Broadway at Birdland
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Last Week
April 16, 2009
Alan Cumming at Jim Caruso's Cast Party at Birdland, charms the crowd with a witty ditty.
ALERT! If you haven't seen the brilliant video clips that have taken the showbiz world by storm, click on Miranda Sings! You just might become as obsessed as I am with the very unique song stylist-slash-vocal coach with Joan Crawford brows and schmear of lipstick. And the good news is that she'll be visiting our fair city, and will be making her New York Debut at Cast Party on Monday, April 27! Whatever you do, don't miss this historic opportunity to glean some words of wisdom from the arbiter of vocal taste, the miraculous Miranda!

OK. And then Monday happened. Peter Eldridge's concert was so cool, so jazzy, and so swingin' that we didn't get one photo of the whole event. Everyone was mesmerized by his amazing vocals and gorgeous new songs from the upcoming Brazilian-inspired CD, “Mad Heaven.” Just know that we were duly impressed and can't wait for his return! The following Cast Party was one for the books. There were stars like Alan Cumming (left), who favored us with a witty ditty, loads of newcomers, lotsa regulars, very young singers, very old singers, guitars, cellos, violins, harmonicas, and a guy named Bob 3-3 who yodeled an Elvis tune. I'm not kidding. Why would I?
Alex Getlin, from Jason Robert Brown's "13" on Broadway, sang her face off!
Baby Jane Dexter sang the blues, Jenna and Dad Fortune Esposito rocked out with Rob Langeder, Trevor Exter cello'd with Jason on harmonica, Chris Dilley sang high and beautifully, and Alex Getlin (left) showed why she's an integral part of the TADA performing kids group! It was great to meet and hear Ariana Grande, who starred in Jason Robert Brown's 13 on Broadway. She sang her face off, as the kids say. Her brother, Frankie James Grande, also sang and promoted the Mr. Broadway Beauty Pageant, which he won a few years ago. Sean Harkness made a musical visit, bringing his guitar to show off for the nice people, as did our pal Christine Lavin. Kristin Lamoureux came all the way from California to make her New York debut, and she was as wonderful as we'd hoped! The night was packed, partly thanks to the amazing Daily News spread we got! Tedd Firth, Steve Doyle and Steve Bakunas worked their fingers to the bone as the Cast Party Symphony Orchestra - just like they will this coming Monday. You've just gotta be there!
- 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 the return of successful songwriter & performer VICTORIA SHAW and her celebrated showcase Under The Covers With Victoria Shaw, Monday, April 20, 2008 at 7:00pm, as part of the long-running, Nightlife Award-winning concert series Broadway at Birdland.
JIM CARUSO'S CAST PARTY IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE the return of successful songwriter & performer VICTORIA SHAW and her celebrated showcase Under The Covers With Victoria Shaw, Monday, April 20, 2008 at 7:00pm, as part of the long-running, Nightlife Award-winning concert series Broadway at Birdland.

Hosted by SHAW, Under The Covers… has become a recurring highlight, featuring a wide variety of top-selling songwriters and musical acts from across the pop, rock and country worlds, and offering intimate acoustic performances of huge hit songs - along with the little-known stories behind them. Already confirmed to join SHAW are award-winning singer/songwriter Gary Burr, Hall of Fame writer Bob Dipiero, writer Sarah Buxton (“Stupid Boy” for Keith Urban - that's Sarah, below, left), & singer Ryan Rothe.

Responsible for over 65 million album sales, SHAW is best-known as the writer of “The River,” one of Garth Brooks's biggest hits, as well as “I Love The Way You Love Me,” recorded by John Michael Montgomery, and “Nobody Wants To Be Lonely,” performed by Ricky Martin and Christina Aguilera. Her songs have also been recorded by such major stars as Olivia Newton John, Boyzone, Faith Hill, LeAnn Rimes, Reba McEntire, Tricia Yearwood, Billy Ray Cyrus, and Michael McDonald. The winner of two Emmy Awards, SHAW is also an accomplished singer, releasing four albums (two on Warner Bros. Records and two independently, on her own Taffeta label), and touring extensively throughout the U.S. and across Europe. She also notably opened for Garth Brooks at his historic 1997 Central Park concert.

UNDER THE COVERS WITH VICTORIA SHAW

WHEN: Monday, April 20 at 7pm
WHERE: Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
COVER CHARGE: $25; $10 food/drink minimum
RESERVATIONS: 212.581.3080 or BirdlandJazz.com

AND THEN….Laurel Masse (April 27), Christine Ebersole (May 4), The Leading Men Concert Benefitting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (May 11), Julie Halston (May 12), Groove Lily (May 18), Julie Halston (May 19), Carol Fredette With Bob Dorough (May 25), Malcolm Gets & John McDaniel (June 1), Natalie Douglas (June 8).

Sarah Buxton
Our Sponsors
Bistro Awards, Tuesday, April 28th.  Honoring Charles Azvanour, Liza Minnelli and over 30 other artists! Click: www.bistroawards.com for more information.
YARDBIRD SUITE at Don’t Tell Mama April 20-May 3. Dig it. Be bop. The original movement in music is back with this hip happening of song, dance and beat poetry. From vocalese and master classics by Bird, Diz and Monk to standards wildly re-arranged with the fast and furious bop form, the underground set is a revelation of legacy—BIRD LIVES. Directed and Choreographed by Joanna and Ryan Greer (Kinetic Dance Theater), featuring Ryan Greer, with Musical Director Jody Shelton on piano (Baby Wants Candy, Colleen McHugh’s Calendar Girl), Mark Verdino on bass and dancers Meghan Burns and Caren Chianese.
YARDBIRD SUITE at Don’t Tell Mama April 20-May 3
TWO TONY AWARD-WINNING STARS. A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME LOVE STORY. “JEREMY IRONS AND JOAN ALLEN ARE CLOSE TO PERFECT! TWO TERRIFIC PERFORMANCES!” - WOR Radio. “VERY SEXY INDEED! Allen is luminous, and Irons will have the ladies quivering.” - The Hollywood Reporter. Tony Award® winner Jeremy Irons and Tony Award® winner Joan Allen
return to Broadway in Impressionism, a new play by Michael Jacobs about the many shades of the human heart. Directed by three-time Tony Award® winner Jack O’Brien, this is the kind of love story that reminds us all that time heals, laughter helps and young love isn't necessarily the best love of all. “Filled with brazen sweetness and openhearted humor.” – The New Yorker. SPECIAL DISCOUNT FOR CAST PARTY NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBERS! Code: IM29MKG, for $69.50 Orch & Mezz A – F (Fri-Sun); $59.50 Orch & Mezz A – F (Tues-Thurs); and $39.50 Mezz G – K (all performances). Discount offer applies until May 10. JEREMY IRONS & JOAN ALLEN in IMPRESSIONISM, by MICHAEL JACOBS, Directed by JACK O'BRIEN.
Tony Award® winner Jeremy Irons and Tony Award® winner Joan Allen
ROB LANGEDER – Cast Party regular – played Ritchie Valens in the National Tour of Buddy, wowed cabaretgoers in The Question W Revue, Words Words Words & Music, and Private Events In Public Places, and has guest starred with such notables as Miles Phillips and Annie Hughes. Broadway Revival was Rob’s MAC Award-winning, hand-clappin’, foot-stompin’ celebration of the gospel of The Great White Way … and among the “Top 12 Cabaret Shows of 2006” chosen by TheaterScene.net! Beginning a run at The Metropolitan Room on April 18, Rob’s jazzy new Any Place I Hang My Hat... was just named one of Cabaret Scenes Magazine's "Picks of the Month!" For more details, visit RobLangeder.com.
Beginning a run at The Metropolitan Room on April 18, Rob’s jazzy new Any Place I Hang My Hat... was just named one of Cabaret Scenes Magazine's "Picks of the Month!" For more details, visit RobLangeder.com.
"THE ART OF VOCAL TECHNIQUE": Julie Budd fully understands the demands of live performance, and the toll those rigors can take on the professional instrument. To protect, preserve and enhance the instrument of the serious vocal musician, she has developed a Master Class study course, and one-on-one private classes. Julie Budd works constantly in live performance, TV, film, and sings with symphonies all over the country. She knows that it is vital to learn to protect your instrument. That is what "The Art Of Vocal Technique” is all about. For more information regarding private vocal instruction, Ms. Budd can be reached at (917) 445-8799, or private messages can be left on her web site in the forum section, under "Private Message Section”. www.juliebudd.com
"THE ART OF VOCAL TECHNIQUE": Julie Budd fully understands the demands of live performance, and the toll those rigors can take on the professional instrument.
IN 1987 ON THE SUNSET STRIP, A SMALL TOWN GIRL MET A BIG CITY ROCKER and in LA’s most legendary rock club, they fell in love to the greatest songs of the ‘80s.Coming to Broadway March 17, 2009 is ROCK OF AGES, an arena-rock love story told through the mind-blowing, face-melting hits of Journey, Bon Jovi, Styx, Reo Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison, Asia, Whitesnake and many more. Don’t miss this awesomely good time about dreaming big, playing loud and partying on.
IN 1987 ON THE SUNSET STRIP, A SMALL TOWN GIRL MET A BIG CITY ROCKER and in LA’s most legendary rock club, they fell in love to the greatest songs of the ‘80s.Coming to Broadway March 17,2009 is ROCK OF AGES, an arena-rock love story told through the mind-blowing, face-melting hits of Journey, Bon Jovi, Styx, Reo Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison, Asia, Whitesnake and many more. Don’t miss this awesomely good time about dreaming big, playing loud and partying on.
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.
DAVID BUDWAY (CAST PARTY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA) IS ONE OF THE MOST DISTINCTIVE PIANISTS ON TODAY'S INTERNATIONAL JAZZ SCENE.
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 at The Palace Theater, online and in stores.
MINNELLI & CARUSO: TOGETHER AGAIN
SQUIGS DRAWS THE STARS. Justin 'Squigs' Robertson is quickly becoming known far and wide for capturing show biz folk in pen and ink. 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 onstage. Squigs is currently posting a fresh weekly sketch or two celebrating the American theatre on his Facebook page, 'Squigs Knows His Lines.' Drop by and become a fan. You can also visit Squigs' website for a look at his 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. Vist Squigs on Facebook, too!

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!
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!

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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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