Times Square Gossip

JOANNA BONARO WITH MARK BEGO & MADGA KATZ BEGO TIMES --- Author Mark Bego, currently riding high with his Top Ten Amazon-bestseller Eat Like A Rock Star (Skyhorse) was back in New York yesterday for two interviews with Magda Katz and journalist Brad Balfour. Katz’s interview took place at The Lambs; America’s First Professional Theatrical Club, established in New York in 1874 and was a terrific locale as we were on the scene. Bego talked on video about his early career and what led him to become the author of 62 books. Among his book highlights were his 1984 tome on Michael Jackson (which sold in the millions) and subsequent hit tiles on Cher, Elton John, Billy Joel, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Bonnie Raitt, Debbie Gibson, Micky Dolenz and Leonardo DiCaprio, among others. Bego also worked for the late-great Cue Magazine as their nightlife reviewer as well as a brief stint with the legendary publicist Howard Bloom. Good ‘n Screwed’s Joanna Bonaro showed u...

**** THE WEB GOSSIP **** Robert Funaro WEB GOSSIP --- You may have started seeing the posters around town trumpeting HBO's Cinema Verite movie debuting this Saturday, April 23. You see the names James Gandolfini, Diane Lane, and Tim Robbins, but, unless you're somewhat clued in, do you even know what this film is about? Last May, the cable-net announced that this film was underway and that the film, written by David Selzter, is a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the ground breaking 1973 PBS documentary series An American Family. Still confused? That PBS series was produced by Oscar-winning doc filmmakers Alan and Suzan Raymond and was centered on the Santa Barbara couple Pat and Bill Loud who split up during the filming, and their children, the eldest, Lance, who became TV's first openly gay character. In the HBO-telecast, which is centered on the Pat Loud (Diane Lane) Gandolfini plays the documentary’s producer Craig Gilbert. Actor Thomas Dekker plays Lance; and, R...

**** THE WEB GOSSIP **** Natasha Bedingfield BELLE ADELE --- It might be a bit early in the year for anyone to pick the best song of the year; but, for this writer, right now, it’s unequivocally Adele’s blistering new single, “Rolling in The Deep.” It’s one thing to have such a sublime song (I mean, both the writing and production are just off the map) but, she’s also seemed to have coined a new term for the masses: rolling in the deep … you know, down deep in the muck, as it were. And, who can't relate to that? I well remember attending the Tom Cuddy/WPLJ Up Close And Personal concert way back at the much missed China Club, and meeting her before she essentially debuted before the East Coast cognoscenti, she was a little overwhelmed, as the soon-to-be-stars usually are, but betrayed a real care and knowledge of the music. I was immediately impressed. Needless to say, when she hit the stage and performed, with her debut single “Chasing Pavements” was just beginning to shine, she...

Robert Funaro With Keith Girard And Mark Bego After one of the coldest days in NYC in recent memory, the sun re-appeared and the annual PBA Wives and Orphans Xmas event at Bridegwaters, at South Street Seaport, went off without a hitch.Hosted by the PBA’s Patrick Lynch and Al O’Leary, this year’s event was attended by NY- Senator Chuck Schumer; celeb-scribe Mark Bego; Robert Funaro from The Sopranos; actor-Tony LoBianco; Keith Girard of The Improper; PR-pasha David Salidor; Anthony Edwards from Law And order; and, Harvy Keitel. As with several former events, the entertainment was provided by Stingray … one of the best Elvis-impersonators around and local singer Tony B. O’Leary commented at one point that these events have gone on for so long, that many of the children who first came as infants and children, have now blossomed into full fledged adults. As an attendee now for the last eight years … whereas the mood at the first event was just an outpouring of care and concern, that mood ...

**** STARS WITH A HEART HELP CHILDREN PREVENT AIDS **** Robert Funaro With daughter Sophia, Gilbert Gottfried And Daughter Lily Join The Movement-Create A Generation Free of HIV was yesterday’s theme for the Kids4Kids benefit from the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation held in lower Manhattan yesterday. Twenty years ago Glaser (the wife of actor/director Paul Michael Glaser) started the organization and though she didn’t live to see the fruits of her labor, her dream continues on with a continuing vision from her son Jake (who contracted HIV through a blood transfusion gone wrong given to Elisabeth) and husband Paul. The Foundation works in 18 countries and at more than 3,700 sites around the world. It has provided more than 6.8 million women with services to prevent transmission of HIV to their babies. Their yearly New York event, save for last year which was held in midtown, is held in Lower Manhattan, with a series of carnival, games for kids. This year, actor Robert Funaro ...

**** THE PASCHA DAVID SALIDOR REMEMBERS THE CUTTING ROOM **** David Salidor With Mark Bego,Robert Funaro And Chris Gilman When I think back over my many, many memories at Steve Walter's Cutting Room on 24th street, I immediately recall all the great acts I've seen there and all the events I've had there (more on that in a minute), and, the always-terrific hospitality and the great people he's always had working there (thank you SUSAN HATHAWAY; PETER ABRAHAM; HOWARD MARK; PR-co-hort CLAIRE O'CONNOR -who I first met decades ago with the legendary LIMELIGHT-icon MAX SABRIN-; and, club-manager JACKIE!), but more than that, and, it's a bit surprising, I think what I enjoyed most there were my musical conversations with him. You know, he went to Boston's Berklee School of Music, and the passion for the music has always remained for him. During my college years, I worked at the legendary Long Island-music club MY FATHER'S PLACE ... and, no, it wasn't my F...

Robert Funaro With May Pang, Little Steven Van Zandt And Maureen Van Zandt Lampost Reunion Books for Kids Charity Benefit and performance at the Arclight Theater with Vincent Pastore, Robert Funaro, Ricky Aiello, Frank Pelligrino, Anthony Ribustello. Other celebrities in attendance included Frank Vincent, Little Steven and Maureen Van Zandt and icon May Pang. Photo By: Derek Storm

Tony Noto And Robert Funaro Miss New York Latino 2008 Johanna Sambucini And Robert Funaro There may not be a SOPRANOS movie in anyone's near future, but last night in Manhattan Soprano-ROBERT FUNARO, debuted a new line of SOPRANOS-wine ... (at TONY NOTO's most-fab wine shop, MURRAY HILL WINES at 34th and Third) that is enthusiastically endorsed and officially sanctioned by the show's home, HBO.Funaro, who essayed gangster-Eugene Pontecorvo on the mob-show, was joined by several ladies from the Surrotica company who specialize in body-paint-on-women! Funaro is on something of a personal high right now, as his play LAMPOST REUNION debuted last week in New York City at the ArcLight Theatre. He is joined in the production by fellow-Soprano-actors VINCENT PASTORE; ANTHONY J. RUBISTELLO; and, FRANK PELLEGRINO. Also seen at the soiree, was KEITH GIRARD, from The Improper photographer ROBERT MILAZZO; Surrotica's ROBERT BERNARD (with some of his ladies, Margi, Jessica, and, Nic...

The Cast Of Lampost Actor ROBERT FUNARO (Sopranos/American Gangster) opened last night in Louis LaRusso's LAMPOST REUNION at the ArcLight Theatre here in NYC. The play is about a supposed world-famous singer, from Hoboken, who after a 20-year exodus from the town and the Lampost Bar, stops in and comes face-to-face with his former partner-in-crime and several other colorful personalities. The ex-friend (Biggie) is played by VINCENT PASTORE, and the world famoous singer (Fred) is played by FRANK (Rao's) PELLEGRINO. Now, these three all were on The Sopranos, and the interplay between them is worth the price of admission alone. Obviously, they know each other very well and how they work and it shows. At times tense, yet cathartic and terrifically enjoyable, the play at these moments almost conjurs up the ghost of Mamet. Pastore, who has appeared in more than his fair-shire of mobed-up works is terrific as he carries himself and his lines with grace and passion. Funaro, who famous...

Lindsay Lohan Robert Funaro One night before Halloween, FEAR.net.com hosted a soiree at The Bryant Park Hotel's Cellar Bar, with SAMANTHA RONSON as guest DJ. Now, I've never heard her spin her magic before, but she was just plain terrific, hitting on a personal high note (to me, at least) with DAVID BOWIE's "Golden Years." A great track if there ever was one.The Cellar Bar''s ceiling reminds one of the lower level at Grand Central, sweeping, white, and very, very comfortable.Standing proudly by was LINDSAY LOHAN, as well as ROBERT FUNARO, from THE SOPORANOS, and, opening next week in LAMPOST REUNION. Also, spotted in thr throng ... and, we do mean throng, was CHARLOTTE RONSON; ALI LOHAN; MENA SUVARI (AMERICAN BEAUTY); model JAIME KING and husband KYLE NEWMAN; AARON YOO; ABC-producer SHEILA MARIKAR; ZACH GALLIGAN; TRAVIS VAN WINKLE; the VH1 SCREAM QUEENS; and our 'Pasha' pr-man DAVID SALIDOR. Photos Courtesy Of : Sylvain Gaboury

The Singhs Randy Jones With Micki Singh And Robert Funaro Last night in Lower Manhattan, the Boston-based group THE SINGHS had a most fashionable do at The Rivington Hotel, which as we entered seemed totally constructed in glass ... in their hide-away bar spot 107 Riv spot. The 5-piece aggregation has just released their new CD SUPERSATURATED (on Redstar*) which is without a doubt one of the premier surprises of the year. Laid back, atmospheric, and a welcome nod to the best rock-music of the 80s and 90-s ... the CD is an absolute must-have.After posing for some terrific-outdoor photos, the group went into a special set for the crowd. Live their music was even better and they were able to interject a nice, personal touch to their work. The title track was terrific, as were "Invisible" "Beautiful Thing", and their current single "Daddy's All Gone." Their guitarist Peter Parcek was absolutely brilliant, bringing the caliber of the night even higher w...

Dominic Sassone With David Salidor And Robert Funaro Robert Funaro With Gary Osland,Keith Girald, Michelle Novak And The Palms Bruce Bozzi Jr. One of our favorite haunts ever, PALM WEST, held a dinner and smoker (!!!) for the wondrous DRESS FOR SUCCESS charity last night. Upon our arrival, we spied their pr-man DAVID SALIDOR (The Pasha!) and KEITH GIRARD, editor from the terrific on-line site The Improper at the bar. There we quickly met several of the DFS-people and BRUCE BOZZI, JR. from the Palm-corporate office. Behind the bar we immediately spied our fave-bar-keep CHRIS LOGAN and it was on from there. We chatted with the restaurant's DOMINIC SASSONE, who introduced us to their new GM JEREMY MAZAL. Great fellow, gracious, and a perfect host. From Miami ... welcome! ROBERT FUNARO, from THE SOPRANOS and AMERICAN GANGSTER was on hand as well. As we sauntered through, we saw several familiar faces, including Palm corporate honcho MICHELLE MCGUIRE and actor GORDON SILVA. DFS provid...

Laine Spenser with Bill Murray, playmate Krista Ayne and Robert Funaro Tony Noto With Krista Ayne And Robert Funaro A tropical night in Manhattan gave rise to the grand re-launching of Fantasticks-producer TONY NOTO new wine shoppe emporium, at 34th and Third, MURRAY HILL WINES. Partnered with next-door neighbor, sushi-themed restaurant MOCCO, they provided a wonderful night out in NYC, with a nice sampling of brand new titles from Shannon Ridge and Wente wines ... and, a terrifically inspired organic-vodka we particularly liked, Square One. Mocco provided some of the best sushi we've had this year, and a fantastic home-made pizza with tomatoes and beef. We also feasted on edamame; home made potato chips; and, seared chicken wings. Our thanks to Nobu and Mocco-owner Frank Hau.Noto hopes to make this new enterprise as successful as his previous enterprises, "We've introduced a whole selection of the new Green-wines ... the, next step in eco-friendly spirits.They're ter...

"Soprano-ROBERT FUNARO, who played 'Eugene Pontecorvo' in the HBO series, was sitting at the bar at Park Slope's ELEMENTI restaurant last night chatting with owner ROY RUTLEDGE, when 2 police officers came in responding to a phone call they had thought came from the eatery.When Rutledge assured them it did not, they look abruptly at Funaro ... and, smiled, saying that they now knew with him (Funaro) sitting there .... there wasn't going to be any problem." Meanwhile, more on the rumors of a Soprano Movie in the works below.

American Gangster star Robert Funaro with Pasha David Salidor Robert Funaro with Palm West GM Chris Gilman Star ROBERT FUNARO, who was on THE SOPRANOS and essayed 'Eugene' who famously hung himself on the opening show of Season 5 show (episode titled "For Members Only"), is in the new movie AMERICAN GANGSTER(where he plays McCann), opening today, starring DENZEL WASHINGTON and RUSSELL CROWE, and most certain to be the weekend's #1 flick, was in at Palm West last night on West 50th, celebrating the movie's opening with TIMES SQUARE GOSSIP"S James Edstrom and P.R. powerhouse David Salidor. "I finally saw it Wednesday night, and thought it was just terrific ... in the same league as 'The Departed' and 'Scarface.' The violence is fairly graphic, but considering what it's all about ... it's very necessary." Funaro also commented on the music, saying "The original score is just great, Ridley Scott, the Director, always...