includes numerous TV appearances—from Delaware Lottery spokesman to ABC’s 20/20- as well as roles in numerous films, writing a monthly humor column for Bud Light, and hosting his own live NYC talk show It’s Comedy, People… (P.S. Geno’s not kidding- it really IS comedy!) Friar Bisconte is also a regular personality on Internet and Free Radio, and tours all over the country with Friar Artie Lange from The Howard Stern Show, and Jim Norton of Opie and Anthony. So, you can imagine how fun these Catch shows will be with Geno at the helm. As for the judges, who better than Friars Yengo and Neier, along with Al Martin, owner of Broadway Comedy. Prizes for the Catch comedy contest are featured spots at Catch A Rising Star venues throughout the country plus some nice cash-ola for the winner. The semi-finals are tentatively scheduled for 7/22 and the finals will be on 7/29. (For more info on the contest email contest@catcharisingstar.com). So, go ‘catch’ a great comedy contest at Catch on Broadway. Just stay away from those peep show places in that area of the city- cuz the stuff you can get there, you really, really, really don’t want to ‘catch’.
July 8- 9 PM Gurney's Resort Inn & Spa-290 Old Montauk Hwy, 631-668-2345, www.gurneysinn.com
July 10- 7-11 PM- An Evening Under The Stars Benefit for NICU-Belle Haven Club, Greenwich, CT.- For more info, stephaniea@greenhosp.org/ July 28th, 8 PM: Opening for Jim Gaffigan- Bennett Hall./ July 29th at 8 PM- Nantucket Comedy Festival-www.nantucketcomedyfestival.com
JANE CONDON
Unless you are one of those people still standing online at the Apple Store on Fifth Avenue to get the new iPhone, it’s time to start taking some day trips out of the city. Fresh air. Friendly people. (Dropped calls, if you have an iPhone). First on your list of destinations should be Montauk where you can enjoy the beach, and the comedy of Friar Jane Condon who is part of Friar Sharon Klein’s Summer Comedy series at Gurney’s Inn in beautiful Montauk. Friar Condon was named one of 10 Comedy Best Bets in Back Stage’s annual comedy issue and has appeared on Friar Joy Behar’s, The View, and Lifetime TV’s Girls’ Night Out. She also won the Ladies of Laughter Contest in 2004 and was voted Audience Favorite (NY) on NBC's Last Comic Standing in 2007. And she’s one of our favorites, too. But if you can’t make it out to Montauk, don’t worry. You can also catch Jane in CT for the An Evening Under The Stars 10th annual benefit for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Greenwich Hospital where Friar Condon will serve as both entertainment and auctioneer. Bring your wallets, folks. It’s for a good cause! Then Friar Condon is off to quaint Nantucket to perform in the Second Annual Nantucket Comedy Festival. (Last year she entertained during Women's Night and at the Roast of Friar Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara.) Friar Condon also opens for Jim Gaffigan at Bennett Hall this month. She’s also teaching comedy to teenagers (Kids 'N Comedy) at the Theatre Workshop of Nantucket. (check out www.JaneCondon.com for more info.) So, get cracking on those day trips out of the city, folks. With comedienne Friar Jane Condon, you’ll be laughing all the way to the beach this summer!
FRIARS ON TV:
The History Channel: “Mystery Quest”
PAUL GINSBERG
Ssssssh! Someone could be listening to everything you’re saying right now. Who, you ask? Well, it could be a fellow Friar who is specially trained in the art of listening. A Friar who is one of the most respected engineering experts in the field of tape-recorded evidence. A Friar who spends his days digitally enhancing and examining recordings produced by the F.B.I., Customs, D.E.A., I.R.S., S.E.C., and A.T.F. and Homeland Security. A Friar so knowledgeable that he lectures to prosecutors and law enforcement agents from coast to coast about electronic surveillance evidence. A Friar who has provided his expertise in over 1,700 trials in 28 Federal districts and Canada. Appeared on CNN, FOX and MSNBC. Been featured in various newspapers and magazines and TV shows. Hmmmm. Who could it be? It’s Friar Paul Ginsberg, that’s who! And in addition to listening to terrorists, politicians, drug dealers, international arms smugglers and organized crime capos, this fascinating Friar is now listening to "ghosts". Tune in this summer to The History Channel’s hit show, Mystery Quest, to see Friar Ginsberg analyze recordings made by two "ghost hunters" who spent the night at the Alcatraz, allegedly chit-chatting with the ghost of Al Capone. (wonder if he complained about Prohibition the whole time?) We can’t give too much away, but suffice it to say, at one point in the show Friar Ginsberg looks directly into the camera and declares, "These sounds were not made by a human - at least not a live one". Woo! Scary stuff! The tentative air date for this episode of Mystery Quest is August 12th, but keep your eyes out in case the ghost of Al Capone makes an earlier appearance on your TV screen. And look for Friar Ginsberg’s article entitled, Recorded Evidence for Prosecutors, in the current issue of Prosecutor Magazine. And then remember to watch what you say at the Monastery, because you never know who might be listening….
July 15- “Michael and Michael Have Issues”- Every Wednesday at 10:30 PM- Comedy Central- (www.michaelandmichaelhaveissues.com)
REESE WATERS
While Queen of England attempts to reduce the high cost of being a monarch- $ 68 million last year alone- comedian Friar Reese Waters is busy giving the gift of laughter to Comedy Central fans on a new show called Michael and Michael Have Issues. And unlike a subjects of some monarchies in the world, supporting this Friar doesn’t cost taxpayers an arm, a leg and a crumpet.Just a monthly cable bill! A hot up-and-coming comedian, and finalist in our So You Think You Can Roast?! contest, Friar Waters has joined the cast of this eagerly-anticipated sketch comedy show within a sketch comedy show (think 30 Rock) and plays the editor in the behind-the-scenes scenes. This wonderfully funny new series stars the ever-hilarious Michael Ian Black and Michael Showalter. And with Friar Waters on board, well, we can only imagine the fun that ensues. A veteran standup comic, Reese won the annual Caroline’s Comedy Competition and the Emerging Comics Contest at the NY Underground Comedy Festival, and in March 2009, was featured as one of ten comedians to watch in New York Magazine. And boy, do we like watching! His other credits include: Comics Unleashed, Total Request Live, Good Morning America, Sirius Satellite Radio, National Public Radio and currently performs weekly at the PIT Theatre. Oh, he also went to Columbia (the University, not the country, although it’s entirely possible he vacationed in the country as well.) and has recorded numerous commercials for both television and radio. For all the scoop on this talented young Friar check out www.myspace.com/reesewaters and his soon-to-be launched website, www.reesewaters.com- which we can only hope didn’t cost the whopping $661,302 Great Britain’s Royal Family shelled out for their website.)
The Nancy Lombardo Show- Fridays 7pm channel 56 Time Warner 83 RCN
July 22, 6-9 p.m.) - Ladies Who Laugh” Benefit- 30 Rockefeller Center, NYC - www.nywici.org
NANCY LOMBARDO
A Georgia mayor got in trouble when he was found sitting naked at a campsite. Public indecency, Republican-style. Well, lucky for Friars there is some public decency going on right here in NYC. Friar Nancy Lombardo, whose show Momedy was part of the international Mampalooza Festival and a major hit, is at it again. This comedienne and writer will be part of the New York Women in Communications Foundation Presents Ladies Who Laugh- a comedy fundraiser supporting the next generation of communications professionals through scholarships. The evening includes a reception and comedy show at NBC's Historic Studio 8H, home to Saturday Night Live. Friar Lombardo is also launching her own blog talk radio show called, Comedy Concepts. Not to mention that she already hosts The Nancy Lombardo Show, now in its 3rd year,Fridays 7pm channel 56 Time Warner 83 RCN is now in its 3rd year, And her new comedy box CD, Color Me Crazy, is available for public consumption on her website www.comedyconcepts.com. So, tune in for lots of laughs with Friar Nancy Lombardo. Sure beats camping with a naked mayor this summer…
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