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Photo Coverage: Memorial for Vincent Sardi
By: Mark Rupp Mar. 13, 2007
Vincent Sardi, Jr., the late legendary restaurateur known as 'The Mayor of Broadway,' was honored in a memorial held Tuesday, March 13 at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre in New York City.
The event, which was open to the public, featured performances and reminiscences from Gerald Schoenfeld, Bebe Neuwirth, director/producer Harold Prince, David Sardi (Sardi's son) and internationally acclaimed pianist Etsko Tazaki (Mr. Sardi's daughter), with staging by Donald Sadler. Donna Murphy, Sylvia Miles, Penny Fuller and Tony Danza were among the attendees.
Vincent Sardi, Jr. passed away on January 4, 2007. He was arguably one of the most iconic figures in Broadway history, dubbed the 'Mayor of Broadway' by industry insiders. Born on July 23, 1915 in Manhattan, Mr. Sardi grew up in the theatre district and spent his childhood around show-business folks. In 1937, he graduated from Columbia Business School and joined the family business as a dining-room captain full time in 1939. In 1942, Mr. Sardi joined the Marine Corps, before buying and taking over Sardi's upon his father's retirement in 1947. He sold the restaurant in 1985 but resumed ownership in 1990, before retiring to Vermont in 1997.
Sardi's, which was started by Vincent Sardi, Sr. in 1921, was originally called The Little Restaurant, but theater people called it Sardi's, and so it became. In 1927, Sardi's moved to its current location at 234 West 44th Street. Since its inception, Sardi's has been the place to see and be seen for Broadway actors, producers, press agents, and critics. Known as a pre and post theatre hangout, Sardi's is perhaps best known for its walls, adorned with hundreds of caricatures of show-biz celebrities. The restaurant, which is now run by Mr. Sardi's business partner Max Klimavicius, remains an iconic favorite for Broadway insiders and tourists alike.
Visit www.sardis.com for more on Sardi's.
Invited gests in line to enter the Schonfeld Theatre
NYPD Mounted Police
U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard
Gerald Schoenfeld and Harold Prince (seated)
Merwin Goldsmith with Bill and Janis Corsair
David Sardi delivered the eulogy tribute to his father Vincent
Gerald Schoenfeld and Sheila MacRae
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