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October 12, 2007
"Embarassment of riches” doesn't come close to describing this past week at Birdland! Sunday's “All Mixed Up: The Songs of Sam Davis” had a cast that any Broadway show would be proud of! The photo at the left shows (top) Benjamin Schrader, Anastasia Barzee, (below) Annette Jolles, Kelli O'Hara, Megan Lawrence, Matt Farnsworth, Matt McGrath and the man of the hour, Sam Davis. The cast also included swells like Daniel Reichard, Patrick Sullivan, Santino Fontana, and lots of other Broadway babies! The room was packed with those in-the-know, too. Dreamgirls composer Henry Krieger, actors Edward Hibbert, Joey Dudding, Christopher Spaulding and songwriter extraordinaire Joe Thalken were all seen cheering Sam's great music and the awesome performances!
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On Monday, Broadway song-and-dance-man Jeffry Denman (left, thanks to Mark Rupp) packed the place with absolute showbiz. This guy is the real thing…fabulous singer, storyteller, and astonishing tapper. He was joined onstage by folks like Brian D'Arcy James, Nancy Anderson, fellow-tapper Dennis Stowe, and the Ross Patterson Trio. The result was a marvelous evening of jazzed-up musical comedy heaven! And who was there to see all that heaven? Julie Halston, Dan Butler, Michael Riedel, Clarke Thorell, Julia Murney, Noah Racey, Kelly Sheehan, Nancy Lemanager and Michael McElroy all showed up to celebrate the tapping toes of Mr. Denman.
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The following Cast Party was jam-packed, with lines of Party-ers crowding the door for most of the night. It seems folks can't get enough of the most Extreme Open Mic on the planet Earth. (Not that I'd care to overstate.) Nancy Anderson and the cast of Yank gave us a sample of the new Stezel Brothers musical, Raina and Spencer Day (unrelated) warbled brilliantly, that saucy Brit Victoria Sharpe brought some swing to the proceedings, and Nick Bushkar (left) kicked showtune heinie. The evening ended with Danny Calvert (Rent, Altar Boyz) singing a brilliant “Over The Rainbow.” That boy can SING! Many thanks to Tedd Firth and Steve Doyle for keeping the musical balloon inflated! Next week - we're thrilled to announce that Andy Ezrin will make his debut as Cast Party Symphony Orchestra pianist, along with our own Steve Doyle on bass. Andy tours constantly with Linda Eder, Joe Jackson, Chris Botti and The New York Voices, but he's with US for one night! Come hear this pianistic genius, and join in on the fun. Check out our Flickr! site to see visual proof as to what went on this past week!
If you'd like to catch the Liza Minnelli show I've been singing and dancing in for the past year, we'll be at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts at CW Post College in Brookville, NY on Saturday, October 13! Click on Liza for all the information!
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When you think of Broadway, you damn well better think of Ethel Merman. We are absolutely over-the-moon to celebrate her 100th Birthday in style with two evenings of “ Everything The Traffic Will Allow,” starring Klea Blackhurst! Klea brings her knock-out celebration of all things Merman to Broadway at Birdland on October 14th and 15th at 7 PM. For reservations call Birdland at 212.581.3080 or www.BirdlandJazz.com. “Everything the Traffic Will Allow” features many of Merman's signature songs such as “I Got Rhythm,” “Blow, Gabriel Blow,” and “Everything's Coming Up Roses,” as well as rarely performed obscurities including “Just A Moment Ago,” “I've Still Got My Health,” and “World Take Me Back.” If you missed it the first time, this is your chance to experience Blackhurst's crackling wit and powerful vocals as she performs her brilliant, savvy valentine to one of the American musical theatre's greatest stars.
In addition to her award-winning Merman salute, Klea is known for her solo show “Autumn in New York: Vernon Duke's Broadway” and her recent collaboration with Billy Stritch, “Dreaming of a Song: The Music of Hoagy Carmichael,” which received a 2007 Backstage Bistro Award. Klea's concert appearances include the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall with Michael Feinstein, Oklahoma! at London's Royal Albert Hall, and New York's 92nd Street Y (Leo Robin & Cole Porter Tributes). Her NY theatre credits includes: Bingo, By Jupiter, Radio Gals,and Oil City Symphony. There will be a $30 cover and $10 food/drink minimum.
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 LINDA KOSUT, SAN FRANCISCO JAZZ/CABARET VOCALIST, BRINGS HER ACCLAIMED tribute CD Release show “LONG AS YOU’RE LIVING – THE SONGS & POETRY OF OSCAR BROWN JR.” to New York’s Reprise Room at Dillon’s for ONE NIGHT ONLY on October 13, 7:00pm! Linda has been touring this year from San Francisco, to Chicago and to New York. The show and CD are receiving rave reviews. Join Linda and her great band led by pianist & trombonist, Max Perkoff - sit back, relax, listen to great music & above all, be entertained, as we celebrate this legendary jazzman, poet & songwriter. Click: www.lindakosut.com
Reprise Room at Dillon’s, 245 W 54 St. $20 + 2-drink min. RESERVATIONS 800-838-3006 or click here for tickets.
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 GRETCHEN 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 |
 SING LIKE YOU MEAN IT! So, you sing pretty- so what? If you don't know what you're singing about...no one cares. Be ready for your next audition -- come to my class. With the help of pianist and coach, Jamie Reed, we will make sure you are ready and relaxed enough to rock your auditions.
Mondays, 4pm to 7pm at Ripley Grier Studios;
4-week session =$240 (we’ll start as soon as we fill the class)
for more information, write me at singmeanit@aol.com
for more information about me- www.nancyanderson.name
for more information about Jamie- jamieRB326@aol.com
P.S. -- If you have scheduling conflicts, write and we can work it out!
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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, 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! - 10/13/2007 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
- JANUARY 25 - GUADALAJARA: TELMEX AUDITORIUM
- JANUARY 27 - MEXICO CITY: NATIONAL AUDITORIUM
- JANUARY 29 - MONTEREY, MEXICO
- FEBRUARY 23 - PALM SPRINGS: SINATRA EVENT
- MARCH 14 - FT LAUDERDALE: HARD ROCK HOTEL
- MARCH 16 - JACKSONVILLE: TIMES UNION CTR
- MARCH 28 - FORT MEYERS: BARBARA MANN
- MARCH 30 - MELBOURNE: KING CENTER
- MAY 25 - 27 - LONDON: ENGLISH NATIONAL OPERA
- MAY 31 - BRIGHTON: BRIGHTON CENTER
- JUNE 2 - MANCHESTER: BRIDGEWATER SYMPHONY HALL
- JUNE 4 - BIRMINGHAM: BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY HALL
- JUNE 6 - HARROGATE: HARROGATE CENTRE
- JUNE 9 - NOTTINGHAM: NOTHINGHAM ROYAL CONCERT HAL
- JUNE 11 - LASGOW: GLASGOW CLYDE
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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, 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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