On Saturday night, the city’s political movers and shakers gathered in a ballroom, dressed to the nines, to witness a humorous takedown of their ranks. This year, Mayor Zohran Mamdani was the centerpiece of the satire.
At the annual Inner Circle dinner, journalists transformed the Ziegfield Theater into a stage for a musical roast targeting City Hall. The evening featured song parodies, elaborate costumes, and witty one-liners aimed squarely at the mayor and his team.
This event, a blend of charity gala and theatrical parody, has been a staple for journalists covering city politics, offering a playful critique of those in power.
Named after a select group of New York political reporters with unique access to City Hall, the Inner Circle dinner is a tradition steeped in insider knowledge and humor.
The show kicked off with a humorous introduction.
“Good evening comrade, I’m Dean Fuleihan,” quipped a reporter, setting the stage for Jeff Coltin, who impersonated Mamdani, drawing laughter from the audience.
Coltin, editor-in-chief of City & State, wore an apron with no shirt underneath, a nod to a past Mamdani music video appearance.
The show unfolded as a multi-act revue, with reporters performing parody songs and playing exaggerated versions of political figures.
One number, “Mamdani Math,” set to “Pink Pony Club,” drew some of the biggest laughs of the night.
Other skits targeted members of the administration.
“I’m first deputy major mayor — it’s almost the same job I had, you know, with Bill de Blasio,” said an actor portraying Dean Fuleihan.
“But why did I come back? Did you ever hear of Hot girls for Zara? Besides, I’m the experienced hand behind all of these wacky doodle socialists in City Hall.”
The real Dean Fuleihan was in the room as the line drew laughs.
Another reporter in the show took aim at the mayor’s communications team.
“I’m Dora Pekec, a senior spokeswoman for the mayor… even though I’m only 26,” the performing journalist said.
The show also featured portrayals of former Mayor Eric Adams, ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, radio host John Catsimatidis and Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa — all played by reporters.
Other songs and skits referenced city issues including transit and housing, with mentions of proposals such as free buses.
Saturday’s performance followed that format, with reporters taking on the roles of politicians and delivering the jokes from the stage.
The audience — a mix of politicians, media figures and other insiders — reacted with steady laughter throughout the night.
The event is often compared to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, with elected officials in attendance as the subject of the evening’s jokes.
