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Last Week
April 29, 2010
MIRANDA SINGS CERTAINLY OUTDID HERSELF ON SUNDAY NIGHT, which is saying a lot.  Her concert was jammed with shrieking fans, plus a few Broadway stars like Stephanie J. Block and Megan Hilty (left), who know a little something about fans.  They belted together as green and pink witches in Wicked, then as harried secretaries in 9 to 5.
MIRANDA SINGS CERTAINLY OUTDID HERSELF ON SUNDAY NIGHT, which is saying a lot. Her concert was jammed with shrieking fans, plus a few Broadway stars like Stephanie J. Block and Megan Hilty (left), who know a little something about fans. They belted together as green and pink witches in Wicked, then as harried secretaries in 9 to 5. At Miranda’s show – they were just required to laugh – and laugh they did at our quirky, lipsticked diva! Miranda’s onstage guests included Annaleigh Ashford (currently in Hair, but a Wicked-witch alum herself!), Joshua David Evans, Frankie James Grande, Ariana Grande and VOCE, a brilliant barbershop quartet who were thrilled to receive instructions on blending and vibrato control. It was all too, too silly and way too much fun. Plus, now that MAC Cosmetics is sponsoring Miranda, everyone left with a sample of her signature color! She packed five concerts for us over the past few months, and we look forward to the return of Miranda Sings with baited breath!
Marcy & Zina's quirky, funny, charming and beautifully-crafted songs were sung by some extremely talented folks like TV’s Clinton Kelly (“What Not To Wear”)
Speaking of packing the room, The Marcy & Zina Show proved that, once again, they have some of the most loyal fans on the planet! We were dragging chairs from the dressing room to accommodate everyone! The duo’s quirky, funny, charming and beautifully-crafted songs were sung by some extremely talented folks like TV’s Clinton Kelly (“What Not To Wear”) (left, in a photo by Stephen Sorokoff), Jill Abramovitz, Scott Coulter, Nathan Klau and Jonathan Room. It was a dazzling evening of clever lyrics, gorgeous melodies, beautiful arrangements, and spectacular voices. Who could ask for more?
The following Cast Party kept the talent mojo flowing!  We were delighted to see Eve Plumb walk through the door (left - thanks to Stephen Sorokoff).  A lot of us feel like she’s family, since she played Jan Brady on “The Brady Bunch” all those years.  Well she can sing, too, and gave us a dry and very funny “Why Do The Wrong People Travel?”
The following Cast Party kept the talent mojo flowing! We were delighted to see Eve Plumb walk through the door (left - thanks to Stephen Sorokoff). A lot of us feel like she’s family, since she played Jan Brady on “The Brady Bunch” all those years. Well she can sing, too, and gave us a dry and very funny “Why Do The Wrong People Travel?” Jessica Hitchcock came all the way from Australia to entertain us, as did composer/singer Matthew Robinson! (What IS it about those Aussies? They’re sooo talented!) Marilyn Maye showed up and serenaded my old pal Bob Mackie with a special lyric, and both Jack Donahue and Billy Stritch gave previews of their upcoming concerts (see below)! Tedd Firth, Tom Hubbard and Steve Bakunas were on piano, bass and drums, respectively, and Saadi Zain sat in on bass occasionally. We DO have the best band in the history of open-mics…I hope you know that. Why else do the celebs (and the people who love them) flock to sing a ditty or two when they’re in town?!

Jim Caruso
Jim Caruso's Cast Party and Theatermania.com are proud to present: Broadway at Birdland
JIM CARUSO IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE RETURN OF SINGER JACK DONAHUE to Birdland on Sunday, May 2 at 6pm.  This concert is part of the Broadway at Birdland concert series.
JIM CARUSO IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE RETURN OF SINGER JACK DONAHUE to Birdland on Sunday, May 2 at 6pm. This concert is part of the Broadway at Birdland concert series.

Critically acclaimed, award-winning vocalist Jack Donahue returns to roost at Birdland on Sunday, May 2 at 6 pm. His set will be a celebration of compositions included in his upcoming live recording, “Parade,” including "I Wonder What Became of Me" by Arlen & Mercer, John La Touche's "Lazy Afternoon,” Arlen & Gershwin's "The Man That Got Away,” and "Why Did I Choose You" by Leonard & Martin. Donahue will be joined by a lush trio that includes Randy Ingram on piano, Erik Privert on bass and Jared Schonig on drums and percussion. Also included in the set will be audience favorites like "Before the Parade Passes By" and "Put on Your Sunday Clothes" by Jerry Herman and songs by Jimmy Webb.

JACK DONAHUE

WHEN: Sunday, May 2 at 6pm
WHERE: Birdland
, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
TICKETS: $25 cover; $10 food/drink minimum
RESERVATIONS: 212.581.3080 or BirdlandJazz.com

THEN...
Jim Caruso is proud to present singer/pianist BILLY STRITCH in “I’ve Got My Standards” as part of the Broadway at Birdland concert series, on Monday, May 3 at 7pm.
Jim Caruso is proud to present singer/pianist BILLY STRITCH in “I’ve Got My Standards” as part of the Broadway at Birdland concert series, on Monday, May 3 at 7pm.

“I’ve Got My Standards” will showcase Stritch’s well-known and highly-acclaimed jazz chops and smooth vocals on songs including “Let’s Face The Music And Dance,” “Let’s Get Away From It All,” and two songs written by Fred Astaire, “Not My Girl” and “I’m Building Up To An Awful Letdown.” Joining Stritch will be David Finck on bass and Dave Ratajczak on drums.

Billy Stritch is one of the premier singer-pianists on the New York and national jazz and cabaret scene. His most recent nightclub act “Billy Stritch sings the Mel Tormé Songbook” earned rave reviews from the New York music critics. Stritch has appeared in cabaret venues across the nation as well as concert performances at the London Palladium, NHK Hall in Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro’s Municipale Auditorium. In New York, he has performed at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall and completed 688 performances as Oscar the rehearsal pianist in the 2001 Broadway revival of 42nd Street which starred Christine Ebersole. It was in this production that Billy and Christine initially met, laying the groundwork for a happy and mutually rewarding musical collaboration. Their CD release “In Your Dreams” is available on Ghostlight Records. Billy is also a songwriter and arranger, and his composition “Does He Love You” was recorded by Reba McEntire and Linda Davis. The single reached the number one spot on the Billboard Country chart, winning a Grammy Award and selling over five million copies along the way. Billy has also written music for theater and for The Radio City Christmas Spectacular. He has arranged for many top performers and is a frequent collaborator with Liza Minnelli, having written the arrangements for Minnelli On Minnelli at the Palace Theater, Liza’s Christmas at Town Hall, and was musical supervisor and pianist for the Tony Award-winning, Liza’s At The Palace. Billy has played and sung on numerous television shows including “The Rosie O’Donnell Show,” “Oprah,” “The CBS Morning Show,” “The Today Show” and “Inside The Actor’s Studio”. He has three CDs to his credit and his latest “Jazz Live,” recorded at The Jazz Standard in New York, was recently released on Fynsworth Alley Records. He is the winner of the Nashville Music City News Award, a BMI Song of the Year Award, and four awards from the Manhattan Association of Clubs and Cabarets.

BILLY STRITCH: I'VE GOT MY STANDARDS

WHEN: Monday, May 3 at 7pm
WHERE: Birdland
, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
TICKETS: $30 or $40 cover plus $10 food/drink minimum
RESERVATIONS: 212.581.3080 or BirdlandJazz.com

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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.
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 OUR FRIEND Ben Ross cavorting on a cold Canadian beach, but keeping warm in the newest, freshest version of the Cast Party t-shirt! Can you believe this 100% cotton beauty can be yours for a mere $20 plus $5 for shipping? They come in S, M, L and XL! Click: CastPartyNYC.com/Goods.
HERE'S OUR FRIEND Ben Ross cavorting on a cold Canadian beach, but keeping warm in the newest, freshest version of the Cast Party t-shirt!  Can you believe this 100% cotton beauty can be yours for a mere $20 plus $5 for shipping?  They come in S, M, L and XL! Click: CastPartyNYC.com/Goods.
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!
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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.
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!
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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