Last Monday’s Maureen McGovern concert, One Enchanted Evening, was aptly named, that’s for sure. The golden-voiced Miss M jammed the room with almost 200 fans and quite a few cast members from Broadway’s The Little Women, in which she kills eight times a week as "Marmie." The evening, which was a special benefit for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, raised over $7000, putting Little Women’s seasonal contribution at over $50,000. Congratulations to Maureen (above, with producer Rich Aronstein) for being such a leader of the pack and uniting her cast in raising money for a brilliant and indispensable organization. Thanks, also to BC/EFA for their constant help, and to Birdland for donating 100% of the ticket price. After all that good spirit and karma in the club, you know the following Cast Party was a winner. First of all, folk-singing superstar Christine Lavin stopped the show cold when she twirled light-up batons…in the dark. Yes…you read correctly (Twirler? You brought her!). While Mark Berman and Steve Doyle dutifully played "Stars and Stripes Forever," Christine showed her stuff like we’ve never seen. It was one of those "Were you there when…?" moments…what can I say? We were also honored with one of the most original songwriters to come down the pike from Seattle, Andrew Ratshin, AKA Uncle Bonsai. Maude Maggart jazzed in after her Algonquin gig, along with pianist/performer Todd Schroeder, Michael Feinstein showed off his Paul Lynde impression, Dana Gourrier sang her face off, and Monday Off’s Hillary Gardner (below, in a photo by David Goldman) was the coolest jazzy cat!

It’s hard to believe, but this coming Monday, April 18th, we celebrate our 100th Cast Party! You know us…we don’t like to toot our own horns, but we’re looking forward to a very special extravaganza with some pretty swell guests! Billy Stritch will be back at the Bosendorfer, fresh from his London gig with Liza Minnelli, so you know there will be some discussion about that. Christine Lavin is planning on doing yet another production number, which we LOVE! And…actor/singer/songwriter Jeff Daniels (below) might make an appearance to give a sneak preview of his Tuesday Birdland concerts. Jeff, by the way, is a MUST SEE! I know you know him from "Dumb and Dumber" and "Terms of Endearment," but did you know he could sing and play guitar? At the same time? He’s written some really funny songs, like "If William Shatner Can, I Can Too," a put-down of those actors who release "please-take-me-seriously" cd’s. Click here to hear. You can also look forward to "The Dirty Harry Blues" and a touching and sensitive "You Can Drink An Ugly Girl Pretty." Jeff has 2 shows on Tuesday, April 19th, one at 9 and one at 11. Call Birdland NOW for reservations! 212.581.3080.

Once again, this week's Cast Party Radio Show celebrates The New Season at Birdland, with songs from all of our upcoming guest performers. Maureen McGovern, Jeff Daniels, Larry O'Keefe, Victoria Shaw, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Toxic Audio, Christine Andreas, Malcolm Gets, Max von Essen and Christine Ebersole will all be representin' their Birdland concerts...so tune into BroadwayWorld.com radio on Tuesday and Friday nights at 8pm. Or, you can make life even easier by clicking on the site for an "on demand" experience you'll love! In the words of Liza Minnelli, "Cast Party IS New York!"


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