Billy Gay

Billy Gay

NYU Tisch School of the Arts Honors Billy Crystal: A Sparkling Night

Crystal Receives Steuben's Crystal Apple in the Big Apple

NYU Tisch School for the Arts became the glittering setting for the best and the brightest; from the dazzling talent of future graduates to the prolific and prestigious alumnus. They all gathered under one roof at the Frederick P. Rose Hall Home of Jazz, at Lincoln Center in Manhattan to honor Billy Crystal. He is this year's recipient of the Steuben Big Apple Award and many a celebrity friend and family gathered to both celebrate Crystal's acclaimed career and to support a cause close to his heart.

Billy Crystal's Big Apple Roots in Tisch, NYC and Jazz

The historic Central Plaza Building at 111 2nd Avenue is the original home to the Tisch School of the Arts. This address was also where Crystal's father, Jack, produced the renowned jazz concerts, "The Sessions" for an astonishing 15 years.  Artists such as Billie Holiday, Conrad Janis and Roy Eldridge were regulars here and this is where a five-year-old Billy Crystal entertained his first audience. Today, the 111 location houses several of Tisch's studio and production facilities.  As Crystal reminisced, "My father died suddenly in 1963 and when I signed on to go to NYU in 1968, my orientation was in that building and now it needs renovation badly. So, tonight is personal."

Today, the Tisch School of the Arts' reputation as the country's foremost training ground for artists is secure. And yet, despite this success, students and faculty are still working out of the same facilities they've used since the school's inception in 1965. No longer properly equipped for the rehearsal and performing needs of their students, proceeds from Tisch Gala 2010 will support both the much-needed modernization of 111 Second Avenue and scholarships for the best young talent in the world, both renewing and ensuring the original NYU home remains available and fresh as one of the great assets for artists in New York City.

Back to Modern Day NYU and A Modern Day Crystal

From Crystal's father, fast forward to Crystal being honored for his breadth of talent, his range of entertainment and his commitment to preserving excellence in artistic training. He was recognized with the crystal Steuben Big Apple Award. It was presented to him by his good friend Robin Williams:

 

Honored with the Big Apple Award

With regards to Tisch's relationship with Steuben, Tisch had this to say: "Steuben's passionate commitment to making extraordinary objects of art is one the Tisch School understands and applauds. Considering Steuben and the Tisch School's dedication to taking creativity in bold new directions, a partnership is only natural." High praise.

Steuben's donation of Angus McDougall's iconic Apple was donated for the third year in a row. Past honorees have included Ron Howard and Alec Baldwin.

Also in attendance was Crystal's longtime friend Whoopi Goldberg, as well as Janice, his lovely wife of 40 years and his daughter, Lindsay (NYU Class of '99) and her husband. There were many other notable celebrities in attendance including James Franco, Marcia Gay Harden, Tony Bennett and Paul Shaffer, to name a few.

The evening was filled with music and dance, food and cocktails and humor…endlessly hilarious doses of humor. Honoree Billy Crystal joked that it was "one of the most moving and wonderful nights." Then he added, "This makes the pat down at the airport worth it".

 

No doubt. It was absolutely worth it.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

Hi I'm Julia and I'm just a free spirited women trying to live life to it's fullest!

Wrestling fans, how much inspiration did you draw from the Billy and Chuck gay wedding?

It was fake, you know, but I wouldn't suspect wrestling fans to think it was. I would suspect them to think it was REAL, and a motivator for them to come out of their closets. I'm just curious; did any of you finally admit it to your peers and family members because you saw Billy and Chuck on TV?

I am sure every loser queer who watches the WWE came out of the closet.

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