Nancy Ozelli

Last night, celebrities, sports icons, family, and friends gathered at the Mariano Rivera Foundation Gala to benefit The New Learning Center For Children in New Rochelle, NY.

Friends, Fans, and Friars gathered in the Frank Sinatra Dining Room last night as host and theater historian Richard Skipper 'celebrated' Julie Budd. Julie shared songs and stories from a career that saw her appearing in every major venue, on every major Television Show, and with most of the legendary performers of our generation.

Nowadays it's quite common for a show to have '& Friends' in it's title. I don't know if Broadway Producer and entertainer Jamie deRoy invented the concept, but over the last 30 years she sure has perfected the inclusion of having her uber talented friends perform in Jamie deRoy & friends variety shows. In fact, some folks must think '& friends' is Jamie's last name, she has an impressive contact list (remember rollodex).

Bernie Fusrhpan, managing partner of the Metropolitan Room moved his club into the Friars Club last night and BroadwayWorld was there for the entertainment super special.