On Saturday evening, the city’s political figures gathered in a posh banquet hall to witness a playful roast, with Mayor Zoran Mamdani being the star of the night.
At the annual Inner Circle Dinner, journalists transformed the Ziegfeld Theater into a lively rendition of City Hall, indulging in musical parodies, costumes, and witty jabs directed at the mayor and his administration.
This long-standing event, a brainchild of journalists covering city politics, blends a charitable gala atmosphere with a humorous showcase.
The dinner is named after a group of New York political reporters known for their behind-the-scenes access to City Hall.
The show kicked off with a lighthearted poke.
“Good evening, comrade, this is Dean Freihan,” one reporter announced, introducing Jeff Coltin, who portrayed Mamdani, eliciting laughter from the audience.
Koltin, who’s the editor-in-chief of City & State, donned an apron over his bare chest, mirroring some of Mamdani’s past music video antics.
The event unfolded like a multi-part revue, featuring reporters delivering parody songs and exaggerated impersonations of local political figures.
The song ‘Mamdani Mas’, set to the tune of ‘Pink Pony Club’, garnered the most laughter of the night.
Other sketches humorously critiqued members of the administration.
The actor portraying Dean Fleihan remarked, “I’m the first vice mayor. It’s basically the same role I had under Bill de Blasio.” He further quipped, “But why did I return? Have you heard of ZARA’s Hot girls? I’m the old-timer behind all the quirky graffiti socialists at City Hall.”
Interestingly, the real Dean Freihan was present and chuckled along with the crowd.
Another journalist took a playful jab at the mayor’s communications team, stating, “My name is Dora Pekek, the mayor’s senior press secretary…I’m just 26 years old,” poking fun at the youth of the office’s staff.
The show also included portrayals of notable figures like former Governor and Mayor Eric Adams, radio host John Catsimatidis, and Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa, all brought to life by reporters.
Songs and skits also delved into urban challenges like transportation and housing, even touching on ideas such as free bus services.
Saturday’s event stuck to this format, as journalists slipped into the roles of politicians, sharing jokes from the stage.
The audience, a mix of politicians, media personalities, and insiders, thoroughly enjoyed the chuckles throughout the evening.
Often likened to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, this gathering attracted numerous elected officials who became the focus of the evening’s humor.
