Broadway at Birdland
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Last Week
February 5, 2009
Oh.  Hello.  Welcome to the weekly Cast Party Newsletter.  This is where I tell you how brilliant last week's Broadway at Birdland concert was, and what dazzling celebs showed up for Cast Party.  This week is no exception!  Amanda Green and her cohorts, (David Pittu, Norm Lewis, Jenn Colella & Jeni Foote, left thanks to Steve Sorokoff) sang the Amazing Green Songs to a packed house on Monday night.  Everyone was there, including my all-time favorite restauranteurs, Joe Allen. There was no evidence of a recession, as everyone ate, drank and was totally merry, thanks to her hilarious, witty, and sometimes even funny musical creations. She even closed with one of her dad Adolph's tongue-twisters, “If.”  The evening couldn't have been more fun.  And you know she'll be back.
Oh. Hello. Welcome to the weekly Cast Party Newsletter. This is where I tell you how brilliant last week's Broadway at Birdland concert was, and what dazzling celebs showed up for Cast Party. This week is no exception! Amanda Green and her cohorts, (David Pittu, Norm Lewis, Jenn Colella & Jeni Foote, left thanks to Steve Sorokoff) sang the Amazing Green Songs to a packed house on Monday night. Everyone was there, including my all-time favorite restauranteurs, Joe Allen. There was no evidence of a recession, as everyone ate, drank and was totally merry, thanks to Amanda's hilarious, witty, and sometimes even funny musical creations.  She even closed with one of her dad Adolph's tongue-twisters, “If.” The evening couldn't have been more fun. And you know she'll be back.
The following Cast Party was dull, forgettable and nobody came. Not really. I just always thought it'd be funny to type that. Since it's my birthday, I gave myself permission to do it. Truthfully, it was fabulous as always. Our pal Jake Wilson (left) and Ana Nogueira sang two songs from their crazily-popular web tv show, The Batterys Down.com. Check it out. You won't believe it's not on ABC or something. So clever…so professional…and they are soooo talented! Adriana McPhee made her Cast Party debut and sang her face off. Tom Leopold was slyly brilliant with another original tune. Domenick Farinacci showed off his trumpet-playing genius with a tune from his new CD, “Lovers, Tales and Dances.” Broadway diva Karen Murphy blew us away with her voice, talent and charm. There were lots of regulars like Jenna Esposito, Ryan Kelly, Hilary Kole, Carrie Jackson, Christine Lavin, Rob Langeder, Joan Crowe, Fred Barton, William Blake…even David Sattler, who we haven't seen since early Cast Party days at the King Kong Room! Tedd Firth and Steve Doyle were the Cast Party Symphony Orchestra, of course, and we were thrilled to have Steve Bakunas on drums once again. It was a swingin' night!
The following Cast Party was dull, forgettable and nobody came. Not really. I just always thought it'd be funny to type that. Since it's my birthday, I gave myself permission to do it. Truthfully, it was fabulous as always. Our pal Jake Wilson (left) and Ana Nogueira sang two songs from their crazily-popular web tv show, The Batterys Down.com. Check it out. You won't believe it's not on ABC or something. So clever…so professional…and they are soooo talented! Adriana McPhee made her Cast Party debut and sang her face off. Tom Leopold was slyly brilliant with another original tune. Domenick Farinacci showed off his trumpet-playing genius with a tune from his new CD, “Lovers, Tales and Dances.” Broadway diva Karen Murphy blew us away with her voice, talent and charm. There were lots of regulars like Jenna Esposito, Ryan Kelly, Hilary Kole, Carrie Jackson, Christine Lavin, Rob Langeder, Joan Crowe, Fred Barton, William Blake…even David Sattler, who we haven't seen since early Cast Party days at the King Kong Room! Tedd Firth and Steve Doyle were the Cast Party Symphony Orchestra, of course, and we were thrilled to have Steve Bakunas on drums once again. It was a swingin' night!

I'll be hosting the totally sold-out Broadway Backwards Benefit at the American Airlines Theater this coming Monday, so please go see the extraordinary Klea Blackhurst guest-hosting for me at Cast Party!!  She will tickle your funny bone and stun you with her fabulous vocals!!
- Jim!
Jim Caruso's Cast Party and Theatermania.com are proud to present: Broadway at Birdland
Jim Caruso's Cast Party is proud to announce celebrated and honored songwriting & performing team of MARCY HEISLER (bookwriter/lyricist) and ZINA GOLDRICH (composer), in The Marcy & Zina Show, Monday, February 9, 2009 at 7:00pm, as part of the long-running, critically-heralded and popular concert series Broadway at Birdland. Photo credit (left) by Bill Westmoreland!
Jim Caruso's Cast Party is proud to announce celebrated and honored songwriting & performing team of MARCY HEISLER (bookwriter/lyricist) and ZINA GOLDRICH (composer), in The Marcy & Zina Show, Monday, February 9, 2009 at 7:00pm, as part of the long-running, critically-heralded and popular concert series Broadway at Birdland. Photo credit (left) by Bill Westmoreland!

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.

The Marcy & Zina Show

WHEN: Monday, February 9, 2009, 7pm
WHERE: Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
COVER CHARGE: $30 General Admission / $10 food/drink minimum
RESERVATIONS: 212.581.3080 or BirdlandJazz.com

NEXT: The Songs of Katie Thompson, February 16th at 7PM
Our Sponsors
SCOTT SIEGEL'S BROADWAY JUKEBOX - AT BIRDLAND. NEW STARS! NEW SONGS! EVERY SUNDAY NIGHT! STARRING ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8 AT 6:30 PM: KERRY BUTLER (Xanadu); WILLIAM MICHALS (South Pacific); JILL ABRAMOVITZ (Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me); Musical Director: Tedd Firth, Director: Scott Coulter. Hosted by Scott Siegel. The brand new musical revue where the audience picks the songs! Come once! Come Every Week! Discount for Regulars! Great Broadway music performed by great Broadway stars, every Sunday night at popular prices – music charge $25 & $35. Call for reservations: 212.581.3080. Birdland: 315 West 44th Street. Please note: CHERYL FREEMAN, announced for Feb. 8, will perform March 1st instead. Keep up to date - make friends with Scott on Facebook, or tell us you're coming!!
SCOTT SIEGEL'S BROADWAY JUKEBOX - AT BIRDLAND. NEW STARS! NEW SONGS! EVERY SUNDAY NIGHT! STARRING ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8 AT 6:30 PM: KERRY BUTLER (Xanadu); WILLIAM MICHALS (South Pacific); JILL ABRAMOVITZ (Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me); Musical Director: Tedd Firth, Director: Scott Coulter. Hosted by Scott Siegel. The brand new musical revue where the audience picks the songs! Come once! Come Every Week! Discount for Regulars! Great Broadway music performed by great Broadway stars, every Sunday night at popular prices – music charge $25 & $35. Call for reservations: 212.581.3080. Birdland: 315 West 44th Street. Please note: CHERYL FREEMAN, announced for Feb. 8, will perform March 1st instead. Keep up to date - make friends with Scott on Facebook, or tell us you're coming!
STILL NEED VALENTINE'S DAY PLANS?  Whether you’ve the perfect date, or are keeping your options open, come on down to ‘Nab-A-Date: The World’s 1st, Best (and only) Musical Dating Show!’  Join us for a fast paced musical spoof of any and all of those ‘dating games’ out there, accompanied by dinner and drinks.  Our bachelorettes will parade, persuade and serenade in hopes of harpooning the heart of our hunk.  Then stick around and win a great take-home prize from our Valentine’s Day raffle!  Check out the prize list, cast, and more info at www.Nab-A-Date.com or visit http://www.smarttix.com/show.aspx?showCode=NAB for Tickets!
Still need Valentine’s Day plans? Whether you’ve the perfect date, or are keeping your options open, come on down to ‘Nab-A-Date: The World’s 1st, Best (and only) Musical Dating Show!’ Join us for a fast paced musical spoof of any and all of those ‘dating games’ out there, accompanied by dinner and drinks. Our bachelorettes will parade, persuade and serenade in hopes of harpooning the heart of our hunk. Then stick around and win a great take-home prize from our Valentine’s Day raffle! Check out the prize list, cast, and more info at www.Nab-A-Date.com or visit http://www.smarttix.com/show.aspx?showCode=NAB for Tickets!
JAMIE DEROY & FRIENDS CELEBRATE THE ACADEMY AWARDS! A special Academy Awards edition of Jamie deRoy & Friends, the MAC Award-winning variety show, will be presented Feb. 16 at the Metropolitan Room in Manhattan (34 West 22nd Street). The evening will feature Oscar-winning songs. Among those scheduled to lend their talents to the 7 PM performance are film critic and columnist Rex Reed, Jacques Brel star Gay Marshall (at right), Company and Cabaret actress Leenya Rideout, comedian Steven Scott and Nightlife Award winner Daryl Glenn. Oscar-winning composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz will be the evening's special guest. Barry Kleinbort will direct the concert with Lanny Meyers as musical director. There is a $25 cover charge and a two-drink minimum; call (212) 206-0440 for reservations. And...don't miss "Jamie deRoy & friends" on MNN, every other Tuesday at 4:00 PM & Time Warner, Channel 67 and RCN, Channel 85
JAMIE DEROY & FRIENDS CELEBRATE THE ACADEMY AWARDS! A special Academy Awards edition of Jamie deRoy & Friends, the MAC Award-winning variety show, will be presented Feb. 16 at the Metropolitan Room in Manhattan (34 West 22nd Street). The evening will feature Oscar-winning songs. Among those scheduled to lend their talents to the 7 PM performance are film critic and columnist Rex Reed, Jacques Brel star Gay Marshall (at right), Company and Cabaret actress Leenya Rideout, comedian Steven Scott and Nightlife Award winner Daryl Glenn. Oscar-winning composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz will be the evening's special guest. Barry Kleinbort will direct the concert with Lanny Meyers as musical director. There is a $25 cover charge and a two-drink minimum; call (212) 206-0440 for reservations. And...don't miss "Jamie deRoy & friends" on MNN, every other Tuesday at 4:00 PM & Time Warner, Channel 67 and RCN, Channel 85 (PICTURED: featured performer Gay Marshall)
BILLY STRITCH'S WATERS OF MARCH: THE BRAZILIAN ALBUM: "...Stritch imaginatively captures the magic of the bossa nova rhythm on some terrific cuts, including three by Brazilian music icon Antonio Carlos Jobim. Of these, probably the most memorable is "Someone to Light Up My Life," which most Americans first heard on Sarah Vaughan's legendary Brazilian album. Here Stritch captures the simple sensitivity and all the yearning poignancy the composer had in mind when he first penned it. Sergio Mendez's "So Many Stars" takes you on an indolent, dreamy, and gentle journey...[Stritch's] phrasings and delicate nuances are so insightful that the album becomes a powerful musical statement with many subtle, yet potent, moments." -- John Hoglund, Backstage. The CD and all things Billy Stritch are at www.billystritch.com.

BILLY STRITCH'S WATERS OF MARCH: THE BRAZILIAN ALBUM: "...Stritch imaginatively captures the magic of the bossa nova rhythm on some terrific cuts, including three by Brazilian music icon Antonio Carlos Jobim.
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.
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 Marylin Maye.
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 .
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
DAVID BUDWAY (CAST PARTY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA) IS ONE OF THE MOST DISTINCTIVE PIANISTS ON TODAY'S INTERNATIONAL JAZZ SCENE. He is deeply rooted in Classical, Jazz and Rock and Roll Music. In 1992, David made his classical debut as soloist with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. His recording credits include Hubert Laws, Branford Marsalis, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Clark Terry, Michael Brecker, Christiane Noll and others. David has performed with Wynton Marsalis, Liza Minnelli, Dizzy Gillespie, Stanley Turrentine, Ravi Coltrane, Jimmy Heath, Mark Murphy, Joe Pass, Roger Humphries, Art Farmer, Regina Carter, Dave Liebman and The Mingus Big Band. David composed music to the motion pictures “Lift”, and “Giant Steps”, and won two prizes in the John Lennon Songwriting Competition. Look for David's soon to be released Jazz CD “Strike Up the Bud”. Click: DavidBudway.com, or www.myspace.com/davidbudway.
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
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.
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.
LIZA'S AT THE PALACE...THE 2-CD SET! Two years of touring with the incomparable Liza Minnelli resulted in a triumphant run of Liza's At The Palace at The Palace Theatre. Check out the website for beautiful video footage, photos, and the brand-new 2-CD set of this unforgettable show. The first act is pure Liza at the top of her form, and the second act celebrates the late, extremely great Kay Thompson and the Williams Brothers' historic nightclub act that took the world by storm in the late 40's.  Cortés Alexander, Johnny Rodgers, Tiger Martina and I worked hard to approximate the blend and unique sound that Bob, Dick, Don and Andy Williams brought to Kay's ingenius vocal arrangements. With old pal Billy Stritch at the piano, this project was an absolute dream come true! Hurry to: LizasAtThePalace.com for an exclusive preview of the 2-CD set available now at The Palace Theatere and online and in stores February 3, 2009!
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
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