Friars have socialized and been entertained by every major Broadway and Great American Songbook composer starting with Friar George M. Cohan, who in addition to writing over 50 Broadway shows and 300 songs happened to pen “Over There” at a table during lunch at the Friars Club. Last night continuing this tradition, and in the same building that Friar Irving Berlin, Sammy Cahn and countless luminaries have performed, musical theatre legends Richard Maltby Jr. and David Shire entertained The Friars with a major dose of Maltby & Shire music.
Their 5 decade collaboration has produced shows and revues such as “Closer Than Ever” “Baby” “Big” “Starting Here, Starting Now” . They are two of the most beloved and prolific creators of songs that portray and chronicle our lives.
Singing their praises and music were host & producer Jamie deRoy, Charlotte Maltby, Loni Ackerman, David Gaines, Charlie Franklin, Lynne Wintersteller, Sal Viviano, Haley Swindal, Deniz Cordell, and Jordan Barron. Shire and Maltby also performed and watching Richard Maltby Jr. sing, “dance” and handle a top hat reminded one of the James Cagney – Bob Hope routine in the movie “The Seven Little Foys” when they performed for their fellow Friars as they portrayed George M Cohan and Eddie Foy.
It all happened last night before an overflow Friar audience in the Milton Berle Room, cocktails in the Barbra Streisand Room and dinner in The Frank Sinatra Dining Room.
Richard & David were elected as members of the Friars Club last night and David Shire cleverly noted that he will now be known as Friar Shire.
You don’t have to be a composer or lyricist to join The Friars, but you do have to be able to enjoy music and entertainment.
(For another article & complete photos of this event go to Broadwayworld.com)
Richard Maltby Jr., Jamie deRoy, David Shire
David Shire, Jamie deRoy, Richard Maltby Jr.
Richard Maltby Jr. & Charlotte Maltby
The Friars Club
Jamie deRoy & Eda Sorokoff
Art
Ahead of the Broadway Opening of Lempicka The Longacre Theatre Is Showcasing Art Work By Tamara de Lempicka
The Longacre Theatre (220 W 48th St.), soon-to-be home of the sweeping new musical, Lempicka, is showcasing a curated selection of renowned artist Tamara de Lempicka’s most famous works. Eschewing traditional theatrical front-of-house advertising, the Longacre’s façade now boasts prints, creating a museum-quality exhibition right in the heart of Times Square. The musical opens on Broadway on April 14, 2024 at the same venue.
The Longacre’s outdoor exhibition includes works of Self Portrait (Tamara in a Green Bugatti) (1929), Young Girl in Green (1927), Nu Adossé I (1925), The Red Tunic (1927), The Blue Scarf (1930), The Green Turban (1930), Portrait of Marjorie Ferry (1932), Portrait of Ira P. (1930), Portrait of Romana de la Salle (1928), and Adam and Eve (1932).
Starring Eden Espinosa and directed by Tony Award winner Rachel Chavkin, Lempicka features book, lyrics, and original concept by Carson Kreitzer, book and music by Matt Gould, and choreography by Raja Feather Kelly.
Spanning decades of political and personal turmoil and told through a thrilling, pop-infused score, Lempicka boldly explores the contradictions of a world in crisis, a woman ahead of her era, and an artist whose time has finally come.
Young Girl in Green painted by Tamara de Lempicka (1927). Oil on plywood.