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January 7, 2005 (*scroll down to read all 2005 Newspapers!)Cast Party continues to amuse and amaze the throngs atBirdland! I thought last Monday would be a rather slow night what with rotten weather and the end of the holidays. Wrong! The talent kept hurling through the door, and we were thrilled to see Michael Feinstein, Roslyn Kind,Ray Jessell, Natalie Douglas,Julie Garnye, Lynn Loosier,Kate Botello, Erich Bergen, Neil Berg, Jane Schecter, Aaron Ramey, lots of newcomers and some beloved old faithfuls! There were improv duets and backup groups formed on-the-spot. Pianist Tedd Firth and bass-manSteve Doyle kept the music playing in spectacular fashion for visitors from Australia, Japan and even Ohio.
And now, some very sincere words from the 1973 Junior Class of Canarsie High School. Click here to appreciate. You're welcome. Broadway at Birdland!NOTE: This coming Monday,Cast Party will be starting a bit later…around 10:30. It’s gonna be a fun night, though. The APAP convention will be in full swing, and we expect lots of talent in town hawking their wares! I have it on good authority that some super-talents will be visiting our favorite Monday night hang. Billy Stritch and Steve Doyle will compose the Cast Party Symphony Orchestra…and fun will be had! Make your reservation now – 212.581.3080. And plan on seeing Amanda Greenand Tom Kitt in concert on January 24th and 31st…their special guests will be Brooks Ashmanskas, Mario Cantone, Jenn Colella, Gavin Creel, Jerry Dixon, Matt McGrath, Julia Murney, Greg Naughton and Amy Spanger. Too bad they couldn’t get anyone good.
On BroadwayWorld.comThis week, tune in to one of my all-time favorite episodes of Cast Party – The Radio Show! After seeing the magnificent Judy Kaye as Florence Foster Jenkins inSouvenir at The York Theatre, I thought it was time to celebrate some unsung, and unsingable, song stylists. In my one-on-one conversation with Judy, you’ll hear about the excruciatingly wonderful Ms. Jenkins, her mystique, and just what to say backstage after an awful performance. You’ll also be privy to several cuts from the Jenkinsouevre, along with some music-ish type moments from Wing, the magical Mrs. Miller and Jonathan & Darlene Edwards. This is a Cast Party you will love, but your neighbors won’t…so keep the volume low!
Click here for the Cast Party radio show onBroadwayWorld.com! Produced by Brian Wilson at SoHa Media. January 21, 2005Monday’s Cast Party was jammed with tons-o-talent! Getting their ditties on wereBrooklyn’s Julie Rheyber, Into the Woods’ Trent Kendall,Singing Astaire’s Hilary Kole (in a classic Cast Party clinch with Jim, right), Toxic Audio’s Garth Kravits, David Goldman,Christine Lavin, Roy Merriwether, Ryan Leeds,Béat, Emily Mattheson,Natalie Douglas, Lynne Halliday, and so many more. Jazzy guy Eric Hoffman crooned and played trombone. Julie Garnye’s haunting rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream" was improved, if that is possible, by a heavenly choir of marching revelers parading across the Birdland stage. (…a first for Cast Party, to say nothing of Birdland…)
That’s Trent Kendall, Jaime Donegan and Julie Rheybar in the photo below. Here's a dynamic performance of a brand new song (albeit from 1970). We just don't know what else to say. Broadway at Birdland!This next week we thought it would be fun to narrow the musical field a little…and want you all to perform your favorite 70’s song! It can be a beloved
pop tune, or something from the Broad-way. It’ll be groovy. Also, we’re terribly excited for the upcoming Amanda Green & Tom Kitt & Friends concerts onMonday, January 24th and31st at 7pm. They have an unbelievable lineup of talent to sing their brilliant and hilarious material… like Brooks Ashmanskas, Mario Cantone, Jenn Colella, Jerry Dixon, Matt McGrath, Matthew Morrison, Julia Murney, Greg Naughton,Alice Ripley, and Amy Spanger! As if that weren’t enough, Julia Murneywill be doing one of her rare concerts on Monday, February 7th at 7pm, with the most excellent Tom Kitt at the piano. If you’ve ever seen any of these folks, you know they sell OUT! Call Birdland now for reservations.212.581.3080. On BroadwayWorld.comOn Cast Party – The Radio Show, listen in on Jim’s chat with songwriter extraordinaireAmanda Green! She and her writing partner, Tom Kitt (see photo at right), are getting ready for their triumphant return toBirdland on Monday, January 24th and 31st. You’ll have two chances to hear their brilliant and hilarious material live and in person, sung by some of Broadway’s brightest stars! OnThe Radio Show, Jim will play some never-heard recordings of Green/Kitt tunes sung byChristine Ebersole, Nancy Opel, Jenn Colella, Tara Simon, Norbert Leo Butz, Sherri Rene Scott and the songwriters themselves! Click on BroadwayWorld.com Tuesday and Friday at 8pm to join the fun!
Click here for the Cast Party radio show on BroadwayWorld.com! Produced by Brian Wilson at SoHa Media. January 28, 2005Amanda Green & Tom Kittjammed the 7pm show atBirdland Monday night with their usual profusion of Broadway swells, including directorsWalter Bobbie and Scott Schwartz, composer Jeff Marx, costumer Tony Walton and diva/divo’s like Melissa Errico(with Mr. Kitt at right) andAnthony Barille. Even Hollywood mogul Sidney Lumetshowed up to catch an amazing evening of songs written by Kitt & Green, the most waggish duo since…well…Comden & Green. It certainly didn’t hurt to have special guest stars like Brooks Ashmanskas, Mario Cantone, Jenn Colella, Jenifer Foote (pictured with cellist Peter Sachon,below), Harris Doran, Jerry Dixon, Matt McGrath, Julia Murney, Greg Naughton, Matthew Morrison and the Tom Kitt Band on stage to perform the material. Click on Photo Coverage: Kitt and Green heat up Birdland(BroadwayWorld.com) to see some great photos, with many thanks toCraig Brockman! If all that sounds too fun to miss, you’ll be happy to know that you have one more change to catch the concert this coming Monday,January 31st at 7pm. See details below!
After the concert, Cast Party showed an unusually eclectic bunch…we spied downtown performance artistes (and New York Times featured) Murray Hill and Dirty Martini, jazz vocalist and radio host Rebecca Kilgore, and the Drama Desk-winning vocal group, Toxic Audio! The music was sublime and everyone had the time of their lives! Broadway at Birdland!This Monday, January 31, you can catch an encore performance of Amanda Green & Tom Kitt & Friends at 7pm. The writing team is currently adapting the popular book and film High Fidelity for the Broadway stage as a musical, and will premiere several brand new songs from the score. Be the first on your block to hear ‘em! Call Birdlandat 212.581.3080 to make a reservation! On Monday,February 7, you’ll have a chance to see Julia Murney in one of her rare concert appearances! I’ve stood in long lines to see this girl sing her face off. You won’t have to if you call Birdland NOW! 212.581.3080.
Click here for an artful earful of Ms. Murney, from The Wild Party. Also, great news for all you Fred-heads out there… Singing Astaire has been extended! You can see this sublime review starring Hilary Kole, Eric Comstock and Christopher Gines every Saturday and Sunday throughMarch 27! Again…call Birdland! On BroadwayWorld.comLet Cast Party – The Radio Show help make you a Broadway insider! This week, I’ll check in with the funniest woman on the planet Earth, Julie Halston (the clever coquette atright), who is currently killing ‘em in Hairspray. Her rants are legendary…you won’t want to miss a single shriek. Then,Danny Gurwin, currently starring in Little Women, tells us about the process of opening a new show, details from Sunday’s dazzling opening night, and the joys of working withSutton Foster and Maureen McGovern! We’ll even get to hear a few tunes from the Jason Howland/Mindi Dicksteinscore. Cast Party – The Radio Show can be heard everyTuesday and Friday at 8pm onBroadwayWorld.com.
Click here for the Cast Party Radio Show onBroadwayWorld.com! Produced by Brian Wilson at SoHa Media. February 4, 2005Amanda Green and Tom Kitt, along with their cast and band, put on a positively kick-tuchasshow Monday night. As always, they had almost as much razzle-dazzle in the packed house as they did on stage! Mike Nichols(right, with Mandy and Tom) was sitting in the front row, absolutely swooning over their choice, urbane material. Also, composer/lyricist Adam Guettel(below, with Julia Murney), whose The Light In The Piazza will be opening on Broadway come spring, was there to support his pals. The following Cast Party was a blast, too, featuring two, count ‘em, two ukulele ladies. Phoebe Kreutz was a scream, as usual, and Jill Anderson evoked the ‘20’s with great panache. I gotta get me one of them ukes. Then we learned that Steve Doyle, usually at the bass behind the piano, actually has legs! He sat at the grand, played, sang, and killed! A first…but definitely not the last!
Speaking of Adam Guettel...listen to the composer himself singing "Hero and Leander" on his MYTHS AND HYMNS CD. Click here. Broadway at Birdland!This coming Monday, February 7th, we have a great night planned for you! At 7pm, Julia Murney (right) takes the stage for one of her rare concert appearances! It’s so close to being sold out, I hate to even bring it up…but if you callBirdland now, you might still get a seat! 212.581.3080. I only pray she sings my favoriteBobbie Gentry song, "Fancy," like she did in her last show. After Julia, I’m thrilled to tell you that Cast Party will be celebrating the release of The TheaterMania Guide to Musical Theater Recordings, compiled and edited by Michael Portantiere. I have it on good authority that Broadway notables like Rita Gardner, who created the role of The Girl in the original Off-Broadway production of The Fantasticks; Stephanie D’Abruzzo and Barrett Foa from the cast of Avenue Q; Christine Pedifrom Forbidden Broadway; impressionist Steven Brinberg as Barbra Streisand; Richard Kind, currently starring in The Producers; and the legendary George S. Irving will all be there, singing the songs that got ‘em into the book! I also hear that Sally Mayes will be in the house, and we can raise a glass to her brand new CD, appropriately titled, "Valentine." All that, plus Billy Stritch and Steve Doyle on piano and bass, along with YOU, will help make it a night to remember!
On BroadwayWorld.comThis week, I have a chat with composer David Friedman, whose songs have been recorded by Diana Ross, Barry Manilow,Petula Clark and the late, greatNancy LaMott. Since his Listen To My Heart revue ran Off-Broadway, he’s been busy producing the first posthumous LaMott CD, recorded live atTavern On The Green in 1995. It’s a hauntingly gorgeous disc, and one I’m proud to play for you on Cast Party – The Radio Show! Then, we’ll chat withHilary Kole (see photo, right), currently starring in Singing Astaire, and getting ready for her late-night Valentine’s Day concert at Birdland. If you haven’t heard this girl swing, you’ve gotta tune in… you’ll be a fan! Now you can listen to Cast Party – The Radio Show in two wonderful ways! It still airsTuesday and Friday nights on BroadwayWorld.com Radio at 8pm. Or, by popular demand, you can listen any time "on-demand" by clicking over to the Cast Party page itself. Does it get better than that? No, we didn't think so.
Click here for the Cast Party Radio Show on BroadwayWorld.com! Produced by Brian Wilson at SoHa Media. February 25, 2005Monday night’s Peter Eldridgeconcert was certainly one of the more groovy events we’ve had during our Winter Series! He jammed Birdland with over a hundred fans, friends, family and assorted hipsters. Everyone was totally taken with the material, the band, and the nicest dude in showbiz. We can’t wait for his return! We thought you’d like this photo of Peter, flanked by the sassy Spies Sisters (right). The following Cast Party was equally fun, with surprise appearances by "Dumb And Dumber" star Jeff Daniels(click here for a snippet of the ditty he sang for us, "If William Shatner Can, I Can, Too,"), Christine Lavin (see them both below), hilarious British star Earl Okin, Broadway’s Shonn Wiley, Harris Doran and Patrick Ryan Sullivan, cabaret divas Joan Crowe and Mardie Millett, and so many more! We were really lucky to have Mark Berman at the piano, and he even played the "Sex And The City" theme song he recorded for…"Sex And The City." Steve Doyle literally schlepped his bass right from the airport after his European stint, and his jet-lag only added to the hilarity.
Brodway at Birdland!This coming Monday, March 7, we are planning to have just as much fun at Cast Party! If you haven’t been around lately, we’ve missed you! We’ll have the very regular Billy Stritch andSteve Doyle on piano and bass, respectively, and you never know who else will pop in. We hope it might be YOU! Call the club for reservations (212.581.3080). There's no cover...just a $10 food/drink minimum.
The following week, Monday, March 7, the fabulous songwriting team ofMarcy Heisler & Zina Goldrich make their Birdland debut! We are thrilled that they’re bringing The Marcy & Zina Show to our stage and hope it’s just the first of many nights showcasing their brilliant, touching, and funny-as-hell songs. The cast that will be warbling their ditties is pretty impressive…Scott Coulter, "Saturday Night Live's" Ana Gasteyer, Avenue Q’s John Tartaglia, Julia Murney, Mary Faber, Jill Abramowitz, Amanda Green & Tom Kitt, and The Cast of Junie B. Jones, their hit kid’s show that ran at the Lucille Lortel Theatre. The show is at 7pm, and tickets are selling like hotcakes, so you’d better call Birdland now (212.581.3080) and reserve a table! There’s a $25 cover and $10 food/drink minimum. It’s gonna be the place to be! Also coming up – Natalie Douglas (March 21) and Max von Essen (March 28). This coming Saturday night, the place I’ll be is Florida! I’m hosting the AIDS Project Ft. Lauderdale (APFL) Red Ribbon Awards Charity Ball at theMarriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa. (Just typing the word ‘spa’ makes me happy.) It’s going to be a great evening, with entertainment by Tony and Emmy Award Winner Leslie Uggums and one of my favorite jazzers, Curtis Stigers. If you happen to be in the neighborhood, stop in! I’m praying for a tan at next week’s Cast Party…or at least some serious peeling. March 11, 2005Well, Monday night’s Marcy & Zina Show was the latest in our string of totally sold-out shows! If you cast your gaze several pixels to the right, you’ll see cast members Julia Murney,Amanda Green, Zina Goldrichand Marcy Heisler surroundingHairspray star Julie Halston, who was off-duty and enjoying the extravaganza from the audience! The crowd went bananas for the witty, smart and sassy tunes M&Z write…we can’t wait for their return on Monday, March 28th! You might want to call Birdland now, because these two composing hotties sell OUT! The following Cast Party was equally packed until the wee hours, with notables including Michael Feinstein, Jeff Harnar,Maude Maggart, Jay Leonhart, Jane Schecter, Michael Garin, Brett Boyd, Ritt Henn, Roy Merriwether, and the dueling ukeleles of Jill Anderson & Luisa Baptista. Yes. Ukeleles. Of course, Billy Stritch andSteve Doyle gave unbelievable backup, as always. Music was made and fun was had. What could be better?
Broadway at Birdland!You just have to come seeNatalie Douglas in To Nina – A Tribute to Nina Simone, onMonday, March 21 at 7pm. One of Natalie’s principal musical influences was the High Priestess of Soul, and we’re so thrilled that she is returning to Birdlandto sing and celebrate the CD release of the live recording of last year’s concert (right)! Ms. Douglas will be joined by her Musical Director, MAC Award Winner and Avenue QAssociate Conductor Mark Hartman on the piano, along with jazz sensation Patience Higgins on tenor sax. Natalie and the band will be performing songs recorded by the late legendary singer, including Gershwin’s "I Loves You Porgy," "My Baby Just Cares For Me," and a Simone composition, "Four Women." Call 212.581.3080for reservations for this very special show.
By the way, congratulations go out to our pal Erich Bergen, who has started his own web-radio station called Green Room Radio. I was pleased as punch to be his first guest on the premiere show! Just go to the site and you can hear all of the shows to date. Yo, Erich’s in da’ house. You go, dawg. (That’s how the kids talk now [Actually, Jim, that's how "the kids" talked "last year". - ed].) On BroadwayWorld.comOf all the people I know, few occupy a warmer place in my heart than Liza Minnelli. On the occasion of her birthday, she sits down with me for an intimate conversation, direct from the music room of her New York, New York penthouse. In our chat, Liza discusses professional influences, beloved music, Broadway memories and the joy and curse of celebrity. ("LA was the most boring place in the world to grow up. The whole town did one thing. It was like growing up in a mining town if your parents were miners.") Scattered thoughout this very special Cast Party Radio Showare some rare Minnelli recordings, along with a few surprise birthday greetings from famous pals like Carol Burnett, Bruce Vilanch, Tony Danza, and Carol Channing! Drama Desk Award-winning vocal group Toxic Audiopersonalizes a song for the birthday girl, too. This Liza is utterly entertaining, absolutely hilarious, and there’s not an eyelash or sequin to be found! Listen in on Tuesday and Friday night at 8pm only onwww.BroadwayWorld.com.
Click here for the Cast Party Radio Show on BroadwayWorld.com! Produced by Brian Wilson at SoHa Media. March 25, 2005I’m not sure what happened, but all of a sudden, the talent level at Cast Party has bumped up a notch during the past few weeks! It’s always been amazing…but now all I can say is ‘holy crap.’ This past week, to have Billy Stritch and Mark Berman at the piano, Steve Doyle on bass,Dave Koz (right with John Bucchino and me), on sax andDavid Goldman on guitar, was an embarassment of riches! Mr. Koz, also known as one of PeopleMagazine’s Most Eligible Bachelors, is working on a movie music album, so hearing his version of "Smile" and singing "As Time Goes By" with him and Stritch was an absolute treat. Randi Driscoll and Noah Heldmanmesmerized the crowd with an original tune…we love them! Bass dude Ritt Henn and the fabulous Karen Mack were hilarious together. (Could they be the neo-Donny & Marie? Just a thought.) Adam Fleming and Natalie Joy Johnson (see pix below), two ex-Bare castmembers, were unexpected visitors who will hopefully return soon! Kate Botello’s version of theErykah Badu ditty, "Tyrone," was screamingly funny, with able backup from Brian Nash, Garth Kravitz and Julie Garnye. (I believe it was the first Badu material performed at Cast Party, but clearly not the last.) The music went on till the wee hours of the morning…and we couldn’t have been happier about it!
Broadway at Birdland!We can’t wait for the return ofThe Marcy & Zina Show this coming Monday, March 28 at7pm! Their extravaganza a few weeks ago was SO sold out that we just had to get them back…and fast! If you don’t know these two brilliant, witty songwriters, call Birdland NOW to make a reservation. (212-581-3080) Joining the festivities and singing their songs will be Mary Faber,Jill Abramovitz and Avenue Q’sJordan Gelber, along with a wonderful band. M&Z always have incredibly fun audiences filled with all kinds of Broadway and industry folks…we can only hope you’ll be one of them! Following that show will be…of course…Cast Party. Josh Zuckerman, a hot new singer/songwriter, will be joining us. I also know for a fact that a bunch of the Naked Boys Singing (now onstage at the 47th Street Theater!) will be singing their hearts out. Will they wear pants? Come and see! We’ve also told everyone to bring a Carpenters tune to sing. We love The Carpenters. You have to, too. Bring two in case someone else sings yours! There’s only so many ways to sing "Close To You."
I’m so excited about The New Season I’m presenting at Birdland, in association with TheaterMania.com. Catch this lineup: Tom Wopat (April 4), Maureen McGovern (April 11), Jeff Daniels (April 19), Larry O’Keefe(April 25), Victoria Shaw (May 16), Stephanie d’Abruzzo (May 23),Toxic Audio (May 30), Malcolm Gets (June 13), Max von Essen (June 18), and Christine Ebersole & Billy Stritch (July 25). Watch this space for details on each specific show! On BroadwayWorld.comThe Liza Birthday All-Star Spectacular broke all records atBroadwayWorld.com Radio! There were over 15,000 hits that first day, which is three times what we usually get! Needless to say, we’re keeping it up for a while…so if you haven’t heard it, you still have every opportunity to enjoy the truly terrific fun! Just click to hear on demand!
Listen in on Tuesday and Fridaynight at 8pm only onwww.BroadwayWorld.com. Click here for the Cast Party Radio Show on BroadwayWorld.com! Produced by Brian Wilson at SoHa Media. April 1, 2005It’s always thrilling to meet a showbusiness legend. Cast Partyis known for being the place for some pretty serious star-gazing, but this past Monday night was one for the books. One particular diva has been in semi-retirement for the past fifteen years, but since she’s ‘back on the boards,’ a Cast Party appearance was inevitable. Yes…MADAME (right) swooped into Birdland Monday night, with all the glitz and glamour one wooden gal could muster. She and her pal, Joe Kovacs, entertained us with some filthy, filthy stories and a ditty or two. We sure hope they’ll make Birdland their home away from home. I’m personally hoping for an on-stage duet by Madame and Rod from Avenue Q, but I’m funny that way. The night went on to include lots of amazing talent. We heard Naked Boys Singing (now at the 47th Street Theatre!), the legendary Christine Lavin, and Toxic Audio’s Rene Ruiz (check out theirnew CD!). Genius composer Andrew Lippa brought in his friend Shira Elias, and they both performed a song from his wildly brilliant Wild Partyscore. It was also our first Carpenters-Palooza, and the creamy, middle-of-the-road tunes were abundant. Stay tuned for our upcoming Elvis-Palooza. (I think anything ending with –Palooza sounds excellent.)
In the photo below, you'll see Amy Pietz (TV's "Caroline In The City," "Rodney"), Anthony Edwards (old friend and great singer from Dallas) andJayson Raitt (big-time producer from LA) enjoying the schmooze-fest. Broadway at Birdland!THE WINTER SEASON at Birdland was a complete success, with many thanks toTheaterMania, Christine Ebersole & Billy Stritch, Alice Ripley, Jeff Marx & Bobby Lopez, Karen Mason, Georgia Stitt, Amanda Green & Tom Kitt, Julia Murney, Stephanie J. Block, Peter Eldridge, Marcy & Zina, and Natalie Douglas.
I’m thrilled to open THE NEW SEASON at Birdland with Tom Wopat (below) at 7pm this coming Monday, April 4th. Perhaps best known as "Luke Duke" from his seven seasons on the TV show, "The Dukes of Hazard," Wopat is currently in the cast of the upcoming Broadway revival of Glengarry Glen Ross. He received a Tony nomination for his role asFrank Butler opposite Bernadette Peters in Annie Get Your Gun, portrayed Billy Flynn in the Broadway revival of Chicago, and starred asJulian Marsh in the 42nd Street revival. Wopat has also released several albums with CBS and Capitol Records. His new CD, "Dissertation on the State of Bliss," delivers jazzy interpretations of Harold Arlen songs including "Somewhere Over The Rainbow," "Come Rain Or Come Shine," and "Accentuate The Positive." Many of these, along with theater songs and other standards, will be included in the Birdland set. There is a $30 cover and $10 food/drink minimum. Call the club now (212.581.3080), before it’s sold out! Of course, stick around after Tom’s show…Cast Partywill be celebrating his performance and the return of Monday Off, one of the jazziest vocal groups on the planet! The Cast Party Symphony Orchestra will include bass-guy Steve Doyle and piano-man Mark Berman. By the way, congratulations to Mark, who is currently working on the Hugh Jackman one-man-show, which will open the extraordinaryWynn Las Vegas Hotel and Casino! Maybe he’ll give us a sneak preview of the Hugh-Palooza! On BroadwayWorld.comThis week's Cast Party Radio Show celebrates The New Season at Birdland, with songs from all of our upcoming guest performers. Tom Wopat,Maureen McGovern, Jeff Daniels, Larry O'Keefe,Victoria Shaw, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Toxic Audio,Christine Andreas, Malcolm Gets, Max von Essen andChristine Ebersole will all be representin' their Birdland concerts...so tune intoBroadwayWorld.com radio onTuesday and Friday nights at8pm. Or, you can make life even easier by clicking on the site for an "on demand" experience you'll love!
Listen in on Tuesday and Fridaynight at 8pm only onwww.BroadwayWorld.com. Click here for the Cast Party Radio Show on BroadwayWorld.com! Produced by Brian Wilson at SoHa Media. May 20, 2005Yes. Jon Bon Jovi came toBirdland on Monday. He was part of the packed house for "Under The Covers" withVictoria Shaw, which was absolutely amazing. JBJ then stayed for Cast Party, opening with a Kander & Ebb tune, and finishing with a rousing "Defying Gravity" in the original key. OK...that part didn't really happen, but he was there. One never knows WHO will show up, does one?! (Many thanks to Joe Marzullo for capturing the Kodak momentabove.) There was lots of singing and schmoozing, Lucie Arnaz, Michael Feinstein, and Maude Maggart showed up, Avenue Q Tony winner Jeff Marx and composer Lance Horn compared coifs (see below) and cabaret diva/devos Baby Jane Dexter, Craig Jessup and Lisa Asher tore the house down with great music.
Broadway at Birdland!Speaking of Avenue Q, this coming Monday at 7PM, the wonderful Stephanie D'Abruzzo(see below) will be making her concert debut at Birdland! She's been dazzling and delighting audiences with her Tony-nominated performance in Q, but you'll get to see a whole new Stephanie, as long as you call212.581.3080 really, really soon! She's bringing an eclectic evening of songs written by the famous (Cy Coleman, Burt Bacharach, Neil Sedaka) and the soon-to-be famous (Phoebe Kreutz, Gary Adler, Michael Patrick Walker). The show is directed by Alan Muraoka, with musical direction byMichael Patrick Walker (co-composer of the totally hilarious Altar Boyz). After Stephanie's show will be, of course, Cast Party! Mark Berman andSteve Doyle will be at the piano and bass, respectively. Rumor has it that the fabulous Valerie Pettiford (star of Fosse and Chicago) will be making an appearance, as well as the many faces and voices of Jimmy James!
On BroadwayWorld.comOnce again, this week's Cast Party Radio Show celebratesThe New Season at Birdland, with songs from all of our upcoming guest performers.Maureen McGovern, Jeff Daniels, Larry O'Keefe,Victoria Shaw, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Toxic Audio,Christine Andreas, Malcolm Gets, Max von Essen andChristine Ebersole will all be representin' their Birdlandconcerts. Victoria, who’s responsible for over 65 million cd sales, will be at Birdland onMonday, May 16th at 7pm in Under The Covers with Victoria Shaw, co-starring her multi-million-selling composer pals, Mark Hudson, Gary Burrand Billy Mann!
Tune into BroadwayWorld.com radio on Tuesday and Friday nights at8pm. Or, you can make life even easier by clicking on the site for an "on demand" experience you'll love! In the words of Liza Minnelli, "Cast Party IS New York!" Cast Party Radio Show is produced by Brian Wilson at SoHa Media. June 24, 2005The Altar Boyz (right - thanks to David Goldman for the pic!) and company made quite a splash at Cast Party Monday night! Their hoardes of fans really made the night a hilarious one, what with free tickets given, CD's won and magnets strewn. The Boyz (Andy Karl,Ryan Duncan, Tyler Maynard,David Josefsberg and Scott Porter) sang, "I Believe," the big finale from their show, with co-composer Michael Patrick Walker at the piano. If you haven't seen the show - run and see it. It's musically amazing and soooo funny!
Broadway at Birdland!Now hear this! Cast Party is taking an extremely brief hiatus for the next two weeks. This coming Monday, I'll be at the Lucille Lortel Theatre withAvenue Q Swings!, the fundraiser for Greenwich House Music School I'm producing with Bobby Lopez andJeff Marx. Come hear all your favorite Avenue Q songs sung by a cast that includes Tom Wopat (who might favor us with a trombone solo), Karen Mason,Sally Mayes, Billy Stritch,Toxic Audio, Stephanie d'Abruzzo, and Marc Shaiman! Call Ticket Central at212.279.4200 for tickets! THEN, Billy and I will be gettin' jiggy at the spectacular Palm Beach Colony Hotel Royal Room. It's full-on glamour there, and we can't wait to get in the sun so we can burn, peel and blister. If you or your pals will be in the area, come see us! Cast Party will resume on July 11th. Hope you have a great 4th of July and we can't wait to see you when we return!
July 15, 2005It was so great to get back into the swing of things on Monday! I flew back to town, joined the Humidity Festival and schlepped myself to Birdland just in time for Cast Party! There were some memorable moments, as usual, like Grammy Award-winning composer Victoria Shaw singing a brand new song, then introducing her two unbelievably adorable little girls,Ruby and Ava, who serenaded us all. Double Tony-winnerAdam Guettel (with me at right) just came to hang out, but ended up playing bass with maestro Tedd Firthon “All Blues.” It was kind of magical. There were lots of newcomers and lots of beloved regulars…as always!
Broadway at Birdland!I'm so thrilled that Christine Ebersole andBilly Stritch, (below) are returning to Birdlandthis next Monday, July 18th. The concert starts at 7pm…you might want to call the club now for reservations (212.581.3080) because they always pack the place with amazing people! Last time, Mr. Sondheim was in attendance! I hear Christine's Steel Magnolias cast might show up, too, so it should be a starry night. Along with songs from her new CD, Christine will be giving us a sneak preview of songs from her new project, Grey Gardens: A New Musical, which will be onstage at Playrights Horizons next season.
As I've mentioned, I'm so excited that Cast Party is going on the road!Saturday, July 23rd is the night that I'll be hosting, along with Johnny Rodgers, a fun, casual evening at the John Drew Theatre in East Hampton. What a Cast this Party is boasting! My brilliant pals Karen Mason, Hilary Kole and Jonny Peterson (all pictured above) will be joining in on the musical fun, so if you are in the Hamptons, or know people who would love the Party, please call TheaterMania for tickets (866.811.4111) or check out www.GuildHall.org. As if the star-studded cast were not enough - here's a little more incentive:a two-for-one promotion! In order to participate, you must only call the box office directly at 631.324.4050 and say you "saw the promotion in Dan's Paper" and would like to participate in the two for one offer. This coming Monday's Cast Party should be a blast! We'll be celebrating my pal Jill Switzer's wonderful new book, The Diva Next Door: How To Be a Singing Star Wherever You Are! She's an amazing performer, and I can't wait for you to hear her sing...along with her brilliant musical director/hubby, Rich! I'm also hyped to meet and hear Mr. Buddy Greco, who I've been a fan of for years! You just never know who will show up! On BroadwayWorld.comOnce again, this week's Cast Party Radio Show celebratesThe New Season at Birdland, with songs from all of our upcoming guest performers.Maureen McGovern, Jeff Daniels, Larry O'Keefe,Victoria Shaw, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Toxic Audio,Christine Andreas, Malcolm Gets, Max von Essen andChristine Ebersole will all be representin' their Birdlandconcerts.
Tune into BroadwayWorld.comradio on Tuesday and Friday nights at 8pm. Or, you can make life even easier by clicking on the site for an "on demand" experience you'll love! In the words of Liza Minnelli, "Cast Party IS New York!" Cast Party Radio Show is produced by Brian Wilson at SoHa Media. August 5, 2005Birdland was crammed with so many funny and even talented people last Monday, that Cast Party went longer than usual. We just couldn't stop! Those two baby divas, Ruby and Ava Lockner (ages 6 and 4) absolutely killed with their renditions of "The Wizard and I" and "Mairzy Doates." They've retired to Nashville for a while, but we can't wait for their return around the holidays! One of our favorite Tony-winning composers, Jeff Marx (right, with pals Benj, Jake and Nick) was seen lurking/surveying the talent. The Fabulous Pink Flamingos sang a hauntingly Caucasian "Lady Marmelade." Erich Bergen was the first non-Osmond to sing "Puppy Love" at Cast Party. Erica Ash sang "Fifty Percent," Natalie Douglas belted "House of the Rising Sun," Ray Jessellsang about sex and John Wallowitch sang about death. It was just another night. This coming week, I have it on great authority that a big ol' movie star might pay us a visit. Maybe we can get him to dance. Speaking of dancing, Monday is Tapping Bob Dolfin's 81st birthday, and we can't wait to celebrate him in style! If you love Bob (and who doesn't?), come sing him a birthday ditty! Mark Berman and Steve Doyle will make up the Cast Party Symphony Orchestra.
Our much-missed-Judy-singin' Kate Botello has added some new photos to the website all the way from her new home in Michigan. Click and check out who's been hanging out with us on Mondays! Broadway at Birdland!Ironically, on Monday, August 15, MONDAY OFF - The Vocal Group, will be ON stage atBirdland at 7pm! The quartet (seen clockwise at right:Richard Roland, Raymond Sage, Hilary Gardner, and Amy Cervini) was formed in 1999 while the four original members were appearing in the National Tour of Titanic. They've appeared with the New York Pops twice at Carnegie Hall,at jazz festivals across the country, on the Broadway stage and on TV. Their Birdland debut will showcase a cross-section of their repertoire: jazz, swing, pop, R&B, Latin, vocalese, and their specialty: twisting Broadway favorites into new experiences with their mixture of flawless harmonies. Call the club for reservations (212.581.3080) or click on www.InstantSeats.com/Birdland. You will love them! Coming up in The New Season, (presented with much assistance fromTheaterMania.com) Miss Sally Mayes on August 22 and Miss Linda Lavinon August 29.
On BroadwayWorld.comWAKE UP! After a three-month siesta, Cast Party - The Radio Show, returns to BroadwayWorld.com with a new lease on life, a stack of dazzling new live performances and a chat with one of our all-time favorite stage stars! This week, you'll be a fly on the wall at Jim's weekly show-biz bash at Birdland in NYC…where up-and-comers, already-theres, dreamers and fans entertain each other at the piano. Then,Stephanie J. Block, who plays the lean, green and mean Witch of the West (right), calls in to update Wicked fans on the massively successful Hollywood production. You'll hear about her celebrity sightings, the gravity mishap, and the glamour of the dry-erase board. It's only onCast Party - The Radio Show!
Tune into BroadwayWorld.comradio on Tuesday and Friday nights at 8pm. Or, you can make life even easier by clicking on the site for an "on demand" experience you'll love! In the words of Liza Minnelli, "Cast Party IS New York!" Cast Party Radio Show is produced by Brian Wilson at SoHa Media. September 2, 2005This past Monday, we had to drag chairs from the dressing room to accommodate all the walk-ins who showed up forLinda Lavin's concert! It seemed everyone in town wanted to cheer her on, including The Tale of the Allergist's Wifeplaywright Charles Busch (right, thanks to photog Aubrey Reuben), Celia Weston, who co-starred on "Alice" and David Shire, who wrote "There's A New Girl In Town," the "Alice" theme song! To read more about the show, read Linda Lavin Soars at Birdland, with many thanks to Rob Lester! The following Cast Party was as fun and musical and hilarious as it always is.with a few special surprises from Bob Stillman, Lina Koutrakos & Patrick DeGennaro, Michael Aurit,Brian Bauers, and Shauna Hicks. A big 'yay' to Matt Berman, Techie-To-The-Stars, for helping us for the night, while our very own Jody Dobsonwas out of town. By the way, have you checked out Jim Caruso's Cast Party lately? Lots of new photos have been added! I love me some photos, you know.
Broadway at Birdland!Yes, Virginia, there is a Labor Day Cast Party! Come celebrate with us and wear your summer whites for the last time. Tedd Firth and Steve Doyle will make up the Cast Party Symphony Orchestra, so you know you'll be in good hands! The fun starts at 9:30PM, and you can reserve a table at 212.581.3080 if you like. The terrific Birdland menu is available until 1AM, too, so you can picnic to your heart's content! I thought you might like the photo at right of me in seersucker, evidently doing the cha-cha, taken by Erich Bergen Avedon. Seersucker is my favorite color.
I'm dee-lighted to announce The Third Season at Birdland! Thanks to all of you, the series I present in association with TheaterMania.com has been a smashing success. So.here goes another! The season will include Jamie deRoy & Friends in Strings Attached (September 12), The Johnny Rodgers Band (September 19), Capathia Jenkins & Louis Rosen(September 26), Avenue Q Swings! (October 3), Randi Driscoll & Friends in A Night of Music Celebrating The Matthew Shepard Foundation (October 10), Amanda Green & Tom Kitt Play With Themselves (October 17), And Then I Wrote.The Songs of Steve Marzullo (October 24) and Christine Lavin in FolkZinger (October 31). The cover charge for each concert is $25 plus a $10 food/drink minimum. (The October 10 concert is a benefit, with $50 and $100 VIP tickets also available.) Tickets may be purchased through the Birdland box office (212.581.3080) or online at www.instantseats.com/birdland. On BroadwayWorld.comTo celebrate the above-mentioned Third Season ofBirdland concerts I'm producing in association withTheaterMania.com, this week's radio show will spotlight our upcoming stars! You'll hearLinda Lavin, Jamie deRoy & Friends stars Ann Crumb & David Buskin, Johnny Rodgers,Capathia Jenkins singing Louis Rosen, Randi Driscoll, Amanda Green, Tom Kitt, Audra McDonald singing Steve Marzullo and Christine Lavin. Then, we'll chat with the totally adorable Stephanie d'Abruzzo(right), who's part of the upcoming Avenue Q Swingsextravaganza at Birdland! She'll also dish some delectable Broadway dirt, because this girl knows ALL! Click onwww.BroadwayWorld.com or go to iTunes and search for Cast Party and subscribe! Yay! We're a podcast!
Tune into BroadwayWorld.com radio on Tuesday and Friday nights at8pm. Or, you can make life even easier by clicking on the site for an "on demand" experience you'll love! In the words of Liza Minnelli, "Cast Party IS New York!" Cast Party Radio Show is produced by Brian Wilson at SoHa Media. September 9, 2005Monday's Labor Day Cast Partywas filled to the brim with songbirds and composers all wearing their summer whites, seersuckers and coulottes for the last time. OK. No coulottes. But you get the general idea. There was an abundance of Great American Songbook-heralding cabaret dudes, including Jeff Harnar, David Staller, Eric Hoffman, Mark Brignone, and the super-est star of them all, Michael Feinstein. Michael (seen above, withBirdland owner Gianni Valente, Hilary Kole and Terrence Flannery) has done so much to honor popular songs, so of course we were delighted to celebrate his pre-birthday at Birdland! I'd also like to give special thanks toChristine Lavin for absolutely NOT singing her “Jeopardy” theme song parody. We never heard it. And it was hilarious...
Broadway at Birdland!Jamie deRoy & Friends! It's about time Jamie brought one of her extravaganzas to theBirdland stage! This comingMonday, the four time MAC Award-winning variety show brings Strings Attached at7pm. The one-night-only show will benefit The New York City Police Foundation. Performers scheduled to appear at this stringed extravaganza include Broadway's Ann Crumb andLeenya Rideout (violin, guitar, mandolin), comedian/ guitaristDemetri Martin, violinist Todd Sullivan, singer/ songwriter Randi Driscolland Margaret Dorn of The Accidentals. The evening will also include a rare performance from David Buskin with his former collaborator Robin Batteau (guitar, mandolin, violin, piano). Strings Attached features direction by Barry Kleinbort and musical direction by Lanny Meyers. There will be a $25 cover and $10 food/drink minimum.
I'm so proud of our very own Julie Garnye, who has orchestrated Ten-in-Ten, in order to raise $10,000 in 10 days for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The great news is that Barry Manilow has offered to TRIPLE whatever she raises, so PLEASE peruse the website and write a check to the Red Cross NOW! Julie has been a busy bee…bedazzling Cast Party t-shirts, which were succesfully auctioned off for $150 apiece! The Red Cross thanks her, and we thank her! That's Julie (above) modeling her glam design for VH1's fashion expert, Casey Paul. A definite fashion-do, if you ask me. On BroadwayWorld.comTo celebrate the above-mentioned Third Season ofBirdland concerts I'm producing in association withTheaterMania.com, this week's radio show will spotlight our upcoming stars! You'll hearLinda Lavin, Jamie deRoy(right) & Friends, stars Ann Crumb & David Buskin, Johnny Rodgers, Capathia Jenkinssinging Louis Rosen, Randi Driscoll, Amanda Green, Tom Kitt, Audra McDonald singingSteve Marzullo and Christine Lavin. Then, we'll chat with the totally adorable Stephanie d'Abruzzo (right), who's part of the upcoming Avenue Q Swingsextravaganza at Birdland! She'll also dish some delectable Broadway dirt, because this girl knows ALL! Click onwww.BroadwayWorld.com or go to iTunes and search for Cast Party and subscribe! Yay! We're a podcast!
Tune into BroadwayWorld.com radio on Tuesday and Friday nights at8pm. Or, you can make life even easier by clicking on the site for an "on demand" experience you'll love! In the words of Liza Minnelli, "Cast Party IS New York!" Cast Party Radio Show is produced by Brian Wilson at SoHa Media. September 25, 2005Monday's Johnny Rodgersconcert was one of the most musically satisfying we've presented at Birdland! The throngs showed up to celebrate Johnny, his band and their brand new CD, “Box Of Photographs.” We were happy to spy Brent Barrett in the crowd, who just got back from Seattle where he was starring in the Broadway-bound production of David Zippel's Princesses. Yeah…he's a Johnny fan, too! The followingCast Party was funny and fun as usual, with a surprise appearance by composer Jeff Blumenkrantz (above), who was doing a little celebrating of his own! His songbook was just released, and is available where all really good music is sold!
Broadway at Birdland!You won't want to miss the ultra-amazing Capathia Jenkinsand Louis Rosen (right) in concert this coming Monday at7pm. They're coming toBirdland to perform jazz and the blues, and to reprise 12 Songs on Poems by Maya Angelou, which enjoyed sold-out performances when it premiered this past March. The concert will also include songs from Dream Suite, set to the words ofLangston Hughes; and new songs from Mr. Rosen's cycle-in-progress, South Side Stories. You probably know Capathia from her Broadway and Los Angeles performance as The Washing Machine in Caroline Or Change, or maybeThe Civil War, The Look Of Love or Godspell. Composer/lyricist Louis Rosen is a recipient of a 2005-2006 Guggenheim Foundation Fellowshipin Music Composition. This will be an extremely special show which will sell out for sure, so call Birdland NOW to reserve seats! (212.581.3080) Of course, Cast Party will follow, with Tedd Firth and Steve Doyle making up our Symphony Orchestra!
And another thing.! The Songbook Project, Phil Geoffrey Bond and I are pleased to bring you Trunk Songs, featuring three treasures of the American Musical Theatre: the afore-mentioned Jeff Blumenkrantz (Urban Cowboy), Craig Carnelia (Sweet Smell of Success) and Andrew Lippa(The Wild Party). During this one-night-only special concert, each composer will present some lesser-known works along with some of their best-loved compositions. The concert will be held on Saturday, September 24 at 8pm at The Duplex Cabaret Theatre (61 Christopher Street), and is part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF). For tickets ($25 plus 2 drink minimum), please contact Smarttix: 212.868.4444, or visitwww.smarttix.com. September 30, 2005Capathia Jenkins, Louis Rosenand David Loud absolutely enchanted the crowd during theirBirdland concert on Monday. What a voice Capathia has - the purest, cleanest tones I've heard for a very long time. The material was so smart, and exquisitely arranged and performed. You can see thatBirdland was packed with some of the most talented folks in town supporting Capathia (shown on the left in the pic above) with Aisha DeHaas (Caroline, Or Change),Ramona Keller (Brooklyn), Darius DeHaas (coming to Birdland January 30!), Karen Mason (Mamma Mia!) and Michael McElroy (Big River). The following Cast Party was a ball, with some beloved regulars and lots of newcomers singing, swinging and having a grand old time!
I'm excited to tell you, gentle Newsletter reader, about the new Cast Party VIP cards! All you have to do is ask, and one can be yours! At some point in the near future, a small cover will be implemented for the Party, and we certainly don't want YOU to have to pay! Just ask whoever is working at the front door and they will happily hand you a handy-dandy card to show upon entering your favorite show-biz soiree! On BroadwayWorld.comIt's raining men at Cast Party - The Radio Show! This week, Jim chats it up with Avenue Qsuperstar John Tartaglia (right), who is currently knocking 'em dead at the brand new Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas! Find out if Sin City is flipping over Q, if John is performing topless and ifCeline has caught the show! Then, Altar Boyz' Ryan Duncanwill discuss his upcoming return to the show and his recent visit to The A-Train Plays! You'll also hear cuts from new recordings by John Pizzarelli, Jeff Harnar,Brian Lane Green and Philip Chaffin! Catch the Cast Party dudes onwww.BroadwayWorld.com, where the show is available in both streaming and downloadable form. New episodes can also be automatically downloaded viaApple's iTunes Service. You can now subscribe to the Cast Party podcast by searching for the show oniTunes. You'll be glad you did. We're pretty sure.
Tune into BroadwayWorld.com radio on Tuesday and Friday nights at8pm. Or, you can make life even easier by clicking on the site for an "on demand" experience you'll love! In the words of Liza Minnelli, "Cast Party IS New York!" Cast Party Radio Show is produced by Brian Wilson at SoHa Media. October 7, 2005Christine Lavin twirled light-up batons in the dark. I think that pretty much sums up Monday's extremely Extreme Cast Party. “Trading Spaces” Decorating Demon Douglas Wilson sang the perennial favorite, “My Way.” The Guitar Guy From Central Park, David Ippolito, made us all scream with “Jesus Land.” When Michael Feinstein's dad Ed crooned a standard, we all saw that talented apples don't fall far from the talented trees. The Jo West Birthday Contingency brought us major talents like William Blake, Bernie Siben,Vince Martinez, and the Loftus Brothers! The always-amazing Bob Stillman killed, Randi Driscoll and Noah Heldman made us all swoon, andChristine Pedi Liza'd up the place. My pal Colleen McHugh met one of the Tony-winning composers of Avenue Q, Bobby Lopez, and talked him into playing his exquisite “Fine, Fine Line” for her, with brilliant results! Bobby was there with his musical partner, Jeff Marx, celebrating the early show,Avenue Q Swings, which was SRO! What a cast, too! Arranger/bass playerMary Ann McSweeney produced such a superb show starring (above, with thanks to Aubrey Reuben) Christian Anderson, McSweeney, Laura Marie Duncan, Christine Pedi, Barrett Foa, Giselle Jackson, Ann Harada andStephanie D'Abruzzo.
Broadway at Birdland!Of course, Cast Party is in full autumnal gear now, so you might want to call Birdland at 212.581.3080 - for reservations. You don't have to, but you can. This week, Billy Stritch and Steve Doyle make up the mighty Symphony Orchestra, and we couldn't be happier!
The 7pm concert this Monday is a very special one. We're proud to bring you A Night of Music Celebrating The Matthew Shepard Foundation. Musicians from all over the country will remember Matthew Shepard, a young college student who lost his life in a vicious anti-gay hate crime in October of 1998. Members of the Matthew Shepard Foundation, along with Matthew's mother, Judy Shepard, will be on hand to honor his memory and celebrate his life with music. The show will feature performances by singer/songwriter Randi Driscoll (above) with Noah Heldman, Dave Eggar, and David Gurland. Also performing are pop duoJason & DeMarco, and Broadway Boy Wonders Max von Essen and Christopher Sieber! Tickets are $25, $50, and $100, and the $100 VIP seats include amazing gift bags. A full dinner menu will be available, and proceeds benefit the Matthew Shepard Foundation. Tickets are available online at www.birdlandjazz.com. On BroadwayWorld.comIf you're a subscriber to theCast Party podcast, you'll be getting an Encore Presentation of the Amanda Green episode, to celebrate her upcoming concert at Birdland. Yes…Mandy and her brilliant writing composer Tom Kitt (right, photo by Craig Brockman) will be back in concert on Monday, October 13. Make reservations now. You know how they sell out…
Or, you can tune intoBroadwayWorld.com radio on Tuesday and Friday nights at 8pm. Make life even easier by clicking on the site for an "on demand" experience you'll love! In the words of Liza Minnelli, "Cast Party IS New York!" Cast Party Radio Show is produced by Brian Wilson at SoHa Media. October 21, 2005Last Monday's Amanda Green/Tom Kitt concert was, once again, packed with world-class New York talent, all singing the songs and praises of the dynamic musical comedy duo. Joining Mandy and Tom onstage were singers Jenn Collela, Amy Spanger, Jeny Foote, Will Chase, cellist Peter Sachon and violinist Christian Hebel. TheCast Party that followed was also jammed with fun types…like the entire cast, crew and creative staff of Slut, The Musical (above), Manhattan cabaret icon John Wallowich, LA's Greg Marx, SF's Barry Lloyd, Dallas' Greta Muller,Phantom's Janet Saia, Joe's Pub boys Sam Davis and Glen Seven Allen,Time Out's Maude Maggart and the world's Fiona Apple! Tedd Firth andSteve Doyle made up the mighty Cast Party Symphony Orchestra and kept the music playing until 1am!
Broadway at Birdland!No one can say that Steve Marzullo (right) hasn't come up with an amazing cast to sing his original compositions for “And Then I Wrote…!” Joining Steve onstage this coming Monday, October 24 at 7pm will be Broadway stars like Rebecca Luker, Liz Callaway, Terri Klausner, Judy Blazer, Alix Korey, Michael Winther,Darius DeHaas, Michael Arden, Michael Gruber and Ric Ryder. If, by some chance, you don't know Steve, he has been a musical director/pianist/conductor on the Broadway scene for the past twenty years, working on Once On This Island,Ragtime, Mamma Mia!, Grease (revival), Suessical and Falsettos. His compositions include “I Hid My Love” and “Burning The Sauce” fromAudra McDonald's The Seven Deadly Sins, “The Night You Decided To Stay” from Michael Winther's performance of Songs From An Unmade Bed, “Why Do I Go To The Theater” from The Audience, and incidental music for The Irish Curse (New York Fringe Festival 2005). “Four Sketches,” his composition for cello, clarinet and violin will be performed this winter as part of Alvin Ailey's season. This concert promises to sell out, so you might want to call Birdland now (212.581.3080) to make a reservation!
Of course, Cast Party will follow, with Billy Stritch and Steve Doylehelping me keep the music and fun going until the wee hours. Bring your sheet music and tap shoes, please. And keep it perky and upbeat, for Lord's sake. You can also come see me sing two of my favorite Kander & Ebb tunes at this Friday's (October 21) first annual Broadway Cabaret Festival atTown Hall! Billy Stritch and I are joining a swell bunch, including Nancy Anderson, Bryan Batt, Brent Barrett, Jarron Cafaro, Belle Calaway,Scott Coulter, Cheyenne Jackson, Sharon McNight, Rachelle Rak,Michael Winther and Rachel York. Not a bad lineup that producer/writer/pal Scott Siegel has put together! Tickets may be purchased at The Town Hall box office at 123 West 43rd Street between noon and 6 PM every day. Like Fred and John said, (.I'm paraphrasing.), "Come to the Cabaret Festival, old chum." You might want to click on Cast Party Scrapbook for some pretty new pictures of pretty party people. Thanks to Kate Botello for constantly updating our web-extravaganza (You're welcome. --ed). On BroadwayWorld.comOn this week's episode of Cast Party - The Radio Show, I chat with Broadway/cabaret superstar, Karen Mason (right) about her upcoming 2-week run at The Encore and brand new CD, “The Sweetest Of Nights.” You'll also be the first to hear two gorgeous tracks! We'll also play never-before-heard recordings of Max von Essen,Christopher Sieber andAmanda McBroom singing their hearts out at Birdland. Rounding out the show is a very funny recording that has been making the rounds of the smart theatrical set. It's taken from a local theater's voice mail, and is someone's rather...unique…way of auditioning for a show. You'll love it! Tune in every Tuesdayand Friday night at 8pmexclusively on BroadwayWorld.com! We're a podcast, now, too! Go toThe Radio Show for all the info!
In the words of Liza Minnelli, "Cast Party IS New York!" Cast Party Radio Show is produced by Brian Wilson at SoHa Media. November 4, 2005Last Monday's Christine Lavinextravaganza was absolutely packed to the gills with fans and friends of the 'Mother Theresa of Show Business.” It was a complete blast, and we can't wait for the next time! Everyone in the room had stories of Christine's extreme generosity, including composer Julie Gold, who credited her with getting “From A Distance” to the right folks to make it a big, big hit! The following Halloween CastUME Party was one for the books, too. Barkeep Erik Garbus' haunting performance of “Monster Mash,” backed by Natalie Douglas, Maude Maggart, Sarah Hayes and the afore-mentioned Ms. Lavin, proved a crowd-pleaser, as was David Ippolito's original song regarding a cowboy who enjoys Avenue Q tunes (Click here to listen). Talk about specific! On Tuesday night, the place was packed with show-biz royalty like Elaine Stritch, Michael Feinstein (above), Ted Sperling, Mark Sendroff, Jerry Zacks, Charles Busch, Steven Brinberg, Hunter Bell, Susan Blackwell, and oh-so-many-more to see Ruth Williamson's recreation of Kay Thompson and the Williams Brothers famous act (below). They absolutely brought down the house, with much help from producers Michael Bush andAlex Fraser, who helped make it a truly memorable night.
Broadway at Birdland!This coming Monday night, I'm delighted that Tedd Firth andSteve Doyle will make up theCast Party Symphony Orchestra. It's gonna be a great night! You can call Birdland at212.581.3080 if you'd like to reserve a table...or just show up! Also, you only have a few more nights to catch my gorgeous and talented pal,Karen Mason (below) in “The Sweetest of Nights” at The Encore. She's there every night through Monday, and sounds better than ever, if that's possible. Call The Encore at 212.221.3960 after 4pm to reserve.
I'm thoroughly thrilled to announce The Winter Season that I'm presenting in association with TheaterMania.com! Get a load of this line-up: Victoria Shaw (Monday, November 14), Charles Busch & Julie Halston (Monday, November 28), Susan Egan (Monday, December 5), Natalie Douglas(Monday, December 12), Christine Ebersole & Billy Stritch (Tuesday, December 20), Mylinda Hull (Monday, January 2), Ann Harada, Leah Hocking & Michele Pawk (Monday, January 9), and Darius DeHaas(Monday, January 30). All shows start at 7pm. The cover charges range from $25 - $40, plus a $10 food/drink minimum. Tickets may be purchased through the Birdland box office (212.581.3080) or online atwww.instantseats.com/birdland. These shows have been selling out, so why don't you call and reserve now?! On BroadwayWorld.comOn this week's episode of Cast Party - The Radio Show, I chat with Broadway/cabaret superstar, Karen Mason (right) about her upcoming 2-week run at The Encore and brand new CD, “The Sweetest Of Nights.” You'll also be the first to hear two gorgeous tracks! We'll also play never-before-heard recordings of Max von Essen,Christopher Sieber andAmanda McBroom singing their hearts out at Birdland. Rounding out the show is a very funny recording that has been making the rounds of the smart theatrical set. It's taken from a local theater's voice mail, and is someone's rather...unique…way of auditioning for a show. You'll love it! Tune in everyTuesday and Friday night at 8pm exclusively on BroadwayWorld.com! We're a podcast, now, too! Go to The Radio Show for all the info!
In the words of Liza Minnelli, "Cast Party IS New York!" Cast Party Radio Show is produced by Brian Wilson at SoHa Media. November 25, 2005We had folks hanging from the ceiling at Penny Fuller's historic concert at Birdland Tuesday night! Everyone from Donna Murphy (with Penny, right) toLeRoy Reams, Max von Essen,Charles Busch, Tony Robertsand William Finn were there to cheer her cabaret debut! The show was a hit, and rest assured Ms. Fuller will return to our stage soon! Many thanks toManhattan Theatre Club'sMichael Bush and Alex Fraserfor producing such a successful evening!
Monday's Cast Party was really fun.like Oprah's Favorite Things Showwithout all the freakish weeping. I loved being able to give away Ken Bloom's gorgeous new coffee-table book, "American Songbook." The great news is that every Monday until Christmas, we're giving away signed copies! It's an awesome chronicle of 75 years of American popular music, it's creators and interpreters, with hundreds of photos you've never seen.and is the very first official Cast Party Holiday Gift! Thanks to Ken and Dana atBlack Dog & Leventhal Publishers for helping make it such a fun night. Of course, the music was sublime, with the many voices of my old pal Jimmy James, and another fabulous performance by Christine Lavin. Billy Stritchand Steve Doyle made up the Cast Party Symphony Orchestra. We're fairly proud to tell you that CastPartyNYC.com is the 3,109,508th most popular wesbite on the Internet. Thanks to Jim Jones for the research. We think. Check out all the new photos our WebGoddess Kate Botello has added to the site! Broadway at Birdland!This coming Monday, November 28, The Winter Season continues as two of my favorite humans on the planet will be storming the Birdland stage at 7pm. Julie Halston andCharles Busch (right) will perform songs, sketches and reminisce about their twenty-year friendship and the creation of the long running cult playVampire Lesbians of Sodom. Charles, of course, is the Tony- nominated author of The Tale of the Allergist's Wife and the star of the film "Die Mommie Die.” Julie Halston was inGypsy, Twentieth Century,Bitsy Von Muffling on "Sex and the City" and is currently inHairspray. They starred together in the original Off-Broadway productions of Busch's plays Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, The Lady in Question,Red Scare on Sunset and You Should Be So Lucky. Last March this dynamic duo starred in a sold-out benefit for the Actors Fund at theMusic Box Theatre called Charles Busch and Julie Halston on Broadway. At Birdland, they'll be accompanied by some guy named Billy Stritch, who we hear tell is real talented. Needless to say, it's going to be a fabulous night. The show has been sold out for three weeks, but if you're desperate to see it and don't have reservations, I suggest you show up to see if there are any no-shows. It happens, and you can't miss this one!
The next night, Tuesday, November 29, jazz, boogie, stride, and blues stars Seeley and Baldori headline at Birdland at 7pm. Both play a relentless keyboard in the truest sense - with infectious rhythm and improvisation. Bob Seeley spent his formative years playing with Meade Lux Lewis and other jazz greats in the 1950s and early 60s. Over the years, he became recognized as one of the best boogie-woogie and stride players in the world. "Boogie" Bob Baldori has been playing piano and harmonica with Chuck Berry since 1967. Call the club at 212.581.3080 for reservations! On BroadwayWorld.comCast Party has become known for showcasing an awesome array of musical styles. Show tunes, jazz, punk and country…this particular episode is extra schizophrenic…just like it's host! We'll bring you a chat with the amazingly versatile Kevin Cahoon, who is currently starring as The Childcatcher inChitty Chitty Bang Bang, is rehearsing for The Wedding Singer, and, along with his band, Ghetto Cowboy, has just released a new CD called “Doll.” You'll get to hear a few cuts from that recording, as well as a handful of live performances from the Birdland stage, including Ruth Williamson, Erich Bergen, Aaron Capps, Cole Burden & Brian Charles Rooney, Hilary Scott, BJ Crosby, Anita Plateris and Gary Burr!
Tune in every Tuesday and Friday night at 8pm exclusively onBroadwayWorld.com! We're a podcast, now, too! Go to The Radio Showfor all the info! In the words of Liza Minnelli, "Cast Party IS New York!" Cast Party Radio Show is produced by Brian Wilson at SoHa Media. December 2, 2005Happily, it looks like I have to come up with new ways to say 'sold out.' I've used 'packed to the gills,' 'sold to the walls,' 'jammed to the max,' and 'slave to the rhythm.' However you want to put it, Monday night'sCharles Busch/Julie Halstonfestival of mirth was wall-to-wall humanity at Birdland, with every possible chair filled with laughing audience tuchas. The final sketch with the esteemed Marion Seldes appearing as moderator for cabaret mavens running for President of Manhattan Independent Cabarets, Restaurants And Clubs (MI-CRAC), was memorable, if only for the line, "I want to feel the winds of change blowing through MI-CRAC." If you glance above, you'll see the brilliant Halston, Seldes and Busch with their musical director for the evening, Billy Stritch. The following Cast Party was equally wonderful, with beloved regulars like Natalie Douglas, Julie Garnye, Kevin Ray, Christine Lavin, David Ippolito, David Goldman, and a few amazing newcomers likeKim Kassira, Keala, Tina Walsh, Chelsea Krombach and Andrew Conaghan. Cast Party only gets better.
Broadway at Birdland!The amazing and adorableSusan Egan (right, in a photo byRobert Milazzo) will be in concert this coming Monday, December 5 at 7pm! As you no doubt know, she was most recently starred on Broadway inThoroughly Modern Millie, and received Tony and Drama Desk Award nominations for her portrayal of Belle in Beauty and the Beast. In her premiere Birdland outing, Susan will be joined by musical directorChristopher McGovern, and will sing songs from past shows, tunes from her latest CD, “Coffee House,” and showcase material by New York's hippest young writers. Two weeks ago, we played Carnegie Hall together, and I was absolutely blown away by her voice, her presence and personality! I know you'll love her, so call the club at 212.581.3080 now…it's gonna be another dazzling evening! Of course, you can stick around after the show for Cast Party, with Tedd Firth at the eighty-eights! You never know WHO will show up!
The following Monday, December 12 will mark the return of our fave diva,Natalie Douglas! Her new show, Black, White and Blues, is sure to sell-out, so make a reservation NOW! On BroadwayWorld.comCast Party has become known for showcasing an awesome array of musical styles. Show tunes, jazz, punk and country…this particular episode is extra schizophrenic…just like it's host! We'll bring you a chat with the amazingly versatile Kevin Cahoon, who is currently starring as The Childcatcher inChitty Chitty Bang Bang, is rehearsing for The Wedding Singer, and, along with his band, Ghetto Cowboy, has just released a new CD called “Doll.”
You'll get to hear a few cuts from that recording, as well as a handful of live performances from the Birdland stage, including Ruth Williamson, Erich Bergen, Aaron Capps,Cole Burden & Brian Charles Rooney, Hilary Scott, BJ Crosby, Anita Plateris and Gary Burr! Tune in every Tuesday and Friday night at 8pm exclusively onBroadwayWorld.com! We're a podcast, now, too! Go to The Radio Showfor all the info! In the words of Liza Minnelli, "Cast Party IS New York!" Cast Party Radio Show is produced by Brian Wilson at SoHa Media. December 9, 2005It was fantastic to have Susan Egan and Christopher McGovern on the Birdland stage, bringing absolutely gorgeous music to a room filled with so many fans! They're West Coasters now, but we can't wait to host another show of theirs…and soon! The following Cast Party was fun, too. Tedd Firthand Saadi Zain on piano and bass were brilliant, accompanying lots of regulars, along with newbies like Grace Garland, Spencer Rowe andTony Middleton. Broadway leading lady Rebecca Luker (above with Michael Estwanik, President ofThe Songbook Project) sang two Jeff Blumenkrantz songs (with Jeff at the piano!), giving us a taste of what's she's bringing to Feinstein's at the Regency on December 12-15. That show is on the Must-See list! She's gorgeous, funny and has one of the purest voices in showbiz. I personally loved her as Marion the Librarian in Music Man on the Broadway. AndMaria in Sound of Music. And everything else she's ever done. We also got a taste of Danny & Sylvia, the upcoming show about Danny Kaye and his wife, amazingly performed by Brian Childers and Amy Bermowitz.
With the holidays coming on and all, we thought it might be nice to get you in the mood with a little music, and a wee bit of advice: if you're going to play in a church concert, best to stay off the crack. Broadway at Birdland!Our very own Natalie Douglas(right) will be back on the Birdland stage this comingMonday, December 12 at 7pm, singing Black, White and Blues!It's a collection of Soul, Country and Blues music - Nat'lee's version of the Great SouthernAmerican Songbook. As always, she'll be joined onstage by musical director Mark Hartman(conductor for Avenue Q),Patience Higgins on tenor sax,Michael Blanco on bass andSean McDaniel on percussion.Black, White and Blues will include the Manhattan Transferhit, “Operator,” Garth Brooks'“We Shall Be Free” and a new song from "Star Search" winner Jake Simpson, entitled “I Miss You.” We can't wait…and neither should you. Call212-581-3080 NOW for reservations!
Next up…the BroadwayWorld Holiday Party on Monday, December 19and Christine Ebersole and Billy Stritch on Tuesday, December 20! Fa La La! On BroadwayWorld.comTo celebrate the Fred Ebb Foundation's recent honoring of composer John Bucchino, we're taking an opportunity to re-play a loving Cast Party radio show dedicated to Fred's wonderful lyrics. Calling him a pal was a delight and honor beyond compare. Listening to his ingenius words...even more so. Tune in to hear some Kander & Ebb jewels sung by Liza Minnelli, Barbra Streisand,Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renee Zellweger, Ann Hampton Callaway, Debbie Gravitte,Jonny Peterson, Harry Groener, Karen Mason, Brent Barrett, the cast ofAnd The World Goes 'Round, John Kander, and even Freddy himself!
Tune in every Tuesday and Friday night at 8pm exclusively onBroadwayWorld.com! We're a podcast, now, too! Go to The Radio Showfor all the info! In the words of Liza Minnelli, "Cast Party IS New York!" Cast Party Radio Show is produced by Brian Wilson at SoHa Media. December 23, 2005In the words of the late, greatKay Thompson, “Happy Everything!” We hope your holidays, whatever they may be, are filled with love, joy and great music! I have to say that we were all shocked at the fantastic turnout on Monday night atBirdland! Both theBroadwayWorld Holiday Showand Cast Party were sold-out, even with the pending pain-in-the-butt transit strike! The BWW extravaganza was a blast, with many thanks to director Eddie Varley and producer Rob Diamond. You can see great shots of the cute cast if you click on Concert and Backstage. At the following Cast Party, we were delighted to witness two hysterical numbers from the cast of the Off-Broadway show, BINGO. Liz Larsen, Patrick Ryan Sullivan and Beth Malone, along with musical director Steven Bishop, made us all want to run to the show, currently at the St. Luke's Theater. Tuesday night'sChristine Ebersole/Billy Stritch concert was yet another smash. Christine (seen above enjoying our glam new dressing room) is one of our all-time faves, and we can't wait for her return. She's about to start rehearsals forGrey Gardens - The Musical! Wait till you see her as Edie Beale!
Broadway at Birdland!Billy Stritch and I will be inWilmington, NC on New Year's Eve, performing with our wonderful friend Linda Lavin. It'll be a quick trip, because at7pm on Monday, January 2, the gorgeous and talented Mylinda Hull and Her Lucky Sevenswing into Birdland just in time to break all their New Year's Resolutions! Currently starring as Nickie in Broadway's Sweet Charity, Mylinda (pictured right) leads seven of Broadway's top musicians out from orchestra pit and onto the stage with a true blend of funny, sexy, jazzy arrangements of theater songs. Call Birdland at 212.581.3080. Stick around for the first Cast Party of 2006 with Stritch at the piano and Steve Doyle on bass! The following week, Monday, January 9, we're thrilled to present TLC (Three Loud Chicks). Hold on to your hats as belting Broadway divas Ann Harada (Avenue Q), Leah Hocking (All Shook Up, Hairspray) and Liz McCartney (Bingo, Mamma Mia, Taboo) take the stage and rattle the rafters in an evening of song, stories, and unbridled mayhem. Legit sopranos need not apply!
On BroadwayWorld.comWhere else can you hear performances by some the best voices on the Broadway and music scene live from the Birdland stage? This week, I'm happy to entertain you withRebecca Luker, Susan Egan (in a photo by Mischa Kischkum, atright), Jeff Blumenkrantz,Christine Pedi, Brian Childers,Tony Middleton, Christine Lavin, Keala Settle, Kim Kassira, and David Ippolito. You will also hear one of the funniest takes on The Cabaret Scene direct from the Charles Busch/Julie Halstonextravaganza a few weeks ago. This tongue-in-cheek sketch also starred Marion Seldes, who is absolutely hysterical as cabaret diva Florence Edelman(currently starring inS'Wonderful, S'Marvelous, S'Florence).
Tune in every Tuesday and Friday night at 8pm exclusively onBroadwayWorld.com! We're a podcast, now, too! Go to The Radio Showfor all the info! In the words of Liza Minnelli, "Cast Party IS New York!" Cast Party Radio Show is produced by Brian Wilson at SoHa Media. December 30, 2005Monday night's post-Christmas Cast Party turned out to be one of the best ever! Birdland was packed with friends, family and good cheer…plus lots of wonderful music. Composer-extraordinaire Victoria Shawand her two diva-daughters,Ruby and Ava Locknar (picturedright), brought down the house with their talent, material and extreme sense of cute. Michael Feinstein celebrated a smash-hit run at the aptly named, “Feinstein's at the Regency,” with his parents, friends and three of the best backup singers in the biz (LaTanya Hall, Margaret Dorn andKatheryn Russell). Everyone sang, including Michael's dad, Ed! That Tony-winning songbird, Christine Ebersole, showed up for some post-Christmas duets with Billy Stritch, and bass-man Steve Doyle rounded out theSymphony Orchestra fresh off the plane from Omaha! On a self-aggrandizing note, we are proud to be listed in the Theatrescene.net Top Ten Cabaret Acts Of 2005, along with up-and-comers Barbara Cook,Chita Rivera and Stokes Mitchell! Yay, us! Be sure to spend The Night After with us on Monday, January 2. Post-holiday Cast Parties RULE!
Broadway at Birdland!This coming Monday, January 2at 7pm…the gorgeous and extremely talented Mylinda Hull (pictured left) will be making her Birdland debut! Currently starring as Nickie in Broadway'sSweet Charity, “Mylinda Hull and Her Lucky Seven” swing into Birdland just in time to break all their New Year's Resolutions! Mylinda leads seven of Broadway's top musicians out from orchestra pit and onto the stage with a true blend of funny, sexy, jazzy arrangements of theater songs. This promises to be one of our most exciting concerts this season! Call212.581.3080 NOW to reserve your seat! You can also order tickets through www.instantseats.com/birdland. Then, on Monday, January 9,Ann Harada (Avenue Q), Leah Hocking (All Shook Up, Hairspray) andLiz McCartney (Bingo, Mamma Mia, Taboo) will star in "TLC (Three Loud Chicks).” Hold on to your hats as these belting Broadway divas take the stage and rattle the rafters in an evening of song, stories, and unbridled mayhem. Legit sopranos need not apply!
On BroadwayWorld.comWhere else can you hear performances by some the best voices on the Broadway and music scene live from the Birdland stage? This week, I'm happy to entertain you withRebecca Luker, Susan Egan (in a photo by Robert Milazzo, at left), Jeff Blumenkrantz,Christine Pedi, Brian Childers,Tony Middleton, Christine Lavin, Keala Settle, Kim Kassira, and David Ippolito. You will also hear one of the funniest takes on The Cabaret Scene direct from the Charles Busch/Julie Halstonextravaganza a few weeks ago. This tongue-in-cheek sketch also starred Marion Seldes, who is absolutely hysterical as cabaret diva Florence Edelman(currently starring inS'Wonderful, S'Marvelous, S'Florence).
Don't miss our new show next week! Tune in every Tuesday and Friday night at 8pm exclusively onBroadwayWorld.com! We're a podcast, now, too! Go to The Radio Showfor all the info! In the words of Liza Minnelli, "Cast Party IS New York!" Cast Party Radio Show is produced by Brian Wilson at SoHa Media. Cast Party Fave...Boy, have we had fun with Ken Bloom's gorgeous new coffee-table tome, “American Songbook: The Singers, The Songwriters and The Songs.” It's packed with amazing photos and facts about American popular music and is our official2005 Cast Party Holiday Gift. Every week, we're doing a giveaway, but if you're not a lucky winner, you can click onAmazon.com: The American Songbook and order one of your very own!
Hurry! You can still give presents at New Year's! |
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