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Last Week
 
March 27, 2008
BINGO! Everyone was a winner on Monday night, when composers Michael Heitzman and Ilene Reid brought their songbook to the Birdland stage! (pictured: some of the original cast of Bingo! The Musical)
BINGO!  Everyone was a winner on Monday night, when composers Michael Heitzman and Ilene Reid brought their songbook to the Birdland stage!  Singing their eclectic trove were some of the best performers the New York theater scene could provide, including the original cast of the duo's hit, “Bingo,” Janet Metz, Liz McCartney and Liz Larsen (left).  Many thanks to Mark Rupp for all the great performance photos - and you can see them all on FLICKR! 
The Altar Boys (left) were seen lurking and enjoying the Party, so you know it was the place to be! (pictured: The Altar Boyz)
The following Cast Party was, as usual, varied, brilliant, shocking, and hilarious.  There was the addition of lots of instrumentalists, which we always love.  Sean Harkness, Eve Silber, Fortune Esposito and Christine Lavin on guitar, Jeff Gans on 8-string bass, and Todd Londagin on trombone and tap floor.  The very young, but very talented Charlotte Cutler brought her own impressive band, including dad Rick Cutler on piano, Dean Chokakis on bass and Bill Hayes on percussion.  (These guys are no musical slouches, playing for both Minnelli and Streisand on a regular basis!)  The addition of Julian Fleisher and Mary Liz McNamara brought a hipster vibe we loved, and Baby Jane Dexter proved that she is a cabaret legend by singing her heart out.  (Her story about the exploding stripper still has us weak in the knees.)  The Altar Boyz (left) were seen lurking and enjoying the Party, so you know it was the place to be!  We do it all over again this coming Monday, with Tedd Firth and Steve Doyle performing as Cast Party Symphony Orchestra.  You gotta come see what all the fuss is about!
- Jim!
 
Coming Up
 
Jim Caruso's Cast Party and TheaterMania.com are proud to announce Annaleigh Ashford & Alex Lacamoire Monday, April 7, 2008 at 7:00pm, as part of the long-running, critically-heralded and popular concert series Broadway at Birdland. (pictured: Annaleigh Ashford)
Jim Caruso's Cast Party and TheaterMania.com are proud to announce Annaleigh Ashford & Alex Lacamoire Monday, April 7, 2008 at 7:00pm, as part of the long-running, critically-heralded and popular concert series Broadway at Birdland. Broadway Star Annaleigh Ashford and Musical Director Alex Lacamoire will bring you an exciting evening of cabaret including standards, jazz and pop classics from Janis Joplin to Doris Day.   Annaleigh is presently gracing the Broadway stage in Wicked as the 'Popular' witch, Glinda.  Last year she gave "stalwart comic support" as Margot, the ditziest Delta Nu, in the original cast of Legally Blonde: The Musical, and is currently featured in the MTV version.  Ashford has worked with some incredible directors, in both theatre and film, including Jerry Mitchell, Joe Mantello, Jack O'Brien, Casey Nicholaw, Jonathan Demme and Michael Patrick King.  Alex Lacamoire is the Music Director for In the Heights and also worked on the Off-Broadway production, where he earned a Drama Desk nomination for Orchestrations.  He music supervised and co-orchestrated High Fidelity, and served as the music director of Wicked on Broadway, for which he also contributed music arrangements.  Alex's many other credits include Bat Boy - The Musical, National Tour of Godspell, Stephen Schwartz's Captain Louie and Legally Blonde - The Musical.  Tickets may be purchased online at www.BirdlandJazz.com or by calling 212-581-3080.

 
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ON MONDAY, MARCH 31, TODD LONDAGIN MAKES HIS DEBUT PERFORMANCE AT FEINSTEIN'S, joining a distinguished pantheon of world class performers who have been hosted by this most venerable of NYC supper clubs. The Todd Londagin Five will present original songs and new arrangements from the American Songbook, throwing in a couple of vaudeville tricks for good measure. This trombone playing, tap dancing co-founder of New York City’s highly acclaimed Flying Neutrinos is making his mark internationally as the leader of the Todd Londagin Band. A pop vocalist with a jazz sensibility, Todd Londagin brings a deep understanding of the essence of popular American songwriting from the 30s through the 50s to this program prepared specially for Feinstein’s at the Loews Regency. 
ON MONDAY, MARCH 31, TODD LONDAGIN MAKES HIS DEBUT PERFORMANCE AT FEINSTEIN'S, joining a distinguished pantheon of world class performers who have been hosted by this most venerable of NYC supper clubs.  (pictured: Todd Londagin)
JAMIE DEROY & FRIENDS AT THE METROPOLITAN ROOM: JOIN US TUESDAY, APRIL 1ST AT 7:30 P.M. Guests: Nancy Anderson, Heather Bixler, Natalie Douglas, Teri Ralston, the cast of Rendezvous, and Michael Somerville. Director, Barry Kleinbort. Musical Director, Shelly Markham. Next shows: May 14th and June 11th, performers to be announced. Tuesday, April 29 @ 9:30PM, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers (Gatlins cover: $35). Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St between 5th and 6th Avenues. For reservations, call: 212-206-0440. $25 cover, $15 minimum for each show.
JAMIE DEROY & FRIENDS AT THE METROPOLITAN ROOM: JOIN US TUESDAY, APRIL 1ST AT 7:30 P.M.
THE BROADWAY SEASON IS IN FULL SWING and one of the most exciting new openings of the year is the official launch of Audience Rewards, the only experiential rewards program created for theatergoers and patrons of the performing arts. Audience Rewards is proud to offer premiere experiences and entertainment benefits to the loyal fans of Broadway.  All you have to do is join. Membership is FREE. And, as a fan of Jim Caruso's Cast Party and Broadway at Birdland, we will give you a gift of 500 points to get you started toward earning Broadway tickets, unique memorabilia, special experiences and tickets to arts and entertainment events. Membership also includes invitations to VIP receptions and special offers on dining, travel and, of course, Broadway shows. Visit www.AudienceRewards.com to sign up to get many exciting benefits including special presentations and offers brought to you by Jim Caruso and Audience Rewards.
Audience Rewards logo
BILLY STRITCH HAS A NEW CD AND A NEW WEBSITE! At last, Billy Stritch has his own dot-com - and a brand-new album to boot! While you're at the site (created by the Cast Party Webmistress, Kate Botello), peruse Billy's bio, find out where he's playing and read reviews. Listen to clips of Billy's latest, Billy Stritch Sings Mel Tormè, and pick up a copy for yourself and someone you love.

For everything Billy Stritch: www.billystritch.com.

Billy Stritch Sings Mel Torme - and more, at www.BillyStritch.com
JIM CARUSO…THE PARTY CONTINUES ON CD: Caruso: Live and In Person, with Billy Stritch on piano. "Jim is funny, facile and fabulous! He performs with charm, wit and style, and is vastly entertaining." -- Michael Feinstein. "A cabaret-lover's dream!" -- Chip Deffaa, New York Post. "An unbeatable act of jazz, pop, comedy and conversation that is different from anything else in town." -- Rex Reed, New York Observer. "This impish, twinkling-eyed performer exudes the buoyant spirits of a conetmporary vaudevillian…with an extremely tart lemon tucked firmly in his cheek." -- Stephen Holden, New York Times.

Make Me a Song: the Music of William Finn
ELAINE PAIGE , THE "FIRST LADY OF BRITISH MUSICAL THEATRE," HOSTS AN ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS WEEKLY RADIO SHOW on BBC Radio 2 every Sunday night.  The program is devoted to musical theatre and film music from Hollywood, Broadway and the West End.  The celebrated star of Evita, Cats, Chess and Sunset Boulevard has interviewed a host of stars including Angela Lansbury, Sir Elton John, and Michael Feinstein, and continues to delight audiences with a unque mix of show music and juicy interviews. Click on BBC: Elaine Paige on Sunday to hear the current show.

Make Me a Song: the Music of William Finn
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!

KEN KLEIBER'S OFFERING VIDEOGRAPHY SERVICES.
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!

March 28 Ft. Myers, FL Barbara Mann PAC
March 30 Melbourne, FL King Center
April 26 Guadalajara, Mexico  
April 29 Puebla, Mexico  
May 3 Dallas/Fort Worth, TX Bass Performance Hall
May 9 Biloxi, MS Beau Rivage
May 25-27 London, England English National Opera
May 30 Nothingham, England Nothingham Royal Concert Hall
June 2 Manchester, England Bridgewater Symphony
June 4 Birmingham, England Birmingham Symphony
June 6 Glasgow, Scotland Glasgow Clyde
MINNELLI & CARUSO: TOGETHER AGAIN
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.
DAVE KOZ
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

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

Jim Caruso ferociously models the official Cast Party t-shirt
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, 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?).
 
About Us
 
Look at all the illustrious people!
When:
Every Monday at 9:30 PM!

Where:
BIRDLAND
315 West 44th Street (between 8th & 9th), NYC
212.581.3080

TheaterScene.net
01/12/2008
Outstanding Cabaret of 2007
By: John Hoglund

1 - Jim Caruso: Broadway to Birdland Series – Birdland

Jim Caruso's savvy concept has turned into the weekly tour de force event presenting some of today's leading performer's from the Great White Way. The impressive list of guys and dolls singing show tunes, jazz, pop and all points in between is like no other happening in Manhattan and has evolved into an integral part of New York nightlife – like his wildly popular weekly Cast Party which follows after the show. This talk of the town carnival of talent allows rabid fans to cheer on their favorites up close and personal like: Nancy Anderson, Darius de Haas, Christine Ebersole, Melissa Errico, Sam Harris, Linda Lavin, Christine Pedi and a truckload of other major talents at this legendary jazz club on West 44th.
TheaterMania.com:
"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."

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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Copyright Jim Caruso's Cast Party®, All Rights Reserved, 2006-2008. Newsletter by: Traverse City Web Design

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