August 26, 2005

Sally Mayes' fantastic concert on Monday was jammed with fans of our Divine Miss M…and as you can see (right- surrounded by pianist Johnny Rodgers, son Ben and hubby/bass player Bob Renino), it made her a very happy gal! Then, the following Cast Party certainly put the riot-y in Variety Show. Not only did we have some divas and divos crooning, belting and swinging, we had fiddling (Pierce Woodward), clogging (Nate Cooper), tapping (Bob Dolphin), rollerskating (again, Mr. Cooper), and impersonating (Ryan Kelly and Jimmy James). Take that, Ed Sullivan! And they say Vaudeville is dead! I was absolutely thrilled that Terry Steele joined us to sing “Here And Now". It's my all-time favorite Luther Vandross hit that Terry happened to write! We hope to see him back at Birdland very soon! It was nice to see some old pals in the crowd, too, like Jonathan Dokuchitz (Hairspray), Jerry Dixon (Once On This Island and composer/Laugh Whore), Michael Arnold (42nd Street), and that Laugh Whore himself, Mario Cantone.

What can I say about Linda Lavin? (right, avec moi) First of all, you know she's a Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe winning actress. She started her career in Greenwich Village cabarets, though, and ever since I met her (at the White House, if you must know…), I've been begging her to do 'an act.' She finally agreed, and asked me to direct it. I've enjoyed very few things in my life like I've enjoyed helping her put together “The Song Remembers When,” and this coming Monday, she's bringing it to Birdland! In the show, Linda recalls her roots in the theater (originating Sondheim's “The Boy From…” in The Mad Show) and her early trials and tribulations in some less-than-glamorous boites. Her musical choices range from Gershwin to Maltby & Shire; Dave Frishberg to Trisha Yearwood, and the relationship with pal Billy Stritch at the piano only adds to the party atmosphere. She's the hostess-with-the-mostess, and I can't wait for you to see her! Call Birdland now (212.581.3080), because it's gonna be SRO! After Linda's show, stick around for Cast Party. Billy Stritch is pulling a double at the piano, and Steve Doyle will thankfully be on bass!

"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

No cover - $10 food/drink minimum 

Click here for the official Cast Party website!

And now, a word from our sponsors:

Again, many thanks to our corporate and private sponsors 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! For those interested; it's tax deductible!
Woo hoo!

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