Jim Caruso’s Cast Party is thrilled and mildly nervous to present the return of YouTube sensation MIRANDA SINGS in concert on Sunday, February 21 at 6pm. The event will be part of the award-winning concert series, Broadway at Birdland. You will not want to miss this lipstick-wearing, epileptic-eyebrowed, crooked-smiling beauty as she performs her magic at Birdland once again! Expect special guests, including Broadway’s Christopher Sieber, composer Scott Alan, onstage voice lessons, fashion makeovers and dramatic readings of hate mail.

Miranda Sings is an internet character created by Colleen Ballinger, and proliferated via YouTube. The character is a satire of increasingly common YouTube videos featuring mediocre or even bad singers who film themselves singing as a form of self-promotion. Miranda is supposedly from Tacoma, Washington, sings comically off-key, and, when confronted by viewers who take the videos seriously, uses the catchphrase "Haters back off!" The characterization includes facial tics, unusually active eyebrows and a crooked smile. She also wears lipstick drawn beyond all natural borders and often dances stiffly to the music she is performing. Ms. Ballinger's character has enjoyed widespread popularity, particularly among musical theatre fans, and has recently appeared as Miranda Sings at live club and theater venues in New York (The Minskoff Theatre, Jim Caruso’s Cast Party, The Town Hall), Los Angeles, London (Ambassador Theatre) and throughout Australia. Special guests have included the casts of Mamma Mia, Billy Elliott, Bye Bye Birdie, Ann Hampton Callaway, Shoshana Bean, Daniel Reichard, Seth Rudetsky, and Barret Foa.

MIRANDA SINGS

WHEN: Sunday, February 21 at 6pm
WHERE: Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
TICKETS: $25 General Admission, $35 Premium, $10 food/drink minimum
RESERVATIONS: 212.581.3080 or BirdlandJazz.com

THEN...

Jim Caruso’s Cast Party is proud to present singer/songwriter KATIE THOMPSON & FRIENDS on Monday, February 22 at 7pm. This concert is part of the long-running Broadway at Birdland concert series, which highlights performers and composers from the Great White Way at the historic music room.

The cast will include Dee Roscioli (Wicked), Matt Doyle (Spring Awakening), Tom Lenk (Rock of Ages), Marriand Torres (Giant), Anne Fraser Thomas (The Grinch) and Erik Sisco (Sing What I Wanna Sing). The evening will include, among other original material, songs from Thompson’s musical R.R.R.E.D, sung by the composer and a bevy of Broadway performers, who will be announced at a later date. Backstage West said Thompson has "knockout vocal calisthenics, and segues from Merman to Buckley to Tori Amos with her beautifully constructed songs.”

Katie Thompson is a critically acclaimed recording artist and musical theatre performer. THEATRE: Giant (Signature Theatre), Ripper (NAMT), R.R.R.E.D. (NYMF & The Grove Theatre in LA),The Lighthouse Project, Piece (NAMT); Events: Broadway South Africa (Gershwin), Defying Inequality (Gershwin), Katie & Friends (Birdland), Eden Espinosa "ME" (Joe's Pub), Broadway Loves Country (Joe's Pub). RECORDINGS: “The Ark,” “The Forgotten Carols,” “Dreaming Wide Awake,” “Reach the Sky,” “What I've Done Right,” and “KT Live.” AWARDS: LA Weekly Theater Awards: Best Musical Performance nomination, Best Musical Director nomination; Indie Award nomination for Connie Lou's Christmas; Pearl Award nomination for Safe Harbors. EDUCATION: American Academy of Dramatic Arts (Los Angeles). Katie’s new album “Private Page” is currently being digitially released 2 tracks at a time for 6 months. Most recently her music was featured on “So You Think You Can Dance?” in America and Canada.

KATIE THOMPSON & FRIENDS

WHEN: Monday, February 22 at 7pm
WHERE: Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
TICKETS: $25 and $35 with $10 food/drink minimum
RESERVATIONS: 212.581.3080 or BirdlandJazz.com

KLEA BLACKHURST’S “EVERYTHING THE TRAFFIC WILL ALLOW – The Songs and Sass of Ethel Merman” BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!! – Klea Blackhurst's acclaimed tribute to Ethel Merman, "Everything the Traffic Will Allow," at 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 kid of show I could see every week because it's better than sex or drugs." - David Hurst, Next Magazine/Cabaret Scenes. PERFORMANCES EVERY SATURDAY AT 5:00 PM, SNAPPLE THEATER CENTER, 210 W 50th St. (at Broadway).TICKETS: 212-921-7862 or www.ticketmaster.com

Jamie deRoy and friends - THE OSCAR SHOW - Academy Award Winning Songs, and Songs from Academy Award Winning Films! Joining Jamie for this BROADWAY AT BIRDLAND evening will be: Drama Desk Award-nominee Christina Bianco; Four-time TONY nominee Gregg Edelman; London’s beloved triple-threat, Bonnie Langford (Chicago-NYC and London companies); Conductor/composer 2-time Emmy Award-winner John McDaniel; acclaimed cellist Peter Sachon; and multi-award-winning singer Finian’s Rainbow sensation Terri White - plus Legendary Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter, Larry Gatlin (“Broken Lady,” “I Don’t Wanna Cry,” and "All the Gold in California," among others!) Director: Barry Kleinbort; Musical Director: Lanny Meyers. Sunday, February 28th at 6:00 P.M. BIRDLAND - 315 W 44th St., NYC. Tickets: $35/$25; $10 minimum. 212.581.3080 or visit: www.birdlandjazz.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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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. Visit Squigs on Facebook, too!

This newsletter brought to you each week by Jim Caruso and Traverse City Web Design.