The Legendary Friars Club and History that Matters

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By Lena Yudina

What comes to your mind when you hear the name ‘The Friars Club’ in New York City? For me visiting the Club as a guest, learning about its history, and having an inside look at the magnificent building was a light culture shock, and it provoked some unique discoveries. ‘The Friars Club’, as an organization, traces its roots to 1904. Later the Club’s performances were televised in the 1970s as part of the Kraft Music Hall series and then The Dean Martin Show and   Comedy Central (1998 to 2002).

The Friars Club and Its History

Nowadays, a members-only, exclusive ‘Friars Club’ is located on the Upper East side of Manhattan at 57 East, 55th street. The place is the oldest social and entertainment Club in New York that is famous for its celebrity roasts and prominent members like Frank Sinatra, Jerry Lewis, Larry King, and Barbara Streisand. The decorative, well-crafted walls of this peculiar building with large stained glass windows, vintage staircases, and fireplaces that are nearly 70 years old, display large framed pictures of celebrities, politicians, artists, filmmakers, and musicians who visited this venue in the past. Walking the charming vintage stairs of the Club, I found pictures of notable honorees and celebrities like Billy Crystal, as well as other stars such as Bruce Willis, Quentin Tarantino, Richard Pryor, Betty White, Terry Bradshaw, and many others. 

How To Get There and What to Expect from Your Visit

According to historical evidence, back in the 1950s, when official comedy roasts took place, the Club was an all-male place. The wealthy and famous were getting together to dine, listen to music and laugh at the playfully improvised jokes and comedy talks generously performed by some of the most attractive, witty, and intelligent comedy artists of all time.  

The Club is located in a historic building called the “Monastery.” Whether it’s for a specific reason or for an occasion, but that name already sounds like a funny joke as the building is not even close to being a monastery. This little detail makes a significant impact on the atmosphere and overall spirit of the Club, where “FUN” is king, and “TASTE” is a queen. “Good Theatre begins with its entrance”, said K. Stanislavski, one of the leading art directors and actors of the past. So the access to the Friars Club with its catchy titles, gorgeous wooden doors, and well-mannered door-men leave no doubt about the quality of time you can have there, once visiting the place. 

Perhaps the best way to learn about some exclusive places like the ‘Friars Club’ is to become a member or to meet and speak with someone who is an insider and who can share a story or a fact. The ‘Friars Club’s’ membership options include meeting with such people, celebrities as well as tasty dining options with a high-standard menu, and other quality offers that deserve a separate article of their own.  

My Recent Visit To The Friars Club

I recently visited ‘ The Friars Club’ and interviewed its singer Steven Maglio, who runs his monthly music show ‘NOT Just Sinatra’, a combination of Frank’s signatures and some other popular songs. I was curious to see the Club with a different eye. I noticed the smallest details, designs, and front runner characters of the evening show, including its comedians, musicians, guests, orderly floor management and waiter staff, as well as the excellent cuisine, and the spellbinding architecture of the building. 

Since Steven Maglio dedicated most of his music at ‘The Friars Club’ to the memory and legacy of Frank Sinatra, my first couple of questions to Steven were as follows: 

Lena :

1. When did your interest in Frank Sinatra’s music begin, and was there a moment in your life when you met with Frank Sinatra in person?

Steven :

I never met Frank Sinatra or his children. I met his granddaughter AJ a few times. But, I’m very close friends with Dean Martin’s daughter, Deana Martin, and her husband, John Griffeth.

2. Could you name a couple of favorite Sinatra songs and share with me how they are significant to you? 

There are too many favorites to narrow down to a shortlist, so I would say that all the bigger hits are the ones that mean the most. New York, My Way, Lady Is A Tramp, Summer Wind, etc.. They are the crowd-pleasers. My personal favorites change from time to time.

3. What, in your opinion, is the secret of Frank Sinatra’s talent and unbelievable success, and what can the younger generation of signers learn from Sinatra’s approach?  

He had the best balance of all the ‘ingredients’ that are needed to be a singer. Breath control, power, diction, timing, and more. There was not one aspect that overpowered the other. He had the best balance. He could also sing a ballad with the same intensity as a swing number. It’s like a recipe – everything needs to be balanced for the sake of great taste. 

The Legacy of Frank Sinatra and His Era will be Continued

In the past, there were other similar associations and comedy clubs in NYC like ‘The Lambs’ and ‘The Players in New York‘ that were often confused with New York’s Friars Club. The legend says that  George S. Kaufman drew the distinction: “The Players are gentlemen trying to be actors, the Lambs are actors trying to be gentlemen, and the Friars are neither trying to be both,” probably assuming that Friars are enough.. 

We continued our conversation with Steven Maglio, where I heard many interesting facts about the past and present of the Club’s history, including some of Steven’s music plans for the future. Walking back home through the marvelous neighborhood that surrounds the Friars I contemplated on the thought that sometimes the past, present, and future are tightly connected, and I felt that people like Steven Maglio are working hard to preserve and bring the memorable legacy of the past into the future.

The Cultural Heritage That Matters

I hope that the legacy of people I met or spoke about at the Friars on that night, and the legacy of notable characters who define the culture of New York City will be continued. The full version of our interview with Steven is published in the Fall 2019 edition of our magazine Coffee District Media Magazine. Please subscribe to our email list below to have a glimpse. To learn more about Steven Maglio, visit https://www.stevenmaglio.com

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