Jim Caruso's Cast Party and TheaterMania.com are proud to present MICHELE LEE in "LIGHTS, BROADWAY, ACTION!," a concert benefiting The Actors Fund, Monday, September 22, 2008 at 7:00p.m., as part of the long-running, Nightlife Award-winning concert series Broadway at Birdland.
MICHELE LEE has starred on Broadway, in feature and television films, recorded and performed in concerts and variety specials with legends of the entertainment industry.  Ms. LEE is known worldwide for her Emmy-nominated role as Karen in the landmark CBS series “Knots Landing”, the third-longest running prime time dramatic series in television history.

Ms. LEE's career began on the stage when discovered as a teen by David Merrick and brought to New York. At age 18, she starred in Bravo Giovanni with Metropolitan Opera's Cesare Siepe, which led to her breakout role as Rosemary in the original How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying opposite Robert Morse. As television variety specials became more popular, MICHELE was in great demand, starring with such legends as Fred Astaire, Bette Davis, Perry Como, Bob Hope, Dick Van Dyke, Jerry Lewis, Ed Sullivan, Danny Kaye and Carol Burnett. As a recording artist under contract to Columbia Records, MICHELE recorded numerous albums. Between movie and television appearances, she mounted a nightclub act, performing at major venues in New York and Las Vegas. In 1974 she appeared on the Broadway stage in Michael Bennett's musical Seesaw. Her performance won her a Tony nomination, the Drama Desk and the Outer Critics Award for Best Actress.

Ms. LEE has starred in and produced numerous films for television, including CBS's Emmy-nominated “Big Dreams and Broken Hearts: The Dottie West Story,” “When No One Would Listen,” and “Scandalous Me: The Jacqueline Susann Story.” In 1996 Ms. LEE became the first woman to produce, direct, write and star in a motion picture for television. “Color Me Perfect” made its debut as an “event presentation” on Lifetime Television.

Ms. LEE was named the NATO Star of Tomorrow for her debut in the movie version of “How to Succeed…,” starred with Dick Van Dyke in Carl Reiner's cult favorite “The Comic” and in the Disney classic “The Love Bug.” Most recently Ms. Lee was seen in Universal's “Along Came Polly” opposite Ben Stiller and Jennifer Aniston.

In 2002 Ms. Lee completed her long run in Charles Busch's Broadway hit, The Tale of the Allergist's Wife opposite Linda Lavin and Tony Roberts. For her performance as the mysterious and enigmatic Lee Green she earned rave reviews and a Tony nomination.

MICHELE LEE's autobiographical, high energy, one-woman show debuted at Feinstein's at the Regency in New York City. Rave reviews from the likes of Stephen Holden at the New York Times declared, “Her show belongs to the old school of knock-'em-dead entertainment embodied by Liza Minnelli, Sam Harris and Patti LaBelle.” Ms. LEE's “Lights, Broadway, Action!” continues to attract large audiences at concert venues throughout the United States.  Ms. LEE was recently presented a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The Actors Fund is a national human services organization that helps all professionals in performing arts and entertainment. The Fund, which helps actors and performers and everyone behind the scenes who works in theatre, film, TV, music, dance, radio and opera, is a safety net, providing social services and emergency assistance, health services, employment and training programs and housing support for those who are in need, crisis or transition. Learn more about The Actors Fund at www.actorsfund.org.

Jim Caruso's Cast Party and TheaterMania.com are proud to present one of Broadway's own, the incomparable Betty Buckley in “The Music @ Birdland” for a five-night stand as part of the Nightlife Award-winning concert series Broadway at Birdland.  The dates are September 23rd through the 27th, with two shows a night at 8:30 and 11:00PM.

Ms. Buckley will be joined on stage by her jazz quartet -- Clifford Carter on keyboards, Billy Drewes on sax, Tony Marino on bass, and Anthony Pinciotti on drums.

Her rendition of “Memory” from Cats, which won her a Tony Award, is considered a classic among musical theatre fans.  Her performance as Norma Desmond in the London production of Sunset Boulevard, as well as her Mama Rose in Gypsy, have elevated her to a bona fide performing icon.  Her film work includes “Carrie,” “Tender Mercies” (one of her personal faves), “Frantic,” “Woody Allen's Another Woman,” and “Wyatt Earp.”  She is a familiar face to TV viewers as a result of her recurring role on “Eight is Enough.”  Buckley, who has recorded 11 solo albums, enjoys touring the U.S., reaching out to audiences all over the country.  She has virtually redefined the concept of “multi-talented,” having conquered every performing medium, while teaching other industry professionals how to achieve performance nirvana.

For info about the above shows, please visit www.BirdlandJazz.com or call 212-581-3080.

In the future: Alexander Gemignani (September 29), Jason Robert Brown (October 13), Ron Abel (October 20) and The NYC Debut of WING, October 20 at 9:30.

FRANCESCA AMARI IS "SECRETLY SQUARE"! Guilty pleasure songs from such icons as Neil Sedaka, Johnny Mathis, The Carpenters, The Captain & Tennille and more! Barry Kleinbort, Director. Chris Denny, Music Director. WHEN: Mondays, September 22nd and 29th at 9:30 P.M. WHERE: The Metropolitan Room at Gotham, 34 West 22nd St Betw. 5th & 6th Ave. COVER: $20/15 MAC & Cabaret Hotline, Call: 212.206.0440, or click: THE METROPOLITAN ROOM.

THE LASCIVIOUS BIDDIES BRING THEIR ANGELIC VOCAL HARMONIES, WICKED SENSE OF HUMOR AND POLY-STYLISTIC CHOPS to Manhattan's Zipper Factory on Monday September 22nd. With retro glamor and a knowing wink, The Biddies spin tales of local characters and foreign affairs arranged for upright bass, piano, ukulele, glockenspiel, guitar and the lush sound of four voices – all in original music. Steve Smith of Time Out NY calls them "Sex and the City transformed into a modern jazz quartet." Terry Teachout of the Wall Street Journal says, "Jazz, pop, rock, country…they just mix it all together and serve it up. That's what I call a hot dish." DETAILS: September 22nd, 2008 7:30 pm. 336 West 37th St bet. 8th and 9th Ave. Tickets: www.thezipperfactory.com or call 212.352.3101; For dinner and drinks: The Zipper Factory Tavern: 212.695.4600; FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.biddiesmusic.com

THE MAC/ASCAP SONGWRITERS SHOWCASE IS CELEBRATING WOMEN SONGWRITERS, Wednesday, October 15 at 6:00 PM. Featuring Francesca Blumenthal, Phoebe Kreutz, and special guest Christine Lavin, who will be interviewed by Jamie deRoy. WHEN: Wednesday, October 15 @ 6 PM. WHERE: Triad Theater, 158 West 72nd St., New York, NY 10023. MAC HOTLINE (212) 465-2662. MAC and ASCAP members FREE, all non-member guests $10. NO MINIMUM but Drinks are available and  encouraged!!! For MAC info, click: www.macnyc.com. For The Triad, click: www.triadnyc.com.

BILLY STRITCH AND CHRISTINE EBERSOLE, "SUNDAY IN NEW YORK": selections culled from the pair's recent live show in NYC. In a review, 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 www.billystritch.com.

TEDD FIRTH, OF THE CAST PARTY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, is a New York City based accompanist, jazz pianist and arranger. He has accompanied many renowned artists, including Lee Ann Womack, Faith Prince, Tom Wopat, Margaret Whiting, Maureen McGovern and Marilyn Maye. Among the jazz musicians he has worked with are John Pizzarelli, Houston Person, Benny Golson and Joe Morello. Mr. Firth's New York appearances include the Blue Note, Birdland, the Iridium, the Algonquin, the Rainbow Room, Carnegie Hall, and the Russian Tea Room. Tedd's arrangements have been performed by the Philadelphia Pops and the Ocean City Pops. Find him on MySpace Music at www.myspace.com/teddfirth.

STEVE DOYLE, THE CAST PARTY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA BASS PLAYER, has been an active part of the jazz and cabaret scene in New York for the past 18 years, performing with many internationally renowned artists including Bucky Pizzarelli, Billy Stritch, Tony Desare, Rigmor Gustafssen, Klea Blackhurst, Hilary Kole, Dave Stryker, Steve Slagle, Christine Ebersole, Pekka Pylkannen, Stephanie Block, K.T. Sullivan, Emily Skinner, Freddie Bryant, Marilyn Maye, Lari White and many others. Get the full scoop and check out his 1997 CD, Presence, at www.stevedoyle.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.

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.

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.

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 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!

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.

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

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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