Do you want to have the best birthday party ever? First…. be talented and admired entertainers who have lots of talented friends. Then, have many adoring fans and a large loving family. Next, have Sunny Sessa and Craig Neier create and produce your celebration at the Friars Club. The Friars Club which is the ground zero gathering place for show business folks and one of a kind events (most recent the Billy Crystal Icon Award Gala) hosted Will & Anthony Nunziata’s Birthday Bash last night and here is a look inside the celebration.

There were performances by Grammy Award Winner Steve Tyrell (who will open his 14th season at Cafe Carlyle tomorrow night), Karon Kate Blackwell, Nicole Henry, Haley Swindal, Tony Award Winner Cady Huffman, and comedian Jessica Kirson. TV’s Ernie Anastos was the Master of Ceremonies and Eugene Gwozdz was at the keyboard. Video Birthday messages were sent by Michael Feinstein, Loni Anderson, Judith Light, Fran Drescher, Robert Davi, Clint & Kelly Holmes, Deana Martin, Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis Jr. and Billy Stritch. The Boys thrilled the well wishers who filled the Frank Sinatra Dining Room with the spectacular singing they are known for.

This was a very special evening at the Friars Club…. where most every evening is a celebration!

(More photos of the party can be seen on Broadwayworld.com)

Will & Anthony Nunziata

Craig Neier & Sunny Sessa, Producers

Ernie Anastos, Anthony Nunziata, Will Nunziata

Will Nunziata, Steve Tyrell, Sunny Sessa, Stephen Sorokoff, Haley Swindal

Steve Tyrell & Sunny Sessa

Eda Sorokoff, Jack Tantleff, Haley Swindal

Will Nunziata, Sunny Sessa, Anthony Nunziata

Sunny Sessa & Craig Neier

Wayne Diamond & Ralph Compagnone

The Nunziata’s

Will Nunziata, Anthony Nunziata, Steve Tyrell, Cady Huffman, Craig Neier, Haley Swindal

Ron Abel & Eda Sorokoff

Stephen Sorokoff & Ralph Compagnone

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Stephen Sorokoff

Stephen studied at the Manhattan School of Music. Besides being a pianist, Stephen’s business career was in the Fashion Industry. He was CEO of a textile manufacturing facility and President of an international textile machinery company. Stephen was on the Board of Directors of the “First All Children’s Theatre” which brought the Stephen Schwartz musical The Trip and Captain Louie to the Kennedy Center in Wash DC. His wife Eda, an interior space designer and classical pianist was on the Board of Barrington Stage Company and is still active at BSC. Stephen’s photographs, videos and articles appear on Broadwayworld.com, T2Conline.com and The New York Observer. He is active in the entertainment events at the Friars Club, where he is a member. Stephen is also an Honorary Board Member of The Society For The Preservation of The Great American Songbook. Stephen Sorokoff@gmail.com

Celebrities

The Glorious Corner

Published

21 hours ago

March 27, 2023

G. H. HARDING

G.H. Harding

SLY REVIVED — (via Rolling Stone) Sly Stone, the enigmatic R&B/funk icon, will share his story in a new memoir, Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin), arriving Oct. 17 via Questlove’s new publishing imprint, AUWA Books.

Stone co-wrote the new book with Ben Greeman, who’s written memoirs with George Clinton, Brian Wilson, and Questlove (he helped the Roots drummer with his three other books, too). Questlove — who’s directing a documentary about Stone — will also pen a foreword for Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin).

In a statement, Stone said, “For as long as I can remember folks have been asking me to tell my story. I wasn’t ready. I had to be in a new frame of mind to become Sylvester Stewart again to tell the true story of Sly Stone. It’s been a wild ride and hopefully my fans enjoy it too.”

Born Sylvester Stewart, Stone’s music career began when he was a child, singing in a gospel quartet with his siblings. In the Sixties, he worked as a radio DJ in the Bay Area, forming various soul groups, including the extremely successful Sly and the Family Stone. The group’s debut,A Whole new Thing, arrived in 1967, and that same year they released their first major hit, “Dance to the Music,” which anchored the band’s second album. Between 1967 and and 1982, Sly and the Family Stone released 10 albums, including classics like Stand! and There’s a Riot Goin; On.

But after the dissolution of the Family Stone, Stone struggled to find success as a solo artist while simultaneously battling drug addiction. Though he got sober, he receded from public life, making only sporadic appearances, like the band’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a performance at the 2006 Grammys. In 2011, Stone released a new solo album, I’m Back! Family and Friends; in 2016, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammys.

Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) is one of several books on the initial slate for Questlove’s new AUWA Books venture. (The Farrar, Straus and Giroux imprint takes its name, by the way, from the bird-call noise Prince used on songs like “Baby I’m a Star” and “Eye No.”) Also on the docket: Questlove’s new book, Hip-Hop Is History, and a book from TikTok star Drew Afualo (both out in 2024).

This is major news for sure. If you’re of a certain age, Sly Stone’s music was the best. The true of story of what actually happened should be cataclysmic. The stories I’ve heard over the years encompass almost everything good and bad about the music industry. I hope the curtain is finally pulled back in this instance.

Neil Young

TICKET TO YOUNG — (Via Ultimate Classic Rock) Count Neil Young among those musicians who blame escalating ticket prices for ruining the concert industry. “It’s over. The old days are gone,” Young declared in a message posted to his Neil Young Archives website. “I get letters blaming me for $3,000.00 tickets for a benefit I am doing. That money does not go to me or the benefit. Artists have to worry about ripped off fans blaming them for Ticketmaster add-ons and scalpers.”

The acclaimed rocker’s message was accompanied by a story about the Cure and their recent battle with Ticketmaster. The ticketing giant earned the scorn of the goth rock band and their fans by adding several fees to ticket prices for the Cure’s upcoming North American tour. In some cases, these “unduly high” fees, as Robert Smith called them, resulted in the actual price of tickets nearly doubling from their face value. Ticketmaster eventually agreed to refund some of the cost.

“Concert tours are no longer fun,” Young opined, pointing to ticket fees and scalpers as the culprit. “Concert tours not what they were.”

Young’s thoughts about ticket prices are the latest in his ongoing list of gripes regarding modern touring. In December, the rocker reiterated his refusal to play at concert venues that use factory farms.

John Wick: Chapter 4

SHORT TAKES — Could Big Blue be coming back? Blockbuster for decades was the go-to spot for DVDs and video-tapes. Stay tuned …I love Keanu Reeves, but I must admit I’ve not seen any of the John Wick movies. Chapter 4 opened this past weekend with a $74 million+ score. Rather amazing in this post-covid period.

I pulled up the trailer and was terrifically impressed by the lush visuals; beautiful music and Reeves and Lance Reddick just sensational. I am thinking of a John Wick-weekend where I’ll watch all 4 … Writer/producer Terry Jastrow arrives in NY this week with his wife actress Anne Archer … Whatever happened to the Madonna biopic? You ask three different people and you get three different answers,. Check this one out from IndieWire: https://www.indiewire.com/2023/03/julia-garner-madonna-biopic-fingers-crossed-1234819696/ …

Julia Garner

Personally, I don’t think Garner should do it. Mired in controversy already, could it really be any good? … GUESS WHO DON”T SUE: What up-and-coming metal band is using the name of a high-profile manager to score some Manhattan-gigs? They were going to work with the manager until it blew up. Simply shady if you ask me … btw: whatever happened to Wendy Stuart Kaplan? …

Shrinking

Friday was the last episode (for their inaugural season) of Apple TV+’s Shrinking which has just been so excellent in this its debut season. Jason Segal and Brett Goldstein have come up with the best show on streaming yet. Infectiously good and the acting turns from Segal and Harrison Ford are off the charts. The show culminated in a wedding for best-friend Brian (Michael Urie) and ended with a call-back to the show’s very first scene. Remember it? Truly a one-of-a-kind show. We loved it … I’ve heard at least 4 stories on the news this weekend about composting. Is this a hot topic now? Trending is it? … RIP Nicholas Lloyd Webber

NAMES IN THE NEWS –— Alex Salzman; Rob Petrie; Anthony Pomes; Terry Jastrow; Tyrone Biljan; Jacqueline Boyd; Bill McCuddy; Brad LeBeau; Nile Rodgers; Nancy Hunt; Steve Leeds; Terri Epstein; Brenda K. Starr; Tom & Lisa Cuddy; William Schill; Robert Funaro; Vinny Pastore; Maureen Van Zandt; Tricia Daniels; and ZIGGY!

Celebrities

The Glorious Corner

Published

3 months ago

January 3, 2023

Suzanna Bowling

G.H. HARDING

WALTER’S WIT — Sad news here for sure. Walters definitely broke the glass ceiling for sure and on her last day on The View, all the female anchors and co-anchors (those who knew her and those that she inspired) showed up to wish her well and that was a beautiful site. From Savannah Guthrie and Debbie Roberts and Katie Couric and Joan Lunden on down, it was quite a site. Fitting for sure.

I would bump into Walters at various events and screenings and she was always totally focused and charming. I actually shared a table with her and bff Cindy Adams at The Palm West one night; set up by their PR-man David Salidor.

Walters was again suitably charming and I walked away with even more respect. Sure she had some trouble along the way -namely Harry Reasoner and Dan Rather- but in reality, that’s part of the game. I don’t think it was due to her gender, rather just being competitive. Say hat you will, but media in general is a tough game to play and a measured degree of aggressiveness is always called for.

I was at many View shows too and though ti was always hard to talk to her during that show, she was graceful. A true giant for sure. The main talent Booker there Donald Berman -retired last year and there from the start of the program- was a true gentleman with exquisite taste.

One other point must be made: he partner and co-producer Bill Geddie was with her right in the line of fire. Bill was always a gentleman, but he, along with Walters, made The View what is was. ABC bought her out and it’s never been the same.

THE GOOD NURSE —People keep asking me what’s happened to the cinema this year as the choices have been downright meager and frustrating. Top Gun/Maverick could well get a slew of nominations – not for the movie – but for bringing people back into the theaters. The nominations are announced on Tuesday, January 24.

The Fablemans, to me at least, was a major disappointment and I can’t really put my finger on why. I’m a Spielberg fan for sure, but this just seemed somewhat too ordinary. Plus, the script by Tony Kushner seemed terribly limp – especially when compared to his beatific Angels In America epic.

We watched The Good Nurse with Eddie Redmayne and Jessica Chastain and it was pretty good, but a movie about a serial killer was certainly a downer, certainly not the movie for New Year’s Eve. Redmayne was good, not in his Harry Potter-esque motif, but again, it was a one-note portrayal. Chastain continually surprises me and was actually stunningly terrific. Her performance is worth the price of admission.SHORT TAKES — Hulu’s Welcome to Chippendales ends this week after 8 episodes. I’ve watched all seven so far and as I’ve said, have found the story to be vastly compelling. That said, the production looks cheap. Had they spent a few more dollars, it could have been a stellar show. Murray Bartlett (White Lotus) as Nick di Noia is just great and Andrew Rannells as his bf is sensational too. Topliner Kumail Nanjiana is searing as well. The story’s great for sure …

Bischoff’s Confectionary, in Teaneck, New Jersey, was a sweet shop for 90 years. They just closed. Sad, Check out their story: https://newjersey.news12.com/bischoffs-teanecks-beloved-ice-cream-shop-honored-for-90-years-of-service … Rolling Stone magazine just issued their list of the Best 100 Singers of All Time. It’s a ludicrous list, emphasizing yet again, the current edition of Rolling Stone has absolutely NO relation to the Jann Wanner-days. So, so sad. Check out Roger Friedman’s brilliant take on it. Honestly, I couldn’t have written a better one myself: https://www.showbiz411.com/2023/01/01/rolling-stone-vomits-up-a-random-clickbait-list-of-top-100-singers-with-sinatra-at-19-streisand-147-do-they-know-what-singing-means…

Canons

I got into a whole playlist of Canons and just loved it. They’re the band that had “Fire For You” and “Tunnel Of You.” Led by Michelle Joy, they’ve become a major favorite and I see big things in store for them. One selection was a cover of Springsteen’s “Dancing In The Dark” which was great. Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7r_xgV-z88 …

Looking for something to watch I came across Woody Allen’s Irrational Man with Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone and Parker Posey and absolutely loved it. Imagine my surprise when I learned it was from 2015. Ever since the brouhaha with Mia Farrow, Allen’s been persona non grata is many ways. Honestly, this film was sensational. It was Allen’s typical-magnificent work and the actors were great. One of Stone’s best and Parker Posey’s best ever. I loved it … Loved last week’s Kennedy Center Awards. Thought the tribute to George Clooney was hilarious and his father speech just terrific. Dianne Reeves performance was just splendid but no mention of George’s aunt Rosemary. I was hoping for some ERcast-members to show, but nada. Eddie Vedder doing two U2 songs was great. What a voice … Check out this video from Ashley Suppa doing Billy Joel’s “The Longest Time” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UMwajNkvG0&t=113s … Exquisite. Going to be a big year for Ms. Suppa; stay tuned … and HAPPY BDAY Bruce Shindler and RIP Fred White of Earth, Wind & Fire and Anita Pointer.

NAMES IN THE NEWS — Chris Gilman; Tom & Lisa Cuddy; Jodi Ritzen; Donna Quinter; Cori Gardner; Russ Titleman; Decca Records; Peter Bart; Bruce Haring; Joe Lynch; Peter Abraham; Len Salidor; Mark bego; Cliff Richard; John Reid; Hugh Jackman; Jack Rollins; Jerry Seinfeld; Dennis Arfa; CRIMSHAW; and CHIP!

Broadway

Broadway Barks Returns July 9th

Published

9 months ago

June 19, 2022

Suzanna Bowling

For their first in-person event in three years for its 24^th annual dog and cat adoption event that benefits New York City animal rescue groups. The event, co-founded by Bernadette Peters and Mary Tyler Moore, features Broadway celebrities who use their star power to help find loving homes for animals in need from 25 participating NYC area shelters.

This year, Peters will host the event with Sutton Foster who currently stars on Broadway in the hit musical, The Music Man.

For over 20 years, more than 2,000 cats and dogs have stolen Broadway’s spotlight and the hearts of all who come to the event. Approximately 85% of these furry friends have successfully found forever homes. The event, produced by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, will take place in Shubert Alley (located between 44th and 45th Streets, between Broadway and Eighth Avenues). Festivities begin at 3 p.m. for a ‘meet and greet’ with all the adoptable pets (adoption event); from 5-6:30 p.m. adoptees make their Broadway debut on stage alongside some of Broadway’s favorite stars (celebrity presentations).