Well, Monday night’s Marcy & Zina Show was the latest in our string of totally sold-out shows! If you cast your gaze several pixels to the right, you’ll see cast members Julia Murney, Amanda Green, Zina Goldrich and Marcy Heisler surrounding Hairspray star Julie Halston, who was off-duty and enjoying the extravaganza from the audience! The crowd went bananas for the witty, smart and sassy tunes M&Z write…we can’t wait for their return on Monday, March 28th! You might want to call Birdland now, because these two composing hotties sell OUT! The following Cast Party was equally packed until the wee hours, with notables including Michael Feinstein, Jeff Harnar, Maude Maggart, Jay Leonhart, Jane Schecter, Michael Garin, Brett Boyd, Ritt Henn, Roy Merriwether, and the dueling ukeleles of Jill Anderson & Luisa Baptista. Yes. Ukeleles. Of course, Billy Stritch and Steve Doyle gave unbelievable backup, as always. Music was made and fun was had. What could be better?

You just have to come see Natalie Douglas in To Nina – A Tribute to Nina Simone, on Monday, March 21 at 7pm. One of Natalie’s principal musical influences was the High Priestess of Soul, and we’re so thrilled that she is returning to Birdland to sing and celebrate the CD release of the live recording of last year’s concert (right)! Ms. Douglas will be joined by her Musical Director, MAC Award Winner and Avenue Q Associate Conductor Mark Hartman on the piano, along with jazz sensation Patience Higgins on tenor sax. Natalie and the band will be performing songs recorded by the late legendary singer, including Gershwin’s "I Loves You Porgy," "My Baby Just Cares For Me," and a Simone composition, "Four Women." Call 212.581.3080 for reservations for this very special show.

By the way, congratulations go out to our pal Erich Bergen, who has started his own web-radio station called Green Room Radio. I was pleased as punch to be his first guest on the premiere show! Just go to the site and you can hear all of the shows to date. Yo, Erich’s in da’ house. You go, dawg. (That’s how the kids talk now [Actually, Jim, that's how "the kids" talked "last year". - ed].)

Of all the people I know, few occupy a warmer place in my heart than Liza Minnelli. On the occasion of her birthday, she sits down with me for an intimate conversation, direct from the music room of her New York, New York penthouse. In our chat, Liza discusses professional influences, beloved music, Broadway memories and the joy and curse of celebrity. ("LA was the most boring place in the world to grow up. The whole town did one thing. It was like growing up in a mining town if your parents were miners.") Scattered thoughout this very special Cast Party Radio Show are some rare Minnelli recordings, along with a few surprise birthday greetings from famous pals like Carol Burnett, Bruce Vilanch, Tony Danza, and Carol Channing! Drama Desk Award-winning vocal group Toxic Audio personalizes a song for the birthday girl, too. This Liza is utterly entertaining, absolutely hilarious, and there’s not an eyelash or sequin to be found! Listen in on Tuesday and Friday night at 8pm only on www.BroadwayWorld.com.

Click here for the Cast Party Radio Show on BroadwayWorld.com! Produced by Brian Wilson at SoHa Media.

Newsletter by Love Bomb Productions for Jim Caruso's Cast Party, All Rights Reserved 2005