Larry Sutton
|
Vincent
Matos and
Denise Richardson
|
INNER
CIRCLE
Political
Lampoon Dinner
Raises Big Bucks For Charity
By Edward T. Callaghan
Photos
by John Wegorzewski
 ONTINUING
a tradition of over 80 years, The Inner Circle, a unique group of
New York journalists, showed off its thespian skills in yet
another hilarious send-up of local and national politics.
“Let’s Get Ready to
Fumble: Fueled by Hot Air” was a delightfully delirious lampoon
penned by a committee of 20 award winning journalists helmed by People
editor Larry Sutton. Everything from the West Side stadium
to Christo’s The Gates to Hillary Clinton’s
political aspirations was fair game for the Inner Circle’s song
and dance troupe.
Whether they could croon
like Sinatra or shimmy like J LO didn’t matter.
The brilliantly skewering lyrics set to popular tunes were dead on
the mark.
Emcee Inner Circle
president James Harney, regional editor at the Daily
News, proved he might have a second-act career as a standup
comic. Think a young Eddie Murphy.
Fox 5 anchorman Jim
Ryan drew howls as a leather-clad Gov. Jim McGreevey. But
it was WNET’s Denise Richardson walking in a la Dolly
Levy as Condolezza Rice that brought the house down.
New York’s favorite
local newsman Gabe Pressman, an alumnus of 45 Inner Circle
shows, squeezed in an appearance as New York Governor George
Pataki in between his international news jaunts.
The politicians and
public figures took it all in good humor. After all, the event has
raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for over two dozen
children’s charities – and it’s only one night a year.
Special kudos to all who
made this evening a howling success including Carol Anne
Riddell, Melissa Russo, David Diaz, John Slattery, Cheryl Wills,
Kristi Witker, Rich Lamb, Shelly Strickler, Chris Olert, Kathy
Beaver (her band kept the party rocking ‘til the wee hours)
and the entire ensemble. |
