Broadway at Birdland
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Orfeh and Andy Karl

Septermber 28, 2007

Last week's Broadway at Birdland concerts kicked some major Rialto-tuchas, what with Donna Lynne Champlin's brilliant “Finishing The Hat” on Sunday and composer Laurence O'Keefe's “Songs To Teach You Important Lessons...And Stuff” on Monday.  Donna Lynne packed the place with show folk, including one of our fave composers, Jeff Blumenkrantz, and singer/actress extraordinaire, Lynne Wintersteller.  Larry O'Keefe's show featured loads of Broadway babies singing his praises and ditties, including pretty power-couple Orfeh and Andy Karl (left).  We're so proud that both Donna Lynne and Larry are Birdland regulars - stay tuned for upcoming concerts from each of them!



Nate Lombardi (left, in a photo by Mark Rupp) proved that it's possible to mix jazz, pop and hip-hop, with a little beat-box thrown in for good measure!  Where DO they come from?!  We had so many newcomers at Monday's Cast Party there was hardly room for our beloved regulars…but we got everyone onstage after all!  Nate Lombardi (left, in a photo by Mark Rupp) proved that it's possible to mix jazz, pop and hip-hop, with a little beat-box thrown in for good measure!  Legendary jazz bassist Jay Leonhart performed one of his witty tunes, Marja Harmon (direct from the National Tour of AIDA) sang her heart out, and 11-year old Charlotte Cutler showed style, taste, and talent beyond her years with a Norah Jones hit.  Lotte Trouble was - a lot - but no trouble at all!  She was alotta fun.  Brother/sister act Kathryn Pryor & Will Trice, originally from Little Rock, showed off their musical talents, Maryanne Challis finally joined in on the fun, and composer Lance Horne debuted a brand new piece.  Joan Crowe played the musical saw, and hardly injured anyone.  Aussie Vanessa Respa, who “lost her passport” so she could stay in NYC for a few extra days, killed everyone with her soulful sound, and Danny Beiruti was absolutely spectacular at the mic.  Mike Berkowitz, who has drummed for everyone from Sinatra to Minnelli, gave us a hi-hat solo and blew everyone away!  (What an ongoing thrill to work with him in the Liza show!)  If you wanna see more fotos of the fun, click on Flickr!

So you see?  Cast Party is a constantly-changing, always-growing, hilariously surprising Extreme Open Mic.  So there.  Next week, join me and the Cast Party Symphony Orchestra, which will include Tedd Firth and Steve Doyle on piano and bass, respectively.  Oh, it'll be fun.

By the way, if you happen to be in Tampa, Florida this coming Saturday night, try to snag a ticket to the Liza Minnelli concert at the Tampa Performing Arts Center! I'll be there, singing and dancing with Cortes Alexander, Brian Lane Green, Johnny Rodgers, and the divine Miss M-with-a-Z! - Jim!
 
 
On Sunday, October 7, we're happy to bring you "All Mixed Up: The Songs of Sam Davis." 
On Sunday, October 7, we're happy to bring you "All Mixed Up: The Songs of Sam Davis."  Sam, a Jonathan Larson Award-winning composer, will present a grab-bag of his original songs including a brand-new pop song cycle, "Home After Dark," with lyrics by Sean Hartley.  He will be joined by Anastasia Barzee, Matt Farnsworth, Santino Fontana, Megan Lawrence, Kelli O'Hara, Megan McGinnis, Matt McGrath, Karen Murphy, Daniel Reichard, Benjamin Schrader, Patrick Sullivan and Will Swenson, with Sam Davis on piano; Sean McDaniel on drums; Brad Russell on bass, and John Benthal on guitar.  Broadway conductor and arranger Davis (Curtains, The Apple Tree) has penned songs that run the gamut from driving rock numbers, soaring pop ballads, upbeat show tunes, and intimate cabaret songs described as "elegant and exquisite" by Opera News.  The evening, which also features lyrics by Randy Buck, Alisa Klein, Georgia Stitt, and Mark Waldrop. has been directed by Annette Jolles.  Call Birdland at 212.581.3080 or www.BirdlandJazz.com for tickets.


On Monday, October 8, we are proud to bring back song and dance man and Broadway veteran, Jeffry Denman in JAZZ TURNS: Broadway Tunes through Jazz Textures, featuring the Ross Patterson Trio. On Monday, October 8, we are proud to bring back song and dance man and Broadway veteran, Jeffry Denman in JAZZ TURNS: Broadway Tunes through Jazz Textures, featuring the Ross Patterson Trio.  Special guests will include Broadway performers Brian d'Arcy James, Nancy Anderson and Dennis Stowe.  JAZZ TURNS is an evening of contemporary and classic musical theatre songs given evocative, tasteful jazz interpretations by Mr. Denman.  Jeffry's voice and tapping feet mingle with Ross Patterson's piano, in a passionate blend of sentimental ballads, tap dance syncopations, and playful uptempos exploring tone color and nuance.  Songs will include “Nothing is Too Wonderful to Be True” by David Yazbek, “Not While I'm Around” by Stephen Sondheim, “Moving Too Fast” by Jason Robert Brown, “My Own Space” by Kander and Ebb, and “Tonight at Eight” by Bock and Harnick.

Jeffry Denman is most known for his book A Year with The Producers - his account of being in the original company of The Producers.  He made his Broadway debut in the original cast of How To Succeed…, he appeared in Dream (starring Margaret Whiting and John Pizzarelli) and played Munkustrap in the final cast of Cats.  In 2004, he created the role of Phil Davis (the Danny Kaye role) in the original production of Irving Berlin's White Christmas opposite Tony nominee Brian d'Arcy James in San Francisco and Los Angeles as well as on the White Christmas original cast album of the show released in 2006 by Ghostlight Records.  He has starred in concerts with symphonies across the country alongside Rebecca Luker, Susan Egan, Christianne Noll and Ron Raines including Marvin Hamlisch's Tribute to Irving Berlin at the Kennedy Center with the National Orchestra and his Tribute to George Gershwin with the Philadelphia Symphony.
 
 
Gretchen ReinhagenGRETCHEN REINHAGEN RETURNS TO DON'T TELL MAMA WITH HER BRAND NEW SHOW, "Back to Basics". She is joined once again by Musical Director Steven Silverstein at the piano. The show is a collection of some of the most loved standards and a few not so standard gems thrown into the mix. In this show, Reinhagen gets down to the basics of just singing good tunes. Don’t miss an evening of songs you’ve always loved, and a singer you’re going to love hearing them from. 10/10 @ 9:15pm; 10/15 @ 9pm; 10/21 @ 8:15pm; 10/30 @ 7pm. $15 cover/2 drink minimum. Reservations: 212.757.0788 www.gretchenreinhagen.com
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!  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!

KEN KLEIBER'S OFFERING VIDEOGRAPHY SERVICES. 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 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, Brian Lane Green 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!
  • 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

DAVE KOZ
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 showbiz! www.squigsink.com - this week's pic - Christine Ebersole as Little Edie in 'Grey Gardens'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


Charlie Lapson: Style fit for a star!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!


Jim Caruso ferociously models the official Cast Party t-shirtOUR 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.


The Cabaret Exchange


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?).

 
 

Look at all the illustrious people!"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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Copyright Jim Caruso's Cast Party®, All Rights Reserved, 2006. Newsletter by: Traverse City Web Design