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FRIARS AROUND TOWN
Ahhhhh, February! The month the hits on Match.com rise to new heights as seekers of true love momentarily lower their expectations and simply settle for a date with any human being who has skin. The month the NY Giants take to the gridiron for Super Bowl XLVI (that’s 46, for those of you Roman Numerically challenged). The month beautiful actresses, who do brilliant accents, lose the golden statue to an even more beautiful actress, who does a better accent. Yes, February is a month of both hope and wonder. Wondering about who will push forward in the presidential race, and hoping it’s not one of the dingbats. Wondering which letters Pat Sajak and Vanna White spun whilst inebriated on Wheel of Fortune, and hoping you haven’t been spelling those same words wrong all your adult sober life. Wondering how the captain of a capsizing vessel could slip and accidentally fall into a life boat, and hoping that your next vacation isn’t on a cruise. And lastly, wondering which Friars are performing where this month, and hoping you can get to see them all…
FRIARS ON TV:
On Television- check your local listings
KELSEY GRAMMER
If you are one of the fortunate souls left in America who can still afford cable premium channels, then you’d best tune into the hottest new show on Starz. It’s no secret that the Windy City has a history of well, shall we say, somewhat spotty politics. Just take a look at Rod Blago-whatevertheheckhisnameis, soon to be checking in for license-making duty at the local prison. But thanks to the creative team behind the latest hit series, Boss, Chicago just got more interesting. Friar Kelsey Grammer, beloved star of Cheers and Frasier¸ takes on his most intense role as Mayor Tom Kane, a powerhouse of a politician secretly suffering from a degenerative brain disorder. Intrigue, scandal, and political fall-out soon follow. Compelling, masterful, gripping – this is a performance not to be missed. So, tune in to Starz to see Friar Grammer work his magic. This is one politician you’ll want to see every week – unlike, say, some other politicians we’re hearing from lately who don’t seem to know when the American Revolution occurred- or if it did occur at all.
DENNIS FARINA
HBO’s Luck- Sundays, 9 PM
Friars, you’re luck just improved ten-fold, thanks to the premiere of a new drama series on HBO called Luck. Just released from three years in federal prison, Chester “Ace” Bernstein (played by Dustin Hoffman) returns home to Santa Anita Park, and gets back in the gambling business with his trusted driver and bodyguard, Gus Demitriou, played by Friar Dennis Farina. The show features a host of fascinating characters, tracks rats, hustlers, lowlifes- the perfect crowd of folks to spend your Sunday nights with.
Celebrity Autobiography- www.celebrityautobiography.com.
EUGENE PACK & RICK NEWMAN & PRETTY MUCH EVERY LITERATE CELEBRITY IMAGINABLE
If a blind date with a guy who gives you chocolates that expired two years ago isn’t your cup o’ tea this Valentine’s Day, perhaps you should spend V-Day at the 92nd Street Y (8:15 PM) with the cast of the internationally renowned Celebrity Autobiography. Yes, the show’s creator, Friar Eugene Pack, and co-producer, Friar Rick Newman, are striking an arrow into the hearts of comedy fans abound. Celebrity Autobiography features tongue-in-cheek performances by celebrities reading book passages penned by other celebrities. We’re talking tomes by such literary masters as Justin Bieber, "The Situation," David Hasselhoff, Geraldo Rivera, Melissa Gilbert, Destiny’s Child, The Jonas Brothers, Zsa Zsa Gabor, David Cassidy, Britney Spears, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Eminem, and Vanna White! Two minutes into Celebrity Autobiography and we’re all reminded just how brilliant a writer Ernest Hemmingway was. The Valentine’s Day show features Friars Dick Cavett, Judy Gold, Eugene Pack & Alan Zweibel, along with Jackie Hoffman, and Dayle Reyfel. But there’s more, folks! The Drama Desk Award-winning show returns to the Triad Theater on the 13th & 15th (a benefit performance for SLAM) with its new edition, Celebrity Autobiography: The Next Chapter. Additional shows include Feb. 3 & 4 (8 pm) at San Francisco Sketchfest; Feb. 16th (8 PM)- Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown, NJ; the 21st (5:30pm & 8 PM)- Indian Wells Theater, Palm Desert, CA (Benefits Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital) Check the website for current schedules of the rotating casts which include Friars Lainie Kazan, Martin Short, Mario Cantone, Eugene Pack, and Alan Zweibel, along with Craig Bierko, Valerie Bertinelli, Micky Dolenz, Florence Henderson, Andrea Martin, Matthew Perry, Martha Plimpton, Dayle Reyfel, Ryan Reynolds, Bobby Cannavale, Andy Cohen, Rachel Dratch, America Ferrara, Santino Fonatna, Kristen Johnston, Natasha Lyonne, Ralph Macchio, just to name a few. This is the most fun you’ll ever have reading bad writing! Who knows? Maybe, just maybe, we can hope for a reading from Captain Francesco Schettino’s upcoming memoir, If You Tilt Your Head, The Ship Doesn’t Look Like It’s Sinking.
Also at the 92nd Street Y…
DICK CAVETT
As part of its Reel Pieces series the 92nd Street Y (conveniently located on 82nd Street, by the way) legendary talk show host Friar Dick Cavett chats with moderator Annette Insdorf and legendary film maker Woody Allen, whose films, Midnight in Paris, is all the buzz at the awards shows this year. The interview will be followed by a screening of Mr. Allen’s film, Radio Days, which received a best screenplay Oscar nomination… unlike say, Showgirls, which, despite a jacuzzi scene fraught with brilliant dialogue and gurgling noises,
did not.
The Acorn Theater- 212-239-6200
JANEANE GAROFALO
Comedienne/actress Friar Janeane Garofalo takes to the stage in Russian Transport at the Acorn Theater in a suspenseful family drama set in the Russian Jewish community of Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. The lead characters are Diana and Misha, an immigrant couple, who are struggling to live the American Dream- running a struggling transportation company and raising two teenagers, Alex and Mira. And when Diana’s brother, Boris, arrives for an extended stay, well, family tensions hit an all-time high. Ah, family. Can’t live with ‘em, and can’t get them to leave the darn house!
February 27th- 8:00pm. The PIT -123 E. 24th St. NYC - http://thepit-nyc.com/show/stone-and-stone-4/?cur_d=120130&cur_m=1201
ADAM & TODD STONE
A four year-old Connecticut boy brought nine bags of pot to school with him and pulled them out just in time for Snack Time. Well, that’s one way to get stoned. But there’s another way, and it’s much more legal, and doesn’t require you eat carrot sticks or take a nap in the middle of the floor. Fresh off of a hilarious turn at the Friars Club Sunshine Comedy and Raffle Night, as well as a smashing performance that included guest appearances by Taylor Negron, Goumba Johnny, Baldo and Mark Normand Friars Adam and Todd Stone are working their comedy magic at the PIT this month for a special evening of stereo laughs. Always funny, always charming, and always talking at the same time, the Brothers Stone take to the stage at 8 PM. For tickets and more info, go to the link above. And then stock up on Doritos and doughnuts and prepare for some serious munchies while you get Stone-ed with Stone & Stone. (Okay, fine, bring some carrot sticks with you as well. That’s if the four year-old will share his stash with you.)
Aventura Arts and Cultural Center - 3385 NE 188th St., Aventura FL 33180
Individual tix call - 954-462-0222 --- For Groups of 10 or more call 305-919-3731
LARRY TOPPALL
Freezing weather, impending snow storms, and cranky Northerners who have already given up their New Year’s Resolutions aren’t the only reasons to head down to Florida this month. Producer Friar Larry Toppall announces two grand events going on in the Sunshine State that are sure to plant a smile on your otherwise freezer-burned face. Running Feb. 8th through February 12th it’s At Last – featuring the songs of Harry Warren. Join Barry Levitt and a group of talented musicians and singers entertain with songs such ageless classics as At Last, Lullaby of Broadway, I Only Have Eyes For You and 42nd Street. Then, starting Feb. 23 through February 26th it’s none other than the Mandy Patinkin, star of stage, film, and television, in Let Go – an extraordinary journey through the words and music of some of America’s finest composers, from Arlen to Berlin, Sondheim to Bernstein. This is Mandy Patinkin's latest and most intimate concert yet, and a show absolutely not to be missed. So, take a break from golf and head over to the Aventura Arts and Cultural Center to take in some great entertainment courtesy of Friar Larry Toppall!
FRIARS IN PRINT
On the Huff- http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rob-taub
ROB TAUB
As Twitter continues the trend of announcing the deaths of celebrities who are alive and well, Friar Rob Taub’s new column on the Huffington Post is a welcome respite from all things stupid on the Internet. Up and running with his very own column on the Huff Post now, Friar Taub is busy keeping us all informed on politics, books, and show biz news. Having enjoyed an eclectic career in film, television, theater and print, his work in broadcast has encompassed everything from scripted comedies to World Wrestling Entertainment. As a journalist Friar Taub has written more than 64 articles for top tier outlets including People Magazine, and his distinctive voice can be heard in several films by the Coen Brothers (Friars, by the way) including Miller's Crossing and Barton Fink. His latest television venture is as political pundit/humorist on Fox News Live where he shares his "often angry, always annoyed" sensibility with viewers weekly, and he appears regularly on Fox News Live and plays the role of Russell Carlton on The Onion News Network. He is also the Director of New Media for Keller Williams NYC. So, check out Friar Taub’s writing as soon as you can. Yes, yes, there’s more to the world than the heartbreak that is Heidi Klum and Seal’s divorce… not much, but surely, there’s something.
New in Books
GARY ALEXANDER
As real estate agents clamor to get the best listings for the moon colony Newt Gingrinch has promised us all for 2020, Friar Gary Alexander is busy getting the next generation ready to see stars. Yes, yes, the ever-prolific broadcast personality has penned yet another book, and this one is for the kiddies, although, it actually suits readers from pretty much any age from 9 to 99! Constellation Station is the illustrated story about a young lad's strange train ride to the stars - the constellations! A sci-fi tale sporting an international character that all readers will love. And when you think about it, the book itself is pretty international - published in Australia, printed in Missouri, illustrated by a Bulgarian artist in California, and of course, penned here in New York. So, get your copy of Constellation Station now. There’s plenty of elements to engage inquisitive youngsters and fascinated adults. (Available on Barnes & Noble.com and Amazon.com- under the author’s nome de plume, Gary Alexander Azerier.) Then it’s off to the stars with you!
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