JIM CARUSO'S CAST PARTY IS THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE the return of LAUREL MASSÉ to the Broadway at Birdland stage on Monday, April 27 at 7pm.

LAUREL MASSÉ brings her literate and eclectic blend of jazz-infused tunes from around the globe to Birdland for an evening that combines elements of swing, classical music, standards and world music to unforgettable effect.

LAUREL MASSÉ, founding member of Grammy award-winning vocal group Manhattan Transfer, toured internationally for seven years with the group and recorded five albums. In 1979, a serious automobile accident forced her departure, and after two years of convalescence, she began recording, as well as touring again as a solo artist, both in the States and in Europe. The first two of her solo albums,” Alone Together” and “Easy Living,” both hit the Billboard Jazz charts, and the third, “Again,” was a People magazine pick. “Feather & Bone,” her 2000 release, was chosen by audiophile magazine The Absolute Sound as "a recording of extraordinary musical and sonic value.” Throughout the course of her career, LAUREL has performed at such prestigious venues as Carnegie Hall, the London Palladium, Salle Pleyel de Paris, the Hollywood Bowl, The Smithsonian Institution, as well as numerous American and Canadian jazz festivals and clubs such as the Blue Note, The Roxy and Harrah's, Caesar's Palace, MGM Grand, and the Hilton in Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe.

The Chicago Tribune has called her “one of the best vocalists in jazz...Indeed, there is something almost otherworldly about Massé's emotional magic...as though like Fred Astaire she seemed merely to be down here on a visit,” and The New York Times has praised Laurel for a “marvelous sense of style, a purity of tone that is evident in everything she does and uses it to a brilliant effect, a technical tour de force, a dazzling performance.”

LAUREL MASSÉ

WHEN: Monday, April 27 at 7pm
WHERE: Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
COVER CHARGE: $25; plus $10 food/drink minimum
RESERVATIONS: 212.581.3080 or BirdlandJazz.com


THEN…..CHRISTINE EBERSOLE in “Garage Band Fantasy” with Bette Sussman and the Band! May 4 at 7pm!

UPRIGHT CABARET redefines the cabaret milieu for a new generation of audiences. Founded by producers Chris Isaacson and Shane Scheel in Los Angeles, Upright seeks to celebrate old style cabaret while simultaneously turning it on its ear, bringing young Broadway and Hollywood together in an intimate live setting. Next weekend witness this “new generation cabaret” in NYC for three special concerts featuring an eclectic cast lead by beautiful Tracie Thoms (Rent, CBS Cold Case, Devil Wears Prada, Grindhouse), Daniel Reichard (Jersey Boys, Radiant Baby), Brooks Ashmanskas (The Producers, Gypsy), Capathia Jenkins (Caroline or Change)and many more! Dir. Billy Porter, MD Chris Bratten. Fri-Mon, May 1, 2 & 4 at Joe’s Pub. Tickets available at www.joespub.com

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.

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.

"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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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