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December 27, 2012
A very Happy Holidays to you, dear reader! I hope your season has been bright, and filled with joy, love, family, friends and some great music! We did our best to entertain the masses with the third year of “A Swinging Birdland Christmas.” Klea Blackhurst,Billy Stritch and I (left, by Michael Sergio) had an absolute ball harmonizing, joking and crooning along with our amazing band (John Hart, Carmen Intorre and Paul Gill), and our special guestAaron Weinstein.
It’s our version of “The Andy Williams Christmas Special,” and we’re already making plans for next year’s show! Cue the skaters…! There won’t be a Cast Party this coming Monday, as the club celebrates New Years Eve with the Birdland Big Band, directed by Tommy Igoe! You know we’ll be back in full force on Monday, January 7, though, so dust off your sheet music and join us! Happy New Year!
- Jim
The pair earned a 2009 Drama Desk Nomination for Outstanding Music and Lyrics for their work on Dear Edwina. They were also recipients of ASCAP’s 2002 Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award and were nominated for the 2005 Lucille Lortel Award for their Off-Broadway musical Junie B. Jones.
The Marcy & Zina ShowMonday, January 7 at 7pm Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC $30 cover, $10 food/drink minimum per person www.BirdlandJazz.com December 20, 2012
(Check out her new CD, “Blossom & Bee!”) The brilliantly funny Christine Lavin sang, then introduced us to “Uncle Bonsai,” a pop-folk trio from Seattle that had us rolling with “There’s A Monster In The Basement.” The evening ended with a stellar (and funny) performance by Traci Lee – then her momDenise Lee took us home with some seriously awesome singing! What a NIGHT! And Tedd Firth, Steve Doyle and Carmen Intorre have never been better as the Cast Party Symphony Orchestra!
Blackhurst is best known for her acclaimed tribute to Ethel Merman, “Everything the Traffic Will Allow,” that has been charming audiences and critics alike nationwide since its New York debut in 2001. Among many accolades, this production earned her the inaugural Special Achievement Award from “Time Out New York” magazine. The recording of Everything the Traffic Will Allow was named one of the top ten show albums of 2002 by Talkin’ Broadway.com.
JIM CARUSO recently made his Broadway debut alongside Liza Minnelli in the Tony Award-winning smash hit Liza’s At The Palace!, singing, dancing and celebrating the music and arrangements of the late, great Kay Thompson and the Williams Brothers. For his nightclub work, Caruso has won six MAC and two BackStage Bistro Awards for his sold-out New York shows at Birdland, the Algonquin Hotel, and Arci’s Place; and has also performed in runs at the Gardenia and Cinegrill in Los Angeles, The Vic Theater in Chicago, Libby’s in Atlanta, the Colony Palm Beach Hotel and the Connaught Room in London. He sang with the New York Pops in an all-star tribute to Kander & Ebb at Carnegie Hall, and returned to “The Hall” in a tribute to Bob Hope and Bing Crosby, hosted by Michael Feinstein. Jim and his vocal trio, Wiseguys, were invited to sing at President Clinton’s First State Dinner at the White House, and celebrated Bing Crosby in concert at Carnegie Hall with Rosemary Clooney. For the past eight years, he has hosted a Monday night showbiz bash called "Jim Caruso’s Cast Party," which was honored with a New York Nightlife Award, as was his Broadway at Birdland concert series. His new cd, “The Swing Set,” was released on January 11, 2011. 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. 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 four solo CDs to his credit, including “Billy Stritch Sings Mel Tormé,” “The Waters of March,” “Jazz Live,” and “Billy Stritch.” 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. A Swinging Birdland Christmas Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC 212-581-3080 or BirdlandJazz.com $30 cover, $10 food/drink minimum Nightly, December 21 - 25 All shows are at 6pm, except for the Monday and Tuesday 7pm and 10pm shows. December 13, 2012Lisa Lambert knows how to put on a show. Maybe this fact goes without saying, since she is the proud recipient of a Tony Award for co-creating one of the cleverest musicals ever written about show business, The Drowsy Chaperone. But developing a full-blown musical and understanding how to craft an intimate evening of cabaret are talents that don't always go hand-in-hand. Happily for her hometown Toronto pals, she's not a newcomer to the nightclub stage, although Monday night marked her debut on the New York scene. Her years of working in clubs, festivals, theater and television have served her well, and the birthday extravaganza she brought to the Broadway at Birdland series was slick, hilarious, star-studded and dazzling. To celebrate her 50th year, Lisa surrounded herself with brilliantly talented pals, like Beth Leavel (left, by Seth Walters), who thrilled the packed house with her Tony-winning performance of Chaperone's "As We Stumble Along." Check out our Flickr page to see more photos of the fun, which benefitted Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. You can also check out some of the TV icons who showed up to cheer the birthday girl – notably Kim Cattrall from "Sex In The City" and Eve Plumb from "The Brady Bunch."
The following Cast Party started with a bang, as Max von Essen (left) dazzled the crowd, just as he'd done moments before as Ché in the Broadway production of Evita! Mr. von Essen is a pillar of Cast Party – in our ‘salad days,' he was a stalwart regular, bringing throngs of theater buddies to celebrate each other at the baby grand! This time, he was celebrating the brilliant web series, "Submissions Only," which is happily starting it's third season. He's a regular, as is Julie Foldesi, who sang her heart out for us, too! It was great to see the show's co-creator, Andrew Keenan-Bolger (currently starring in Newsies) and Neal Hunter Hyde, the Supervising Producer. You just have to become familiar with the series, if you haven't already, if only for my heart-stopping performance as Sven Karlsbad! The Cast Party fun continued with bunches of brilliant talent, like Christine Pedi, who entertained us with her amazing impressions, and Tony Desare, who performed his hilarious "Jingle Bells," done about 17 different ways.
Check out the video…his Michael McDonald impersonation is dead-on! Adrien Chevalier and Tatiana Eva Marie are our new favorite French swingers, and their clever combination of vocals and violin made us très heureux. Portia Emare is an adorable West End diva, and we were thrilled that she made her New York debut with us! There were showtunes and jazz standards and original ditties and loads of laughs – just as we like our Cast Party nights! Tedd Firth, Steve Doyle and Carmen Intorre were an absolutely brilliant Symphony Orchestra, and we'll do it all over again this coming Monday at 9:30pm! The semi-adorable, creatively-pitched Miranda Sings has been creating musical chaos at Birdland this week, with sold-out shows on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (tonight)! As you might know, I've been banging the Miranda drum for a few years now, and she made her live concert debut on our very stage before embarking on a pretty impressive world tour! Not that many folks can perform "O Holy Night" with a sword piercing their neck, but Miranda can. She also performs the Nativity, along with three kings, drummer boys and…awkwardly…Santa.
It's the Gospel According to Miranda, and if you want to witness the brilliance tonight, we might be able to find room at the bar. (Our pal Rudy Martinez (www.manbakescake.com) sent one of his creations to the diva for opening night. Clearly (left), she was thrilled.)
Jekyll & Hyde, The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Civil War. Also for Broadway: Dracula, Victor/Victoria, Wonderland, andBonnie & Clyde (Tony Award nominated for Best Score). Frank produced Harlem Song at the famed Apollo Theatre. International:Cyrano, The Count of Monte Cristo, Carmen, Rudolf, Mitsuko,Never Say Goodbye, Camille Claudel, and Tears of Heaven. Frank served as music director for the Goodwill Games in New York City (1998).
He wrote the song "Gold", the opening number for the 2002 Winter Olympics. He received the prestigious Charles Dickens Award from USC, where there is a scholarship under his name. Among the artists who have recorded and performed Frank's works: Whitney Houston (#1 international hit "Where Do Broken Hearts Go?"), Natalie Cole, Kenny Rogers, Sammy Davis, Jr., Liza Minnelli, Julie Andrews, Hootie & the Blowfish, The Moody Blues, Johnny Mathis, Linda Eder, Freddie Jackson, Trisha Yearwood, Stacy Lattisaw, Molly Hatchet, Blues Traveler, Trace Adkins, Patti LaBelle, Jeffrey Osborne, BeBe Winans, Amy Grant, Anthony Warlow, to name a few The Actors Fund is a national human services organization that helps everyone – performers and those behind the scenes – who works in performing arts and entertainment, helping more than 12,000 people directly each year, and hundreds of thousands online. Serving professionals in film, theatre, television, music, opera, radio and dance, The Fund's programs include social services and emergency assistance, health care and insurance, housing, and employment and training services. With offices in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, The Actors Fund has – for nearly 130 years – been a safety net for those in need, crisis or transition. "Frank & Friends" Holiday ConcertsSunday, December 16 at 6pm Monday, December 17 at 7pm Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC 212-581-3080 or www.BirdlandJazz.com $35, $10 food/drink minimum December 6, 2012
the Ahmanson Theater in LA and the Marquis Theatre on Broadway. The show has been produced in England and Japan, and in 2010 a production in Australia starred Geoffrey Rush, who will also star in the film. Lambert co-wrote the songs for the television series "Slings & Arrows," (Rhombus Media for Showcase) which she will be co-adapting into a stage musical for the Stratford Festival in Canada.
Other film and television credits include SKIPPY'S RANGERS: THE SHOW THEY NEVER GAVE (Comedy Network); DO I COME ON TOO STRONG? (BravoFact); GETTING ALONG FAMOUSLY (CBC TV); THE JOE BLOW SHOW (Comedy Network)); PIPPI LONGSTOCKING (Nelvana Ltd.); BLUE (Rhombus Media); HIGHWAY 61 (Rhombus Media); and SKINNAMARINK TV. Lambert's stage credits include: Big Rosemary (book by Blake Edwards); The Ant And The Elephant (Work Light Productions, NYC); Honest Ed: The Bargain Musical (Poor Alex Theatre, Toronto); An American In Harris (Second City, Toronto); The Irish Musical (Rivoli, Toronto); People Park (Rivoli, Toronto); Mirth(Fringe of Toronto Festival); Levity (Fringe of Toronto Festival); An Awkward Evening With Martin & Johnson (Tim Sims Playhouse).
Upcoming projects include: Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day (a stage musical based on the film, book by Robert Harling). Lisa Lambert & Friends Monday, December 10 at 7pm Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC www.BirdlandJazz.com $25 cover plus $10 food/drink minimum per person November 15, 2012Daisy Eagan is full of surprises.
Her Monday night concert was a crazy quilt of songs and stories culminating in one very big announcement that was a first for the Broadway at Birdland stage! That’s right, ladies and germs, Mary Lennox is having a baby! Of course, we’ve known Daisy as a full-grown, smart-talking gal-of-the-world for some time now, but to some, she’ll always be that adorable kid who won the Tony at age 11. That’s a lot to live up to, but, as the fans in the packed house can attest, she is an artist with a singular voice on the topic of surviving in an industry (and a world) filled with both triumph and tragedy. The photo (left, by Seth Walters) shows Daisy celebrating her recent, now-famous Tweet that was heard round-the-world. We love her for her history, her voice, her smarts and her future, and can’t wait for the next visit! “Strippers and Satchmo and guys who sing gospel.” It sounds like a bastardized Rodgers and Hart show tune, doesn’t it? I’m not sure why it still surprises me after almost ten years of hosting Cast Party, but the sheer variety of talent that enters the Birdland doors is astonishing. It was indeed a thrill to meet and hear David Phelps (left), the award-winning tenor best known for his work with the Gaither Vocal Band. His performances of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” and “Nessun Dorma” (another Birdland first) were stunning, and we look forward to many more visits. Jeremy Giraud Abramis currently portraying jazz legend Louis Armstrong at Theater 3 here in Manhattan, and we were dazzled by his “Wonderful World.”Jaymes and James, two Chippendales dancers currently heating up small screens on “The Amazing Race” worked the room and gained even more fans! Adam Canto, in town filming the new series, “The Following,” is not just another good looking TV star…he’s a first-rate singer, and we can’t wait to hear more. A newcomer named Catherine Caro thrilled us with her “Don’t Rain On My Parade,” too. It’s a tough song for any singer to put a stamp on, but Catherine did it and we were impressed! You know, we do this every Monday…and can’t wait to see YOU again! Join us this next week – I’ll be hosting, along with David Budway and Steve Doyle helming the Cast Party Symphony Orchestra.
Just a reminder that Billy Stritch and I will be doing our musical thing at Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle Hotel again this Sunday night from 9pm - Midnight! Come for the best martini in the world. Come for the glamorous and star-studded atmosphere. Come for our Andy Williams medley. It's a distinct New York experience to sing at this historic watering hole, and we'd love to share the fun with you!
Ms. Brown recently starred as Magnoliaopposite Nathan Gunn in Francesca Zembello’s Showboat at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. She has performed with many orchestras including the Boston Pops, the New York Philharmonic, The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra at Disney Hall, The Pittsburgh Symphony, the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall (three times), Fort Worth Symphony, the Cincinnati Pops, Philadelphia Orchestra (two times), the Indianapolis Symphony (three times), Seattle Symphony, Vancouver Symphony, the Philly Pops, and the BBC orchestra opposite Josh Groban. She also recently made her solo concert debut at The Kennedy Center as part of Barbara Cook’s Spotlight Series and made her cabaret debut to great acclaim at the renowned Feinstein’s at the Regency in New York City. Other projects include a star turn at the La Jolla Playhouse in a production of Limelight, The Sound of Music at the St. Louis MUNY which garnered her a 2011 Kevin Kline award, and her own PBS special called “Ashley Brown: Call Me Irresponsible” which received a 2011 PBS Telly Award. Ms. Brown’s long awaited debut album of Broadway and American Songbook standards was recently released nationwide on Ghostlight/Sony.
Ashley BrownMonday, November 19 at 7pm Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC www.BirdlandJazz.com $25 cover, $10 food/drink minimum September 6, 2012Since we didn’t have a Broadway at Birdland concert on Monday night, this week’s newsletter will seem a little clipped! We didn’t lack for Cast Party fun, that’s for sure! The evening started with a bang when the winner of the Michael Feinstein Great American Songbook Singers Competition took the stage to entertain the sold-out Labor Day crowd! That’s 16 year-old Nick Ziobro singing and swinging his heart out (left) in a photo by Seth Walters! (He had quite an extraordinary opening night with Feinstein and Marilyn Maye a few days ago – go see all of them doing their brilliant things this weekend at The Regency Hotel!) Cast Party was like a reunion-of-sorts, because the competition’s second runner up, Tony Ponella, was also on hand to wow the folks. Gorgeous La Tanya Hall, who was one of my co-judges for the competition was in the house, as was Chris Lewis, who runs the competition. Also at Cast Party entertaining the folks were Michael Hughes, tapper Andrew Nemr, Michael Sergio, Matt Newton, Jonathan Russell, Jo Marchese, Richard Rubin, Kumiko, Stephanie Biernbaum,Brooke Ishibashi, Gabrielle Stravelli, Christopher McNeeley from Jersey Boys, Matt Baker, and our own Michael Winther, Erich Marie Bergen andNatalie Douglas! We do it all over again this coming Monday…and sure hope to see YOU!
Broadway at BirdlandThe Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to present pop/jazz/blues phenomenon Suede in concert for for one night only on Monday, September 10 at 7pm. The show, titled 'A Dangerous Mood' will also feature Tomoko Ohno on piano, Bill Moring on bass, and Tim Horner on drums.
Suede will be performing songs from her four award-winning CDs and DVDs; everything from classics like "Teach Me Tonight,” "Never Never Land," and "Defying Gravity" to originals composed for her by contemporary writers Shirley Eickhard and John Bucchino. Pop/Jazz/Blues artist Suede plays piano, trumpet and guitar but her voice is her first instrument, and entertaining is clearly her first love. To celebrate her 25th anniversary as an independent artist on her own label, Easily Suede Music, Suede realized a lifelong dream of recording with her own big band. "Dangerous Mood" was recorded at the Bennett Studios and released to rave reviews. Her recording of Roxanna Ward’s "Remember Who You Are" was featured on "The Young and The Restless." Her recording of the poignant "Emily Remembers," also from her CD "On the Day We Met," was named #1 Song of the Year on WJZW radio in Washington, DC, and has garnered national radio airplay as well as two Out Music Awards. Suede is heard regularly on NPR. Her DVD "Suede, Live at Scullers Jazz Club" (Boston) has aired on 52 PBS stations. Always touring nationally and internationally, with trio all the way up to her 12-piece 'Dangerous Big Band,' she plays the best rooms - from The Kennedy Center to LA's Ford Amphitheatre; San Francisco's Rrazz Room to New York's Town Hall; Scottsdale's Center for the Arts to Cincinnati's Aronoff Center; Denver's Mercury Cafe to St. Louis' Sheldon Hall – and is THRILLED to be making her Birdland debut. SUEDE – "In A Dangerous Mood" When: Monday, September 10 at 7pm Where: Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC Tickets: 212-581-3080 or www.BirdlandJazz.com Cost: $30/40 cover, plus $10 food/drink minimum August 30, 2012William Blake was literally brought back to the Broadway at Birdland concert series ‘by popular demand.’ (That phrase is an often mis-used catch-all in press releases, having nothing to do with any kind of public outcry.) Blake’s Monday night musical extravaganza made it clear that his growing audience was clamoring for more of his muscular, growling rhythm and blues vocal pyrotechnics! There wasn’t an extra chair to be had at Birdland – every single space was filled with a screaming, stomping fan. Once again, his “Echoes of Etta” celebrated the musical legacy of Etta James, along with musical director Michael Thomas Murray at the keys,Oscar Bautista on guitar, Steve Kelly on drums, Mike Preen on bass,Matthew Polashek on sax and “The Peaches” (Ashley Betton, Shira Eliasand Stephany Mora) on backup. Check out more beautiful photos of the show by Seth Walters at Broadway World!
Cast Party was jammed. Whoever said that August in NYC is a bad time to put on a show hasn’t met our loyal, and extremely attractive, audience! But really, how could anyone not love watching four-year old Ian Armitage (left, by Seth Walters) sing his heart out? The son of Broadway’s Euan Morton and Lee Armitage, this talented little nugget charmed the room to pieces with his performance of “Stars” from Les Miserables. He wasn’t the only talented kid, either. Alix Dreier and Emily Bondonaro both showed their skills with songs from the new recording of Chip Deffaa’s The Seven Little Foys, with Jonathan Russell on violin. Ruby Rakos reminisced about her time on Broadway in Billy Elliott, then sang a great song. There were quite a few people over the drinking age willing to perform, too! We welcomed the return of our own Jenna Esposito, who’s been nursing her injured knee! Kevin Spiritus and Gerald Sternbach performed a beautiful Steven Cagan tune from the upcoming “Love Songs” at Feinstein’s. The insane Rudi Macaggi balanced upside down - on his head - on a basketball - on a stool, then ingested a 6-foot balloon…which you don’t see every day. Jazz superstar Jane Monheit sang and swang herself into a tizzy, which was OK with us! Jeff Harnar gave us a taste of his upcoming Birdland concert (see below), and we can’t wait to hear more! All in all, it was an evening filled with great music, fun folks, and so many laughs, all watched over by one of our favorite New Yorkers, Mr. Tommy Tune! We do it again this coming Monday night at 9:30. You’ll be there, right?
Broadway at BirdlandThe Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to present JEFF HARNAR in “Does This Song Make Me Look Fat?” on Monday, August 27 at 7pm. Musical Director for the concert will be Alex Rybeck, with Mark Minkler on bass and Ray Marchica on drums.
With “Does This Song Make Me Look Fat?,” JEFF HARNAR makes his debut at Birdland and first solo cabaret appearance in four years. Jeff is the winner of the 2012 Noel Coward Foundation Cabaret Award. New York engagements include The Algonquin's Oak Room, Feinstein's at The Regency, The Metropolitan Room, and Off-Broadway at 59e59 Theaters. Carnegie Hall appearances include both the Cole Porter and Noel Coward Centennial Galas, a solo concert at Weill Recital and as Michael Feinstein's special guest at Zankel Hall. Jeff headlined three Town Hall concerts, including a Cole Porter evening with Andrea Marcovicci. He has appeared in thirteen "Lyrics & Lyricists" concerts, serving as artistic director and host for one. Jeff was artistic director and host of the three seasons of "The American Songbook in London" at The Jermyn Street Theatre and Pizza on The Park. Television credits include "The 1959 Broadway Songbook" (PBS), "Remember: Songs of the Holidays" (PBS) with KT Sullivan, and as the singing narrator of "Gershwin on Ice" (A&E) staring Dorothy Hamill. Nationally, Jeff tours with Shauna Hicks in their symphony "Pops" concert "I Got Rhythm: Mickey & Judy's Hollywood," has played five seasons at The Colony Hotel's Royal Room in Palm Beach, and opened for The McGuire Sisters during their reunion tour. Jeff has four solo recordings, 2 MAC Awards and 3 Back Stage Bistro Awards. Jeff appears as the nightclub singer in the film "Joshua Tree, 1951: A Portrait of James Dean" to be released in 2013. Jeff Harnar in “Does This Song Make Me Look Fat?” When: Monday, August 27 at 7pm Where: Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC Tickets: 212-581-3080 or BirdlandJazz.com Cost: $25 cover, $10 food/drink minimum About UsWhen:
Every Monday at 10:00 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. August 16, 2012Frank Wildhorn can put on a show! His third “Frank & Friends” took place this past Monday night at Birdland, and let me tell you, was one of the biggest and best nights in our history! His extraordinary cast included the upcoming star of Jekyll & Hyde, Constantine Maroulis, and the stars of his Bonnie & Clyde, Laura Osnes, Stark Sands and Melissa Van Der Schyff (left, by Seth Walters). The house was packed with some pretty glam folks, too, including the “Smash”-ing Megan Hilty (below, with Brian Gallagher and me) the leading lady of Jekyll & Hyde, gorgeous Deborah Cox, Mary Poppins herself, Ashley Brown and the upcoming star ofRebecca, Ryan Silverman. (Check out more pretty photos at Broadway World.)
It’s so exciting to have the opportunity to present Frank’s monthly series. Not only is he a delight to work with, but since he’s decided to donate all proceeds to the Actors Fund, the whole affair does our hearts good. If you don’t know, the Fund is a national human services organization that helps everyone – performers and those behind the scenes – who work work in the performing arts and entertainment industry. It’s been around for 130 years and has been a safety net for those in need, crisis or transition. What an incredible way to thank the community! Next month, the “Frank & Friends” guest stars will be Janet Dacal, Karen Mason and James Barbour! Get your tickets through the Birdland box office now!
Monday’s Cast Party was a veritable cornucopia of talent! It was really fun to spotlight our very own bassist, Steve Doyle (left, by Seth Walters), who is celebrating a brand new cd called “Home To You.” It’s a swell affair, with songs by Rodgers & Hammerstein, Dietz & Schwartz and a few originals! You can purchase online, or come to Cast Party and pick one up! We were also serenaded by newcomers Liam Ford & Babs Rubenstein, guitaristMichael Belmont, horn player Paul Frederick, Ohio boys Ryan Hook &Chris Cowan, Vanessa Trouble, Alana Adderly, Nancy Harms, an absolutely awesome pianist/singer named David Leitman, and so many more! It’s a constant joy to be entertained by such a wide array of talent. You can see for yourself this coming Monday night around 9:30. Tedd Firth, Mr. Doyle and Daniel Glass will be accompanying everyone with style and panache – so bring your coolest upbeat tune and sing!
Broadway at BirdlandBack by popular demand, the Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to announce the return of William Blake in “Echoes of Etta,” a musical tribute to Etta James, on Monday, August 20 at 7pm.
Blake, along with music director Michael Thomas Murray at the keys, Oscar Bautista on guitar, Steve Kelly on drums, Mike Preen on bass, Matthew Polashek on sax, and The Peaches (Ashley Betton, Shira Elias, and Stephany Mora) on backup, will return to Birdland on August 20 at 7pm to once again celebrate the musical legacy of Etta James in “Echoes of Etta.” From her first #1 hit "The Wallflower (Roll With Me, Henry)" to her quintessential "At Last," this concert gives a glimpse into the extraordinary career of an amazing artist. In “Echoes of Etta,” William "transforms into a fiery, soulful tenor complete with gospel wails, hungry growls and unrestrained riffs" (Edge New York). William Blake, "a shy young Texan with a powerful tenor" (LA Times), is a native of Dallas and has been performing professionally since the age of 19. As an actor, his regional musical theater credits include The Who’s Tommy (Cousin Kevin), Chicago (Mary Sunshine), and The Rocky Horror Show (Riff Raff). In 2004, William released his first studio album, DayDreamer. Shortly after the release, William auditioned for the fourth season of American Idol and went on to compete in Hollywood. In early 2007, he made the move to New York City to continue his musical career and has since performed at such notable NYC venues as Don’t Tell Mama, Uncle Charlie’s, The Metropolitan Room, Feinstein's at the Regency, and Birdland Jazz Club. In 2010, William was honored to receive an invitation to sing at Carnegie Hall in “Standard Time with Michael Feinstein.” He also shared the stage with Liza Minnelli, Chita Rivera, Lucie Arnaz, and many others in “The Best of Jim Caruso’s Cast Party” at Town Hall last February. In May 2011, he enjoyed the release of his first live album, Live >From New York City (2012 MAC Award Nominee with Cavern Records), which was recorded at Birdland in September 2010 (now available on iTunes). William Blake in “Echoes of Etta” Monday, August 20 at 7pm Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC 212-581-3080 or www.BirdlandJazz.com $30 cover, plus $10 food/drink minimum About UsWhen:
Every Monday at 10:00 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 August 9, 2012A beautiful benefit concert called “In Full Bloom” was staged at Birdland on Monday night – created by Ryan Murray and starring incredible Broadway types like Clarke Thorell, Destan Owens, Nikki M. James, Aaron Lazar,Nick Adams (left, by Seth Walker) and Ramona Keller. The event raised money for The Wishing Kids Foundation, an organization that provides support for people with terminal illnesses. Obviously, with that cast, the singing was gorgeous and heartfelt, the stories were touching, and the crowd was thrilled to meet and hear some of their favorite performers. Many thanks to all for taking part!
The following Cast Party was a real dazzler and completely entertaining, thanks to the York Theatre cast of Songs For A New World (left, by Seth Walker), Carrie Jackson and her swingin’ pals, the guitar virtuoso Billy Rogan, the teeniest jazz trumpet player Geoff Gallante, a handful of talented Aussies, including Penny Pettigrew and our old pal Daniel Edmonds, Ruby & Ava Locknar, Gabrielle Stravelli, Christine Lavin,Kathryn Allison, Danny Greenberg and so many more! It was also the first time we were entertained by 2 (two) pink-haired performers – the afore-mentioned Ruby Locknar and mohawked Jonathan Ivie both showed off their pastel-infused locks and musical genius on our historic stage! We do it all again next Monday at 9:30, and we sure hope to see YOU there! - Jim
Broadway at BirdlandOn Monday, August 13, Broadway at Birdland is proud to present multi-Grammy and Tony nominated composer Frank Wildhorn in his monthly concert series called “Frank & Friends.” Joining Frank onstage will be Constantine Maroulis (upcoming star of Jekyll & Hyde), Laura Osnes (Tony nominee/Bonnie & Clyde and upcoming Cinderella), Melissa van der Schyff (Bonnie & Clyde) and Stark Sands (upcoming Kinky Boots).
The series of very special one-night-only concerts will celebrate the songs and favorite performers from the composer’s wide range of work in popular, jazz, theatrical and classical music. All profits will go to The Actors Fund, a nationwide human services organization that helps all professionals in the performing arts and entertainment. Jason Howland will act as musical director. Multi-Grammy and Tony Award nominated composer/producer Frank Wildhorn's works span the worlds of popular, theatrical, and classical music. In 1999, Frank became the first American composer in 22 years to have three shows running simultaneously on Broadway: Jekyll & Hyde, TheScarlet Pimpernel, The Civil War. Also for Broadway: Dracula,Victor/Victoria, Wonderland, and Bonnie & Clyde (Tony Award nominated for Best Score). Frank produced Harlem Song at the famed Apollo Theatre. International: Cyrano, The Count of Monte Cristo, Carmen,Rudolf, Mitsuko, Never Say Goodbye, Camille Claudel, and Tears of Heaven. Frank served as music director for the Goodwill Games in New York City (1998). He wrote the song “Gold”, the opening number for the 2002 Winter Olympics. He received the prestigious Charles Dickens Award from USC, where there is a scholarship under his name. Among the artists who have recorded and performed Frank’s works: Whitney Houston (#1 international hit “Where Do Broken Hearts Go?”), Natalie Cole, Kenny Rogers, Sammy Davis, Jr., Liza Minnelli, Julie Andrews, Hootie & the Blowfish, The Moody Blues, Johnny Mathis, Linda Eder, Freddie Jackson, Trisha Yearwood, Stacy Lattisaw, Molly Hatchet, Blues Traveler, Trace Adkins, Patti LaBelle, Jeffrey Osborne, BeBe Winans, Amy Grant, Anthony Warlow, to name a few
The Actors Fund is a national human services organization that helps everyone – performers and those behind the scenes – who works in performing arts and entertainment, helping more than 12,000 people directly each year, and hundreds of thousands online. Serving professionals in film, theatre, television, music, opera, radio and dance, The Fund’s programs include social services and emergency assistance, health care and insurance, housing, and employment and training services. With offices in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, The Actors Fund has – for nearly 130 years – been a safety net for those in need, crisis or transition. Frank Wildhorn’s “Frank & Friends” When: Monday, August 13at 7pm Where: Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC Reservations: 212.581.3080 or www.BirdlandJazz.com Cover: $35, $10 food/drink minimum August 6, 2012Broadway at Birdland is proud to announce a new series called “Portrait Of An Artist,” in which actor/director/painter Steve Bakunas interviews musical and theatrical icons while painting their portrait before the audience’s eyes! These famous folks will share their successes, failures and lessons learned in a very intimate one-on-one chat on the historic Birdland stage. Online media partner BroadwayWorld.com will also be on hand to film the event, which will air exclusively on the site at a later date.
Steve Bakunas kicks off this unprecedented series with an intimate no-holds-barred conversation with his wife, Tony and Golden Globe winning actress Linda Lavin. The audience will be privy to Lavin’s personal and professional life while Steve’s portrait unfolds. By his count, Steve Bakunas has had about 70 jobs throughout his life. The Connecticut native has done everything from selling Fuller brushes and used cars to driving for the Grateful Dead and working in Circus Vargas. Ultimately, he became a stage actor before discovering his creative bent as a painter, sculptor, set designer, carpenter, builder and jazz drummer. Married to actress Linda Lavin, he now buys and restores older homes and is revitalizing low-income neighborhoods in the couple’s North Carolina hometown. A sophisticated folk-inspired artist, his portraits have been shown at galleries in Wilmington, NC, and New York City. Broadway at BirdlandThis past season, Linda Lavin was celebrated with a Tony and Drama Desk nomination for her performance in The Lyons at the Cort Theater. Last year, she earned raves as the alcoholic aunt in Jon Robin Baitz’s off-Broadway hit Other Desert Cities, then went on to belt the showstopping tune “Broadway Baby” in the Kennedy Center’s production of Follies. New York audiences have seen Lavin in The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife, Gypsy, The Diary of Anne Frank, Collected Stories, Broadway Bound (Tony Award),Last of the Red Hot Lovers and It’s a Bird…It’s a Plane…It’s Superman. Of course, the world knows her as Alice Hyatt in the long-running TV series, “Alice.” Linda began her career in New York City nightclubs like The Showplace and Downstairs at the Upstairs, and has recently been performing in concert halls and cabarets across the country. A regular at Birdland, she recently released her first solo cd, “Possibilities.”
“Portrait of an Artist” Steve Bakunas with Linda Lavin When: Sunday, September 16 at 1pm Where: Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC Reservations: 212.581.3080 or www.BirdlandJazz.com Cover: $25 cover / Coffee and dessert available July 26, 2012On Monday night, Broadway at Birdland was proud to present another “Frank & Friends,” the monthly concert hosted by multi-Grammy and Tony nominated composer Frank Wildhorn. Joining Frank onstage…the gifted Grammy-nominated jazz singer Jane Monheit, spectacular Las Vegas and Café Carlyle headliner Clint Holmes (left, by Seth Walters), and a band that included David Mann on woodwinds, Chris Lightcap on bass and Clint de Ganon on drums. Birdland was packed with showbiz glitterati, includingChita Rivera (below, photo by Seth Walters), Ben Vereen (with Frank, left, by Monica Simoes), Constantine Maroulis, Sara Gettelfinger, Patrick Page, and Paige Davis. The next “Frank & Friends” will take place on Monday, August 13 at 7pm, and will feature Constantine Maroulis, Laura Osnes, Melissa van der Schyff and Stark Sands, and we can’t wait! See more photos at Playbill.com.
Afterward, a few fresh faces and a slew of beloved regulars showed up to serenade each other at Cast Party. The Cast Party Symphony Orchestra (Tedd Firth, Steve Doyle & Daniel Glass) and I were thrilled to lead the impromptu performances into the wee hours for a packed house that included TV/Broadway icon Linda Lavin, and soon-to-be star of Jekyll & Hyde Constantine Maroulis! The afore-mentioned Jane Monheit andClint Holmes dazzled the crowd with some jazzy business. VocalistsWilliam Blake, Alana Adderly, and Eric Millegan shared the stage with the cast of Central Avenue Breakdown from the NYMF festival. Young violinist Jonathan Russell brilliantly accompanied soprano Sarah Rice,Julia Bonnet (first winner of the Michael Feinstein Initiative) wowed us with her gorgeous vocal chops, and both Eric Contractor and Scott Reeveseach showed off their jazz guitar riffs. Wade Dinkins even proposed to his girlfriend with a very special love song, and the crowd went wild when she accepted! The evening ended with a thrilling display of tap dancing, thanks to the electric feet of Andrew Nemr, a Gregory Hines protégé. This next week, Billy Stritch will be at the piano, so you know fun will be had! (Check out more photos from this past week at Broadwayworld.com) Broadway at BirdlandThe Broadway at Birdland concert series is thrilled to announce the return of Broadway actress/comedienne JULIE HALSTON to the stage on Monday, July 23 at 7pm.
The show, entitled “Classical Julie,” will combine classic Halston rants with brand new material, including her inimitable take on Ibsen and other highly literate writers. Julie Halston is one of the theatre’s busiest and most well-known actresses. She is currently appearing in the Tony-Award winning Broadway musical,Anything Goes as the hilarious Evangeline Harcourt. Last season she received a Drama Desk Nomination for her acclaimed performance in Charles Busch’s hit play The Divine Sister. Her resume includes Broadway musicals such as Gypsy, Hairspray, The Boys from Syracuse and Anything Goes, as well as hit revivals such as On the Twentieth Century (co-starring Anne Heche and Alec Baldwin), The Women and The Butter and Egg Man. Primarily known as a comedic actress, she nonetheless has garnered kudos for her work in the plays The Vagina Monologues, Love, Loss and What I Wore and Olive and The Bitter Herbs. Miss Halston is a three-time Drama Desk Nominee, a two-time Outer Critics Nominee and a two-time Drama League Nominee. Her theatrical life originated when she and renowned playwright, Charles Busch helped found the now-legendary Off-Broadway company, Theatre-in Limbo, where they co-starred in many of the productions, including Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, Red Scare on Sunset, The Lady in Question and Shanghai Moon. Both she and Mr. Busch were among the first recipients to receive the designation “Legend of Off-Broadway” from the Off- Broadway Theatre Alliance. and an Excellence in the Theatre Award from The Abington Theatre Company. In addition to her prestigious theatrical career, she is known to television audiences as Bitsy Von Muffling on “Sex and The City,” Tina Carmello on “The Class” and Antigone Carruthers on the updated PBS children’s show “The Electric Company.” Miss Halston is also known for her award-winning comedic solo shows, which she has performed all over the country. In New York, her solo shows have been extended five times at the legendary Birdland Jazz Club due to her popularity. If not busy enough, she co-authored (with Donna Daley) the book, “Monologues for Show-Offs,” which is now being used by colleges, casting agents and performers for audition material in all media. They are currently adapting their success with this book into a play. Miss Halston lives in New York with her husband, Ralph Howard, the anchorman for Howard Stern’s “Howard 100 News Department.” She is devoted to the non-profit organization, The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, which helped her husband enormously after his own diagnosis and successful lung transplant. JULIE HALSTON in “Classical Julie” When: Monday, July 23 at 7pm Where: Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC Tickets: 212-581-3080 or BirdlandJazz.com Cost: $25 or $35 cover, $10 food/drink minimum per person About UsWhen:
Every Monday at 10:00 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 July 12, 2012On Monday night, Colleen McHugh’s absolute showstopper of an act had Birdland packed to the walls with fans, friends and her PBS co-workers! The evening was a celebration of all things French and Cole Porter-ish, thanks to the release of Colleen’s new album “Prêt-à-Porter: Cole Porter's French Connections." The material was très chic, the chanteuse was très funny, and the audience was très happy. Special mention must go to the band, which included Tedd Firth on piano, Aaron Weinstein on violin, Matt Munisteri on guitar, Steve Doyle on bass and Harry Allen on tenor sax. They were très fantastique! (Photo left, by Stephen Sorokoff)
The place was awash in cabaret glitterati, and I’m absolutely in love with this photo Mr. Sorokoff took of three grand dames of the artform! To haveKaren Mason, Julie Wilson and KT Sullivan in one room is a rarity, and I know the cabaret gods were smiling down!
The following Cast Party was a continuation of the musical fun, with dazzling performances by Katherine Allison, Ruby Rakos, Lee Anderson,Craig Richard, Hannaniah Whitley & Henry Penning, Robin Spangler,Robin Gurskey, Greta Herron, Aaron Weinstein, Erich Hoffman, Jamie deRoy, Steve Sorokoff, Asunta, Julie Michaels, “The Professor,” andDominick Farinacci, among many others! Special mention must be given to Ms. Allison, who thrilled us with some swinging Fats Waller material. This girl is one to watch, folks! She’s gorgeous, so talented, and is a great addition to our crazy open mic!
The evening ended with a beautiful performance by Broadway and “High School Musical” superstar Corbin Bleu (left with Ms. Whitley and Jené Hernandez). He’s been in town starring as Jesus in Godspell, so he sang some Stephen Schwartz for us, including the heart-breaking “Beautiful City.” The crowd went wild, including one of my comedy heroes, Mr. Bill Irwin! Tedd Firth, Steve Doyle andDaniel Glass outdid themselves as the Cast Party Symphony Orchestra, just like they will next Monday night! Broadway at BirdlandOn Monday, July 16, Broadway at Birdland is proud to present multi-Grammy and Tony nominated composer Frank Wildhorn in his monthly concert series called “Frank & Friends.” Joining Frank onstage will be gifted Grammy-nominated jazz singer Jane Monheit, and Las Vegas and Café Carlyle headliner Clint Holmes.
The series of very special one-night-only concerts will celebrate the songs and favorite performers from the composer’s wide range of work in popular, jazz, theatrical and classical music. All profits will go to The Actors Fund, a nationwide human services organization that helps all professionals in the performing arts and entertainment. Jason Howland will act as musical director. Multi-Grammy and Tony Award nominated composer/producer Frank Wildhorn's works span the worlds of popular, theatrical, and classical music. In 1999, Frank became the first American composer in 22 years to have three shows running simultaneously on Broadway: Jekyll & Hyde, TheScarlet Pimpernel, The Civil War. Also for Broadway: Dracula,Victor/Victoria, Wonderland, and Bonnie & Clyde (Tony Award nominated for Best Score). Frank produced Harlem Song at the famed Apollo Theatre. International: Cyrano, The Count of Monte Cristo, Carmen,Rudolf, Mitsuko, Never Say Goodbye, Camille Claudel, and Tears of Heaven. Frank served as music director for the Goodwill Games in New York City (1998). He wrote the song “Gold”, the opening number for the 2002 Winter Olympics. He received the prestigious Charles Dickens Award from USC, where there is a scholarship under his name. Among the artists who have recorded and performed Frank’s works: Whitney Houston (#1 international hit “Where Do Broken Hearts Go?”), Natalie Cole, Kenny Rogers, Sammy Davis, Jr., Liza Minnelli, Julie Andrews, Hootie & the Blowfish, The Moody Blues, Johnny Mathis, Linda Eder, Freddie Jackson, Trisha Yearwood, Stacy Lattisaw, Molly Hatchet, Blues Traveler, Trace Adkins, Patti LaBelle, Jeffrey Osborne, BeBe Winans, Amy Grant, Anthony Warlow, to name a few The Actors Fund is a national human services organization that helps everyone – performers and those behind the scenes – who works in performing arts and entertainment, helping more than 12,000 people directly each year, and hundreds of thousands online. Serving professionals in film, theatre, television, music, opera, radio and dance, The Fund’s programs include social services and emergency assistance, health care and insurance, housing, and employment and training services. With offices in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, The Actors Fund has – for nearly 130 years – been a safety net for those in need, crisis or transition.
“Frank & Friends” With Special Guest Stars Jane Monheit & Clint Holmes When: Monday, July 16 at 7pm Where: Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC Tickets: 212-581-3080 or www.BirdlandJazz.com Cost: $35, $10 food/drink minimum About UsWhen:
Every Monday at 10:00 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. Contact Us
July 5, 2012Happy Independence Day, everyone! Sure hope you had a great 4th, complete with fireworks, hotdogs and a cherry pie or two! The proverbial summer heat was definitely on at Cast Party Monday night! My goodness, but we sure are getting a lot of new musical talent! We love our regulars…they’ve made us what we are! But what fun to keep meeting new, extraordinary talent from every corner of the globe! Jazz pianist Josh Reichman absolutely blew us away with his tasty chords! Singer Christine Sajous was swinging and swaying like crazy! “The Professor” was his normal, rather-abnormal self, but his harmonica proficiency blew us all away! Nancy Harms proved why she’s one of the true up-and-comers in the jazz vocal category with a wonderful performance. Lee Anderson cansang, y’all, and we can’t wait for her return! Horn player Dominick Farinacci served up some late-night tango. Guitar-meister Billy Roganhas never been better. Jean Michelle, currently on Broadway in The Lion King, gave us some swinging “Love.” And 13-year old Olivia Hill knocked everyone’s socks off, along with her dad, world-renowned saxophonistWarren Hill! (Photo, left, by Seth Walters) There were regulars, newcomers, tourists, and a few Broadway stars in the house, just like we like it! David Budway, Steve Doyle and Daniel Glass were the perfect Symphony Orchestra for the summer’s evening. We do it all over again this coming Monday, so you better join us!
Broadway at BirdlandThe Broadway at Birdland concert series is happy to announce the return of singer/comedienne Colleen McHugh to the stage on Monday, July 9 at 7pm.
Award-winning singer/comedienne Colleen McHugh celebrates the release of her new album "Prêt-à-Porter: Cole Porter's French Connections." The album, recorded at NYC's legendary Nola Recording Studios, features Porter classics ("Night and Day," "I Love Paris," "All of You") with all-new arrangements by Tedd Firth, and vocals produced by Jane Monheit. The band features Tedd Firth (piano), Aaron Weinstein (violin), Matt Munisteri (guitar), Steve Doyle (bass) and Harry Allen (tenor sax). Colleen McHugh is a 2011 Bistro Award winner (’Outstanding Entertainer’), 2011 Nightlife Award finalist and 2011 MAC Award nominee (‘Outstanding Musical Comedy’). The New York Times featured Ms. McHugh earlier this year for her commitment to the continued performance of the American Songbook. Her award-winning “Calendar Girl” cabaret series has produced a new show in NYC every month for three years, with subjects ranging from Cole Porter’s French-themed songs to a musical exploration of the color green. McHugh joined Michael Feinstein in his “Now & Then” concert series at Carnegie Hall, and sang in a tribute to Jerry Herman at Lincoln Center. She began performing comedy and improvisation with Chicago’s legendary Second City Theatre, and has appeared on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and “The Colbert Report.” She writes and produces “Reel 13,” WNET/Thirteen’s weekly classic film series. Colleen McHugh "Prêt-à-Porter: Cole Porter's French Connections” When: Monday, July 9 at 7pm Where: Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC Tickets: 212-581-3080 or BirdlandJazz.com Cost: $25 cover, $10 food/drink minimum About UsWhen:
Every Monday at 10:00 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. June 28, 2012On Monday night, the Broadway at Birdland concert series was excited to present songwriter Jack Lechner and a crazily-talented cast of singers to our historic stage. Singing Lechner’s songs and praises were Nancy Anderson, Chris Critelli, Desmond Dutcher, Jeannine Frumess, Andy Monroe, Jeremy Schonfeld, Lucas Steele, and Karen Ziemba, with musical direction by Boko Suzuki. Lechner is best known for his 2010 off-Broadway musical The Kid, co-written with composer Andy Monroe and librettist Michael Zam. So no kidding, the songs were charming and funny and well-crafted and melodious and smart! Here’s to many more nights with Jack!
Then Cast Party happened! “Celebrity Apprentice” finalist/comedienne Lisa Lampanelli (left, photo by Seth Walters) slayed us all with her funny, filthy, four-letter-word-filled comments. Her diatribe towards a certain heckler was especially venomous, which is just how we like our Lisa! Tony Ponella, the first-runner-up in the Michael Feinstein Great American Songbook singer competition, scored major showbiz points performing two standards. Christine Pedi, star of Newsical, the Musical, sang a hilarious song about missing Oprah Winfrey, twin brothers Will and Anthony Nunziata gave a taste of their upcoming concert at Feinstein’s, and jazzer La Tanya Halldazzled with a swinging tune. Ten year-old Oliver Richman endured a one-on-one Lampanelli rant, then appropriately sang his heart out in a blues number. We feel your pain, Oliver! Tedd Firth, Steve Doyle and Daniel Glass were an absolutely brilliant Cast Party Symphony Orchestra! This coming Monday, the band will be led by Mr. David Budway, so you know fun will be had! We’ll be looking forward to seeing you!
Broadway at BirdlandThe Broadway at Birdland concert series is happy to announce the return of singer/comedienne Colleen McHugh to the stage on Monday, July 9 at 7pm.
Award-winning singer/comedienne Colleen McHugh celebrates the release of her new album "Prêt-à-Porter: Cole Porter's French Connections." The album, recorded at NYC's legendary Nola Recording Studios, features Porter classics ("Night and Day," "I Love Paris," "All of You") with all-new arrangements by Tedd Firth, and vocals produced by Jane Monheit. The band features Tedd Firth (piano), Aaron Weinstein (violin), Matt Munisteri (guitar), Steve Doyle (bass) and Harry Allen (tenor sax). Colleen McHugh is a 2011 Bistro Award winner (’Outstanding Entertainer’), 2011 Nightlife Award finalist and 2011 MAC Award nominee (‘Outstanding Musical Comedy’). The New York Times featured Ms. McHugh earlier this year for her commitment to the continued performance of the American Songbook. Her award-winning “Calendar Girl” cabaret series has produced a new show in NYC every month for three years, with subjects ranging from Cole Porter’s French-themed songs to a musical exploration of the color green. McHugh joined Michael Feinstein in his “Now & Then” concert series at Carnegie Hall, and sang in a tribute to Jerry Herman at Lincoln Center. She began performing comedy and improvisation with Chicago’s legendary Second City Theatre, and has appeared on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and “The Colbert Report.” She writes and produces “Reel 13,” WNET/Thirteen’s weekly classic film series. Colleen McHugh "Prêt-à-Porter: Cole Porter's French Connections” When: Monday, July 9 at 7pm Where: Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC Tickets: 212-581-3080 or BirdlandJazz.com Cost: $25 cover, $10 food/drink minimum About UsWhen:
Every Monday at 10:00 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. June 21, 2012What a thrill to present JEREMY KUSHNIER in concert on Monday night. His debut with the Broadway at Birdland concert series was absolutely thrilling, and we sure look forward to many more nights of music and fun! His special musical guests included former leading ladies Jennifer Laura Thompson, TaRea Campbell, wife Jenny Lee Stern and the titular star of the current Broadway production of Jesus Christ Superstar, Paul Nolan(left, by Seth Walters). Sonny Paladino was musical director for the evening, and kept the wonderful music and arrangements flowing.
The following Cast Party was hot, hot, hot, and boasted an impromptu duet performance by my fave world renowned jazz guitarist/singer John Pizzarelli and 17 year-old jazz violinist Jonathan Russell (left, by Seth Walters), one of my all-time fave comediennes, Ms. Caroline Rhea, tap dancer-extraordinaire Andrew Nemr, YouTube sensation Charlie Puth,Mark Elliott, Kyle Taylor Parker, Natalie Douglas, Matt Falber, Allana Adderly, Gabrielle Stravelli, DK Ibomeka, Colleen McHugh, Nancy Harms, Timothy Oliver Reid, the cast of Holding Out For A Hero, and so many more! The Cast Party Symphony Orchestra (Tedd Firth, Steve Doyle and Daniel Glass) brilliantly accompanied the performers until the wee hours of the morning.
I was asked to be a judge and mentor at the Michael Feinstein Great American Songbook Vocal Competition in Carmel, Indiana last week, and I’m glad to tell you it was one of the happiest experiences of my life! Fellow judges La Tanya Hall, Sandi Patty, Sylvia McNair and I had the opportunity to work with ten of the most talented high school kids you could ever hope to meet. The first runner-up, Tony Ponella (left), will be joining us this coming Monday at Cast Party, and you just HAVE to hear him! He’s a spectacular performer – you’ll be able to say you ‘saw him when…!’
Broadway at Birdland!The Broadway at Birdland concert series will present “Here Goes Nothing,” an evening of songs by Drama Desk-nominated lyricist Jack Lechner, on Monday, June 25 at 7 pm. Guest performers will include Nancy Anderson, Chris Critelli, Desmond Dutcher, Jeannine Frumess, Andy Monroe, Jeremy Schonfeld, Lucas Steele, and Karen Ziemba. The music director is Boko Suzuki.
Lyricist Jack Lechner wrote the 2010 off-Broadway musical The Kid with composer Andy Monroe and librettist Michael Zam. The show won the Outer Critics Circle Award, the Jerry Bock Award, a Jonathan Larson Grant, a GLAAD Media nomination, a Lucille Lortel Award nomination, and five Drama Desk nominations, including one for Lechner’s lyrics. “Here Goes Nothing” will feature songs from The Kid, as well as from a number of unproduced and yet-to-be-produced shows with lyrics by Lechner. Lechner is also a film and TV producer, with credits including Blue Valentine, The Fog Of War, the Sundance Channel series Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys, the Trio series Parking Lot, the HBO documentaryLeft Of The Dial, the Showtime documentaries Very Young Girls and Naked On The Inside, and the pilot for Mad Men. As an executive at Miramax and Film Four, he developed and/or supervised such movies as The Crying Game, Good Will Hunting, Four Weddings And A Funeral, Little Voice, Shallow Grave, Backbeat, Velvet Goldmine, and The Full Monty. His books include Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You: One Man, Seven Days, Twelve Televisions and thepicture book Mary Had A Little Lamp. He teaches at both NYU and Columbia, and is on the steering committee of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theater Workshop. He will be joined on the Birdland stage by an array of exciting musical theater performers. Nancy Anderson made her Broadway debut as Mona in A Class Act, and also appeared in the Broadway revival of Wonderful Town. She received a 2000 Drama Desk Award Nomination for her portrayal of all the women in Jolson and Company at the York Theater, and a 2005 Drama Desk Nomination as the title role in Fanny Hill. Other notable credits include the title role in Peter Pan at Paper Mill, City of Angels at the Goodspeed Opera House, and No, No, Nanette and A Tree Grows In Brooklyn at Encores! Singer-songwriter Chris Critelli is a founding member of the Hive Theatre Company, appearing in their acclaimed production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream as well as many others. His New York performances include The Hypochondriac, The New Hopeville Comics, Kidnapping Laura Linney, and frequent appearances at the Songbook Series at Lincoln Center. Desmond Dutcher recently wrote and starred in the one-man show Qui C’est Trenet? at the Emerging Artists New Works Series; his other off-Broadway credits include Is That A Gun In Your Pocket? and The Gay Naked Play. Jeannine Frumess made her off-Broadway debut in The Kid, and also appeared in Burn at the Fringe Festival. Andy Monroe wrote the music for The Kid, and is currently writing book, music, and lyrics for an original musical called Drive. He also wrote music and lyrics for The Tragic And Horrible Life Of The Singing Nun, which was presented in the 2006 New York Musical Theater Festival, and was a 2007-8 Dramatists Guild Fellow. Andy has recorded three solo albums; The Village Voice called him one of “the most talented openly gay singer-songwriters in the country.” Singer-songwriter Jeremy Schonfeld’s albums include Drift, 37 Notebooks, and the recent Iron & Coal. He also acted in the independent film Clear Blue Tuesday, for which he wrote two songs. Jeremy has performed at Madison Square Garden, Birdland, Joe’s Pub, B.B. King’s, the Public Theatre, Symphony Space, and Lincoln Center, and is doing a three-concert residency at the Duplex this summer. Lucas Steele co-starred in The Kidas Terry, and was recently featured in Myths And Hymns at Prospect Theater Company; Broadway credits include The Threepenny Opera. Karen Ziemba received the Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Award for her performance in Contact. She was Tony-nominated for her work inCurtains, Never Gonna Dance, and Steel Pier; other notable roles includeAnd The World Goes ‘Round (Drama Desk Award), I Do! I Do! (Drama Desk nomination), Crazy For You, and leading roles at the New York City Opera in 110 In The Shade and The Most Happy Fella. For Encores! at City Center, she starred in Bye Bye Birdie, The Pajama Game, Ziegfeld Follies Of 1936, and Allegro. Jack Lechner When:Monday, June 25 at 7 pm Where: Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC Tickets: 212-581-3080 or BirdlandJazz.com Cost: $25 cover, $10 food/drink minimum June 14, 2012What a thrill to have multi-Grammy and Tony nominated Frank Wildhorn and his extremely talented friends on our stage this past Monday! The very first “Frank & Friends” was a smashing success, only prompting us to plan one a month – stay tuned for more information! Rob Evan (left, byStephen Sorokoff) sang his heart out with Frank at the piano, as did the extraordinary Morgan James and Michael Lanning. The evening celebrated the songs from the composer's wide range of work in popular, theatrical and classical music, and I’m happy to tell you that all profits are going to The Actors Fund, which helps all professionals in the performing arts and entertainment. So…a good guy with great friends performing fabulous songs for a worthy cause. That’s our kind of fun!
The following Cast Party was a hot one, and not just because of the summer heat! We were thrilled to celebrate the cast of Closer Than Ever, currently knocking everyone out at The York Theatre. The Matlby-Shire musical stars Jenn Colella, Christiane Noll, Sal Viviano and George Dvorskey, all of whom were brilliantly accompanied by Andrew Gerle. A few lucky (and knowledgeable) audience members even won tickets to the show! The Habibi Kings stormed the stage, bringing their Middle Eastern/Mediterranean music and fun to the Cast Party proceedings! Dapper-as-always Drew Nugent played the horn AND the teakettle (left, bySeth Walters)! Carly Sakolove did some amazing impressions, Dawn Mems sang so swell, and a very talented young man named Campbell Walker charmed us with a song from Gypsy. Samia Najimy Finnerty andCole Lumpkin make dazzling Birdland debuts – these two kids are talented far beyond their years, and we can’t wait for a return visit! Cabaret superstar Clint Holmes and his Musical Director Jeff Neiman thrilled the packed house. Justin Chase served up some Adele. Our beloved Victoria Shaw sang a swingin’ new ditty. Two London rocker chicks called “Never The Bride” entertained us, Emily Braden and Nancy Harms sang accompanied only by our bass-dude Steve Doyle, and we loved the gorgeous song by David Pendleton, who was lead singer for The Platters! We do it all over again this coming Monday, and we sure hope you’ll join us! Billy Stritch and I enjoyed the heck out of our second Sunday at Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle Hotel. Not only was the place jammed with music lovers, but the tuxedoed and gowned folks arriving post-Tony Awards were rewarded with an impromptu performance of “I Love A Violin,” starringLiza Minnelli, Michael Feinstein, Billy and me (left, photo by Paul Morrison)! Read all about it here! We’ll be there again this coming Sunday from 9-12 midnight!
Broadway at Birdland!Broadway at Birdland is proud to announce that JEREMY KUSHNIER will perform a New York concert for the first time in several years at the historic music room on Monday, June 18 at 7pm. Sonny Paladino will be musical director.
Kushnier is currently starring in the Broadway production of Jesus Christ Superstar in the dual roles of James the Lesser and Priest, as well as understudying the roles of Jesus, Judas and Pontius Pilate. He was first seen on Broadway as Ren McCormick in Footloose, and appeared as Roger in Rent. He has spent numerous years on the road as Radames in Aida(National Tour), Tommy DeVito in Jersey Boys (Chicago, Las Vegas and Toronto), and Dr. Madden in Next to Normal (National Tour). Jeremy Kushnier When: Monday, June 18 at 7pm Where: Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC Tickets: 212-581-3080 or BirdlandJazz.com Cost: $25 cover, $10 food/drink minimum |
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