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Last Week
July 24, 2008
While I’ve been in Germay performing with Liza, the Broadway at Birdland series has been in good hands, with a full week of Lucie Arnaz (left, in a photo by Billy Tompkins) packing the room with “Lulu’s Back In Town.”
It was showbiz aplenty at Birdland this past week! While I’ve been in Germay performing with Liza, the Broadway at Birdland series has been in good hands, with a full week of Lucie Arnaz (left, in a photo by Billy Tompkins) packing the room with “Lulu’s Back In Town.” Lucie’s show, which also included special guest stars like daughter Katherine and son Joe Luckinbill, was a real family affair to remember! You can read all about it in the great Variety review! Is there any question why we love Lucie to the max, and can’t wait for her return?

Lucie’s musical director, Ron Abel, performed double duty on Monday night, when he worked with the gorgeously talented Valarie Pettiford
Lucie’s musical director, Ron Abel, performed double duty on Monday night, when he worked with the gorgeously talented Valarie Pettiford (left). We all first fell in love with her when she sang “Life Is Just A Bowl of Cherries” in Fosse on Broadway, and she’s continued to enchant us on stage and TV. Her Birdland show was no exception – everyone was blown away by her vocals, great style and general razzle-dazzle.
The following Cast Party was memorable for many reasons.  First of all, we were dee-lighted that TV icon Paul Shaffer (left) was back in the house
The following Cast Party was memorable for many reasons. First of all, we were dee-lighted that TV icon Paul Shaffer (left) was back in the house. We haven’t seen him for a while, so it was a special treat when guest-hostess-with-the-mostess Christine Lavin persuaded him to sing his number-one hit, “It’s Raining Men!” The crowd (one of our biggest in years!) went wild, of course! The rest of the evening, musically directed by newcomer Ted Baker and Steve Doyle, continued at full-tilt, with performances by the amazing Rocco Fiorentino, who sang “Cuando, Cuando, Cuandro,” written by songwriter Ervin Drake, who was present to cheer him on! Voice-over artist Joe Sirolla did a medley of his hits, including a Burger King commercial! Carrie Jackson, a spectacular jazz singer, showed why she packs ‘em in at the Lennox Lounge. Nashville cuties Ruby and Ava Locknar made a triumphant return with “If Mama Were Married.” Jonathan Shew made a memorable Cast Party debut, and we sure hope he’ll make a return visit soon. Wade Dooley sang “Raspberry Beret,” and not since Tony DeSare’s “Kiss” has a Prince song been so well-covered on our stage! There were some fabulous newcomers and lots of beloved regulars rounding out the night, and a ball was had by all! Next week, the hilarious Christine Pedi will be hosting the evening, along with Tedd Firth and Steve Doyle on piano and drums. You don’t want to miss that, do you?
- Jim!
Coming Up
Jim Caruso's Cast Party and TheaterMania.com are proud to present celebrated and honored songwriting & performing team of MARCY HEISLER (bookwriter/lyricist) and ZINA GOLDRICH (composer), in The Marcy & Zina Show, Monday, July 28, 2008 at 7:00pm, as part of the long-running, critically-heralded and popular concert series Broadway at Birdland.
Jim Caruso's Cast Party and TheaterMania.com are proud to present celebrated and honored songwriting & performing team of MARCY HEISLER (bookwriter/lyricist) and ZINA GOLDRICH (composer), in The Marcy & Zina Show, Monday, July 28, 2008 at 7:00pm, as part of the long-running, critically-heralded and popular concert series Broadway at Birdland.

The Marcy & Zina Show will feature the duo's best-loved songs written for theater and cabaret, as well as introduce new songs from the upcoming Broadway production of Ever After. Raves David Finkle of The Village Voice, GOLDRICH and HEISLER “sing the songs they write with the kind of wit and intelligence of the Dorothy Parkers and Fields... [They] have been turning out smart lyrics and sophisticated melodies for some time. Keep in mind they're the ones whose nifty love song rhymed ‘quesadilla’ with ‘IKEA.’ The team's strength lies in making the intelligent hummable – something predecessors like Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, and the Gershwin Brothers were always able to do.”

GOLDRICH and HEISLER, who have been collaborating since 1993, were recently voted "Best Knocking on Broadway's Door Songwriting Team" in the Village Voice’s Best of NYC edition, as well as the 2002 recipients of ASCAP's Richard Rodgers New Horizons Theatre Award. They have toured both domestically and internationally, performing their music at some of the world's most prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall, Canada's “Juste Pour Rire” comedy festival and the Kennedy Center. Their song “Taylor, the Latte Boy” has been recorded by Christiane Noll and Susan Egan, and is featured on Kristin Chenoweth’s album on the Sony label. Their body of work has garnered much respect as well as several songwriter awards, including 4 MAC Awards, 2 Bistro Awards, and several musical theatre grants. Their 32-song folio, Goldrich and Heisler Vol. 1, was published last year and is already in its second printing. In 2004, GOLDRICH and HEISLER authored Junie B. Jones for Theatreworks USA, which enjoyed a six-week run at the Lucille Lortel Theatre, as part of New York's Free Summer Theatre Program and is currently touring the country.


WHEN: Monday, July 28, 2008 at 7:00pm
WHERE: Birdland, 315 West 44th Street (between 8th & 9th Aves), NYC
MUSIC CHARGE: $30.00
Purchase tickets online: www.BIRDLANDJAZZ.com
By Telephone: 212.581.3080
We’re so thrilled to announce that SAM HARRIS will be performing in the Broadway at Birdland series from July 30th 2008 through August 2nd 2008 with showtimes at 7:00pm.

We’re so thrilled to announce that SAM HARRIS will be performing in the Broadway at Birdland series from July 30th, 2008 through August 2nd, 2008 with showtimes at 7:00pm. Accomplished actor, singer, songwriter, soon-to-be talk show host and brand new father, SAM HARRIS, brings a new show to Birdland, featuring songs from his new CD entitled “Free,” which is slated for release July 2008. HARRIS is credited as writing a large part of the acoustic driven pop/rock CD, including "War On War." The song is currently going viral on YouTube, an online channel for which people are creating music videos. His upcoming Broadway at Birdland appearance will mark the live debut of HARRIS’s forthcoming album, mixed in with fan favorites, and his own brand of humor, which recently won him a network talk show deal. TODD SCHROEDER will musically direct the evening. HARRIS first shot into the public eye as the "Star Search" icon and has found success as a Tony-nominated Broadway star, a multi-million selling recording artist, a concert touring sell-out in venues all over the country including Carnegie Hall and on television in last years CBS series, "The Class," where he was touted by Liz Smith as "the comedy breakout character of the television season." SAM continues to explore new territory in “Free,” his 8th studio CD.

PERFORMANCE DETAILS:

WHEN: July 30th 2008 – August 2nd 2008 at 7:00p.m.
WHERE: Birdland, 315 West 44th Street (between 8th & 9th Aves), NYC
TICKET INFO: $30.00 + $10.00 Food/Drink Minimum (Per Person)
VIP tickets: $50.00
Purchase tickets online: www.BIRDLANDJAZZ.com
By Telephone: 212.581.3080

Our Sponsors
BILLY STRITCH AND KLEA BLACKHURST: "DREAMING OF A SONG: THE MUSIC OF HOAGY CARMICHAEL." Klea Blackhurst and Billy Stritch are two powerhouse performers, honoring the music of one of America's most treasured songwriters. For their new CD on Ghostlight Records, Blackhurst & Stritch have mined the Carmichael catalogue to unearth lesser known gems as well as beloved treasures such as "Skylark," "Georgia On My Mind" and "Stardust." It has “all the Heart and Soul of the legendary composer himself."(Theatre Scene.net) "Blackhurst and Stritch are as compatible as caviar and champagne." -- Cabaret Scenes. 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.
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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!

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 6 VANCOUVER OUTDOOR PARK
SEPTEMBER 9 LOUISVILLE, KY KENTUCKY PAC
SEPTEMBER 11 SAINT CHARLES, MO BEZEMES THEATER
SEPTEMBER 12 SAINT CHARLES, MO BEZEMES THEATER
OCTOBER 29 ROME, ITALY AUDITORIO SANTA CECILA
NOVEMBER 1 FLORENCE, ITALY TEATRO VERDI
NOVEMBER 4 MALTA CONVENTION CENTER
NOVEMBER 7 BARI, ITALY TEATRO TEAM
NOVEMBER 10 TORINO, ITALY TEATRO REGGIO TORINO
NOVEMBER 12 GENOA, ITALY TEATRO CARLO FELICO
NOVEMBER 14 MILAN, ITALY AUDITORIO ACHIMBOLDI
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

"...an extreme open mic!" -- ABC-TV

"Jim Caruso is uber-talented!" -- Entertainment Weekly

"Pianist Billy Stritch is thrilling...guaranteed to send you into orbit."
-- Rex Reed, New York Observer

"A vital pulse point of the musical-theater bloodstream: Every week a star or standard might be born." -- Time Out New York

"Bassist Steve Doyle gives firm support and swings solidly." -- Jazz Times

BEST OF NEW YORK Issue -- New York Magazine

"Starrier than the Hayden Planetarium... a hotspot where Broadway and Hollywood tip, twirl and hit the mic. It's become the place to cruise, schmooze, sing and be seen." -- Playbill

"The Broadway at Birdland series is a talk of the town carnival of talent, and is like no other happening in Manhattan It's evolved into an integral part of New York nightlife." -- John Hoglund, TheaterScene.net
This newsletter brought to you each week by Jim Caruso and Traverse City Web Design.
Coming Up

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

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