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October 6, 2006

No one is allowed to say “they don't write good songs anymore” around me.  This past week's “Broadway at Birdland” concert, The Songs of Deborah Abramson, was proof that smart, melodic, touching, funny songs are still being written in abundance for the stage. And what a cast to sing those tunes!  That's our diva composer Ms. Abramson (left) in scarlet, posing with singers Manoel Felciano, Sally Wilfert, Megan Lawrence, Theresa McCarthy, Charlie Brady, Marco Pagula and Michael Winther.  The place was packed with cheering show-folk like Chip Zien and the about-to-be-in-concert-at-Birdland Julia Murney.  The following Cast Party was way fun, too, with lots of regulars, along with Wicked's Chelsea Krombach, Ruben Flores, Steven Scarpetti, and Fortune Esposito, who performed on guitar with daughter Jenna!  Many thanks to Tedd Firth and Wayne Batchelor, on piano and bass, for keeping the music playing!  Please check out our FLICKR page to see more photos of all the fun!

On Monday, October 23 at 7pm, Julia Murney (left) returns to the stage at Birdland, performing songs from her recently released CD, “I'm Not Waiting” (Sh-k-boom Records).  Tom Kitt (composer of the upcoming High Fidelity and musical director of Laugh Whore) will act as musical director for the evening.  There will be a $25 cover and $10 food/drink minimum.  Julia is a celebrated actress whose stage performances have garnered critical and popular acclaim since starring as Queenie in the 2000 world premiere of Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party, a role that earned her a Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Musical.  Her other stage credits include the Broadway production of Lennon, as well as the Manhattan Theatre Club's productions of A Class Act and Time and Again, for which she received a Lucille Lortel Award nomination for Outstanding Featured Actress.  For the past six months, Ms. Murney has been starring as Elphaba - the Wicked Witch - in the National Tour of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Wicked.  “I'm Not Waiting” was produced by Grammy Award-nominee Andrew Lippa, with musical direction by Tom Kitt and Stephen Oremus.  The album was recorded and mixed by Grammy Award winner Joel Moss.  Included in the Birdland concert will be songs from the CD by pop composers Bobbie Gentry, John Lennon, Annie Lennox, Joni Mitchell, and Tom Waits, as well as theater writers Tom Kitt, Andrew Lippa and Stephen Schwartz.

WHEN TELARC RECORDS CALLED BILL WESTMORELAND TO PHOTOGRAPH TONY DESARE for his upcoming CD, LAST FIRST KISS, to be released in 2007, Bill jumped at the chance to photograph Tony in the recording studio.  “It was probably the hottest day of the year, the big heat wave of ’06, but I persevered and took my equipment up to Avatar Studios on 53rd street.  Of course, once I got inside Tony was as cool as a cucumber, as always, and not only did I get to photograph him at a beautiful Steinway grand piano but I also got to hear his incredible rendition of Prince’s “Kiss”.  Just being a part of the actual recording made the CD cover shoot even more exciting and creative.”  You can see more about Tony DeSare at TonyDeSare.com.  You can reach Bill Westmoreland at bwphotography@aol.com.

CHARLIE LAPSON'S SIGNATURE COLLECTION is the culmination of years of training, world travel, and professional experience as one of Hollywood’s top designers. His luxurious handbags and men's wallets are produced by factories in Tuscany, Italy made of fine Italian leather. Lapson's handbags and clutches have been worn by the elite of Hollywood to numerous red carpet events and on camera as well.

Celebrities such as Felicity Huffman, Eva Longoria, and Debra Messing can be seen at award shows adorned with Charlie Lapson Jewelry. The collection is created by using the most brilliant diamonds and precious gemstones mixed with 18 kt gold, and molding them into works of art. Celebrities dazzle with glamorous bold statement pieces. Look for large colored gemstones and mixes of textures with unique shapes.

Style fit for a star!

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 http://www.LizCaplan.com for more information, but tell Liz you heard about her at Cast Party!

OUR UPDATED T-SHIRT is now available in Tootsie-Roll brown with safety-cone orange trim, as seen at left, where Jim reveals his secret identity as -- Superhost! 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/Goods.htm.

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 Sean Corcoran and Brian Wilson at SoHa Media. We can't do it without you!

Click here to advertise with us. It costs less than the average banner ad, and you're guaranteed to be seen by tons of fabulous people (look, you're reading this right now, yes?).

"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), NYC
212.581.3080

Bookings for Jim Caruso's Cast Party® for theaters, arts presenters,
corporations and private events:

Ligeti Artists LLC
Peter Ligeti
mrligeti@aol.com
212.396.1111

For online booking information, click: The Show Store

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