Psst - after you've read all of the Cast Party scoop, be sure to spend a moment with our fabulous sponsors at the end of the page!

April 21, 2006

Well, of all the backstage photos I've shot, this might be one of my all-time faves. Steven Brinberg as Simply Barbra, along with Broadway leading men Matt Cavennaugh (Grey Gardens), Daniel Reichard (Jersey Boys) and David Burnham (Light In The Piazza), absolutely jammed Birdland last Monday night. Of course, Barbra was like buttah, but a few other famous voices came out to play. Cher's touching “Fine, Fine Line” from Avenue Q and Julie Wilson's haunting “Defying Gravity” from Wicked left the throngs, including Thoroughly Modern Millie composer Dick Scanlan, speechless. The following Cast Party was eclectic, as usual. Suede came all the way from old Cape Cod to sing the blues. Budd Mishkin came all the way from the studios of NY1 to kill with a hilarious piece of special material. Garth Kravits came all the way from the Marquis Theater, where he's appearing in The Drowsy Chaperone. Trevor Exter and cello gave us a preview of his Joe's Pub show. And Toxic Audio's Rene Ruiz lost his head onstage. Literally. And I have the photos.

Did you happen to catch the wonderful piece on Janis Ian in the New York Times two weeks ago? It all took place at Cast Party! Read it here.

I had an amazing time performing at the Mad Cow Theatre in Orlando, Florida! They're in the middle of a rollicking Cabaret Festival, which is showcasing all kinds of cool performance artists. After my two shows there, Tedd Firth and I hosted Cast Party - The Orlando Edition, which was an absolute blast. There is some jaw-dropping talent there, what with all the theme park entertainment, and we can't wait to go back and re-connect with our new friends! Many thanks to Alan Bruun, Mitzi Maxwell and the Mad Cow staff. Moo!

On Monday, May 1, David Ippolito, better known as “That Guitar Man From Central Park,” will be celebrating his 15th year singing and playing his thoroughly original tunes for the people of New York City…and he's doing it at Birdland! David has become one of the all-time favorites at Cast Party over the past year. He's hysterically funny, sings like a bird and looks like a movie star -- what's to hate? This night is going to be a really special one, so call the club at 212.581.3080 and reserve a seat now! $25 cover and $10 food/drink minimum. Also coming up: Dick Scanlan on May 8, Euan Morton on May 15 and PS Classics' Celebrates Jule Styne In Hollywood on May 22! Then -- the Summer Season!

"The Party simply glows with New York nightlife ambiance. It feels like a throwback to another era but it has this era's top-notch entertainers dropping in to schmooze, sing, eat, and drink. Caruso consistently provides a flow of exciting singers, and he's definitely hip, cool and classy all by himself."

-THEATERMANIA

When:

Every Monday at 9:30pm!

Where:

BIRDLAND
315 West 44th Street (between 8th & 9th)

212.581.3080

Click here for the official Cast Party website!

Ligeti Artists LLC
Peter Ligeti
mrligeti@aol.com
212.396.1111

BROADWAY BY THE YEAR 1968!
Monday, May 1 @ 8pm
Town Hall
123 West 43 Street, NYC

Scott Siegel is proud to present another dazzling evening of Broadway showstoppers, this time from the year 1968! The show will be directed by Brad Oscar, star of The Producers, who will perform alongside Scott Coulter, Annie Golden, Lisa Howard, Lorinda Lisitza, Jack Noseworthy, Orfeh, Jonny Peterson, Chip Zien, and MORE! The musicals from which music will be drawn for the concert includes Hair, The Happy Time, Darling of the Day, Golden Rainbow, George M!, New Faces of 1968, Her First Roman, Zorba, and Promises Promises. Tickets are available at The Town Hall box office from noon to 6 pm every day but Sunday, or they can be purchased through TicketMaster: 212-307-4100. Tickets are $45 and $40. Click: http://broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=5551.

Our updated t-shirt is now available in Tootsie-Roll brown with safety-cone orange trim, as seen on our professional model, Stephanie J. Block. Show your love for a certain Monday night Open Mic extravaganza by wearing this 100% cotton, Peruvian-made, American-printed piece of art! The wry "Got Mic?" logo is on the front, and our logo is on the back. They're only $20 and available if you click http://www.castpartynyc.com/merchandise.htm. What do MICHAEL C. HALL, KERRY BUTLER, CHEYENNE JACKSON, ESTELLE PARSONS, JULIA MURNEY, DEVEN MAY, HUNTER FOSTER, MICHAEL ARDEN, JAMES BLUNT and the GOO GOO DOLLS all have in common? Their secret weapon -- voice teacher Liz Caplan! Her student ANA GASTEYER (upcoming Threepenny Opera) says, “Studying with Liz has changed my approach to singing on every level. In the two years we have worked together, she has combined phenomenal technique with tailor-made specifications to meet a huge variety of professional demands. Her tireless enthusiasm and expertise have empowered me physiologically and emotionally to become a better singer than I had ever imagined. It's like physical therapy and good, old-fashioned psycho-therapy for your vocal chords!” Visit www.LizCaplan.com for more information, but tell Liz you heard about her at Cast Party!

As always, many thanks to our corporate and private sponsors:
Gianni Valente & Hilary Kole, Randy Swartz & Stage Step, Jamie deRoy & friends, Michael Estwanik, Piper-Heidsieck Champagne, Todd Forman, Steven Minichiello, Matthew Gilbert and Wild Oats Productions, as well as our Birdland sound guru Jody Dobson and Brian Wilson at SoHa Media. We can't do it without you!

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