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Last Week
June 5 , 2008
That's Kate on the right of the photo, with her friends Kevin Pease, Zach Linnert and his mom, and Jen Bender!
I'm still in the UK having a ball singing and gyrating with the one-and-only Liza May Minnelli. Our London run was a smash, Nottingham was thrilling, Birmingham was swell and we killed 'em in Manchester! If you know anyone in Glasgow, tell them we're on our way and to come see us on Friday! It's all been great, but I can't believe I missed one of my favorite Broadway Goddesses, Kate Shindle, in concert at Birdland!  She and her musical director, Brian Lowdermilk, sang everything from Ray Charles to Michael John LaChiusa, and the crowd went nuts. The duo blew the roof off Birdland with their encore of “Defying Gravity,” bringing show folks like the afore-mentioned Mr. LaChiusa, Nicolette Hart, Nick Kenkel, James Sampliner, Jen Bender and Kait Kerrigan to their feet! That's Kate on the right of the photo, with her friends Kevin Pease, Zach Linnert and his mom, and Jen Bender!
Birdland was packed with beautiful and talented people, including two gorgeous lantern-topped gals. The front lantern-girl is Domenica Cameron-Scorsese and the one behind is none other than Broadway's Daphne Rubin-Vega!
I'm so lucky to have had Christine Lavin guest-hosting Cast Party for me in my absence!  (We're proud to tell you that Christine has just been named one of the 100 Most Influencial Independent Musicians of the last 15 years by The Performing Songwriter Magazine with such others as David Byrne, Jimmy Buffett, Janis Ian and Elvis Costello!)  Birdland was packed with beautiful and talented people, including two gorgeous lantern-topped gals. The front lantern-girl is Domenica Cameron-Scorsese and the one behind is none other than Broadway's Daphne Rubin-Vega! (left, by Michael Katsobashvili). The stage was clearly star-studded, with musical appearances by Marilyn Maye, Klea Blackhurst, Tony DeSare, Hilary Kole, David Ippolito, Frank Basile and one of our favorite Oscar-winning regulars, Celeste Holme!  The extraordinary Las Vegas superstar Clint Holmes closed the evening, singing an inspirational song about singers and their songs.  Christine always brings in some amazing composers, and this time, welcomed Bonnie Koloc, Mike Agranoff, Lorraine Ferro, Kevin So and Garry Novikoff. Of course, there were beloved regulars like Rob Langeder, Jenna Sparkles Esposito, Ray Jessell, Jenny Lynn Stewart and the doubly-hilarious Twin Duo Anthony & Will. Mr. Ippolito gets a big thanks for bringing Sid Bernstein, who is responsible for bringing the Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Herman's Hermits to America!  Did you know that in 1979, he offered The Beatles a billion dollars to reunite? They said no. (He told Lodi Carr that at the time, he had $40 in his checking account, and shuddered to think what would have happened if they'd said 'yes!') There are not many things I wouldn't do for a billion dollars, so watch your steps, all of you.  Tedd Firth and Steve Doyle went beyond the call of duty accompanying the throngs, and I'm thrilled to say that it happens all over again next week!  Ms. Lavin will start the evening, and I will be Back In The USA halfway through, so we can all celebrate like mad!  If you really miss me, you can read a Q&A I did for Genre Magazine, with many, many thanks to publisher Bill Kapfer and Erik Powell!
- Jim!
Coming Up
Jim Caruso's Cast Party and TheaterMania.com, the leading source for exclusive theater information and live-events tickets nationwide, are proud to announce STEVEN BRINBERG as SIMPLY BARBRA SALUTES THE TONY AWARDS
Jim Caruso's Cast Party and TheaterMania.com, the leading source for exclusive theater information and live-events tickets nationwide, are proud to announce STEVEN BRINBERG as SIMPLY BARBRA SALUTES THE TONY AWARDS. BRINBERG will be singing songs from 60 years worth of nominated and winning musicals along with special guests Tony nominated SIAN PHILLIPS (Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Marlene) and award-winning actor BOBBY STEGGERT (Camelot, The Slug Bearers of Kayrol Island), on Monday, June 9, 2008 at 7:00 p.m., as part of the long-running, Nightlife Award-winning concert series Broadway at Birdland.

Two-time Mac and Bistro award winner, STEVEN BRINBERG, writes and stars as SIMPLY BARBRA, a critically acclaimed tribute to the legendary Barbra Streisand. BRINBERG delivers a masterful performance showcasing his “uncanny ability to truly capture Streisand's vocal mannerisms in speech and song” (THE STAGE).

SIMPLY BARBRA has toured Australia, New Zealand and England twice, ending last year in a West End run at the Arts and Playhouse Theatres.  He has traveled the world in concert with Marvin Hamlisch, and his solo show has played Singapore; Hong Kong; Sag Harbor (Bay Street Theatre); Philadelphia (Walnut Street Theatre); San Francisco (New Conservatory Theatre); Los Angeles (Cinegrill); Sun Valley (Bruce Willis' Liberty Theatre); Atlantic City (Taj Mahal); Windsor, Ontario (Windsor Casino); Provincetown (Town Hall); Miami Beach (Colony Theatre); Houston (Theater Lab Houston); Albany (Empire Center); Arlington (Signature Theater); St. Louis (Sheldon Concert Hall); Chicago (Davenport's); and three sold-out turns at The Mohegan Sun Casino.

BRINBERG has performed at Stephen Sondheim's birthday concert at the Library of Congress; Carnegie Hall with Uptown Express; and on Broadway in the concert version of Funny Girl with Whoopi Goldberg.  Film credits include Camp, Boys Life, and Next Year in JerusalemBRINBERG's television appearances include “The Rosie 0'Donnell Show,” “Sally Jessy Raphael,” and “Jerry Springer.” 

PERFORMANCE DETAILS

WHEN:     Monday, June 9, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: Birdland, 315 West 44th Street (between 8th & 9th Aves), New York City    

TICKET INFO
Tickets: $25.00 + $10.00 Food/Drink Minimum (Per Person)
Tickets can be purchased Online: www.BIRDLANDJAZZ.com; or by Telephone: 212.581.3080.
Our Sponsors
JAZZ SET: PERFORMANCE SKILLS FOR JAZZ SINGERS taught by Laurel Massé (Founding Member of Manhattan Transfer), Wendy Lane Bailey (Vocalist/Artist’s Consultant) & Tex Arnold (Pianist/Arranger). Saturday June 7th at Shetler Studios. You know the tune and you can improvise over the changes, but is that enough? What goes into creating a memorable musical experience for both vocalist and audience? This workshop caters specifically to the needs of the jazz vocalist from the very first note to the final bow Tuition is $165.00, but for Cast Party Newsletter readers it’s $150. To enroll, contact: parkroadmangement@verizon.net, or call 646.831.0359. For more information on the instructors, visit their blog at: www.twowellread.blogspot.com. Photos of Laurel and Wendy (right) by Bill Westmoreland.
JAZZ SET: PERFORMANCE SKILLS FOR JAZZ SINGERS taught by Laurel Massé (Founding Member of Manhattan Transfer), Wendy Lane Bailey (Vocalist/Artist’s Consultant) & Tex Arnold (Pianist/Arranger).
GUY PRIDE: THE WORLD'S 1ST MAN-SICAL! shows at the legendary Duplex Cabaret Theatre Wednesdays this June. Lee Cavellier and Cedric Jones (joined by the very macho Mr. Meridoc Burkhardt and the very lovely Mr. Lance R. Marshall) invite you to an evening of tight harmonies and hilarious boasting! Directed by Alexis M. Hadsall, (Al's just one of the 'guys!') and with musical direction by Phillip Kirchman, this whimsical satire looks into the lives, personalities and quirks of five men (can't forget your pianis-t) who come together to celebrate all things 'Guy' in an hour of the most fun you've ever had...GUARANTEED!! (note: this is not a guarantee) Dates: 6/14 & 6/18 @ 7pm; 6/11 & 6/25 @ 9:30pm. Reservations: 212-255-5438 or click here. It'll leave you proud to be a man...whether you are one or not!
GUY PRIDE: THE WORLD'S 1ST MAN-SICAL! shows at the legendary Duplex Cabaret Theatre Wednesdays this June.
SPECIAL EDITION JAMIE DEROY & FRIENDS! Songs from Tony® Award-Winning Musicals, Wednesday, June 11th at Metropolitan Room. Celebrated cabaret performer Jamie deRoy concludes a monthly cabaret series of her Multi MAC Award-winning variety show, Jamie de Roy & friends on Wednesday, June 11th (7:30PM) at the Metropolitan Room (34 West 22nd Street ~between 5th & 6th Aves) with an evening of songs from Tony® Award-winning Musicals. Joining Jamie will be Tony Award winners Len Cariou, Debbie Gravitte and three-time Tony Award winning composer Charles Strouse; Tony nominated actress Stephanie D'Abruzzo; Broadway veteran Loni Ackerman,  MAC Award-winning KT Sullivan with jazz pianist Jon Weber and cabaret performers Tanya Holt, Josh Scheer and MAC Award-winning Amy Wolk. Award winning director Barry Kleinbort will direct and Lanny Meyers will serve as musical director.
SPECIAL EDITION JAMIE DEROY & FRIENDS! Songs from Tony® Award-Winning Musicals, Wednesday, June 11th at Metropolitan Room.
JUST FOR TODAY: The debut CD from vocalist Lars Vercelli is online at CDBaby and on the iTunes store. The album features twelve amazing tunes that you are just bound to love. Buy the CD today! Visit www.cdbaby.com/larsvercelli.
JUST FOR TODAY: The debut CD from vocalist Lars Vercelli is online at CDBaby and on the iTunes store.
BILLY STRITCH AND CHRISTINE EBERSOLE: "SUNDAY IN NEW YORK." The selections were culled from the pair's recent sold out run at The Metropolitan Room in New York City. In a review of that performance, Stephen Holden of the New York Times commented: "Ms. Ebersole, a bright, zany soprano and ebullient clown, can whirl on a dime and evoke an inexpressable sorrow under a facade of garrulous pluck. When she adds a spinning vibrato to her lemony voice, she can turn into a playful latter-day Kathryn Grayson or Jeanette MacDonald. Mr. Stritch, a pop-jazz pianist and gifted arranger, is a solid exponent of the gregarious, swinging Vegas style epitomized by Steve Lawrence." Listen to song samples, buy the CD, and learn about all things Billy Stritch at http://www.billystritch.com.

BILLY STRITCH AND CHRISTINE EBERSOLE: "SUNDAY IN NEW YORK."  Find out more at www.billystritch.com .
BROADCAST YOURSELF…BEFORE SOMEONE DOES IT FOR YOU. Introducing…"I." An ongoing collaborative web series. A story told in snippets. At www.youtube.com/ichannel -OR- www.connectwithi.com. "I." (also referred to as "iChannel") is an ongoing interactive web series in which a man's life is taken over by an online audience - YOU. Together, Sebastian Arcelus (Jersey Boys), Craig DiFolco, and Michael Izquierdo (New Jerusalem) have forged a path into the world of truly interactive television by directly linking the "subject" to his "audience" in this comically existential adventure. With 34 episodes already filmed and more on the way, they invite you to join in and connect with "I." Is your life worth watching? Check out "I." PLEASE NOTE: Texts that appear in "quotes" within the episodes are actual user comments. If you comment or post a video response, it may very well appear in a future episode.
BROADCAST YOURSELF…BEFORE SOMEONE DOES IT FOR YOU. Introducing… "I."An ongoing collaborative web series.  (pictured: ichannel welcome page)
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
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.

JIM CARUSO…THE PARTY CONTINUES ON CD: Caruso: Live and In Person, with Billy Stritch on piano.
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.

ELAINE PAIGE , THE "FIRST LADY OF BRITISH MUSICAL THEATRE," HOSTS AN ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS WEEKLY RADIO SHOW on BBC Radio 2 every Sunday night.
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 my amazing friend Liza Minnelli quite a bit this next year! We're celebrating 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, Tiger Martina and I are working hard to approximate the blend and unique sound that Bob, Dick, Don and Andy Williams brought to Kay's ingenius vocal arrangements. With dazzling direction and choreography by Ron Lewis, and old pal Billy Stritch at the piano, this project is an absolute dream come true!

JUNE 6 GLASGOW, SCOTLAND GLASGOW CLYDE
JUNE 20 LOS ANGELES, CA HOLLYWOOD BOWL
JULY 20 ULM, GERMANY  
JULY 23 REGENSBURG, GERMANY  
JULY 26 WOLFSBURG, GERMANY  
JULY 27 SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN  
AUGUST 16 PRIMM, NV STAR OF THE DESERT ARENA
AUGUST 23 HAMMOND, IN HORSESHOE CASINO
SEPTEMBER 9 LOUISVILLE, KY KENTUCKY PAC
SEPTEMBER 12 SAINT CHARLES, MO BEZEMES THEATER
OCTOBER 29 ROME, ITALY  
NOVEMBER 2  FLORENCE, ITALY  
NOVEMBER 4 MALTA, ITALY  
NOVEMBER 7 BARI, ITALY  
NOVEMBER 10 TORINO, ITALY  
NOVEMBER 12 GENOA, ITALY  
NOVEMBER 14 MILAN, ITALY  
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.
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:
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 - L-R: Steve Doyle, Jim Caruso and Billy Stritch - The Cast Party Symphony Orchestra!
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

Jim Caruso: Broadway at 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


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Coming Up

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

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