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Last Week
July 24, 2008
They just keep packing the room for us! This past Monday, Marcy Heisler & Zina Goldrich (left, photo by Steve Sorokoff) jammed Broadway at Birdland with fans, friends and family - all cheering the most cheer-ful composing duo on the planet!
They just keep packing the room for us! This past Monday, Marcy Heisler & Zina Goldrich (left, photo by Steve Sorokoff) jammed Broadway at Birdland with fans, friends and family - all cheering the most cheer-ful composing duo on the planet! Between Zina's spectacular piano, clear-as-a-bell vocals and Marcy's fierce belty voice, their clever material has never sounded better. Of course, it doesn't hurt to have singers like Jonathan Rayson and Scott Coulter singing your songs. Those two boys have two of the best voices in town, which is why every songwriter is hot on their - um - heels. The band consisted of Clay Ruede on cello, Mike Croiter on drums and Jordan Jancz on bass. You know this crowd will be back soon, because we love and adore everything about The Marcy & Zina Show!

What followed was a Cast Party masterfully hosted by the divine Christine Pedi (left, thanks to Mr. Sorokoff).
What followed was a Cast Party masterfully hosted by the divine Christine Pedi (left, thanks to Mr. Sorokoff). She brought in quite a Broadway retinue, including Stephanie (Avenue Q) D'Abruzzo, Nick (Altar Boyz, Glory Days & Green Eyes) Blaemire, and John Treacy (Little Mermaid) Egan. The very young and constantly adorable sister-team of Ruby and Ava Locknar told Christine that they, too, have dreams of performing on Broadway, so they were literally taken to Table 32 to be blessed by the legendary hand of Celeste (Oklahoma!) Holme. It was another memorable Cast Party moment! Be sure to stop by Cast Party this next Monday, when I'll be hosting, along with Tedd Firth and Steve Doyle on piano and bass. Plan on singing something peppy. That's how we roll, my brothas and sistas.
- Jim!
Coming Up
He's back! Tonight (Thursday), Friday and Saturday at 7pm, you can find actor, singer, songwriter, soon-to-be talk show host and brand new father, Sam Harris performing his new show, “Free” at Broadway at Birdland.
He's back! Tonight (Thursday), Friday and Saturday at 7pm, you can find actor, singer, songwriter, soon-to-be talk show host and brand new father, Sam Harris performing his new show, “Free” at Broadway at Birdland. The show is nothing short of spectacular. The possessor of one of the most extraordinary voices ever, Harris will be celebrating his brand new CD, 'Free.” He's written most of the acoustic driven pop/rock CD, including "War On War," a song currently going viral on YouTube. His Birdland appearance will mark the live debut of most of the tunes, mixed in with a few fan favorites, alont with his unique brand of humor, which recently won him a network talk show deal! Todd Schroeder will musically direct the evening. Call Birdland at 212.581.3080 or click on www.BirdlandJazz.com.
On Monday, August 4 at 7pm, the stupendous Karen Mason will return to our stage! 
On Monday, August 4 at 7pm, the stupendous Karen Mason will return to our stage! She'll be celebrating her new CD, "RIGHT HERE/RIGHT NOW", which is an emotional journey of the heart. Karen delivers each song with power, delicacy and grace and this recording produced by Emmy Award-winning composer, Paul Rolnick. Of course, Karen Mason has starred on Broadway, Off-Broadway, television, and recording and "has few peers when it comes to ripping the roof off with her amazing voice that knows no bounds!" (TheatreScene.net) Currently starring as Velma Von Tussle in Hairspray, Karen is a nine time MAC Award winner and has also won the 2006 Nightlife Award for Major Female Vocalist and three Bistro Awards. Ms. Mason originated the role of Tanya on Broadway in Abba's Mamma Mia!, and was awarded a 2002 Drama Desk nomination as Best Actress. Other leading roles include Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard, Mazeppa in Jerome Robbins' Broadway; Rosalie in Carnival, plus featured roles in Broadway's Torch Song Trilogy; and Play Me A Country Song. Karen won the Outer Critics Circle Award for her performance in And The World Goes 'Round, and starred Off-Broadway in her own show Karen Mason Sings Broadway, Beatles And Brian.

Karen has headlined Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and Feinstein's at The Regency. She has also shared concert stages with Luciano Pavarotti, Rosemary Clooney, Liza Minnelli, Michael Feinstein, Jerry Herman, John Kander & Fred Ebb, among others.

Call Birdland, as always, at 212.581.3080 or click on www.birdlandjazz.com.
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.
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!

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