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Last Week
December 3, 2009
Stephanie J. Block
STEPHANIE J. BLOCK. This funny girl took New York City by storm from the second she blew into town eight years ago - first appearing on Broadway opposite Hugh Jackman as Liza Minnelli in The Boy From Oz, then touring the planet as that green gal in Wicked, taking that role to Broadway, then starring as The Pirate Queen, and recently appearing as Judy in the closed-too-soon 9 To 5. She made her nightclub debut a few years ago at Birdland, and has continued to dazzle her beloved Block-heads (fans) at the club ever since. Well...on Sunday and Monday nights this past week, Ms. Block brought the holiday spirit onto our stage in a big way, with a wonderful hour of music, stories and her trademark spectacular vocal fireworks. If you were there, you'll understand why we hope this is a yearly event, like the Rockefeller tree lighting! And check out the gorgeous photos that Stephen Sorokoff took (left), on our Flickr site!
Ruth Williamson, Billy Stritch, Clarke Thorell, Erich Bergen and Jim Caruso
At Jim Caruso’s Cast Party at Birdland on Monday night, there was an on-and-off-stage celebration for the late, great Kay Thompson’s 100th birthday. The event was built around a new 3-CD box set collection called “Think Pink! A Kay Thompson Party” that I keep hawking. Friends and fans of the former MGM vocal coach/nightclub singer/”Eloise” author gathered to sing her songs and praises. Birdland was packed with music aficionados like Michael Feinstein and Sam Irvin (co-producers of the CD set), “Eloise” illustrator Hilary Knight (autographing books!), Boys In The Band playwright and KT bff Mart Crowley, and performances by Ruth Williamson (left, with Billy Stritch, Clarke Thorell, Erich Bergen & me singing backup), John “Lypsinka” Epperson, Dori Legg, Peter Mintun, Billy Stritch and Clarke Thorell. There were also performances by Broadway’s Marc Kudisch and Jeffry Denman, folk music superstar Christine Lavin, legendary composer Ervin Drake, trumpet-man Domenic Farinacci and jazz guitarist Sean Harkness. (Speaking of Kay Thompson, the CD of "Liza's At The Palace," in which I play the semi-pivotal role of Dick Williams, has been nominated for a Grammy! Holla, holla, it's Jubilee Time again!)
Billy Stritch and Christine Ebersole
In case all this wasn't enough to feed our showbiz appetite, last night 2-time Tony winner Christine Ebersole and Grammy/MAC pianist/singer/arranger Billy Stritch (left) opened their week-long run of "A Town And Country Christmas" at Birdland. There aren't enough superlatives to explain this show - so you just have to come see it for yourself. Gorgeous arrangements, gorgeous vocals and the duo's smart-as-a-whip chatter make this the show to see if you want to get into the Christmas mode. There are two shows a night through Saturday - at 8:30 and 11pm.

Jim Caruso
Jim Caruso's Cast Party and Theatermania.com are proud to present: Broadway at Birdland
Scott Alan
SCOTT ALAN'S DECEMBER 7 CONCERT IS SOLD OUT, but we invite you to call the box office to try and snag a bar seat! (212-581-3080)

THEN....
Jim Caruso’s Cast Party is proud to announce that Broadway’s BRENT BARRETT will be performing two very special concerts to celebrate the release of his new holiday CD, CHRISTMAS MORNINGS. The shows, part of the Broadway at Birdland concert series, will take place on Sunday, December 13 at 6pm, and Monday, December 14 at 7pm.

Jim Caruso’s Cast Party is proud to announce that Broadway’s BRENT BARRETT will be performing two very special concerts to celebrate the release of his new holiday CD, CHRISTMAS MORNINGS. The shows, part of the Broadway at Birdland concert series, will take place on Sunday, December 13 at 6pm, and Monday, December 14 at 7pm.
Jim Caruso’s Cast Party is proud to announce that Broadway’s BRENT BARRETT will be performing two very special concerts to celebrate the release of his new holiday CD, CHRISTMAS MORNINGS. The shows, part of the Broadway at Birdland concert series, will take place on Sunday, December 13 at 6pm, and Monday, December 14 at 7pm.

Following the success of his first two solo albums: The Kander and Ebb Album and The Alan Jay Lerner Album, CHRISTMAS MORNINGS (Kritzerland label) is an intimate and personal holiday experience with Brent Barrett that features a variety of classic Christmas standards plus two new songs, including “A Star To Guide Me,”penned by Barrett himself. The recording is produced by Bruce Kimmel, with musical direction and arrangements by Christopher Denny and orchestrations by Larry Moore. The recording and Birdland concerts will include beloved holidays standards “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town,” “White Christmas,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Christmas Waltz”/“It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “O Holy Night,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,”“Silent Night,” and “The Christmas Song.”

On Broadway, Brent Barrett is currently reprising his award-winning role of Billy Flynn in the Tony-winning musical smash Chicago at the Ambassador Theatre. He most recently starred as the Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular.

His other Broadway credits include West Side Story (revival), Annie Get Your Gun (opposite Reba McEntire), Grand Hotel and Candide. He received an Olivier Award nomination for his performance in the recent West End revival of Kiss Me, Kate, which was broadcast on PBS and is now available on DVD. As a soloist, Barrett has received national and international acclaim with the Boston Pops and the Berlin Philharmonic, and in concerts at Carnegie Hall and London's Royal Albert and Royal Festival Halls.

BRENT BARRETT in CHRISTMAS MORNINGS

WHEN: Sunday, December 13 at 6pm; Monday, December 14 at 7pm
WHERE: Birdland
, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
TICKETS: $30 and $40, with $10 food/drink minimum
RESERVATIONS: 212.581.3080 or BirdlandJazz.com
Our Sponsors
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!! Klea Blackhurst's acclaimed tribute to Ethel Merman, "Everything the Traffic Will Allow," returns to The Snapple Theater Center! This knockout show continues to take NY by storm and features many of Merman’s signature songs such as “I Got Rhythm,” “Blow, Gabriel Blow,” and “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” as well as rarely performed obscurities including “Just A Moment Ago,” “I’ve Still Got My Health,” and “World Take Me Back.” “Trust us - this is one show you just can’t miss.” - Time Out New York. "The kind of show I could see every week because it's better than sex or drugs." - David Hurst, Next Magazine/Cabaret Scenes. SATURDAYS* AT 5:00 PM beginning NOV. 21;*No perfs 12/5, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13. SPECIAL HOLIDAY PERFORMANCES: FRIDAY, NOV. 27 @ 3:00 PM; FRIDAY, JAN. 1 @ 3:00 PM. SNAPPLE THEATER CENTER, 210 West 50th Street (at Broadway). TICKETS: 212-921-7862 or www.ticketmaster.com
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!! Klea Blackhurst's acclaimed tribute to Ethel Merman, "Everything the Traffic Will Allow," returns to The Snapple Theater Center!   (4)
GET A SPECIAL OFFER TO FINIAN'S RAINBOW, New York City Center Encores! Sold-out Smash Hit is Coming to Broadway! Tony Award® winner Jim Norton (The Seafarer) stars as the loveable Finian, with Kate Baldwin (Wonderful Town) as his plucky daughter Sharon, Cheyenne Jackson (Xanadu) as Woody, the boy who falls under her spell and Christopher Fitzgerald (Young Frankenstein) as Og the leprechaun. To learn more, please click: http://www.FiniansOnBroadway.com/castparty.html. Use code FRBOW75 at Broadwayoffers.com to get tickets as for as little as $59! October 30 through December 20 get $59 tickets (Tues-Fri) and $75 tickets (Sat & Sun). Click here to purchase your tickets now or call Telecharge at 212-947-8844
GET A SPECIAL OFFER TO FINIAN'S RAINBOW, New York City Center Encores! Sold-out Smash Hit is Coming to Broadway!
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.
HERE'S THE NEWEST, FRESHEST VERSION OF THE CAST PARTY T-SHIRT (modeled here by our friend Kyle Michael Kuhlman)! Kids, it's 100% cotton (yes!) in snowy white, with a Minnelli red ringer, and accompanying black and red logo announcing your love for a certain Monday night soiree! We have them in S, M, and L! Get 'em while they're HOT! $20
HERE'S THE NEWEST, FRESHEST VERSION OF THE CAST PARTY T-SHIRT (modeled here by our friend Kyle Michael Kuhlman)! Kids, it's 100% cotton (yes!) in snowy white, with a Minnelli red ringer, and accompanying black and red logo announcing your love for a certain Monday night soiree!  We have them in S, M, and L!  Get 'em while they're HOT! $20
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.
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
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.
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.
TRAVERSE CITY WEB DESIGN - BRINGING YOU THIS VERY CAST PARTY NEWSLETTER, offers a full line of web design and online marketing services. We have a wide range of packages and services ideal for entertainers and performers - from one-page "portfolio" sites, to press kits, to full online archives, we can create and host a site that's perfect for you. We also offer marketing services, such as online mass mailings, and can help maximize your site's presence in search engines. Friends & family discount! Mention the Cast Party Newsletter and receive 10% off. Get online with us!
TRAVERSE CITY WEB DESIGN - BRINGING YOU THIS VERY CAST PARTY NEWSLETTER, offers a full line of web design and online marketing services. Click: www.traversecitywebdesign.com
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. Visit 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!
Nite Life Exchange: It's All About Entertainment!
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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
This newsletter brought to you each week by Jim Caruso and Traverse City Web Design.
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Copyright Jim Caruso's Cast Party®, All Rights Reserved, 2006-2008. Newsletter by: Traverse City Web Design

Click for more featured concerts! www.castpartynyc.com/Concerts.htm