JIM CARUSO'S CAST PARTY IS THRILLED AND MILDLY NERVOUS to present the return of YouTube sensation MIRANDA SINGS in concert on Monday, March 29 at 7pm.  The recurring event is part of the award-winning concert series, Broadway at Birdland.

Tony-nominated John Tartaglia (Avenue Q) will be joining Ms. Sings onstage, in what is sure to be a historic showbiz moment!  Tony-nominated jazz/cabaret superstar Ann Hampton Callaway will be forced to undergo Miranda’s vocal and artistic scrutiny with one of her much-discussed and sought-after voice lessons.  Jarrod Spector and his Jersey Boys will perform a Four Seasons song with the diva, and internet sensation Sam Tsui will perform, following his recent appearance and interview on “Oprah!”  You will not want to miss this extravaganza, hosted by the lipstick-wearing, epileptic-eyebrowed, crooked-smiling beauty as she performs her magic once again at Birdland!

Miranda Sings is an internet character created by California-based theatre student 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), Los Angeles, Australia, and London (Ambassador Theatre).

MIRANDA SINGS

WHEN: Monday, March 29 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

THEN...

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 5, 2010 at 7:00pm, as part of the long-running concert series Broadway at Birdland.

Hosted by SHAW (left), 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 and platinum-selling recording artist Bryan White.

Platinum recording artist Bryan White (left) has charted seventeen singles on the Billboard country charts, of which four reached Number One: "Someone Else's Star" in 1995; "Rebecca Lynn" and "So Much for Pretending," both in 1996; and "Sittin' on Go" in 1997. He was also a duet partner on the album version of Shania Twain's 1998 single "From This Moment On."

Gary Burr is in the Songwriter's Hall of fame having written hit songs for everyone from Conway Twitty to Kelly Clarkson.

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.  She co-produced the debut CD of superstar Grammy-winning country trio Lady Antebellum, 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 5 at 7pm
WHERE: Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
TICKETS: $25 with $10 food/drink minimum
RESERVATIONS: 212.581.3080 or BirdlandJazz.com

MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL. Join our vibrant new community to connect with theatre practitioners and fans from around the world. Share advice, photos, videos, sets, props, costumes and a whole lot more to bring your next production to life. Visit MTI ShowSpace by clicking: www.mtishowspace.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. ROCK OF AGES is 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!

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!

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