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Septermber 21, 2007
Ooooh, I love showbusiness (despite what it did to me). This past week at Birdland, we were honored with not one, but two brilliant evenings of original material. Sunday night visitors saw Amanda Green and her talented cronies cavorting on our stage once again. Her clever, hilarious, sometimes even shocking musical take on the world-at-large helped pack the room with the showbiz glitterati who follow her everywhere. We promise you she'll be back, so you can join in on the fun if you haven't already!
On Monday night, some incredible Broadway performers sang a concert version of "The Mysteries of Harris Burdick," a new musical by Chris Miller and Nathan Tysen, with book and direction by Joe Calarco. The cast included (left, from top) Donna Lynne Champlin, Charlie Brady, Nicole Van Giesen, Lynne Wintersteller, Michael Winther, Matt Caplan, and musical director Tom Kitt. The evening was a hit with the hip theater crowd, and the folks who just happened upon Birdland were treated to an insider event, which they absolutely loved! We look forward to showcasing more projects like this! MANY thanks to Mr. Winther for putting the entire evening together.
The following Cast Party was loaded wth talent, as always. We were royally entertained by (among many others) Tony DeSare & Tedd Firth (left, thanks to Mark Rupp), Aisha de Haas, Nate Birkey, Susan Winter, David Ippolito, David Goldman and a group called "WMD!" All in all…another magnificent night of standards, originals, shock and awe! It was so exciting to celebrate Christine Lavin's 18th recording, “Happy Dance of the Xenophobe!” Ms. Lavin performed a number with a handful of singers who can be heard on the recording…most of whom she found at Cast Party! We couldn't be prouder, of course! Everyone went home with a copy of the CD, just like on Oprah, without the long lines and copious weeping. You can see proof of all the fun on Flickr!!
This next Monday, I'll be hosting Cast Party with the assistance of Tedd Firth and Steve Doyle as the Cast Party Symphony Orchestra. Pack up your upbeat ditties and join us at 9:30!
I'll also be performing with Liza Minnelli this Saturday, September 22, at Pfeiffer Hall in beautiful downtown Naperville, Illinois. If you're in the neighborhood, come see us!
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This coming Sunday, September 23 at 7pm, Nancy Anderson will be back to celebrate her recording, “ Ten Cents a Dance," which features standards and lost treasures from the 1920s and 30s. 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”. For the concert, Ms. Anderson will be joined by musical director Ross Patterson an his Little Big Band. Anderson 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. You can call Birdland for reservations: 212.581.3080 or www.BirdlandJazz.com.
Then, on Monday, September 24 at 7pm, Donna Lynne Champlin, who recently starred in the Broadway revival of Sweeney Todd, as well as James Joyce's The Dead, By Jeeves and Hollywood Arms, returns with her brilliant one-woman show “ Finishing The Hat!” It's an inspired pairing of stories and songs from Donna Lynne's professional and personal adventures (such as 'Stalking Brian d'Arcy James' and 'The Worst Audition Ever') that the audience picks randomly from a hat. David Hurst of Cabaret Scenes Magazine calls the evening 'hilarious, heartbreaking and brilliant,' and Peter Filichia of TheaterMania asks 'Why can't all cabarets be as wonderful as “Finishing The Hat?”' Tom Kitt will be performing his magic as musical director. Once again, call Birdland at 212.581.3080 or www.BirdlandJazz.com.
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 AFTER A SUCCESSFUL RUN THIS SUMMER, SUZANNE CARRICO IS BACK IN NEW YORK CITY by popular demand for a return engagement at The Metropolitan Room in THE ART OF THE CAHN: Music from the Sammy Cahn Songbook. Please join us Sunday, September 30th at 9:30 PM to hear Suzanne with Special Guest Don Rebic on piano & Steve Doyle on bass in an intimate evening of music Cabaret Hotline described as "dazzling" and "perfection" arranged by Tedd Firth & directed by Mary Cleere Haran. Take advantage of the Cast Party Discount and call for your reservation today: 212.206.0440 www.suzannecarrico.com
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 DONALD SMITH AND THE MABEL MERCER FOUNDATION WOULD LIKE YOU TO JOIN Marilyn Maye, Steve Ross, Billy Stritch, KT Sullivan and James Followell for the Fourth Cabaret Convention at Sea, April 30 - May 14, 2008! This cabaret crossing will take place on board the luxurious Regent Seven Seas Voyager, leaving from Ft. Lauderdale, and making stops in Bermuda, the Azores, Madeira, Valencia and Barcelona. This spectacular ship offers all-suite accomodations (with private verandahs), open dining, four spectacular restaurants, all wine, spirits and gratuities included! The event will be hosted by Arie Boris, Editor-in-Chief of CruiseGourmet.com Magazine. Fares for this special 14-night Cabaret Crossing start at $5,170 per person. As a special welcome to all our patrons, there will be a one-category upgrade for any reservation made before September 1, 2007. Please call Hartford Holidays Travel (800-828-4813) and mention Promotional Code JIMC. A portion of each fare will be donated to the Mabel Mercer Foundation. Check out CruiseGourmet Magazine!
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 KEN KLEIBER'S OFFERING VIDEOGRAPHY SERVICES. You have the talent, you booked the room and the crowds came. But what about that sought-after agent who was escorting his star client to a premiere? Or that family member who got stuck out-of-town due to inclement weather? Or that best friend who got the 24-hour flu? They can all re-live your shining performance through the magic of digital video. Videographer Ken Kleiber (host of TV, internet & radio’s "That’s Kentertainment!") not only interviews the stars, he films them too. With over 6 years of videotaping experience, Ken has filmed hundreds of hours of cabarets, concerts, live theatre, dance recitals, comedy sets, interviews, on-tape auditions, parties and more. For more information on Ken’s videotaping, copying and transferring services, please contact Ken at kentertain@yahoo.com. Don’t let that once-in-a-lifetime moment be...just once! |
 MINNELLI & CARUSO: TOGETHER AGAIN... I'm beyond excited to tell you that I'll be performing on the road with myamazing 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! - 09/22/2007 08:00 PM - Pfeiffer Hall, Naperville, Illinois
- 09/28/2007 08:00 PM - Morristown Community Theatre, Morristown, New Jersey-
- 10/05/2007 08:00 PM - Hard Rock Hotel, Orlando, Florida
- 10/06/2007 08:00 PM - Tampa Performing Arts Center, Tampa, Florida
- 10/13/2007 08:00 PM - C.W. Post College, Long Island, New York
- 10/27/2007 08:00 PM - Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, Baltimore, Maryland
- 11/29/2007 08:00 PM - McCallum Theatre, Palm Desert, California
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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.
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 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 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. www.squigsink.com
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 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!
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 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.
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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?).
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 "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
This newsletter brought to you each week by Jim Caruso and Traverse City Web Design.
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