Newsletter2013

June 27, 2013

I always say stuff like this, but Monday night's Natalie Douglas concert was one of her all-time best. Never mind that it was her twenty-fifth (!) show in the Broadway at Birdland series. The material, the band, the conversation and the gorgeous singing put Ms. Douglas into a whole new stratosphere of showbiz, if you ask me. You can also ask anyone in the jam-packed house that was cheering her! My personal fave was a simple, heartfelt, lightly-sung performance of "Sleepy Man," from Robber Bridegroom. It was out-and-out musical perfection, and we are so pleased and proud that Natalie has been such a big part of the Birdland family for almost ten years! The photo (left), serves up a little backstage primping that only a few lucky souls are privy to, including our brilliant photographer, Seth Walters!

The following Cast Party was an absolutely wonderful affair - an open mic other open mics can only dream of! The Hebrew Hillbilly AKA Shelley Fisher (left) told us she was born with a slightly tarnished silver fork in her mouth - then sang Ken Hirsch's "Bluff City Baby!" That Tony-winning musical genius, Steve Kazee, treated us with not one, but two gorgeous original songs. New Zealander Ali Harper sang her heart out, Mia Zanotti and her mom Laurie made a great Birdland debut, Dana Alexander (late of Jekyll & Hyde on Broadway) charmed the crowd with her exquisite vocals, and Patrick Oliver Jones sang "Leading Men Don't Dance" in his baritonial best! Kacie Sheik and Preston Sadlier sang from Zoe Sarnack's Lasting Impressions, Emily Shoolin and James Patterson sang from Swiss Family Robinson,Herve Alexander got very funky with his sax, Therese Curatolo belted some Broadway, Gabrielle Lee

sang the blues, KT Sullivan warbled a standard and literally kicked up her heels,Ellen O'Brien killed the people once again, and Christine Lavinbrought it all together with one of her brilliant tunes. When it was almost over, Kyle Taylor Parker and Robert Pendilla, both starring in Kinky Boots, showed up to lay the folks in the aisles, just like they do over at the Hirshfeld Theater eight times a week! Oh...it was a good night!

It's hard to believe, but I've been hosting, producing and writing about Cast Party (and the subsequent concert series) for TEN YEARS! This coming Monday, we're going to throw ourselves a little celebration and an Anniversary Party! I won't tell you much, other than the fact that we want you there!

The fun will start a little earlier - around 9pm. There will be surprises, some beloved regulars, and a few folks you might not have seen for a while. We certainly couldn't and wouldn't have done any of this without you, so call the club and reserve a seat!

Also, check out the hilarious piece the Wall Street Journal did in their "Culture Count" column (left)! And you can read what John Katsilometes said about our recent Las Vegas stint at the gorgeous Smith Center in the LV Sun!

The Broadway at Birdland concert series is thrilled to announce the return of 2013 Tony nominee Stephanie J. Block, who will be performing two very special concerts on the historic stage. These intimate concerts will take place onSunday, July 7 at 6pm and Monday, July 8 at 7pm.

Stephanie has established herself as one of the most relevant and versatile voices in contemporary musical theatre. She received both a Drama Desk and TONY nomination for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Alice Nutting/Edwin Drood in The Roundabout Theatre's production of THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD. Other Broadway credits include Reno Sweeney in the 2011 TONY Award winning revival of ANYTHING GOES, 9 TO 5:THE MUSICAL playing the role of Judy Bernly for which she earned a Drama Desk nomination for Best Actress in a Musical. She created the roles of Grace O'Malley in THE PIRATE QUEEN and Liza Minnelli In THE BOY FROM OZ (opposite Hugh Jackman). Ms. Block is best known for her portrayal as Elphaba in the Broadway company of WICKED as well as originating the role in the First National Tour for which she won numerous awards including the prestigious Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical. Ms. Block has sung with numerous symphony orchestras including the NY Pops at Carnegie Hall, Boston Pops, National Symphony Orchestra (under the baton of Marvin Hamlisch), Dallas Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Utah Symphony, Columbus Symphony, Charlotte Symphony and the Cleveland Pops among many others. Her solo concert has been critically acclaimed and continues to sell out throughout the US and in London. Some of her Off-Broadway and regional theatrical credits include BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK (Drama Desk nomination for Best Feature Actress in a Play), THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG (starring opposite Jason Alexander), CATS (St Louis' Kevin Kline Award Nominee- Best Actress), FUNNY GIRL, CRAZY FOR YOU (L.A. Ovation Award Nominee), OLIVER (Critics Award-Best Actress), James Joyce's THE DEAD, TRIUMPH OF LOVE, THE GRASS HARP, SOUTH PACIFIC, WILL ROGERS FOLLIES and the World Premiere of WICKED.

Stephanie's solo album, THIS PLACE I KNOW has been received with great praise. An array of award-winning songwriters assembled to help interpret their music on Stephanie's album. Composers such as Stephen Schwartz, Marvin Hamlisch and the legendary Dolly Parton join forces with Ms. Block to create a thrilling musical experience. Stephanie's voice can be heard on multiple cast recordings, including THE BOY FROM OZ, THE PIRATE QUEEN, WICKED's 5th Anniversary Album and 9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL (GrammyNomination). Stephanie is most excited about her upcoming project, co-starring with Will Chase in Second Stage Theater’s production of LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, with book and direction by James Lapine and music and lyrics by William Finn.

Stephanie J. Block
Sunday, July 7 at 6pm and Monday, July 8 at 7pm
Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
BirdlandJazz.com
$40 (center) or $30 (side), $10 food/drink minimum per person

About Us

"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 &
Traverse City Web Design

June 18, 2013

We're headed back to Las Vegas! Billy Stritch and I are thrilled to be bringing Cast Party to the brand new, extremely gorgeous Cabaret Jazz Room at The Smith Center on Wednesday, June 19 at 9:30pm.

We already know that some of the most dazzling headliners in town, as well as some of the stars of the hit musicals will be showing up to take a turn at the mic! You just can't miss it! All the details are below...and we look forward to seeing you!

Jim Caruso's Cast Party is a wildly popular weekly Open Mic Night that's brought a sprinkling of Broadway glitz and urbane wit to the legendary Birdland in New York City every Monday night for ten years. It's a cool cabaret night-out enlivened by a hilariously impromptu variety show. Showbiz superstars hit the stage alongside up-and-comers, serving up jaw-dropping music and general razzle-dazzle.

On June 19, 2013 at 9:30pm, this mix of music, performance and cocktail party revelry debuts at Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center in Las Vegas! Caruso and Stritch made their successful Vegas debut a few seasons ago, and are chomping at the bit to celebrate and join forces with the extraordinary local talent. At their last Vegas outing, they were joined by Donny Osmond, Clint Holmes, Mimi Hines, Frankie Moreno, Cashetta, and the stars of Jersey Boys, Vegas: The Show, Phantom of the Opera, and so many more.

For the past ten years, it's been the ultimate spot to mix and mingle with Manhattan show folk and their fans. The buoyant, sharp and charming Caruso guides the entire affair like a bubbly cruise director, musical genius Billy Stritch holds court at the ivories, and the audience is invited to participate in the festivities! It's the bash that would happen if somehow David Letterman and Ed Sullivan threw a hip house party around the nine-foot concert grand piano! Some of the A-Listers seen at Cast Party include Liza Minnelli, Michael Feinstein, Fiona Apple, Donny Osmond, Martin Short, Melissa Manchester, Josh Groban, Betty Comden, Jason Alexander, Linda Lavin, Jon Bon Jovi, Dave Koz, Carol Channing, Stephen Schwartz and Tony Bennett!

Jim Caruso's Cast Party

Wednesday, June 19 at 9:30pm
Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center
Tickets: $20-$30
www.thesmithcenter.com

June 6, 2013

We're coming up on the tenth anniversary of Cast Party, and there doesn't seem to be any end to the fantastic talent that shows up and boggles our collective minds at Birdland! Monday night's soirée certainly didn't disappoint the throngs who showed up to be entertained! Talented folks like Jennifer Zarin (who was celebrating her birthday), Sammy Goldstein, Joan Crowe,Gasine Heinrich, Mark Miller, Nancy Harms, Leslie Blum,Dominick Farinacci, and Roy Merriwether helped make the evening so special. Of course, our darling Christine Lavin never fails to entertain us! In the photo at left, you'll see Tony winning songwriter Lisa Lambert getting an impromptu baton lesson fromChris - something we bet has never happened within the hallowed jazz walls of Birdland!

Just a reminder that Billy Stritch, Steve Doyle and I will be returning to our snazzy perch at Bemelmans at The Carlyle Hotel this coming Sunday from 9pm to midnight. Don't worry - between swinging standards, I'll be giving Tony updates in case you weren't nominated or invited! We're sending loads of love and luck to our pals who are in the running, including Stephanie J. Block (coming to Birdland in July!), Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, Amanda Green, Tim Minchin, David Hyde Pierce, Santino Fontana, Rob McClure, Billy Porter, Stark Sands, Patina Miller, Laura Osnes, Danny Burstein, Richard Kind, Judith Light, Will Chase, Annaleigh Ashford, Victoria Clark, Andrea Martin, Keala Settle, Jerry Mitchell, and Stephen Oremus!

Kelli Barrett (Rock of Ages, Baby It's You!, The Royal Family,Bright Lights, Big City), Lisa Birnbaum (F#%king Up Everything,Abraham Lincoln's Big Gay Dance Party), William Blake (Male Vocalist of the Year, 2012 Cabaret Awards) and Darius de Haas(Dreamgirls, Rent, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Carousel) have joined the lineup for The Pop Show Presents….Adele! on June 10 at Birdland. The 7pm concert, part of the Broadway at Birdland series, will feature the songs of Adele, with proceeds benefiting VH1's Save the Music fund.

They join the previously-announced Farah Alvin (Nine, Grease!,The Marvelous Wonderettes) , Anika Larsen (Avenue Q, Rent,Closer Than Ever, Xanadu), Patti Murin (Wicked, Lysistrata Jones), Samia Najimy Finnerty, N'Kenge (Motown: The Musical,Sondheim on

Sondheim), Orfeh (Legally Blonde, The Gershwins' Fascinating Rhythm, Love, Janis, Saturday Night Fever), Jarrod Spector (Jersey Boys, Les Miserables) and American Idol FinalistErika Van Pelt with The Pop Show Band and Singers (Meaghan Burke, Ally Jenkins, Hannah Levinson, Mike Rosengarten,Adam Wolfe, Melanie Brook and Melanie Burg).

The announcement was made today by John Capo, the creator and producer of The Pop Show. The Broadway at Birdland series is presented by Jim Caruso.

Journey through the songbook of the reigning Queen of Pop, Adele, a singer-songwriter who aims straight for the heart. Featuring songs from both of Adele's multi-platinum-selling records, proceeds from the concert benefit VH1's Save the Music fund, dedicated to restoring music education in America's public schools. The concert features music direction by Brandon Sturiale.

What is The Pop Show? Pop decadence done right: Each month we pick a different pop music theme. Irresistible performers collide with the pulsating Pop Show Band and Singers to bring you rare, unexpected, once-in-a-lifetime singer/song pairings, creating a

unique and intense auditory experience. Depending on the show, it could be pop. It could be country. It could be 70s soul or 80s glam. It could be an entire concert of Amy Winehouse songs. Or The Doors. Surprise guests, audience giveaways and delirious musical merriment make The Pop Show New York's most unmissable and unpredictable concert event

The Pop Show Presents…Adele!

Monday, June 10 at 7pm
Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
www.BirdlandJazz.com
$30/$35 cover, $10 food/drink minimum per person

May 30, 2013

"The Pop Show," an exciting new series that has found a home at Birdland, made a smashing debut on Monday night! ProducerJohn Capo rounded up an inspiring cast to celebrate the songs of Elton John - including Tony winner Tonya Pinkins (left, by Seth Walters), who razzle-dazzled the crowd with "Bennie And The Jets" and "Your Song." After great performances by Jason Wooton, Van Hughes, Russell Fischer, Jarrod Spector, Daniel Quadrino, Christopher Jackson, Leslie McDonel, Natalie Douglas, and Kyle Dean Massey, the eminent Len Cariou took to the stage, shouting out a defiant "Circle Of Life," breathing new life into those wonderful lyrics.

Special thanks to the Pop Show Band, led by Brandon Sturiale on piano, Adam Wolfe on drums,Cody Owen Stine on keys, Mike Rosengarten on guitar and Eric Day on bass. Singing backup were Melanie Brook, Melanie Burgand Clint Carter. The good news is the same crew and a new bunch of singers will be back on June 10th (that's in two weeks) with a tribute to the extraordinary songs of Adele! Make your reservation now!

The following Cast Party had a lot to live up to, after the Elton-fest and last week's star-studded fun. But, as always, it was the Party that didn't disappoint! Steve Kazee (left, by Seth Walters), who won last year's Tony and millions of hearts for his performance inOnce, brought his guitar and blew the packed house away with his heartfelt, folk/pop-inspired songs.

There were also brilliant performances by Sam Alhadid, William Blake, Sue Bilich,William Blake, Charles West, Pamela Enders, Jenna Esposito,Jenny Lynn Stewart, Melanie Brook, Janet Fanale, Simon John, Melanie Marad, Kevin Ray, and the hilarious Christine Lavin, who had the entire audience out of their seats dancing in the aisles.

The CP Symphony Orchestra (Tedd Firth, Steve Doyleand Daniel Glass) accompanied everyone so skillfully - can you believe the musical excellence they provide week after week?

We do it all again this coming Monday - and sure hope you'll be there to join in the fun!

The Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to present the return of 17 year-old jazz acoustic and electric pianist Beka Gochiashvili, along with Jason Kibler (DJ Logic) and James Hurt (electric piano), Lamont McCain (electric bass guitar), Lionel Loueke (guitar), Jaleel Shaw (alto saxophone), and Justin Brown (drums).

Beka Gochiashvili was born in Tbilisi, Georgia on March 11, 1996. He was just two and half years old, barely reaching his upright piano claviature, when he suddenly surprised his father by playing some of Scott Joplin's Ragtime tunes he heard on radio. Then at age 4 he watched Standards II by Keith Jarrett, Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette - the video recording that triggered his devotion and passion for this sophisticated trio and their

performance style. By age five, Beka was playing several piano compositions already. In 2002 Valeri, his father, a musician himself, took him to Zurab Ramishvili, the most prominent jazz piano professor in Georgia. The child's ability to play a few complicated jazz compositions impressed him. Notwithstanding, he advised them to enroll Beka in classical music classes at a school headed by Tengiz Chitaishvili.

By age nine, Beka began jazz studies under the direction of Zurab Ramishvili. A year later, he was already playing at various jazz clubs in Tbilisi. In 2007, Beka participated in Saulkrasti Jazz Festival in Latvia, where his performance skills were highly assessed by Lenny White and Victor Bailey. In the same year he played at the 10th International Festival "Georgians Play Jazz" held in Grand Hall of Tbilisi State Conservatory. In April 2008, the US Embassy in Tbilisi hosted two State Department sponsored cultural envoys - jazz pianist Dan Tepfer and Joel Harrison, Artistic Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Pianists Association, who performed with Beka. Both of them highly praised Beka's unique talent.

By the efforts of Condoleeza Rice, Mr. Harrison and John Teft, former US Ambassador in Georgia, Beka and Mr. Ramishvili travelled to New York in 2008 to participate in auditions at the Juilliard School and at the Manhattan School of Music. Not surprisingly, Beka was accepted in both schools. In July 2009 with the support of Nikoloz Rurua, then Minister of Culture and Monument Protection of Georgia and great jazz aficionado, Beka travelled to participate in the prestigious Bosendorfer Solo Jazz Piano competition at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Montreux, Switzerland, where he was awarded 1st prize. He is the youngest participant of this highly acclaimed annual festival.

Numerous diplomas were awarded to Beka, including diploma for participation in Georgian-German Festival for Young Musicians-Performers Tbilisi-2003, diploma for participation in a concert (Children's Album) dedicated to 165th anniversary of Pyotr Tchaikovsky, diploma for participation in an international festival held in Germany in 2004. In 2009, the Development and Reforms Fund of Georgia and in 2010, 2011 and 2012 Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia awarded Beka a full scholarship for studies at the pre-college division of the Juilliard School, where he takes jazz piano classes with Frank Kimbrough. In addition he takes private piano classes with Fred Hersch and Danilo Perez. In the Fall of 2009 Gianni Valente, the owner of Birdland, saw Beka's performance at Jim Caruso's Cast Party and he and Jim decided to schedule him for a concert. Beka's successful debut concert in the USA, at Birdland in March 2010 enabled him to perform later at various famous clubs and concert halls such are Rialto Center for the Arts, Atlanta, GA, Creole, New York, NY, Birdland again in June 2010, New York, NY.

Beka Gochiashvili

Monday, June 3 at 7pm
Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
www.BirdlandJazz.com
$25 cover, $10 food/drink minimum

May 23, 2013

Every month at Birdland, the Grammy and Tony nominated composer Frank Wildhorn gathers up some brilliantly talented friends and a rocking band for "Frank & Friends." The one-night-only concert celebrates the songs and favorite performers from the composer's wide range of work in pop and theatrical music, with all proceeds going to The Actors Fund. This past Monday, Frank's pals included Las Vegas and supperclub headliner Clint Holmesand Broadway mainstay Capathia Jenkins. (Holmes has recently been traveling the country singing Wildhorn's songs and praises, and Jenkins made her Broadway debut in the composer's production of The Civil War before starring in Caroline, Or Changeand Newsies.) Both singers are dazzling interpreters of the Wildhorn songbook, bringing passion,

swing, humor and bold vocals to the material. Wildhorn, once again, proved to be a warm, witty and affable host, all the while providing smart accompaniment at the piano. Material was wide-ranging, from well-known theatrical hits to a Whitney Houston ballad that had the house swooning and singing along. Click here to see some gorgeous Seth Walters photos of the event!

It was all-things Tony Awards at the following Cast Party. The cast of The Mystery of Edwin Drood staged a reunion, with Tony nominee Stephanie J. Block, Bobby Creighton, Andy Karl,Jessie Mueller, and Betsy Wolfe all grabbing the mic separately and together with a live performance of their YouTube hit, "Bustle Fluffah!" Drood composer/writer Rupert Holmes (with his cast,left) then surprised everyone by singing his #1 hit, "The Pina Colada Song!" (Lucky audience members won the new Drood cast recording, too.) Norm Lewis set hearts aflutter with a gorgeous "On A Clear Day," Tony-nominated composers Benj Pasek andJustin Paul sang from their A Christmas Story score, Marva Hicks, who plays Gladys Knight in Motown, sang one of Gladys' biggest hits, Lesli Margherita (Mrs. Wormwood in Matilda) camped and vamped "Making Love Alone," David Osmond (from The Osmonds 2nd Generation)

sang a heartfelt "Danny Boy," Broadway spitfire Natalie Hill belted a standard, and songwriterKen Hirsch sang his Anita Baker hit, "No One In The World." Supperclub headliner Clint Holmes and jazz superstar Jane Monheit brought some seriously swinging vocals to the proceedings, and rock star vaudevillian Marcus Monroe had the crowd screaming as he juggled five clubs while passing himself through a tennis racket! It was all just business as usual at Cast Party, which is why it's been called "the most extreme open mic in the world!" Click here to see more amazing photos by Seth Walters!

The Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to announce the premiere of The Pop Show, Birdland's newest monthly event. Each month, incomparable Broadway, jazz and cabaret performers sing the hits and lesser-known gems from a different pop musician's catalog backed by a pulsating six-piece band. This month's concert features the songs of Elton John. The Pop Show is created and executive produced by John Capo, with musical direction by Brandon Sturiale.

The Pop Show Presents…Elton John! will star Len Cariou (Sweeney Todd), Christopher Jackson (In The Heights, Memphis), Natalie Douglas (Seven-Time MAC Award Winner), Jarrod Spector (Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys), Van Hughes (American Idiot, 9 to 5), Daniel Quadrino (Bye Bye Birdie), Leslie McDonel (Hairspray,American Idiot), and Kyle Dean Massey (Next

To Normal, Wicked). (Hairspray,American Idiot), and Kyle Dean Massey (Next To Normal, Wicked). For the complete lineup and additions, visit PopShowNYC.com.

The Pop Show Presents…Elton John!

Monday, May 27 at 7pm
Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
www.BirdlandJazz.com
$30/$35 cover, $10 food/drink minimum

May 16, 2013

It was swell having Cortés Alexander and "The Swell Show" on the Birdland stage Monday night! My goodness, but he brought an epic extravaganza to his New York fans, what with a great band (Billy Stritch, Ray Marchica, Norman Ludwin & Clarke Thorell) and his "Swell Girls," Julie Garyne and Melissa Bailey. Between his hip vocals, crunchy chords, old-school showbiz energy and sequined shoes, the show was an out-and-out smash. (We’ve never seen such a varied group of groupies – everyone from Ashley Olsen to Liza Minnelli showed up to support Tez.)

The cast and creators of the Tony nominated musical Hands On A Hardbody were cheered and celebrated when they performed at Cast Party. Co-writer Amanda Green (Tony-nominated for herHardbody work, as well as Bring It On), Tony nominee Keala Settle (left), as well as Kathleen Monteleone, Jim Newman, and Jay Armstrong Johnson all sang from the show, guaranteeing some future record sales just from the few hundred folks in the house! Also in the house and/or on the stage were Liza Minnelli, Julie Garnye, Aaron Weinstein, Christine Lavin, Billy Rogan, Jenna Esposito and Mark Aaron James, among many others.

This coming Monday, Jim Caruso’s Cast Party will continue celebrating Tony Season with performances by the cast of TheMystery of Edwin Drood (including Tony nominee and regular Birdland concertizer Stephanie J. Block (left), as well as Robert Creighton, Andy Karl and Jessie Mueller), A Christmas Story Tony-nominated composers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, Lesli Margherita from Best Musical nominee Matilda, and Marva Hicks, from Motown: The Musical, which received four nominations.

ALL PHOTOS BY SETH WALTERS except STEPHANIE J. BLOCK, by BILL WESTMORELAND

The Broadway at Birdland partnership with multi-Grammy and Tony nominated composer Frank Wildhorn continues with another "Frank & Friends" concert on Monday, May 20 at 7pm, featuring Broadway performer Capathia Jenkins and supperclub star Clint Holmes, with Wildhorn at the piano. 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, 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.

This event benefits The Actors Fund. 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"

Monday, May 20 at 7pm
Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
www.BirdlandJazz.com
$25 cover, $10 food/drink minimum per person

May 9, 2013

On Monday night at 7pm, our favorite power-couple Allan andArlene Lazare, threw a party for their glamorous and talented friends, and I was happy to host the whole affair.

The gorgeous soiree was essentially an amped-up, bedazzled Cast Party with performances by folks like Neil Sedaka, Jon Fiore, Ann Hampton Callaway, Nicolas King, Kelly King, Sean Michael Murray, Billy Stritch, Jamie deRoy, Peter Cincotti, Tony Danza, and my favorite Dreamgirl, Sheryl Lee Ralph (left), among many others. You've never seen more beautiful New Yorkers in one venue - including three of the "Real Housewives," who create a buzz in any room! It's always fun to see my friend Jill Zarin, along with Bravo-lebrities Ramona Singer and Sonja Morgan! Thanks to the Lazare's for choosing Birdland as their Party Central!

After almost ten years of writing this newsletter, I'm at a loss for how to start this next paragraph. To say that the following Cast Party was entertaining, inspiring, hilarious and musically thrilling has been done! But it's true! With a cast that included the very smooth stylings of Chaz Langley, a duet by neo-Platter Cheo Bourne and Jen Ellis, Canadian jazzer Adi Braun, the dazzlingAnn Hampton Callaway, guitar genius Billy Rogan (left), sax-ologist Craig Richard, the swinging Nicolas King, crooner Eric Hoffman, Feinstein finalist Tony Ponella, the ridiculously talentedWilliam Blake, soulful composer David Goldman, the very strange Professor, the original Cast Party-er David Raleigh, golden-voiced Mike Eldred, jazzy Nancy Harms, LA cabaret-guyDennis McNeil, brilliantly funny Jim Brochu and the...spoons...ofMichael Garin, you know fun was had. There were a few newcomers, too - E. Rose, Lisa Casalino, Lisa Yaeger andEmma Hawthorne all made very good musical impressions on the packed house! The Cast Party Symphony Orchestra (Tedd Firth,Steve Doyle & Daniel Glass) worked overtime (literally) backing up the newcomers and beloved regulars. We'll do it all over again this coming Monday, with Matt Baker on piano, so please join us!

Speaking of this Monday, I'm excited to tell you that for the next two weeks, Cast Party will be celebrating Broadway!

With the Tonys coming up, we're thrilled that folks like Amanda Green (nominated for her brilliant lyrical work in Hands on a Hardbody), along with her cast members Jim Newman, Keala Settle, and Kathleen Monteleone will join us for a performance. And I'm thrilled that the amazing Marva Hicks, who is knocking ‘em dead as Gladys Knight in Motown, the Musical, will sing her heart out for us, too!

All photos by Seth Walters.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to present the New York solo debut of Cortés Alexander in "The Swell Show" on Monday, May 13 at 7pm.

Alexander last appeared on Broadway as one-fourth of The Williams Brothers in the Tony Award-winning, Liza's At the Palace. For the past several years, he has been performing "The Swell Show" across the country, mixing pop, jazz, lesser-known Broadway tunes, and original compositions combined with amusing biographical anecdotes.

Alexander is supported by two spirited "Swell Girls," including Melissa Bailey (with whom he appeared in Broadway's Marilyn: An American Fable) and Julie Garnyé (Les Miserables). Musical direction for the evening will be Billy Stritch.

Cortés Alexander was the recipient of two MAC awards

and a Backstage Bistro Award for his vocal group, The Tonics. Recently, he was nominated for "Best Male Cabaret Performer" by BroadwayWorld/LA and was dubbed one of the "Best Cabaret/Concert Artists" from Best in LA Theatre 2012.

Cortés Alexander in "The Swell Show"

Monday, May 13 at 7pm
Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
www.BirdlandJazz.com
$25 cover, $10 food/drink minimum per person

About Us

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 & Traverse City Web Design

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May 2, 2013

I've known Spencer Day for years. The Concord Records artist has been a constant on the NYC entertainment scene, was an early Cast Party reveler, and recently joined Billy Stritch and I on the Dave Koz Jazz Cruise. When I added him to the Broadway at Birdland lineup, I had a feeling that he would bring a freshness to the series, and boy, was I right! He stormed the stage with wonderful original songs, tight arrangements, dazzling musicians, and a unique sound which combines smoky swing with Middle Eastern melodies, if you can imagine. His persona is a little bit James Bond, and a little bit Motown. If you think that sounds like an insane combination, you'd be right, which is exactly why we think Spencer is headed for very, very big things. We are completely jazzed to watch his career, which will hopefuly include another appearance on our stage!

The following Cast Party was a veritable pu pu platter of entertainment styles, which is why it's been an audience favorite over it's ten year history! The packed house sure seemed to appreciate everyone on Monday night, including Therese Curatolo (left), who started the Party with a bang, thanks to her penchant for gorgeous belting. Italian crooner Matteo Setti and his musical director Daniele Falangone caused some serious swooning. Chelsea Barker performed "I Can't Say No," the song that made Celeste Holm a superstar, just as Celeste's husbandFrank Basile walked into Birdland. And what are the odds that it happened to be Celeste's birthday? We all sang a Happy Birthday to the late, great Celeste, knowing she was applauding from beyond! Kassie Carroll, Danielle Turner and George Garcia, some very

talented graduates from the Sam Houston State University musical theater department, came, sang and conquered. We can't wait to watch their careers soar! Dallas divaTraci Lee entertained us royally, David Goldman brought some original pop/rock, and Sarah Rice warbled a happy tune. There were beloved regulars, some newcomers, and the Cast Party Symphony Orchestra accompanied everyone brilliantly!

All photos by Seth Walters.

There will be a private event at Birdland this coming Monday at 7pm, but the Broadway at Birdland concert series will resume the following week, with Cortés Alexander in "The Swell Show!"

The Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to present the New York solo debut of Cortés Alexander in "The Swell Show" on Monday, May 13 at 7pm.

Alexander last appeared on Broadway as one-fourth of The Williams Brothers in the Tony Award-winning, Liza's At the Palace. For the past several years, he has been performing "The Swell Show" across the country, mixing pop, jazz, lesser-known Broadway tunes, and original compositions combined with amusing biographical anecdotes.

Alexander is supported by two spirited "Swell Girls," including Melissa Bailey (with whom he appeared in Broadway's Marilyn: An American Fable) and Julie Garnyé (Les Miserables). Musical direction for the evening will be Billy Stritch.

Cortés Alexander was the recipient of two MAC awards and a Backstage Bistro Award for his vocal group, The Tonics. Recently, he was nominated for "Best Male Cabaret Performer" by BroadwayWorld/LA and was dubbed one of the "Best Cabaret/Concert Artists" from Best in LA Theatre 2012.

Cortés Alexander in "The Swell Show"

Monday, May 13 at 7pm
Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
www.BirdlandJazz.com
$25 cover, $10 food/drink minimum per person

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April 25, 2013

Victoria Shaw and Jim Brickman brought such joy, humor and great musicianship to the Broadway at Birdland stage on Monday night - it's a wonder the showbiz police didn't arrest all of us for Excessive Fun. These two old friends cheered and celebrated each other's successes, but were only too happy to tease each other - and the happy crowd was charmed by the mélange of hit songs the two have provided the world! With the extra-special surprise of guest vocalist Mike Eldred, this particular "Under The Covers" certainly lived up to it's reputation as one of our favorite regular bookings! (This photo of Vic, Jim & Mike, as well as the photo below, are by Seth Walters.)

The following Cast Party was an absolute blast, with many thanks to musical swells like Matt Baker, David Raleigh, and Steven Cree (left), who clearly kept me amused! They all performed brilliantly, as did the afore-mentioned Victoria Shaw and Mike Eldred, our old pal Matt Kacergis, Giuseppe Bausilio, Matteo Setti, Nancy Harms, Matt Falber, and a post-Streisand-concertColleen McHugh! I was so happy to see and hear Sachel Vasandani, one of my favorite jazz-dudes, who sounded great as always. There were lots of newcomers, and quite a few beloved regulars, and the Cast Party Symphony Orchestra (Tedd Firth,Paul Gill and Carmen Intorre) accompanied everyone brilliantly. And guess what? We do it all again this coming Monday, and we expect to see your beautiful face there!

Speaking of beautiful, Billy Stritch and I just made the happy schlep to Las Vegas, where we hosted a private Cast Party on the main stage of the extraordinary Smith Center. The on-stage soirée was for the donors of the half-billion-dollar theatrical complex, and our talented cast gave the people their money's worth! Birdland's own William Blake (left, rehearsing with Mr. Stritch) stopped the show with a brilliant "At Last," Susan Anton wailed "Let the Good Times Roll," The Phat Pack harmonized exquisitely, Dana Martin(one of my favorite Miss Texases) belted some Streisand in honor of the diva's birthday, Tori Anna purred "Love is Here to Stay,"Kelly Clinton did the best Cher since Cher, Clint Holmes was his brilliant swinging self, Fifth Avenue showed off their spectacular blend, Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr. showed why he won "America's Got Talent," and Elisa Fiorillo, who sings backup for Prince, served the most gorgeous "Someone Like You!"

It was the most fun ever, thanks to Myron Martin and his staff, and we look forward to bringing Cast Party back to the Cabaret Room on June 19!

The Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to present vocalist/songwriter/pianist SPENCER DAY in concert on Monday, April 29 at 7pm.

In the three years since the release of his debut recording "Vagabond," Spencer Day has spent some time in the uncomfortable places where light and clarity disappear into the mysteries of uncertainty. He survived the journey, and he's come back with a story to tell, and a wiser perspective about himself and the world. That story rooted in his own experience, yet filled with revelations and truths that are universal to any human being who has ever put his or her heart at risk, is captured in the 13 tracks of "The Mystery of You," his new album, released March 12th, 2013 on Concord Records. Spencer has taken "The Mystery of You" and turned it into a Storyteller meets cabaret experience for his audience.

Self-exploration is nothing new to Spencer Day, who recalls a troubled childhood in a conservative town in Utah, and a volatile home life resulting from his parents'

troubled marriage. His primary means of escape were music and movies. He grew up listening to a wide cross-section of composers, including Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Joni Mitchell, John Lennon and Paul Simon. And the classic MGM musicals in the local theater - the only options available in his G-rated hometown - eventually left their mark on his creative sensibilities. He didn't start performing in public until age 21, mostly singing standards in piano bars and retirement homes. "I was probably three or four years into that when I realized that that wasn't totally satisfying to me," he recalls. "I realized that I needed to write as well." That's when things got into high gear. His 2004 debut album, Introducing Spencer Day, was primarily a collection of standards, but the title track from Movie of Your Life, released the following year, won the San Francisco Academy of Art University's 2005 competition for best original song. The resulting video was selected by Dolby Laboratories as a demonstration video for the global launch of the Dolby 7.1 system. Day performed at the 2007 San Francisco Jazz Festival, and has been a recurring headliner in a number of high-profile Bay Area clubs, including Yoshi's, the Plush Room, the Great American Music Hall and the Herbst Theatre. On the opposite coast, he has earned raves for performances at the Town Hall, Joe's Pub and the Canal Room in New York City , and the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. He has also appeared at both the Monterey Jazz Festival and the Tanglewood Jazz Festival.

SPENCER DAY

Monday, April 29 at 7pm
Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
www.BirdlandJazz.com
$25 cover, $10 food/drink minimum

About Us

"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

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April 18, 2013

This past Monday, the Broadway at Birdland concert series presented the very first UKE NIGHT!, featuring ukulele performances by Broadway performers Marc Kudisch, Nancy Anderson, Clarke Thorell, Lauren Molina, Jason Poole, Erin Denman, Bev Ward, Kevin Worley, Hannah Elless, Mara Davi,Aaron Gaines, and Brittney Bertier. The evening was beautifully produced and charmingly hosted by Jeffry Denman, and let me tell you, there will be more uke-tastic evenings coming up. It was one of the most joyous,

refreshing and musically delightful shows to come down the pike in years! From traditional Hawaiian tunes to rock and Broadway, this show proved that if you're a brilliant musician, there's no limit to the sounds an instrument can make! Proceeds from the show will go to the Daniel Barden Family Fund - Daniel was one of the children lost in the Sandy Hook tragedy. We were proud to present the show in his memory.

And then Cast Party happened. I'm not afraid to tell you it started out slowly. On a normal night we have about 25 singers on the list before we start, but Monday, there were about four. Only my dry cleaner knows how nervous I was. My mind was racing as I wondered, was that it? Had we finally peaked after ten years? The Cast Party Symphony Orchestra (Tedd Firth, Steve Doyle &Carmen Intorre) and I opened the show with a zippy number, and I could start to see folks slowly starting to line up at the door…always a good sign. Then Liza Minnelli and Michael Feinsteingrabbed a table. Another good omen. All of a sudden, the place was packed and we had more singers than we could handle. The level of talent was shockingly good, thanks to party revelers like T. Oliver Reid, Karis Danish, Sarah Rice, Melanie Marad, Darren Bethel, Matt Baker, Molly Ryan & Dan Levinson, genius tapperAndrew Nemr, writer Michael Garin, Symoné, William Blake, uke star Jason Poole, sax maniac Craig Richard, Lisa Casalino,Debbie Lane, Cassandra Kubinsky & Frosty Lawson,Guerreiro, all the way from Brazil, and Kimiko, who sang "Take the A-Train" in Japanese (a first!). Our new friend from Italy,Matteo Setti (left), sang a gorgeous version of the brilliantly-titled "Caruso" that I personally enjoyed very much!

This dramatic tenor can swing, too, and he did just that with "Just A Gigolo," with his pianist Daniele. The night turned into a love-fest for the Great American Songbook - with a few originals thrown in to dazzle the crowd! Join us this coming Monday to see what all the fuss is about!

Many thanks to Tom Dworetzky for a wonderful interview in theNew York Daily News!

All photos by Seth Walters.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to announce the return of Under the Covers, hosted by award-winning pop/country hit songwriter, Victoria Shaw. This event will take place on Monday, April 22 at 7pm.

Joining Victoria on this date will be her good friend and multi-platinum, award-winning pianist Jim Brickman.

Under The Covers has become a favorite recurring highlight at Birdland, featuring a wide variety of top-selling songwriters and musical acts from across the pop, rock and country worlds, and offering intimate acoustic performances of huge hit songs - along with the little-known stories behind them.

Victoria Shaw is a pop/country songwriter responsible for over 65 million cd sales! As a singer, she had the great opportunity to open for Garth Brooks in the historic 1997 Central Park concert. Victoria also wrote one of Garth's biggest hits of all-time, "The River." The two-time Emmy Award-winning composer also wrote "I Love The Way You Love Me" for John Michael Montgomery and "Nobody Wants To Be Lonely" for Ricky Martin and Christina Aguilera. Her songs have been recorded by Olivia Newton John, Boyzone, Faith Hill, LeAnn Rimes, Reba McEntyre, Tricia Yearwood,

Billy Ray Cyrus, and Michael McDonald. She co-produced the debut cd for Lady Antebellum, which went gold, thanks to two hit singles, and was nominated for two Grammy Awards.

Jim Brickman has revolutionized the sound of solo piano with his pop-style instrumentals and star-studded vocal collaborations. Since the release of his debut album No Words in 1994, Jim Brickman’s romantic piano sound has made him the best-selling solo piano artist of our time. Brickman's best-known compositions include the chart-toppers “Valentine,” “The Gift,” “Love of My Life,” “Simple Things” and “Peace.”

He’s established a reputation for his collaborations with many gifted musical artists: Lady Antebellum, Martina McBride, Kenny Loggins, Michael W. Smith, Carly Simon, Herb Alpert, Collin Raye, Michael Bolton, Donny Osmond, and Olivia Newton-John.

His signature style has brought him six Gold and Platinum albums, 30 charted adult radio hits, and two Grammy nominations. He recently tied for most Number One albums on Billboard’s New Age chart, and he currently holds four of its Top 10 spots. Brickman received top honors with two SESAC “Songwriter of the Year” awards, a Canadian Country Music Award and a Dove Award presented by the Gospel Music Association. Brickman has been a strong supporter of PBS, starring in four TV concert specials:Beautiful World (2009), Jim Brickman Live from Disney’s Magic Kingdom (2005), My Romance—An Evening with Jim Brickman(2000) and Love Songs and Lullabies (2002).

Brickman has received international acclaim as a concert performer, taking his popular live concerts to more than 125 cities each year. Other artistic endeavors include a popular weekly radio show, Your Weekend with Jim Brickman; two best-selling books, Simple Things and Love Notes; debuts at Carnegie Hall and the White House; and international touring from Spain to Thailand. Brickman lends a hand to many charitable foundations, including Autism Speaks and UNICEF. A scholarship was recently established in his name at the Cleveland Institute of Music.

Victoria Shaw “Under The Covers”

Special Guest: Jim Brickman
Monday, April 22 at 7pm
Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
$25 cover, $10 food/drink minimum
www.BirdlandJazz.com

Jim Caruso's Cast PartyWhen: Every Monday at 10:00 PM!

Where: BIRDLAND Jazz Club
315 West 44th Street (between 8th & 9th), NYC

Phone: 212.581.3080

What People are Saying

"...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

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April 11, 2013

On Monday night, our Beloved Broadway at Birdland concert series presented an encore performance of Scott Siegel’s “Eleven O’Clock Numbers,” a musical review that ran at Feinstein’s at the Regency Hotel for eight months! The show tune spectacular starred Christina Bianco, Carole J. Bufford and Scott Coulter, with musical direction by John Fischer, and featured a wide array of songs from the 1930’s to the present, performed in an equally wide range of styles. Such a long run is rare in the nightclub world, but the show was as slick, tight and polished as ever, and the superb cast dazzled the packed house! Thanks to all involved for a wonderful evening!

What followed was one of the most love-filled, musically-thrilling birthday parties ever, as the folks at Jim Caruso’s Cast Party celebrated the 85th Birthday of the most energetic, vocally dazzling, swinging nightclub divas on Earth, Marvelous Marilyn Maye! Divas and divos came out en masse to serenade and cheer their Marilyn, including Ann Hampton Callaway, Jane Monheit,Julie Wilson, Linda Lavin, Billy Stritch, Amra-Faye Wright,Brett Druck, Christine Lavin, David Rasche, Gabrielle Stravelli,Guiseppe Bausilio, Jeffry Denman, Erich Bergen, Jenna Esposito, Harvey Evans, Jim Brochu, Sarah Rice, Jonathan Russell, William Blake, designer Mario Buatta,

and the conductor of the New York Pops, Steven Reineke. After a performance by the birthday gi!rl with the Cast Party Symphony Orchestra (Tedd Firth, Steve Doyle & Daniel Glass), hostCaruso and Birdland owner Gianni Valenti honored Marilyn by unveiling of a spectacular Seth Walters photo mounted on the historic Birdland wall. Maye is in good company; her photo joins a gallery of musical icons that includes Oscar Peterson, Charlie Parker, Michel Legrand and George Shearing.

All photos by Seth Walters.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to present the very first UKE NIGHT! on Monday, April 15 at 7pm, featuring Ukulele performances by Broadway performers Nancy Anderson, Brittney Bertier, Mara Davi, Erin Denman, Jeffry Denman, Hannah Elless, Marc Kudisch, Aaron Gaines, Jason Poole, Clarke Thorell, Beverly Ward, Kevin Worley, and Rachel Arielle Yucht. The evening will be hosted by Jeffry Denman.

UKE NIGHT! will be an evening completely dedicated to the "Jumpin Flea" - the Ukulele. These Broadway stars will delve into the history of the uke starting with its Hawaiian origins and its explosion in the US in the

1920's all the way to its current pop music resurgence. UKE NIGHT! will be an eclectic mix of traditional Hawaiian, American Songbook, Broadway, Rock, Contemporary and original songs featuring some of Broadways biggest stars playing their ukuleles.

UKE NIGHT!

Monday, April 15 at 7pm
Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
www.BirdlandJazz.com
$25 cover, $10 food/drink minimum

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April 4, 2013

I first met Karen Mason in 1986, when she was booked into the short-lived West End Cabaret in Dallas. I was overwhelmed by her vocal pyrotechnics and humor back then, just as I was on Monday night, when she stormed our beloved Birdland stage. Time has been kind to Ms. Mason. Not only was her performance as clear and focused as it was when we met twenty-seven years ago - it's taken on a burnished intelligence that can only come from years of working, learning, loads of success and maybe even a certain amount of disappointment. Cabaret singers wear their joy and pain on their bedazzled sleeves, and Mason is no exception. Her performance of "The Man That Got Away" is filled with so much irony and sadness that the listener is urged to punch any man, woman or shyster promoter who could disappoint her. On the other hand, her patter and persona are so sunny and self-deprecating, and her takes on "Goldfinger" and "The Trolley Song" so joyful, that you just know she'll weather whatever storms come her way. This is cabaret at it's most excellent, and we can't wait for her return.

You can’t say Cast Party doesn’t bring a diverse bunch of exceptional talent to the Birdland stage! On Monday night, the place was jammed with showbiz glitterati like Liza Minnelli,Michael Feinstein, folk superstar Christine Lavin, “As The World Turns” star Colleen Zenk, fashionista Malan Breton, jazzersDominick Farinacci, Nancy Harms, Roy Merriwether, Eric Hoffman, songwriters Mark Aaron James, James Wilson, Hillary Rollins, David Goldman, cabaret stars Natalie Douglas, Mirium Waks, Martha Lorin, Nick Ziobro, Adelaide Mestre, Tony Ponella, William Blake, and so many more. It was also great to meet Babette Gorman, one of the owners of the NY Yankees, who let Karen Mason try on her ginormous 2009 World Series Championship diamond ring! But it was blues/folk/rocker Josh Flowers

from London who stole the show with his guitar and beautifully esoteric original tune. He’s having great success across the pond, but this was his New York debut, so I’m proud that the packed house honored him with the only standing ovation of the night! We won’t soon forget Josh, and know he’ll treasure his Manhattan memories.

This coming Monday, after the performance of "11:00 Numbers," Cast Party will be the place to celebrate marvelous Marilyn Maye's birthday! Some big doings are in store, and quite a few of your favorite performers can't wait to serenade her! Be there, or be extremely square!

All photos by Seth Walters.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to present the return of "11 O'Clock Numbers At 7PM." The musical revue will take place on Monday, April 8 at 7PM. Birdland is located at 315 West 44 Street, NYC. Tickets are $25, with a $10 food/drink minimum per person. www.BirdlandJazz.com

"11 O'Clock Numbers" (a musical theater term for those blowout songs near the end of the show that rock the house) features an extraordinarily surprising range of songs from the 1930's to the present, performed in an equally surprising range of styles. Critically acclaimed, the show ran for eight months at Feinstein's At The Regency. This show marks the one year anniversary of the first sold out performance at Birdland of "11

O'CLOCK NUMBERS AT 7 PM," the musical revue that the Wall Street Journal called"Spectacular!"

During the intervening year, the show's three stars have continued to blossom individually as popular attractions. Christina Biancohas twice sold out Birdland with her solo shows, plus starred with the NYC Gay's Men Chorus in two major concert dates. Scott Coulter recently performed with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in a show so well received that it will be performed again and filmed for television. Carole J. Bufford has performed two different nightclub acts, both of which have received rave reviews from the New York Times. Her most recent show, "Body And Soul," received 13 out of 13 rave reviews.

These three standout performers will be joining together again in a show conceived and produced by Broadway concert impresarioScott Siegel, who is also the creator of the critically acclaimed Broadway by the Year series at Town Hall, plus the Nightlife Awards, Broadway Unplugged, and twice produced The Best of Jim Caruso's Cast Party at Town Hall. The 11 O'CLOCK NUMBERS show was originally produced for Feinstein's at Loew's Regency where it ran a remarkable eight months.

"11 O'Clock Numbers At 7PM"
With Christina Bianco, Carole J. Bufford & Scott Coulter

Monday, April 8 at 7PM
Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
$25 cover, $10 food/drink minimum per person
www.BirdlandJazz.com

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March 28, 2013

“But you gotta have friends..!” It was indeed pure joy to work with my long-time, very dear friend Julie Halston again, and to present her four Mondays in a row as part of the Broadway at Birdland concert series. Not only did we do great business, which is the whole idea of show business, but we had a ball coming up with creative ways to sell the show, and get the word out to her hoards of friends and impressive fan base! As it gets harder and harder to secure ink for nightclub events from major publications, we got down and dirty, and nobody works harder and cares more than Ms. Halston! Huge thanks to everyone involved, including directorCarl Andress, sound and light dude PJ Meyers, the beautiful Birdland staff and owner Gianni Valenti! Let’s do it again! (left by Seth Walters)

Monday’s Cast Party was as international as I’ve ever seen it, and that’s saying something! There was a table of 30 musical theater fans from Denmark, a slew of talented Aussies, and a gorgeous performance of “Sukiyaki” by Mika and her friends (left, by Seth Walters). It was great to see and hear our wonderful Californian friends Randi Driscoll and Noah Heldman again, and Turkish Yale-man Samih Gork made an impressive Birdland debut with his tenor voice. Funny/filthy lady Lisa Lampanelli brought some very talented kids to perform, including Emily Lessard, Carson “Prince Harry” Stewart and Alex Chambriello. Christine Lavinkilled, as
always, as did her friend Bill Barry, who hosts the

monthly Songwriters Square in LA. The Copa Boys harmonized and rat-packed brilliantly, Daniel Siegel jammed with the band on drums and Nick Gentile (another Aussie) absolutely dazzled us with his vocal talents! The music and fun continued into the wee hours, and we couldn’t have been happier about it! You should join us next week, when we do it all over again!

The Broadway at Birdland concert series is pleased to announce the return of Broadway actress and cabaret star KAREN MASON, who will be performing a brand new show, “Secrets of the Ancient Divas” on Monday, April 1 at 7pm.

"Secrets of the Ancient Divas” is a whimsically titled look at a subject Mason holds near and dear to her heart: the iconic singers who have influenced her. In this concert, she will take on the songs of Judy Garland, Peggy Lee, Shirley Bassey and Barbra Streisand. Songs will include “The Trolley Song,” “The Way We Were,” “The Man That Got Away,” and “Goldfinger.” The musical director for the evening will be Christopher Denny, with direction by Barry Kleinbort.

Karen Mason recently starred on Broadway as The Queen of Hearts in Frank Wildhorn's Wonderland, and as Velma Von Tussle in the Tony Award-winning Broadway smash hit Hairspray. Mason originated the role of Tanya in Mamma Mia!, for which she was awarded a 2002

Drama Desk nomination as Best Actress. Karen also starred as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard, a role that she played over 200 times to critical praise and standing ovations on Broadway and in Los Angeles. She had previously won the Outer Critics Circle Award for her performance in And The World Goes Round.

Mason’s other New York theatre credits include Jerome Robbins' Broadway (playing Mazeppa and singing "Mr. Monotony"), Play Me A Country Song and Torch Song Trilogy on Broadway; and Off-Broadway in Carnival (1993 Drama Desk Award nominee for playing Rosalie) and Karen Mason Sings Broadway, Beatles and Brian.

In regional theatre, Karen starred in the world premiere of A Christmas Story as Miss Shields, in White Christmas, playing the "Rosemary Clooney" role (St. Louis Muni Opera), Side by Side by Sondheim (Coconut Grove Playhouse), Gypsy (Sundance Theatre), the world premiere musical One Tough Cookie, which she co-produced (Chicago's Apple Tree Theatre), Heartbeats by Amanda McBroom (Goodspeed Opera House) and Company (Boston's Huntington Theatre). Karen also starred in a one-woman musical about Dorothy Parker called You Might as Well Live, which played in New York and Chicago.

Karen is a ten-time MAC Award winner and has won the award for Major Female Vocalist of the Year for six consecutive years. She has also won the 2006 Nightlife Award for Major Female Vocalist and three Backstage Magazine Bistro Awards. The internationally acclaimed vocalist has performed concerts throughout the world in such countries as Great Britain, Scotland, Sweden, Japan, Spain and Brazil. In New York, she has headlined Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Feinstein’s at The Regency, Rainbow & Stars, The Algonquin, Arci's Place, The Supper Club, The Metroplitan Room, and The Ballroom; The Cinegrill and the UCLA/ASCAP Concert Series in Los Angeles; The Plush Room in San Francisco; and Park West, Davenport’s and The Metropolis in Chicago. Karen has shared concert stages with such musical luminaries as Luciano Pavarotti, Rosemary Clooney, Liza Minnelli, Michael Feinstein, Jerry Herman, and John Kander & Fred Ebb. Her starring symphony concert performances include The New York Pops with Skitch Henderson, The Philly Pops with Peter Nero, The Oklahoma Philharmonic with Joel Levine, the premier performance of The Chicagoland Pops, The Indianapolis Philharmonic and the St. Louis Symphony with John McDaniel.

Karen Mason in “Secrets of the Ancient Divas”

Monday, April 1 at 7pm
Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
www.BirdlandJazz.com
$30 cover, $10 food/drink minimum per person

March 21, 2013

Julie Halston has a lot of friends. She is adored by some super-talented show biz glitterati, like the folks surrounding her at left, (Carl Andress, Mary Testa, Julia Murney, Max von Essen, Ms. Halston and Justin Squigs Robertson). Other people befriend the comic diva because they’re obsessed with her comedy stylings, magnificent acting chops and rather twisted take on life. They find her on Facebook, Twitter, and all manner of fan-based outlets. Friend or super-fan, they come out in force when Halston decides to present one of her hysterically funny, sequined and bejeweled whine-tastings. This past Monday was no exception, and Birdland was packed to the walls with people roaring with laughter at “Classical Julie,” one of the best evenings of chat we’ve ever witnessed! There is only one more night of this “Month of Halston,” so hurry to www.BirdlandJazz and snag a ticket!

The following Cast Party was, once again, a stunning mix of extraordinary talent! It’s always a swell soirée when there are two dazzling ladies like Colleen Zenk and Jane Monheit (left) in the house! And where else would you witness Shelley King FisherAKA “The Hebrew Hillbilly,” singing the blues? Three performers from Australia, Helen Fenton, Emma Dean and Fronz Arp, thrilled us with their gorgeous music. Trillion-selling songwritersKen Hirsh (“I’ve Never Been To Me”) and our beloved Victoria Shaw (“The River”) both sang some hits and future-hits. There were swinging tunes by Dawn Derow & Matt Baker, David Goldman, Cassandra Kubinsky, Colleen McHugh, Natalie Douglas, Dominick Farinacci, Molly Ryan & Dan Levinson,Eric Hoffman, Nancy Harms and Therese Curatolo. The Cast Party Symphony Orchestra (Tedd Firth, Steve Doyle & Daniel Glass) have never been better – which is why we’ll do it all over again this coming Monday! Please join us!

All photos by Seth Walters.

March 14, 2013

Julie Halston, Julie Halston: What a beautiful, beautiful name! It's even more gorgeous if you enjoy laughing your head off - which the crowd certainly did this past Monday. The second show of our month-long Julie-Palooza was a smashing success, partly due to the fact that her show, "Classical Julie," is one of the funniest 75 minutes you will ever spend in a chair. The New York Post said they'd "pay to hear her read the phone book," and that she "takes her show to dizzying hilarious heights." Backstage Magazine says Julie "gives a Master Class in how to milk a laugh," and admits that "there aren't many actors as funny as Halston!" We love giving you a backstage look at the pre-show Ms. H. (left, by William Blake), but you have to join us on one (or both!) of the next two Mondays at 7pm to see one of our all-time favorite funny ladies on the Birdland stage!

Miranda Sings marched into March, and led a parade of Mirfandas that packed Birdland for three days solid. Literally every seat, chair or horizontal surface was taken by cheering, stomping, shrieking lovers of the gal who's singing voice could only be called Picasso-esque. After each wacky show, she hosted a meet and greet, with the line of jublilant fans snaking all the way to the opposite wall of the club. In the photo to the left (by Seth Walters), you'll see Birdland owner Gianni Valenti schmoozing with the diva - along with hundreds of admirers! If you haven't experienced one of her shows, check out her YouTube channel - along with over 53 million others interested parties! We thank Miranda's ever-patient handler/stylist/driver, Colleen Ballinger for making it all run so smoothly!

What a joy for Billy Stritch and I to be performing back at The Carlyle Hotel again! Our month of Sundays started with a real bang…we were transferred to the beautiful and historic Café from our usual roost at Bemelmans Bar, thanks to a chic private party thrown by Lady Gaga! So many of our pals showed up, including one Marilyn Maye, who favored us all with a very special musical treat! Stephen Sorokoff snapped this great photo of us (left) - he's always around to capture some of our most exciting moments, and we couldn't be more appreciative!

This week's Cast Party was sweller than swell, with a bevy of uniquely talented, beautiful and hilarious partiers! How great to see hula hoopiste-extraordinaire Malia Walsh, gorgeous Melanie Reid and genius singer/writer/ukulele player David Celia (left)! Where else would you find that combination? And isn't a great mix what makes a good party? We were also delighted by performances by guitarists David Goldman and Billy Rogan, singers Janet Planet, Therese Curatolo, Kevin Ray, Floanne, Lee Anderson, Matthew Newton, Miriam Waks, Vanessa Trouble, and two upstarts named Jane Monheit and Marilyn Maye! Matt Baker brilliantly led the Cast Party Symphony Orchestra (Steve Doyle & Daniel Glass), and everyone had a ball, just like we will next week - if YOU show up!

March 7, 2013

Julie Halston attacked the Birdland stage with an animalistic energy that caught even the most fanatical of her admirers off-guard. The opening night of her four-show run, “Classical Julie,” was a who’s who of the showbiz scene, and included Tyne Daly(left, with Julie), Lisa Lampanelli, Charles Busch, James Lecesne, and so many more. The new act includes fresh Halston rants, as well as her inimitable take on Ibsen and other highly literate writers. Her impression of Little Edie Beale performing the role of Lady MacBeth was an audience favorite, as was a harrowing experience with her sister, who is a “Revolutionary War Reenactor.” Of course, there were iconic readings of some of the more ridiculous New York Times wedding announcements that have become Halston trademarks.After the show, Lampanelli screamed, “I bow down to Julie Halston! She is one-of-a-kind!” Tyne roared, "Miss/Ms/Mrs. Halston is the real deal. Real funny. Real smart. Real-diculous!" We’re so thrilled to have JH on our stage for three (3!) more Mondays, so get your tickets now. You can also read all about it HERE!

The following Cast Party was super-fun and super-talent-filled, even though New York City was overrun with benefits, award shows, release parties and other assorted events. We sure love our regulars, and they came out in force: Klea Blackhurst,Natalie Douglas, William Blake, David Goldman, Mark Aaron James, Gabrielle Stravelli and Molly Ryan have never sounded better! They all have the ability to play and improvise onstage, so that our beloved audience gets a show they’ll never get anywhere else – what a New York experience! There were some extraordinarily talented newcomers like Sam Al Hadid, and Claire Walters, as well as folks from all over the planet – Australia, Norway, Japan, Brazil – it speaks well of Birdland, which has been a destination for so many music lovers for over 60 years! The evening ended with a lively performance by

Klea Blackhurst andAndrea Prestonario (left) of “Together, Wherever We Go,” which they performed in Gypsy at the Drury Lane Theatre in Chicago. Many thanks to the Cast Party Symphony Orchestra (Tedd Firth,Steve Doyle and Daniel Glass) for keeping some brilliant musical energy pumping all night! We’ll do it again this coming Monday – and Matt Baker will be at the piano, along with Messrs. Doyle and Glass!

And then…Miranda happened. After two sold-out shows, YouTube sensation (over 53 MILLION fans) Miranda Sings only has one more night of her absolutely insane, ridiculous and hilarious run, and we urge you to grab one of the remaining seats at the bar! She sings with pitch you could only say is Picasso-esque. She has a face only Modigliani’s mother could love. This time, she’s brought her take on the Easter story, a slew of talented singer friends, and her very own bobble-heads for sale.

All photos by Seth Walters.

February 28, 2013

The folks at Birdland and I were so proud to present the third annual Broadway Belts for PFF, which, thrillingly, raised over $70,000 for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation! That might be an all-time record! The evening was hosted by Dame Julie Halston, and starred Klea Blackhurst, Linda Lavin, Emily Bergl, Debbie Gravitte, Emma Hunton, Alyssa Paulsen, Robert Creighton,Max von Essen, John McDaniel, and Ed Watts. The show was directed by Carl Andress, with musical direction by Jesse Kissel. (It was fun to introduce Linda Lavin, who starred in the original Broadway It's A Bird…It's a Plane. . .It's Superman) to the new Broadway Man of Steel, Ed Watts!) All proceeds from the night will go toward the Michael Kuchwara Fund for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Research, Education and Advocacy in honor of the late and beloved Associated Press theater critic and reporter.

We can now add ‘hula-hoopiste' to the list of unique talents shown off at Cast Party! Malia Walsh (left) started with one, but ended up with about 30 chrome hoops twirling around her costumed self. And the crowd went wild! It was great to see and hear Well Strung, the beefcakey string trio, as well as Aaron Weinstein, the high-strung jazz violinist. Newcomer pianist/singer Eric Yves Garcia impressed everyone as did Katie Noonan, a gorgeous Australian singer with 4 Ozzie Grammys and 7 Platinum Records! It was…just another night of extraordinary talent at Cast Party – and we do it all over again this coming Monday, with our brilliant musical team Tedd Firth, Steve Doyle and Daniel Glass on the bandstand!

All photos by Seth Walters.

February 21, 2013

*Note: This coming Monday’s Cast Party will start at 10:30, due to the sold-out “Broadway Belts” benefit for Pulmonary Fibrosis.

My friend Lorna Luft (left) has been absent from the New York nightclub scene since the closing of Rainbow & Stars, so it was a historic comeback-of-sorts when she returned to town as part of the Broadway at Birdland concert series for two very special nights. This Monday night’s version of “Lorna’s Living Room” celebrated female songwriters, including Betty Comden, Dorothy Fields and Laura Nyro, with special appearances by Broadway’sCarrie Manolakos and singer/songwriter-extraordinaire Ann Hampton Callaway. The evening included conversation, insider stories, old-school belting, and a rocking finale of “Eli’s Coming” sung by the trio of ladies that had the packed house, includingCountess LuAnn de Lesseps, Rex Reed, Michael Musto, Max von Essen, Klea Blackhurst, Andrea Prestonario, Natalie Douglas, and Barry Manilow’s team on it’s feet. The band, directed by Colin Freeman at the piano, included Steve Doyle on bass and Daniel Glass on drums. Lorna – come back SOON!

Singer Ann Hampton Callaway called the following Cast Party “Musical Church,” and deemed me the “Irreverent Reverend!” It was the be-all and end-all of extreme open-mic madness, with impromptu performances by some of the best talent on the planet. Ms. Callaway led a blues vocal quintet, along with headliner Lorna Luft, Carrie Manolakos, Birdland’s William Blake and Manilow-co-star Muffy Hendrix (left). Their song, “Diva Power,” was composed on the spot by the singers, developing into a roaring, riffing belt-fest! Jazz superstar Raul Midon, in

town headlining with Karrin Allyson at the Blue Note this week, sang, scatted and offered amazing vocalize to the proceedings. Lindsay Mendezand Michael Holland (alums from the recent Broadway Godspell) stole hearts with a new song and dazzling musicianship.

Not to be outdone, Broadway stars Jessica Rush, Nick Adams,Ashley Brown and Michael James Scott (left) gave a thrilling taste of their upcoming concert version of Songs For A New World.Elizabeth Stanley, one of our favorite Broadway leading ladies, sang a sexy and surprising "Hound Dog." The Copa Boys, currently performing at Irridium, brought Rat Pack realness and tuxedoed elegance and fun to the stage. There was a wealth of very young talent, as Feinstein-winners Nick Ziobro and Tony Ponella crooned and jazz violinist Jonathan Russell thrilled. Favorite cabaret gal KT Sullivan reminisced with a Weimar ditty, and T. Oliver

Reid showed off his spectacular vocals with style and aplomb. The Cast Party Symphony Orchestra (Tedd Firth,Steve Doyle and Daniel Glass) kept the music sublime, and the fun went on into the wee hours!

All photos by Seth Walters.

This Monday's "Broadway Belts," a benefit for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, is sold out! Cast Party will start an hour later – at 10:30 – so plan accordingly!

Then…we are beyond thrilled to announce the return of Broadway actress/comedienne JULIE HALSTON to the stage in "Classical Julie" on Mondays, March 4, 11, 18 & 25 at 7pm.

"Classical Julie" debuted this past July, and was such a smashing success that Birdland invited Ms. Halston back for a month-long run of Mondays. The show combines 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 recently appeared 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, and The Boys from Syracuse 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"

Monday, March 4, 11, 18 & 25 at 7pm
Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
www.BirdlandJazz.com
$25 or $35 cover, $10 food/drink minimum per person

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February 14, 2013

It was sheer joy as Lorna Luft (left, Derek Storm) stormed the Birdland stage on Monday night! The SRO crowd welcomed her with open arms as she belted out her opener, “You Don’t Know Me.” But of course, we all know Lorna – she grew up on TV, in the movies and on the stage. We know her famous showbiz story. As the daughter of Judy Garland and Sid Luft, she was thrust into the spotlight from the word go, singing, dancing and acting her way into our collective hearts. Her new show, “Lorna’s Living Room,” is a constantly-changing, partly slick/partly-impromptu soirée filled with songs from the Great American Songbook, insider stories and very special guests. This particular evening celebrated the men in her life, including songwriters Rodgers & Hart, Irving Berlin and Burt Bacharach. She invited two extraordinary talents, David Elderand Tony Yazbeck to croon and hoof, and the whole affair was like one of those old-school Hollywood parties we read about!

There were some showbiz heavy-hitters in the house, too. Barry Manilow (on his day off from his 8-show a week Broadway run) and Lorna’s sister Liza Minnelli (left, Derek Storm) sat together, and playwright/actor Charles Busch led one of the many standing ovations. We’re happy to tell you that the fun happens again this coming Monday, with all-new material saluting the female composers who inspire Lorna – including the great Dorothy Fields, Betty Comden and Laura Nyro. Special guests will be jazz/cabaret diva Ann Hampton Callaway and Broadway star Carrie Manolakos.

All of that excitement was an awesome lead-in for Cast Party. One of our all-time favorites, Carol Woods (left, Seth Walters), joined us after her performance as Mama Morton in Chicago. Her “God Bless The Child” was as soulful and awe-inspiring as it gets. The Company Men, a musically slick and totally charming vocal quartet from California, dazzled the house, Leslie Spencer (who has been on the road singing with the Brian Setzer Orchestra) sang and swang, David Rasche thrilled us with a new and original Cast Party theme song, and Aussies Matt Baker and Matthew Newton killed. Colleen McHugh and William Blake brought disco back with a hilarious “Enough Is Enough,” Janet Fanale sang a Valentine to bacon, and our Vegas friend Dre rocked our socks off. There were so many great performances – and the fun went on into the wee hours as usual. Tedd Firth, Steve Doyle and Daniel Glass did us proud, musically speaking, and we’ll do it all over again this coming Monday!

The Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to announce that Emmy Award-winning actress/singer Lorna Luft will return to Birdland with her new show on Monday, February 18 at 7pm.

Lorna Luft’s Birdland show, “Lorna’s Living Room,” is a place where old friends show up, sing, make merry, and anything can happen! Last week, she played hostess-with-the-mostess in a boy’s night, saluting Irving Berlin, Rodgers and Hart and Burt Bacharach. This Monday, February 18, it’s the girl’s turn as award-winning jazz/cabaret diva Ann Hampton Callaway and singer/songwriter and Broadway sta Carrie Manolakos drop by to help Lorna salute the female composers who continue to inspire. Expect songs from the great Dorothy Fields, Betty Comden and Laura Nyro.

At age 11, Lorna Luft made her television debut singing on her mother’s series, “The Judy Garland Show.” Since then, she has had starring roles in both television and film. Most recently, Lorna joined Alan Cumming and Margaret Cho as part of the talented voice cast of Logo Network’s animated series “Rick and Steve.”

Lorna is no stranger to the stage and has enjoyed numerous successes across the globe, including Broadway and the West End. She starred in the 2006 blockbuster UK premiere production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas: The Musical. She quickly followed that success with the 2007 hit revival of Rodgers and Hart’s Babes in Arms at the prestigious Chichester Festival Theatre. Lorna reprised her role in White Christmas: The Musicalfor the 2007 and 2009 winter seasons and most recently in 2011 at the Papermill Playhouse. Concurrent with her theatrical career, Lorna is a gifted live performer frequently featured as a concert artist at the world’s most prestigious venues including: The Hollywood Bowl, Madison Square Garden, Carnegie Hall, The London Palladium, and L’Olympia in Paris…just to name a few. One of her most ambitious projects to date is the highly acclaimed multi-media production Songs My Mother Taught Me—The Judy Garland Songbook. This theatrical extravaganza melds one of the world‘s most familiar songbooks with personal memories of a loving daughter.

Songs My Mother Taught Me, which Variety called “a rousing, dramatically riveting musical event,” was awarded two Los Angeles Theatre Alliance Ovation Awards (Best World Premiere Musical and Best Musical Direction). The Los Angeles Times called her performance “heart-stopping and thrilling… an incandescent revelation not to be missed.” A CD based on the concert, produced by Barry Manilow and Colin R. Freeman, was released on October 22, 2007 from First Night Records.

Lorna Luft in “Lorna’s Living Room”

Monday, February 18 at 7pm
Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
www.BirdlandJazz.com
$35 cover (Center Seating), $25 cover (Side Seating), $10 food/drink minimum per person

About Us

Jim Caruso's Cast Party

When: Every Monday at 10:00 PM!

Where: BIRDLAND Jazz Club
315 West 44th Street (between 8th & 9th), NYC

Phone: 212.581.3080

What People are Saying

"...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 & Traverse City Web Design

Contact Us

Become a Cast Party Fan on Facebook
Visit Jim Caruso on Facebook
Subscribe to the Cast Party Newsletter
Visit the Cast Party Newsletter Archive
The official Cast Party Website
Jim Caruso's Website
Send Jim Caruso an e-mail
Contact the Administrator

February 7, 2013

This past week’s “Frank & Friends,” hosted by the wildly successful theater/pop songwriter Frank Wildhorn, was one of the best in a series of musically thrilling monthly concerts he’s brought to the Birdland stage. Armed with his top-notch band and a cast that included jazz superstar Jane Monheit, Bonnie & Clyde starMelissa van der Schyff, and the guy who can sing most anything,Tituss Burgess (left, with FW, by Seth Walters), Frank made sure the show dazzled fans and friends…and rocked the house! He’s such a warm and charming host, and his pianistic talents are spectacular! He’ll be back in April for another thrilling night, so watch this space for details!

Shockingly, I turned one year older on Tuesday, so Monday night’s Cast Party was awash in birthday balloons and party hats, thanks to my funny pals Marcus Monroe, Brett Druck and Jena Sharratt! The cast of the Broadway production of Cat On A Hot Tin Roof joined us, and their own Benjamin Walker (left, by Seth Walters) performed a very blue/bluesy “New York State Of Mind,” with profanity we don’t remember from the Billy Joel version. Our pal Emily Bergl is in the show, too, and she sang her heart out as usual. Both were hilarious and fabulous, and it was great to hang with the Cat cats, including Ciaran Hinds and Benjamin’s wife, the amazing Mamie Gummer.

One of my all-time favorite singers, Gloria Loring (left, by Seth Walters), came to watch the fun, and we actually got her on stage to sing one of her most beloved hits – “The Facts Of Life” theme song! She promises to make a return and sing something gorgeous for us! The afore-mentioned Ms. Monheit serenaded us, as did dazzling divas Carole J. Bufford, LaTanya Hall, Mary Foster Conklin, Nicole Zuraitis, Alysha Umphress, Natalie Douglas, Floanne, and so many more! Tedd Firth, Saadi Zainand Daniel Glass made up the Symphony Orchestra, so you know the music was stupendous! We do it again this coming Monday…and I hear a certain superstar icon might be joining us. You better dust off your peppy tune and come!

The Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to announce that Emmy Award-winning actress/singer Lorna Luft will make her Birdland debut in two very special shows on Monday, February 11 and Monday, February 18 at 7pm.

Lorna Luft makes her Birdland debut in "Lorna's Living Room," where old friends show up, sing, make merry, and anything can happen! Lorna will be hostess-with-the-mostess for two shows in February: On Monday February 11, it's boy's night at "Lorna's Living Room," with Broadway leading men James Clow and Tony Yazbeck helping salute the men in Lorna's musical life, including Irving Berlin, Rodgers & Hart and Burt Bacharach. On Monday February 18, it's the girl's turn as award-winning jazz/cabaret diva Ann Hampton Callaway and Billboard Top-25 hit-maker Kelly King drop by to help Lorna salute the female

composers who continue to inspire. Expect songs from the great Dorothy Fields, Betty Comden and Laura Nyro.

At age 11, Lorna Luft made her television debut singing on her mother's series, "The Judy Garland Show." Since then, she has had starring roles in both television and film. Most recently, Lorna joined Alan Cumming and Margaret Cho as part of the talented voice cast of Logo Network's animated series "Rick & Steve."

Lorna is no stranger to the stage and has enjoyed numerous successes across the globe, including Broadway and the West End. She starred in the 2006 blockbuster UK premiere production of Irving Berlin's White Christmas: The Musical. She quickly followed that success with the 2007 hit revival of Rodgers and Hart's Babes in Arms at the prestigious Chichester Festival Theatre. Lorna reprised her role in White Christmas: The Musicalfor the 2007 and 2009 winter seasons and most recently in 2011 at the Papermill Playhouse. Concurrent with her theatrical career, Lorna is a gifted live performer frequently featured as a concert artist at the world's most prestigious venues including: The Hollywood Bowl, Madison Square Garden, Carnegie Hall, The London Palladium, and L'Olympia in Paris...just to name a few. One of her most ambitious projects to date is the highly acclaimed multi-media production Songs My Mother Taught Me—The Judy Garland Songbook. This theatrical extravaganza melds one of the world‘s most familiar songbooks with personal memories of a loving daughter. Songs My Mother Taught Me, which Variety called "a rousing, dramatically riveting musical event," was awarded two Los Angeles Theatre Alliance Ovation Awards (Best World Premiere Musical & Best Musical Direction). The Los Angeles Times called her performance "heart-stopping and thrilling... an incandescent revelation not to be missed." A CD based on the concert, produced by Barry Manilow and Colin R. Freeman, was released on October 22, 2007 from First Night Records.

Lorna Luft in "Lorna's Living Room"

Monday, February 11 and Monday, February 18 at 7pm
Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
www.BirdlandJazz.com

$35 cover (Center Seating), $25 cover (Side Seating), $10 food/drink minimum per person

About Us

"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 & Traverse City Web Design

Contact Us

Become a Cast Party Fan on Facebook
Visit Jim Caruso on Facebook
Subscribe to the Cast Party Newsletter
Visit the Cast Party Newsletter Archive
The official Cast Party Website
Jim Caruso's Website
Send Jim Caruso an e-mail
Contact the Administrator

January 30, 2013

Bernadette Peters, Patti LuPone, Liza Minnelli, Celine Dion, Kristin Chenoweth, Drew Barrymore, Adele and Barbra Streisand were all on the Broadway at Birdland stage on Monday night. There might not normally be room for a cast that large, but in this particular instance, they were present in the vocal pyrotechnical know-how ofForbidden Broadway and Newsical alum Christina Bianco (left, by Seth Walters)! Her show, More Diva Moments, included songs like “Somewhere Over The Rainbow,” "What Did I Have That I Don’t Have,” and “Last Dance,” as well as a hilarious dramatic reading of well-known voices reciting passages from Ms. Streisand’s recent book about design. The show was like a well-honed nightclub act of yore, with musical direction from

the always-inventive Fred Barton, who knows a little something about showbiz, thanks to his many years at Forbidden Broadway. These two make a great team, and along with a tight combo, dazzled the SRO crowd! Let’s do it again soon!

The following Cast Party was, quite literally, three hours of non-stop great musical entertainment! We were so glad to see our friend Rhonda Ross (left, by Seth Walters) and her band come through the doors at Birdland. She’s a wonderful singer, thrilling entertainer and one of the nicest gals in town! (I can’t imagine how jazzed she is to see her parents’ story brought to life on the Broadway stage in Motown the Musical! Between mom Diana and dad Berry, her blood is pure showbiz!) Broadway’s former Marius and Cosette, Adam Jacobs and Ali Ewoldt, showed off their gorgeous vocals and gave us a taste of their upcoming Town Hall concert, which will be stupendous! Andrew Nemr tapped his feet off for us, and proved that he was one of Gregory Hines’ most brilliant protégés. T. Oliver Reid, an alum of ten

Broadway shows, sang his heart out, Carole J. Bufford sang the blues, Gabrielle Stravelli swang herself into a frenzy, Therese Curatolo made a triumphant musical return to us, Tony Ponella sang from Honk,Arielle Jacobs reminded us of her gorgeous performance from In The Heights, David Raleigh charmed everyone with his re-tooling of a favorite standard, and our own Amanda Green sang from her upcoming Broadway musical, Hands On A Hardbody! (That’s her THIRD musical to come to the Great White Way, if you’re keeping track…and we are!) This was just the tip of the talent iceberg, as the performances went on and on into the night! We’ll be doing it again this Monday night, with Tedd Firth, Steve Doyle and Daniel Glass as our Symphony Orchestra, so come see us!

The Broadway at Birdland partnership with multi-Grammy and Tony nominated composer Frank Wildhorn continues with another “Frank & Friends” concert on Monday, February 4 at 7pm. The series of very special one-night-only concerts celebrates the songs and favorite performers from the composer’s wide range of work in popular, 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.

The concert will take place on Monday, February 4 at 7pm, and will feature jazz vocalist Jane Monheit, and theater singers Melissa van der Schyff (Bonnie and Clyde) and Tituss Burgess (The Little Mermaid, Guys and Dolls), with Wildhorn at the piano. 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, 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”
With Jane Monheit, Melissa van der Schyff & Tituss Burgess

Monday, February 4 at 7pm
Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
www.BirdlandJazz.com
$35 cover, $10 food/drink minimum

About Us

Contact Us

Become a Cast Party Fan on Facebook
Visit Jim Caruso on Facebook
Subscribe to the Cast Party Newsletter
Visit the Cast Party Newsletter Archive
The official Cast Party Website
Jim Caruso's Website
Send Jim Caruso an e-mail
Contact the Administrator

January 23, 2013

On Monday night, Stephen Wallem, the actor/singer best known for his role as Thor on the Emmy-winning television series “Nurse Jackie” stormed the Broadway at Birdland stage with Schwartz And All, a musical tribute to composer Stephen Schwartz. In the celebration of Schwartz, popular and obscure works fromGodspell, Wicked, The Magic Show, Pippin, The Baker’s Wife,Personals, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and Children of Eden were represented.

Wallem was joined by musical director Beckie Menzie, Steve Millhouse on bass, Andy Jones on drums, and dancers Sarah Jenkins Briedis and Kelly Sheehan. Direction was by Tony Humrichouser, and choreography was by Kelli Barclay.

The house was packed with Wallem fans, including his “Nurse Jackie” co-stars Edie Falco (left, with Wallem) andDominic Fumusa, singers Natalie Douglas and Scott Coulter,Jane Blass from Annie and Matt Roush from TV Guide, playwright/”Nurse Jackie” writer Liz Flahive and Stephen’s parents, who came from Rockford, Illinois to cheer!

The following Cast Party was one for the books, as hilarious juggler/crazy-person Marcus Monroe (left) mounted a 7’ tall unicycle and proceeded to terrify us all with his antics! Also taking part in the merriment were the Avalon Swing Band (Tatiana Eva-Marie & Adrian Chevalier), Chris DiCristo, Kelly King,Sean Michael Murray, Colleen McHugh, Sharon Clark, Kevin Ray, Christine Bogan, Sean Harkness, Dawn Derow, Jennifer Bennett, Barry Shafrin, Angela Bacari, Molly Ryan, Matt Baker,Charles West, Carly Ozard, Nancy Harms, Nicolas King, and so many other talented folk!

The whole scene was caught on camera, thanks to CityBuzz, who is planning a swell recap, which will be seen in 150,000 hotel rooms, in taxis and on JetBlue!

We do it all again this coming week, so grab your upbeat ditties and join us!

The Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to announce that Drama Desk-nominated actress and acclaimed cabaret performer Christina Bianco will perform More Diva Moments: Songs That Made Divas Out Of The Women Who Sang Them! on Monday, January 28 at 7pm.

Praised for her work in Forbidden Broadway and Newsical The Musical, Bianco’s versatile vocals and celebrity impressions entertain and connect with audiences of all ages. Song selections range from Broadway classics to well-known standards and popular hits, including: “Somewhere Over The Rainbow,” “What Did I Have That I Don't Have,” “River Deep Mountain High,” “Bewitched Bothered & Bewildered,” “Last Dance” and a fewForbidden Broadway gems!

Musical Director for the Birdland concert will be Fred Barton.

Christina is currently starring Off-Broadway in Newsical The Musical and received a Drama Desk award nomination for her work in Forbidden Broadway; Goes To Rehab. Christina originated the role of Dora in the long-running national tour of Dora The Explorer Live, including a sold-out run at Radio City Music Hall. A MAC Award nominated cabaret artist, Christina performed weekly in an unprecedented eight month run of 11 O’Clock Numbers at Feinstein’s at Loews Regency. She has performed her acclaimed solo show, Diva Moments, regionally in Chicago & Baltimore, and on various cruise lines. She frequently performs in concert as a soloist with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Christina has performed with Deborah Cox, Sandi Patty, guest starred on The Jerry Lewis Telethon and performed on NBC’s “The Today Show.”

Christina Bianco in Diva MomentsMonday, January 28 at 7pm
Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
www.BirdlandJazz.com
$25 cover, $10 food/drink minimum per person

About Us

"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 & Traverse City Web Design

Contact Us

Become a Cast Party Fan on Facebook
Visit Jim Caruso on Facebook
Subscribe to the Cast Party Newsletter
Visit the Cast Party Newsletter Archive
The official Cast Party Website
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January 16, 2013

What an absolute joy to honor my friend and occasional twin Julie Halston at the 2013 Nightlife Awards at Town Hall on Monday night! The award show, produced by Scott Siegel, directed byScott Coulter, and hosted by Bruce Vilanch, is always one of the slickest and most fun events of the season. It was great to sing forJulie Lynn, then expound on my love and admiration for her, my favorite bejeweled and belashed comic creature. As I told the crowd, when you have Julie Halston as a friend, you really have something.

She's been a constant in my life for over 20 years - I actually hosted her wedding to Ralph Howard -

a wedding that included drag, Broadway Cares and Julie Wilson in peach fur. (This was long before gay marriage was legal!) I've also had the pleasure of presenting her on the Birdland stage many times. In fact, I'm excited to tell you that she'll be doing a run of her new show, Classical Julie at Birdland every Monday in March! (I love this photo, left, taken by Stephen Sorokoff on Monday night. We're desperately trying to look like we don't want our picture taken…!)

After I paid my onstage respects to Ms. Halston-Howard, I hightailed it to Birdland for yet another installment of Cast Party! The place was packed, the energy was high, the music was swinging…and then it happened. Semi-nudity on the Birdland stage. The hugely successful South African two-man musicale, A Handful of Keys, was in town for a brief run at the York Theater, and Jonathan Rexmouth and Ian Von Memerty (left, by Seth Walters) stormed our stage to give us a preview. Little did we know there would be disrobing along with the hilarity and great musicianship! Needless to say, the place went wild!

Many thanks to the duo for entertaining us so…completely!

The fun continued with gorgeous performances by the one-and-only Jane Monheit (left, by Seth Walters), guitarist Billy Rogan,Chloe Dolandis, sax-man Craig Richard, Ruby Rakos, magicianKid Ace, Tucker Caploe, Gaby Epstein, Carly Ozard, Eric Hoffman, William Blake, Lee Anderson, Vanessa Trouble, Dan Levinson & Molly Ryan, Natalie Douglas, Kevin Ray, Rebecca LaChance, Rosemary Loar, Christine Bogen, and the King of Special Material, John Forster, among many others! Stephen Wallem (Nurse Thor from “Nurse Jackie”) also gave us a taste of his upcoming Birdland concert, Schwartz and All, a funny and musical tribute to songwriter Stephen Schwartz (see below)!

All in all, it was a spectacular evening of music - with many thanks to the Cast Party Symphony Orchestra (Tedd Firth, Steve Doyle &Daniel Glass)! Let's do it again this coming Monday, OK?

The Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to present two-time After Dark Award winning singer/actor STEPHEN WALLEM to the stage in Schwartz and All, on Monday, January 21 at 7pm.

Stephen Wallem (best known as Thor on Showtime's “Nurse Jackie”) makes his Birdland debut with Schwartz and All, a tribute to the music of Broadway and Oscar-winning composer Stephen Schwartz in honor of his sixty-fifth birthday. Featuring direction by Tony Humrichouser and musical direction by Beckie Menzie,Schwartz and All celebrates the popular and more obscure works of the legendary composer including music from Godspell, Wicked,The Magic Show, Pippin, The Baker's Wife, Personals, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Children of Eden.

Wallem offers traditional takes on some songs along with a few in his signature irreverent style. Schwartz and All was originally produced at Davenport's Piano Bar and Cabaret in Chicago. The 2012 edition at Birdland will feature updated material, the addition of bass and percussion, and surprise guests.

Stephen Wallem is best known as Thor on the Emmy-winning series “Nurse Jackie” now in its fifth season on Showtime. Born and raised in Rockford, Illinois, he worked as a stage actor and After Dark Award-winning cabaret singer in Chicago before moving to New York to make his television debut on “Nurse Jackie.” He was most recently seen as Hazel in Encores production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Pipe Dream at New York City Center and Bob in Beyond Therapy at Westport Country Playhouse. National tours include Forever Plaid, Into the Woods, and Scroogestarring Richard Chamberlin. He has accrued nearly 2500 performances as both Jinx and Sparky in various companies ofForever Plaid including Chicago (Royal George Cabaret), Las Vegas, (Flamingo Hilton and Gold Coast Hotel), Denver Center for Performing Arts, Drury Lane Oakbrook, and the first national tour. He portrayed Judas/Padre in Court Theatre's acclaimed production of Man of La Mancha and reprised his performance at Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven. Stephen became a staple at the Ravinia Festival, appearing with Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald and Michael Cerveris in A Little Night Music, Passion, and Sunday in the Park with George. In summer 2013, Stephen will make his professional opera debut in Anna Nicole, co-produced by BAM and New York City Opera. Cabaret appearances include Gentry on Rush, Davenport's, Steve McGraw's, Joe's Pub, and the 20th Anniversary edition of his hit show Off the Wallem at Don't Tell Mama. He also teamed with Edie Falco for a sold-out run of the original cabaret The Other Steve and Edie at the Laurie Beechman Theatre.

Stephen Wallem
Schwartz and All Monday, January 21 at 7pm
Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
www.BirdlandJazz.com
$25 cover, $10 food/drink minimum per person

About Us

"Bassist Steve Doyle gives firm support and swings solidly." -- Jazz TimesBEST 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 & Traverse City Web Design

Contact Us

Become a Cast Party Fan on Facebook
Visit Jim Caruso on Facebook
Subscribe to the Cast Party Newsletter
Visit the Cast Party Newsletter Archive
The official Cast Party Website
Jim Caruso's Website
Send Jim Caruso an e-mail
Contact the Administrator

January 10, 2013

Before I start celebrating all the extraordinary talent that scurried onto the Birdland stage this past week, I must take a moment to praise you, gentle reader!

Not only does this newsletter go to a bevy of sophisticated, worldly and attractive readers, but you happen to be a supportive lot, too! When you were asked to vote for your Favorite Special Weekly Event/Open Mic in the BroadwayWorld.com Awards contest, you stood by us in record numbers, and we are most appreciative! Cast Party won by a landslide, and you even voted for me as your Favorite Host! That’s two awards for the price of one.

We are in extremely good company, let me tell you, as the other winners include Ann Hampton Callaway, KT Sullivan, Marilyn Maye, Michael Feinstein, Betty Buckley, Colleen McHugh, Jane Monheit, Ben Vereen, Steve Doyle, William Blake, Billy Stritch, Scott Evan Davis, and Jason Robert Brown. The Awards will be given on February 21, so click here for details. Special thanks to our Symphony Orchestra

(above, Tedd Firth, Steve Doyle & Daniel Glass), tech geniuses Rocky Noel and PJ Meyer, and Birdland owner Gianni Valenti and his staff!

The Marcy & Zina Show never fails to pack the room, and entertain the folks royally! This was the 13th concert appearance that the two songwriters performed for the Broadway at Birdland concert series, and it certainly was a lucky 13! Armed with a cast that included Scott Coulter, David Beach, Jill Abramovitz andChristine Pedi, the dynamic duo performed from their songbook of clever, funny and romantic material.

Even Oscar/Emmy-nominated set and costume designer/director Tony Walton (left, by Seth Walters) showed up to support, cheer and hug our two favorite song-makers!

There was an air of excitement in the air for the following Cast Party, because we’d had a few weeks off. Everyone was happy to get back into the groove and to celebrate the above-mentioned awards. What fun to have high-voltage singers like Marilyn Maye,Billy Stritch, William Blake, Gabrielle Stravelli, Michelle Samuels, Pierre Mirais & Nicole Vernarec, Eric Hoffman, Joan Crowe, and Jeff Harnar in the house to perform – to say nothing of funny folks like Jamie deRoy (accompanied by our pal Ron Abel), comedian Brett Druck and juggling genius Marcus Monroe!

Two singers from London, AJ Brown (left, by Seth Walters) and Tom Poulton, both impressed the heck out of us, too, and we look forward to their return! Tedd, Steve and Danielhave never sounded better, the place was jammed, and all was right with the world again!

Happy 2013, everyone, and here’s to many more nights of music, fun and laughter
for us all!

The Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to present two-time After Dark Award winning singer/actor STEPHEN WALLEM to the stage in Schwartz and All, on Monday, January 21 at 7pm.

Stephen Wallem (best known as Thor on Showtime’s “Nurse Jackie”) makes his Birdland debut with Schwartz and All, a tribute to the music of Broadway and Oscar-winning composer Stephen Schwartz in honor of his sixty-fifth birthday. Featuring direction by Tony Humrichouser and musical direction by Beckie Menzie,Schwartz and All celebrates the popular and more obscure works of the legendary composer including music from Godspell, Wicked,The Magic Show, Pippin, The Baker’s Wife, Personals, The Hunchback of

Notre Dame and Children of Eden. Wallem offers traditional takes on some songs along with a few in his signature irreverent style. Schwartz and All was originally produced at Davenport’s Piano Bar and Cabaret in Chicago. The 2012 edition at Birdland will feature updated material, the addition of bass and percussion, and surprise guests.

Stephen Wallem is best known as Thor on the Emmy-winning series “Nurse Jackie” now in its fifth season on Showtime. Born and raised in Rockford, Illinois, he worked as a stage actor and After Dark Award-winning cabaret singer in Chicago before moving to New York to make his television debut on “Nurse Jackie.” He was most recently seen as Hazel in Encores production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Pipe Dream at New York City Center and Bob in Beyond Therapy at Westport Country Playhouse. National tours include Forever Plaid, Into the Woods, and Scroogestarring Richard Chamberlin. He has accrued nearly 2500 performances as both Jinx and Sparky in various companies ofForever Plaid including Chicago (Royal George Cabaret), Las Vegas, (Flamingo Hilton and Gold Coast Hotel), Denver Center for Performing Arts, Drury Lane Oakbrook, and the first national tour. He portrayed Judas/Padre in Court Theatre's acclaimed production of Man of La Mancha and reprised his performance at Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven. Stephen became a staple at the Ravinia Festival, appearing with Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald and Michael Cerveris in A Little Night Music, Passion, and Sunday in the Park with George. In summer 2013, Stephen will make his professional opera debut in Anna Nicole, co-produced by BAM and New York City Opera. Cabaret appearances include Gentry on Rush, Davenport’s, Steve McGraw’s, Joe’s Pub, and the 20th Anniversary edition of his hit show Off the Wallem at Don’t Tell Mama. He also teamed with Edie Falco for a sold-out run of the original cabaret The Other Steve and Edie at the Laurie Beechman Theatre.

Stephen Wallem
Schwartz and All

Monday, January 21 at 7pm
Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
www.BirdlandJazz.com
$25 cover, $10 food/drink minimum per person

About Us

"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 TimesBEST 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 & Traverse City Web Design

Contact Us

Become a Cast Party Fan on Facebook
Visit Jim Caruso on Facebook
Subscribe to the Cast Party Newsletter
Visit the Cast Party Newsletter Archive
The official Cast Party Website
Jim Caruso's Website
Send Jim Caruso an e-mail
Contact the Administrator

January 3, 2013

Happy New Year, everyone!
I hope that your holiday festivities were grand and joyous! I’m personally ready to get on with the business of 2013 – and welcome you to join the ride!

This week’s newsletter will be a short one, since we’ve been ‘off’ for a few weeks. That doesn’t mean that we don’t have spectacular plans for the upcoming months! Between the Broadway at Birdland concerts and the always-hysterical/historical Cast Party nights, the folks at Birdland and I are rarin’ to see your face!

(Photo of Times Square on
New Years Eve, left,
by my bff, Anderson Cooper).

The Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to announce the return of The Marcy & Zina Show, featuring the dynamic theater songwriters, Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich, along with Scott Coulter and a cast of talented friends to sing their songs, including David Beach, Jill Abramovitz and Christine Pedi. The event will take place on Monday, January 7 at 7pm.

Marcy, Zina and Scott will be returning for their usual comedic, romantic hullabaloo, with some cast member from Ever After andGreat American Mousical in tow!

Collaborators since 1993, lyricist Marcy Heisler and composer Zina Goldrich are responsible for some of the New York concert scene's most lovable character songs, including “Taylor, the Latte Boy,” made famous by Kristin Chenoweth, and“Alto’s Lament.” 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 Show

Monday, January 7 at 7pm
Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
$30 cover, $10 food/drink minimum per person www.BirdlandJazz.com

About Us

"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 & Traverse City Web Design

Contact Us

Become a Cast Party Fan on Facebook
Visit Jim Caruso on Facebook
Subscribe to the Cast Party Newsletter
Visit the Cast Party Newsletter Archive
The official Cast Party Website
Jim Caruso's Website
Send Jim Caruso an e-mail
Contact the Administrator