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Last Week
June 26, 2008
Christine Pedi has more celebrities coming out of her than the parking lot at Spago. Ba-dum-bum.
Christine Pedi has more celebrities coming out of her than the parking lot at Spago. Ba-dum-bum. Her Monday night concert was a triumph - and thanks to her hilarious impressions, clever material, gorgeous voice, and swell accompaniment by Matthew Ward, the packed house was thoroughly entertained! I happen to love the photo I took of Christine before the show (left). She's pretty in pink, relaxing with a soothing cup of hot water in our jazzy, tricked-out dressing room.
Chris DiCristo, Jr.
The following Cast Party had a lot to live up to, considering the star-studded, high-energy hootenanny that happened the week before. But it absolutely measured up, thanks to some talented folks like Chris DiCristo, Jr. (left, thanks to Steve Sorokoff), Max Haymer, The Nunziatta Brothers, Broadway Dan Petrotta, Kevin So, Christine Lavin, Erica Cockerham, Melissa Ward, Kirsten Gray, Harmony Keeney and David Ippolito. There were lots of regulars, and numerous new-comers, just the way we like it! Thirteen-year-old Hannah Gauthier from Traverse City, Michigan made her New York City debut on her very first night in The Big Apple! The audience loved her performance of “Roxie” from Kander & Ebb's Chicago! We sure hope she'll make a return visit soon - and are expecting great things from her! The evening was a success, thanks in no small part to the slap and tickle of Tedd Firth at the piano and Steve Doyle on bass. How lucky are we to have these two musical geniuses making up the Cast Party Symphony Orchestra?  They're the main reason this ain't your grandma's open mic night. Yes, it's been imitated. But it'll never be duplicated! Check out the Flickr site to see visual proof of all the fun, thanks to Steve Sorokoff and Mark Rupp!
Lots of you (OK…two...) asked about last week's Opening Night of the Hollywood Bowl. (Liza was inducted into their Hall of Fame, along with BB King and Sir James Galway.) Then, Liza, Cortes, Johnny, Tiger and I performed three of the Kay Thompson/Williams Brothers numbers with David Budway at the piano, and the 90-piece LA Philharmonic
Lots of you (OK…two...) asked about last week's Opening Night of the Hollywood Bowl. (Liza was inducted into their Hall of Fame, along with BB King and Sir James Galway.) Then, Liza, Cortes, Johnny, Tiger and I performed three of the Kay Thompson/Williams Brothers numbers with David Budway at the piano, and the 90-piece LA Philharmonic. The Marvelous Miss M. then sang “New York, New York,” and all hell broke loose (left, thanks to Steve Schachle). 17,000 people flipped out, throwing their programs into the air, and causing general havoc. I've never seen anything like it, and I've seen dozens of things. Afterwards, I was overwhelmed to meet Dick Williams, whose part I'm singing in the show. He was, of course, one-fourth of The Williams Brothers, and along with Andy, Bob, Don and the extraordinary Kay Thompson, changed the way nightclub acts would look right up to this very day.
- Jim!
Coming Up
Jim Caruso's Cast Party and TheaterMania.com are proud to announce CHRISTINE EBERSOLE & BILLY STRITCH in a concert celebrating their new recording SUNDAY IN NEW YORK, Monday, June 30th, 2008 at 7:00pm, as part of the long-running, Nightlife Award-winning concert series Broadway at Birdland.
Jim Caruso's Cast Party and TheaterMania.com are proud to announce CHRISTINE EBERSOLE & BILLY STRITCH in a concert celebrating their new recording SUNDAY IN NEW YORK, Monday, June 30th, 2008 at 7:00pm, as part of the long-running, Nightlife Award-winning concert series Broadway at Birdland.

CHRISTINE EBERSOLE and BILLY STRITCH bring their acclaimed live performance to disc on their latest CD, Sunday in New York. Released on May 13th on the Ghostlight Record label, the jazzy new vocal album was produced by Grammy Award winner Russ Titelman (Steve Winwood, Eric Clapton, Paul Simon) and features 13 tracks ranging from Rodgers & Hammerstein's “Surrey With The Fringe On Top”to Stephen Sondheim's “Not While I'm Around.” The collection was culled from material the pair arranged for one of their many Birdland appearances.

In a recent review of their performance at Lincoln Center, The New York Times' Stephen Holden commented: "Ms. Ebersole, a bright, zany soprano and ebullient clown, can whirl on a dime, and in a show like Grey Gardens, evoke an inexpressible sorrow under a facade of garrulous pluck. When she adds a spinning vibrato to her lemony voice, she can turn into a playful latter-day Kathryn Grayson or Jeanette MacDonald, which she began to do on Friday during “The Surrey With the Fringe on Top.” Mr. Stritch, a pop-jazz pianist, gifted arranger and Liza Minnelli protégé with a photographic musical memory...is a solid exponent of the gregarious, swinging Las Vegas style epitomized by Steve Lawrence."

PERFORMANCE DETAILS
WHEN: Monday, June 30th, 2008 at 7:00p.m.
WHERE: Birdland, 315 West 44th Street (between 8th & 9th Aves), New York City

TICKET INFO
Tickets: $40.00 + $10.00 Food/Drink Minimum (Per Person)
VIP Tickets: $60.00
Tickets can be purchased Online: www.BirdlandJazz.com; or by Telephone: 212.581.3080.

Future Shows:

July 7 The Todd Londagin Five
July 14 “Mr. Green's Opus - The Songs of David Green” with Sebastian Arcelus, Stephanie J. Block, Sierra Boguss, Matthew Morrison & Marissa Parry
July 16 - 19 Lucie Arnaz in “Lulu's Back In Town”
July 21 Valarie Pettiford in “Thankful”
Our Sponsors
JUST FOR TODAY: The debut CD from vocalist Lars Vercelli is online at CDBaby and on the iTunes store. The album features twelve amazing tunes that you are just bound to love. Buy the CD today! Visit www.cdbaby.com/larsvercelli.
JUST FOR TODAY: The debut CD from vocalist Lars Vercelli is online at CDBaby and on the iTunes store.
BILLY STRITCH AND KLEA BLACKHURST: "DREAMING OF A SONG: THE MUSIC OF HOAGY CARMICHAEL." Klea Blackhurst and Billy Stritch are two powerhouse performers, honoring the music of one of America's most treasured songwriters. For their new CD on Ghostlight Records, Blackhurst & Stritch have mined the Carmichael catalogue to unearth lesser known gems as well as beloved treasures such as "Skylark," "Georgia On My Mind" and "Stardust." It has “all the Heart and Soul of the legendary composer himself."(Theatre Scene.net) "Blackhurst and Stritch are as compatible as caviar and champagne." -- Cabaret Scenes. Listen to song samples, buy the CD, and learn about all things Billy Stritch at http://www.billystritch.com.

BILLY STRITCH AND CHRISTINE EBERSOLE: "SUNDAY IN NEW YORK."  Find out more at www.billystritch.com .
BROADCAST YOURSELF…BEFORE SOMEONE DOES IT FOR YOU. Introducing…"I." An ongoing collaborative web series. A story told in snippets. At www.youtube.com/ichannel -OR- www.connectwithi.com. "I." (also referred to as "iChannel") is an ongoing interactive web series in which a man's life is taken over by an online audience - YOU. Together, Sebastian Arcelus (Jersey Boys), Craig DiFolco, and Michael Izquierdo (New Jerusalem) have forged a path into the world of truly interactive television by directly linking the "subject" to his "audience" in this comically existential adventure. With 34 episodes already filmed and more on the way, they invite you to join in and connect with "I." Is your life worth watching? Check out "I." PLEASE NOTE: Texts that appear in "quotes" within the episodes are actual user comments. If you comment or post a video response, it may very well appear in a future episode.
BROADCAST YOURSELF…BEFORE SOMEONE DOES IT FOR YOU. Introducing… "I."An ongoing collaborative web series.  (pictured: ichannel welcome page)
THE BROADWAY SEASON IS IN FULL SWING and one of the most exciting new openings of the year is the official launch of Audience Rewards, the only experiential rewards program created for theatergoers and patrons of the performing arts. Audience Rewards is proud to offer premiere experiences and entertainment benefits to the loyal fans of Broadway. All you have to do is join. Membership is FREE. And, as a fan of Jim Caruso's Cast Party and Broadway at Birdland, we will give you a gift of 500 points to get you started toward earning Broadway tickets, unique memorabilia, special experiences and tickets to arts and entertainment events. Membership also includes invitations to VIP receptions and special offers on dining, travel and, of course, Broadway shows. Visit www.AudienceRewards.com to sign up to get many exciting benefits including special presentations and offers brought to you by Jim Caruso and Audience Rewards.
Audience Rewards logo
JIM CARUSO…THE PARTY CONTINUES ON CD: Caruso: Live and In Person, with Billy Stritch on piano. "Jim is funny, facile and fabulous! He performs with charm, wit and style, and is vastly entertaining." -- Michael Feinstein. "A cabaret-lover's dream!" -- Chip Deffaa, New York Post. "An unbeatable act of jazz, pop, comedy and conversation that is different from anything else in town." -- Rex Reed, New York Observer. "This impish, twinkling-eyed performer exudes the buoyant spirits of a conetmporary vaudevillian…with an extremely tart lemon tucked firmly in his cheek." -- Stephen Holden, New York Times.

JIM CARUSO…THE PARTY CONTINUES ON CD: Caruso: Live and In Person, with Billy Stritch on piano.
ELAINE PAIGE , THE "FIRST LADY OF BRITISH MUSICAL THEATRE," HOSTS AN ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS WEEKLY RADIO SHOW on BBC Radio 2 every Sunday night. The program is devoted to musical theatre and film music from Hollywood, Broadway and the West End. The celebrated star of Evita, Cats, Chess and Sunset Boulevard has interviewed a host of stars including Angela Lansbury, Sir Elton John, and Michael Feinstein, and continues to delight audiences with a unque mix of show music and juicy interviews. Click on BBC: Elaine Paige on Sunday to hear the current show.

ELAINE PAIGE , THE "FIRST LADY OF BRITISH MUSICAL THEATRE," HOSTS AN ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS WEEKLY RADIO SHOW on BBC Radio 2 every Sunday night.
KEN KLEIBER'S OFFERING VIDEOGRAPHY SERVICES. You have the talent, you booked the room and the crowds came. But what about that sought-after agent who was escorting his star client to a premiere? Or that family member who got stuck out-of-town due to inclement weather? Or that best friend who got the 24-hour flu? They can all re-live your shining performance through the magic of digital video. Videographer Ken Kleiber (host of TV, internet & radio’s "That’s Kentertainment!") not only interviews the stars, he films them too. With over 6 years of videotaping experience, Ken has filmed hundreds of hours of cabarets, concerts, live theatre, dance recitals, comedy sets, interviews, on-tape auditions, parties and more. For more information on Ken’s videotaping, copying and transferring services, please contact Ken at kentertain@yahoo.com. Don’t let that once-in-a-lifetime moment be…just once!

KEN KLEIBER'S OFFERING VIDEOGRAPHY SERVICES.
MINNELLI & CARUSO: TOGETHER AGAIN…I'm beyond excited to tell you that I'll be performing on the road with my amazing friend Liza Minnelli quite a bit this next year! We're celebrating Kay Thompson and the Williams Brothers' historic nightclub act that took the world by storm in the late '40's and early '50's. Cortes Alexander, Johnny Rodgers, Tiger Martina and I are working hard to approximate the blend and unique sound that Bob, Dick, Don and Andy Williams brought to Kay's ingenius vocal arrangements. With dazzling direction and choreography by Ron Lewis, and old pal Billy Stritch at the piano, this project is an absolute dream come true!

JULY 20 ULM, GERMANY  
JULY 23 REGENSBURG, GERMANY  
JULY 26 WOLFSBURG, GERMANY  
JULY 27 SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN  
AUGUST 16 PRIMM, NV STAR OF THE DESERT ARENA
AUGUST 23 HAMMOND, IN HORSESHOE CASINO
SEPTEMBER 9 LOUISVILLE, KY KENTUCKY PAC
SEPTEMBER 12 SAINT CHARLES, MO BEZEMES THEATER
OCTOBER 29 ROME, ITALY  
NOVEMBER 2  FLORENCE, ITALY  
NOVEMBER 4 MALTA, ITALY  
NOVEMBER 7 BARI, ITALY  
NOVEMBER 10 TORINO, ITALY  
NOVEMBER 12 GENOA, ITALY  
NOVEMBER 14 MILAN, ITALY  
MINNELLI & CARUSO: TOGETHER AGAIN
ON THE CD, AT THE MOVIES, DAVE KOZ, A MULTI-GRAMMY NOMINATED SAX PLAYER with two gold albums and ten top 5 hits to his credit, takes center stage on eight instrumentals: "Over The Rainbow," "As Time Goes By," "The Pink Panther," "Summer of '42," "Cinema Paradiso," "Schindler's List," "It Might Be You" and " The Shadow of Your Smile." The 40-piece orchestra enlisted by Koz and producer Phil Ramone provides a majestic, sweeping soundscape for the saxophonist and his guest vocalists, including Vanessa Williams, who contributes an exquisite version of "The Way We Were," and Johnny Mathis, who perfectly captures the bittersweet quality of "The Shadow Of Your Smile," from The Sandpiper. Other highlights include Anita Baker's elegant rendering of "Somewhere," from West Side Story and Donna Summer's shimmering version of "A Whole New World," from Disney's Aladdin. Barry Manilow duets with Koz on a hip arrangement of Henry Mancini's " Moon River," and India.Aire delivers a deeply personal performance of "It Must Be You," from Tootsie. At The Movies is a must-have for music and film lovers everywhere. Disappear into another world and spend some time At The Movies.
ON THE CD, AT THE MOVIES, DAVE KOZ, A MULTI-GRAMMY NOMINATED SAX PLAYER with two gold albums and ten top 5 hits to his credit, takes center stage on eight instrumentals:
SQUIGS DRAWS THE STARS. Justin 'Squigs' Robertson is well known in the Los Angeles theatre community for capturing show biz folks in pen and ink, and his acclaim is quickly spreading across the country. He loves sushi. His favorite song is 'It's Only A Paper Moon'. And he genuflects upon merely hearing the name of Al Hirschfeld. His whimsical illustration and design is aided and abetted by his parallel career as an actor and entertainer. You can visit for a look at Squigs' take on such talented friends of Cast Party as Jeff Blumenkrantz, Julia Murney, Christine Ebersole, Victoria Clark, Kelli O'Hara, Bob Martin and Liza Minnelli. www.squigsink.com

Squigs draws the showbiz! www.squigsink.com - this week's pic - L-R: Steve Doyle, Jim Caruso and Billy Stritch - The Cast Party Symphony Orchestra!
OUR UPDATED T-SHIRT is now available in Tootsie-Roll brown with safety-cone orange trim, as seen at left, where Jim reveals his secret identity as -- Superhost! Show your love for a certain Monday night Open Mic extravaganza by wearing this 100% cotton, Peruvian-made, American-printed piece of art! The wry "Got Mic?" logo is on the front, and our logo is on the back. They're only $20 and available if you click http://www.castpartynyc.com/Goods.htm.

Jim Caruso ferociously models the official Cast Party t-shirt
The Cabaret Exchange
As always, many thanks to our corporate and private sponsors:
Gianni Valente & Hilary Kole, Randy Swartz & Stage Step, Jamie deRoy & friends, Michael Estwanik, Todd Forman, Steven Minichiello, Matthew Gilbert and Wild Oats Productions, as well as our Birdland sound guru Sean Corcoran and Brian Wilson at SoHa Media. We can't do it without you!

Click here to advertise with us. It costs less than the average banner ad, and you're guaranteed to be seen by tons of fabulous people (look, you're reading this right now, yes?).
About Us
Look at all the illustrious people!
When:
Every Monday at 9:30 PM!

Where:
BIRDLAND
315 West 44th Street (between 8th & 9th), NYC
212.581.3080

TheaterScene.net
01/12/2008
Outstanding Cabaret of 2007
By: John Hoglund

Jim Caruso: Broadway at Birdland Series – Birdland

Jim Caruso's savvy concept has turned into the weekly tour de force event presenting some of today's leading performer's from the Great White Way. The impressive list of guys and dolls singing show tunes, jazz, pop and all points in between is like no other happening in Manhattan and has evolved into an integral part of New York nightlife – like his wildly popular weekly Cast Party which follows after the show. This talk of the town carnival of talent allows rabid fans to cheer on their favorites up close and personal like: Nancy Anderson, Darius de Haas, Christine Ebersole, Melissa Errico, Sam Harris, Linda Lavin, Christine Pedi and a truckload of other major talents at this legendary jazz club on West 44th.
TheaterMania.com:
"The Party simply glows with New York nightlife ambiance. It feels like a throwback to another era but it has this era's top-notch entertainers dropping in to schmooze, sing, eat, and drink. Caruso consistently provides a flow of exciting singers, and he's definitely hip, cool and classy all by himself."

Bookings for Jim Caruso's Cast Party® for theaters, arts presenters, corporations and private events:

Ligeti Artists LLC
Peter Ligeti

mrligeti@aol.com
212.396.1111

For online booking information, click: The Show Store


This newsletter brought to you each week by Jim Caruso and Traverse City Web Design.
Coming Up

Copyright Jim Caruso's Cast Party®, All Rights Reserved, 2006-2008. Newsletter by: Traverse City Web Design

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