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November 3 , 2006

Monday night's Cast Party was an embarrassment of cabaret riches, with brilliant performances by Birdland's Natalie Douglas, the Algonquin's Paula West, our pal Annie Hughes, and the Queen of the Supper Clubs, Miss Julie Wilson (left).  Julie's “But Beautiful” brought the packed club to a standstill, resulting in a standing-o for our favorite diva.  Jamie deRoy (below left) stopped by to entertain us with the hilarious “Jews Don't Camp” and to discuss her upcoming country-themed extravaganza starring Larry Gatlin (see ad below for details).  Both photos you're looking at were taken by Mark Rupp, and you can see many more on our FLICKR site! That's where you'll also see some gorgeous pix from Joe Marzullo, and if you click on BroadwayWorld.com, you'll see shots by Walter McBride.  Thanks to all three for making us feel like movie stars!

Coming up at Birdland on Monday, November 6 at 7pm will be the brilliant cellist Peter Sachon (left) in “Strings Attached,” directed by Tony winner Victoria Clark, with special guests Kelli O'Hara, Michael Winther and Ms. Clark!  Peter's diverse career has included performances with The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Audra McDonald, Deborah Voight, Victoria Clark, Pink Martini, and Dee Snider.  He performed in and can be heard on the recordings of the Broadway productions of The Light in the Piazza and Fiddler on the Roof.  This fall he will join the Broadway production of Tom Kitt and Amanda Green's new musical High Fidelity.  Mr. Sachon has commissioned and premiered many new works for the cello by such composers as Stephen Schwartz (Wicked), Stephen Flaherty (Ragtime), Ricky Ian Gordon (My Life with Albertine), Jeff Marx (Avenue Q), Michael John LaChiusa (Marie Christine), and George Stiles (Mary Poppins).  There will be a $25 cover and $10 food/drink minimum.  Please call 212.581.3080 or InstantSeats.com/Birdland for reservations.

The following Monday, November 13, we're thrilled that superstar Jeff Daniels (at left) will return to Birdland for a 7pm concert! Best-known for such films as “Terms of Endearment” and “Dumb and Dumber,” the actor/singer/songwriter has been writing songs since the 1970's, something most people didn't know, because - unlike numerous other celebrities - he kept them to himself.  A few years ago, someone suggested that he might raise funds for his pet project, the Purple Rose Theater in his hometown of Chelsea, Michigan, by going on stage and singing some of those songs.  Lo and behold, a musical star was born!  The subsequent CD, “Live and Unplugged,” is a collection of live performances, which humorously and often touchingly, reflect on his life and career.  “If William Shatner Can, I Can Too” is Daniels' take on celebrities trying to be taken seriously as musicians.  “The Dirty Harry Blues” describes the joy of being killed by Clint Eastwood on film.  He bares his heart in “Kathy,” which describes his first date with his wife, and then thanks his mother for support and guidance in “Momma Never Left Her Oldest Boy Alone.”  Make your reservations NOW...it's gonna be a sellout!  (212.581.3080)

JAMIE DEROY & FRIENDS, ONE OF NEW YORK'S LONGEST RUNNING VARIETY SHOWS, IS PROUD to present Country Meets Broadway...and 95th, featuring country recording star Larry Gatlin. Other guests scheduled to perform are Kathy Brier, Erich Bergen, Leslie Kritzer and Deven May. The one-night only event will take place on Saturday, November 4 at 8:30 PM at the Leonard Nimoy Thalia (at Peter Norton Symphony Space), located at 2537 Broadway (and 95th Street). Tickets are $30 ($45 includes a reception with the artists at the Thalia Cafe), and are available by phone at 212.864.5400 or online at www.symphonyspace.org. The evening is directed by Barry Kleinbort, with musical direction by Brian Nash.

CRITICS RAVE, YOU SAVE! See "Jay Johnson: THE TWO AND ONLY!" for only $56, and get a special bonus gift! "ASTOUNDINGLY ENTERTAINING! Don't miss the year's most unexpectedly captivating show." - Time Out NY "FORGET ANY SUSPICIONS YOU MAY HAVE ABOUT VENTRILOQUISM ON BROADWAY! 'The Two and Only!' holds its own with panache!" -John Simon, Bloomberg News Master ventriloquist Jay Johnson (from TV's classic Soap) conjures the story of his life and art with the support from a stage full of hilarious characters. Save 30% for performances through 11/22. Go to www.TheTwoAndOnly.com/bonus for a special video message from Jay and to claim your free gift (with purchase).

ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13th AT 7:30 pm, well-known Broadway performers and composers will reveal their classical chops in BROADWAY HIGH NOTE: Theater Stars Go Classical at the Minetta Lane Theater in New York City.  Proceeds from the one-night-only performance will benefit Greenwich House Music School's scholarships and music education outreach programs.  An exciting roster of performers and composers will demonstrate their impressive musical talents when they hit the heights, singing and playing songs from their classical repertoire.  At press time, the cast includes: Jennifer Hope Wills, Eddie Korbich, Max von Essen, Jim Walton, Nancy Anderson, Christiane Noll, Glenn Seven Allen, Susan Powell, Michael Winther, Ray Jaramillo McLeod, Jeff Blumenkrantz, Peter Sachon, Brian Childers, Ben Moore, Michael Slattery, and Ann Runolfsson.  The evening will also include an aria by Stephen Schwartz, the Tony Award-winning composer of Wicked, Godspell and Pippin.  The musical director for the show will be Cathy Venable.  Directing the show will be Michael Schiralli, Jim Caruso is overseeing the event as producer, and Matt Berman is technical director.  Tickets are $75 and $150, and can be ordered by calling 212.242. 4770 or emailing gharts@greenwichhouse.org.

WHEN DONNA MCKECHNIE CALLED BILL WESTMORELAND to photograph her, he said "Cassie...come on down!"...Well, he didn't really say that but it makes for good copy! Bill did say, however, that photographing the legendary Tony Award  winner from A Chorus Line was a breeze, literally. "Donna just kind of floated in and so gracefully positioned herself for each pose.  It made my job so easy.  She has such grace and poise that I thought I was watching a performance with each click of the camera!" You can see Bill"s author photo of Donna in her new book, TIME STEPS MY MUSICAL COMEDY LIFE from Simon & Schuster. You can reach Bill 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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