SHE'S A LITTLE BIT COUNTRY, A LITTLE BIT ROCK AND ROLL, AND A LITTLE BIT MESHUGEH (That’s crazy, y’all!). Wendy Lane Bailey bursts into the Metropolitan Room (34 W. 22nd Street) May 23rd and June 6th at 9:30 PM with her singular blend of great tunes, a keen eye for the absurd, lush back up vocals, and a few choice anecdotes from her quirky Southern Jewish Baptist Mormon background. Pop, country, emerging composers, folk, classic jazz and standards are blended with ease. Rick Jensen provides musical direction and Lisa Poulos adds background vocals. www.wendylanebailey.com. $20 Cover / 2 drink minimum, reservations: (212)206-0440. (photo: Bill Westmoreland) 
last
week...  |
May 4, 2007 Steve Marzullo's “Spirit of Spring” concert was the perfect way to usher in the season at Birdland on Monday night. His cast of Broadway blossoms, some of the most gorgeously talented gals on the theatrical scene, paired with his amazing compositions, was an absolute breath of fresh air for the packed house. That house included some showbiz heavy-hitters, too, including Michael John LaChiusa, Ann Morrison, Mary Testa, Annie Golden and Rosemary Loar. The following Cast Party was characteristically quirky, musical and hilarious, hosted by noneother than Christine Pedi (left). Janet Fanale sang a funny “Morris Was Nice,” tall Joan Crowe bemoaned “Short People,” N'Kenge belted “Defying Gravity,” and Karen Dunbar challenged Tedd Firth and Steve Doyle to “…And I Am Telling You” without sheet music. (They won the challenge, of course!) The evening ended with Ms. Pedi and the boys swinging “Cornet Man,” aided by Domenic Farinacci on the hottest horn (and silver-plated wah-wah mute!) in town. Next week, I'll be back at Birdland hosting the fun, along with the musical genius of David Budway on piano and Steve Doyle on bass! Check out last week's photos by our very own Mark Rupp on our Flickr! site. While you're there, you might also click on “The Kay Thompson Project” to see a photo diary of where I've been for the past two weeks! The Scandinavian portion of the tour with Liza Minnelli was thrilling! Antwerp, Copenhagen, Stockholm and Helsinki were incredible…the audience couldn't get enough of Miss M…and flipped over the Kay Thompson arrangements we 'Williams Brothers' recreated (left). We're in constant rehearsals, adding new material and jazzing up what we already know…so we'll be ready when YOU come see us (see sponsor ad below for details).  |
Nancy Anderson (left), along with Ross Patterson and his Little Big Band, returns to BROADWAY AT BIRDLAND on MONDAY, MAY 7 at 7 PM to celebrate her recently released CD 'Ten Cents a Dance,' featuring standards and lost treasures from the 1920's and 30's. Produced by Bill Daugherty with Ross Patterson and Danny Whitby as Musical Directors, the CD includes "The Trouble with Me is You," "My Romance," "But Not for Me," and the title track "Ten Cents a Dance." Nancy is a two-time Drama Desk nominee for her work as the title character in the Off-Broadway production of Fanny Hill and as all of the women in Jolson & Co. In 2002, she was honored with an Olivier Award nomination and a Helen Hayes Award nomination for her work as Bianca/Lois in Kiss Me Kate, seen on PBS and available on DVD. She has appeared on Broadway as Helen in Wonderful Town and Mona in A Class Act. There is a $30 cover and a $10 food/drink minimum for Ms. Anderson's show. Call 212-581-3080 or www.BirdlandJazz.com for tickets.
Then…actor/singer/songwriter Jeff Daniels (left) returns to BROADWAY AT BIRDLAND on MONDAY, MAY 14 at 7pm. Best-known for such films as “Terms of Endearment,” “Dumb and Dumber,” and “The Squid and the Whale,” Mr. Daniels is currently starring in the 2007 Oliver Award-winning play Blackbird, by Scottish playwright David Harrower, at the Manhattan Theatre Club. Jeff 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 be able to raise funds for his pet project, the Purple Rose Theater in his hometown of Chelsea, Michigan, by going out 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. 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.” All of these songs and many more will be part of his BROADWAY AT BIRDLAND concert on May 14. The cover for Mr. Daniels will be $30 with a $10 food/drink minimum. Call 212-581-3080 or www.BirdlandJazz.com for tickets.
SHE'S A LITTLE BIT COUNTRY, A LITTLE BIT ROCK AND ROLL, AND A LITTLE BIT MESHUGEH (That’s crazy, y’all!). Wendy Lane Bailey bursts into the Metropolitan Room (34 W. 22nd Street) May 23rd and June 6th at 9:30 PM with her singular blend of great tunes, a keen eye for the absurd, lush back up vocals, and a few choice anecdotes from her quirky Southern Jewish Baptist Mormon background. Pop, country, emerging composers, folk, classic jazz and standards are blended with ease. Rick Jensen provides musical direction and Lisa Poulos adds background vocals. www.wendylanebailey.com. $20 Cover / 2 drink minimum, reservations: (212)206-0440. (photo: Bill Westmoreland) 
JAMIE DEROY AND FRIENDS PRESENTS AN EVENING WITH LARRY GATLIN AT THE METROPOLITAN ROOM. See Larry Gatlin at the Metropolitan Room Tuesday and Wednesday, May 15th with special guest Dee Hoty and May 16th with guests James Naughton and Nicolette Hart. Tickets are $25 with a 2 drink minimum. -- And don't miss 'Jamie deRoy and friends', Jamie's award winning show Thursday nights at the Metropolitan Room. Special guests include Mary Bond Davis, Gay Marshall, Karen Mason, Jeffrey Pirrami, Jay Rogers and William Finn. The show is directed by Barry Kleinbort with Lanny Meyers as musical director. Tickets are $20 with a 2 drink minimum.
"here! on Broadway," A PODCAST HOSTED BY JIM CARUSO, is a joyous celebration of the showbiz scene featuring music and conversation with Broadway's most dazzling personalities. Click on www.myspace.com/hereonbroadway to subscribe.
The newest episode features conversation with the star of Phantom Of The Opera, Howard McGillin. Howard's starring roles on Broadway and in London's West End include Mack and Mabel, Kiss of the Spiderwoman, She Loves Me, The Secret Garden, Anything Goes (Tony and Drama Desk nominations), The Mystery of Edwin Drood with the NY Shakespeare Festival (Tony and Drama Desk nominations, Theatre World Award), and Sunday in the Park with George. He was nominated for his New York theatrical debut in the NY Shakespeare Festival's production of La Bohème with Linda Ronstadt.
Upcoming episodes will feature playwright/performer Charles Busch and Drowsy Chaperone co-writer Lisa Lambert.
MINNELLI & CARUSO: TOGETHER AGAIN... I'm beyond excited to tell you that I'll be performing on the road with my amazing friend Liza Minnelli quite a bit this next year! We're re-creating Kay Thompson and the Williams Brothers' historic nightclub act that took the world by storm in the late 40's and early 50's. Cortes Alexander, Johnny Rodgers, Clarke Thorell and I are working hard to approximate the blend and unique sound that Bob, Dick, Don, and Andy Williams brought to Kay's ingenious vocal arrangements, with Billy Stritch will be at the piano. Watch this space for details...hopefully we'll be coming to a theater near you!
- June 10 : Santiago, Chile
- June 13 : Buenos Aires
- June 15 : Uruguay
- July 19 : Cohasett, MA : South Shore Music Circus
- July 21 : Hyannis, MA : Cape Cod Melody Tent
ON THE CD, AT THE MOVIES , DAVE KOZ , A MULTI-GRAMMY NOMINATED SAX PLAYER with two gold albums and ten top 5 hits to his credit, takes center stage on eight instrumentals: "Over The Rainbow," "As Time Goes By," "The Pink Panther," "Summer of '42," "Cinema Paradiso," "Schindler's List," "It Might Be You" and "The Shadow of Your Smile." The 40-piece orchestra enlisted by Koz and producer Phil Ramone provides a majestic, sweeping soundscape for the saxophonist and his guest vocalists, including Vanessa Williams, who contributes an exquisite version of "The Way We Were," and Johnny Mathis, who perfectly captures the bittersweet quality of "The Shadow Of Your Smile," from The Sandpiper. Other highlights include Anita Baker's elegant rendering of "Somewhere," from West Side Story and Donna Summer's shimmering version of "A Whole New World," from Disney's Aladdin. Barry Manilow duets with Koz on a hip arrangement of Henry Mancini's "Moon River," and India.Aire delivers a deeply personal performance of "It Must Be You," from Tootsie. At The Movies is a must-have for music and film lovers everywhere. Disappear into another world and spend some time At The Movies.
SQUIGS DRAWS THE STARS. Justin 'Squigs' Robertson is well known in the
Los Angeles theatre community for capturing show biz folks in pen and
ink, and his acclaim is quickly spreading across the country. He loves
sushi. His favorite song is 'It's Only A Paper Moon'. And he
genuflects upon merely hearing the name of Al Hirschfeld. His
whimsical illustration and design is aided and abetted by his parallel
career as an actor and entertainer. You can visit www.squigsink.com for a look at Squigs' take on such talented friends of Cast Party as
Jeff Blumenkrantz, Julia Murney, Christine Ebersole, Victoria Clark,
Kelli O'Hara, Bob Martin and Liza Minnelli.
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:
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
This newsletter brought to you each week by Jim Caruso and Traverse City Web Design.
-
Hang out with Cast Party and Friends on MySpaceSubscribe to the Cast Party NewsletterVisit the Cast Party Newsletter ArchiveThe official Cast Party WebsiteJim Caruso's WebsiteSend Jim Caruso an e-mail
-
Contact the Administrator