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Last Week
November 13 , 2008
So I’m still here in Italy having an absolute ball on the Liza tour. We’ve played Rome, Florence, Bologna, Bari and Torino. Tomorrow we go to Campignon, Switzerland for a one-nighter, then finish up with the Milan concert on Friday. I really should be keeping a blog about what’s been going on…but you might not believe a word of it! We’ve shopped ‘till we’ve literally dropped, eaten the worst Chinese food on the planet, seen an ad for Mother Teresa - The Musical, were the only ones staying in a hotel/compound/palazzo where we all padded around in our robes and slippers like we owned the joint, sang to each other ‘til the wee hours in a hotel atrium, stared at the statue of David, and eaten in a restaurant called (no lie) “That’s Amoré!” I’m taking a bajillion photos, and you can see some of them on the Flickr site. Enjoy.
So I’m still here in Italy having an absolute ball on the Liza tour. We’ve played Rome, Florence, Bologna, Bari and Torino. Tomorrow we go to Campignon, Switzerland for a one-nighter, then finish up with the Milan concert on Friday. I really should be keeping a blog about what’s been going on…but you might not believe a word of it! We’ve shopped ‘till we’ve literally dropped, eaten the worst Chinese food on the planet, seen an ad for Mother Teresa - The Musical, were the only ones staying in a hotel/compound/palazzo where we all padded around in our robes and slippers like we owned the joint, sang to each other ‘til the wee hours in a hotel atrium, stared at the statue of David, and eaten in a restaurant called (no lie) “That’s Amoré!”  I’m taking a bajillion photos, and you can see some of them on the Flickr site. Enjoy.

Michael Feinstein brought in the extraordinary Loston Harris (straight from the stage at The Carlyle Hotel), who performed a blazing “Take The ‘A’ Train.” (That's Loston, in a photo by Mark Rupp, at left.)
Bill Nolte’s Monday night concert was a super-success, thanks to his dazzling personality, gorgeous voice and fabulous song choices. He’s a Broadway baby, that’s for sure, and we were so happy that he was part of our series! Would you believe that it was the 198th show in the Broadway at Birdland series??? That’s a lot of show tunes, folks! Congrats to everyone who has ever performed or clapped…we love you all!

The following Cast Party was guest-hosted by the charming, funny and shockingly adorable Christine Lavin! With massive help from pianist David Budway and bassist Steve Doyle, Christine kept the franchise going with a cast of characters any extravaganza would be proud of. Michael Feinstein brought in the extraordinary Loston Harris (straight from the stage at The Carlyle Hotel), who performed a blazing “Take The ‘A’ Train.” (That's Loston, in a photo by Mark Rupp, at left.)

Singer/composer Ann Hampton Callaway (pictured below left, thanks to Steve Sorokoff) performed the romantic song she wrote for Barbra Streisand’s wedding in honor of Mr. Feinstein’s recent hitching to longtime partner Terrence Flannery. She also did one of her improv songs with San Francisco’s young Carly Ozard, who stood toe-to-toe with the dazzling diva, trading blues riffs and creating a song-on-the-spot called “Obama’s Mamas!” Nancy White, one of Canada's most revered singer/songwriters did a song about kayaking and doing what is called "The Eskimo Roll" (a boat-flipping move). Accompanied by Bob Johnson on piano and Sarah Rice on harmony vocals, it taught everyone in the house about dangerously insane Canadian water sports we never thought we'd need to know.  And it was probably the first time the word “kayak” was sung on the Birdland stage! Forbidden Broadway’s own Christina Bianco sang one of Ms. Lavin’s hits, "High Heels,” and made everyone extremely happy!
Singer/composer Ann Hampton Callaway (pictured below left, thanks to Steve Sorokoff) performed the romantic song she wrote for Barbra Streisand’s wedding in honor of Mr. Feinstein’s recent hitching to longtime partner Terrence Flannery. She also did one of her improv songs with San Francisco’s young Carly Ozard, who stood toe-to-toe with the dazzling diva, trading blues riffs and creating a song-on-the-spot called “Obama’s Mamas!”
Marty Thomas (left, thanks again to Mark Rupp), owner of one of the best voices on the Broadway scene, flipped everyone out with his talent.
Marty Thomas (left, thanks again to Mark Rupp), owner of one of the best voices on the Broadway scene, flipped everyone out with his talent. We had visitors from other lands, too… Dublin’s Maria Tecci was beautiful and soulful, and Earl Okun, who came all the way from London, played gorgeous jazz guitar and sang "My Room." William Michaels, who is the stand-by for Emile DeBeque in South Pacific on Broadway, thrilled the crowd with two songs, and caused three sisters to catch the vapors.

Next week…I’ll be back to my hosting duties with a bang-up Cast Party, along with Tedd Firth at the piano, and Steve Doyle on bass. Until then, buona fortuna, dove è la toletta, e desidero più ghiaccio*.
- Jim!

(*ed. note: Thanks to BabelFish, apparently this means, "good fortune, where it is the toilet, and I wish more ice.")
Jim Caruso's Cast Party and Theatermania.com are proud to present: Broadway at Birdland
Are you kidding me? BARBARA COOK is joining orchestrator/musical director/composer JONATHAN TUNICK on the Broadway at Birdland stage on Monday, November 24 at 7pm?! It’s absolutely true, and we can’t believe our luck; to have these two legendary artists as part of our series seems just too good to be true.

Oscar, Tony, Emmy and Grammy winner Tunick will be hosting his big band, The Broadway Moonlighters, which features musicians from the orchestras of Road Show, The Little Mermaid, In the Heights, Pal Joey and more. The band is comprised of Les Scott, Lawrence Feldman, Steve Kenyon, Jay Dryer and Jay Brandford on saxophones, clarinets and bass clarinet; Bob Millikan, Glenn Drewes and Kamau Adilifu on trumpets; Jack Gale and Vinny Fanuele on trombones; Lee Musiker on piano; John Beal on bass; and Ronnie Zito on drums. Tony Award winner Barbara Cook will lend her exquisite vocals to the evening.
Are you kidding me? BARBARA COOK is joining orchestrator/musical director/composer JONATHAN TUNICK on the Broadway at Birdland stage on Monday, November 24 at 7pm?! It’s absolutely true, and we can’t believe our luck; to have these two legendary artists as part of our series seems just too good to be true.

Oscar, Tony, Emmy and Grammy winner Tunick will be hosting his big band, The Broadway Moonlighters, which features musicians from the orchestras of Road Show, The Little Mermaid, In the Heights, Pal Joey and more.  The band is comprised of Les Scott, Lawrence Feldman, Steve Kenyon, Jay Dryer and Jay Brandford on saxophones, clarinets and bass clarinet; Bob Millikan, Glenn Drewes and Kamau Adilifu on trumpets; Jack Gale and Vinny Fanuele on trombones; Lee Musiker on piano; John Beal on bass; and Ronnie Zito on drums. Tony Award winner Barbara Cook will lend her exquisite vocals to the evening.

Jonathan Tunick won the Academy Award for Best Music, Best Original Song Score and Best Adaption for the film "A Little Night Music."  He won a Tony for Best Orchestrations for Titanic, a Grammy for Best Instrumental Arrangement for "No One Is Alone" (performed by Cleo Laine) and an Emmy for Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction for "Night of 100 Stars."

Barbara Cook has starred on Broadway in Flahooley, Candide, The Gay Life, The Music Man and She Loves Me. he received a Best Featured Actress in a Musical Tony Award for her performance in The Music Man, and her one-woman show, Mostly Sondheim, was nominated for a Tony in the Best Special Theatrical Event category. Cook was most recently on the New York stage in Barbara Cook's Broadway. Cook made her solo debut at the Metropolitan Opera, which was also released on DRG Records. Cook's newest CD on the DRG label is titled "Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder."

Jonathan Tunick and the Broadway Moonlighters
With Special Guest Barbara Cook
Monday, November 24 at 7pm
Broadway at Birdland

315 West 44 Street, NYC
Reservations: 212-581-3080
www.BirdlandJazz.com
$30 or $50 VIP cover, $10 food/drink minimum

Upcoming Concerts: Christine Ebersole & Billy Stritch (November 26 - 29), The Broadway Boys (December 1), Victoria Shaw (December 8), GuyTunes (December 15th), and The Johnny Rodgers Band Bound Together CD release (December 29).
Our Sponsors
BY NOW YOU'VE PROBABLY HEARD SOME BUZZ about Patrick DeGennaro's Vocal Technique Workshops. The client list reads like a 'who's who' of the Cabaret and Broadway communities. Patrick is taking new clients for the 4 Week Winter Semester, click here for the dates and times. While you're at the site check out Patrick's Back Stage interview with David Finkle on the press page and read what Karen Mason, John McDaniel, Lina Koutrakos and others have to say on the Testimonials page. If these dates don't work but you are interested, send an e-mail on the Contact page. www.vocaltechnique.com
BY NOW YOU'VE PROBABLY HEARD SOME BUZZ about Patrick DeGennaro's Vocal Technique Workshops.
5TH ANNUAL BROADWAY UNPLUGGED -- GOOD SEATS STILL AVAILABLE! Monday, at 8 PM on November 17th at The Town Hall. Great Singers! Great Songs! No Microphones! The one major, star-studded concert with sound design by God! Acclaimed by NY Times, NY Daily News, Variety...Stars so far: ASHLEY BROWN (Broadway's Mary Poppins), RON BOHMER (Woman in White), CHUCK COOPER (Tony winner, The Life), BILL DAUGHERTY (award-winning vocalist), MARC KUDISCH (2x Tony Nominee), DEVEN MAY (Batboy), JEFF McCARTHY (Side Show, Urinetown), WILLIAM MICHALS (Understudy for Emile de Becque in South Pacific), CHRISTIANE NOLL (Jekyll & Hyde). As Many as 20 Stars will Perform! Tickets are $25, $50, and $75. Town Hall Box Office: 123 W. 43rd St. (noon to 6 PM except Sundays), or via TicketMaster at 212-307-4100 or TicketMaster.com. Broadway Unplugged is created/written/hosted by Scott Siegel.
BY NOW YOU'VE PROBABLY HEARD SOME BUZZ about Patrick DeGennaro's Vocal Technique Workshops.
BILLY STRITCH'S WATERS OF MARCH: THE BRAZILIAN ALBUM: "...Stritch imaginatively captures the magic of the bossa nova rhythm on some terrific cuts, including three by Brazilian music icon Antonio Carlos Jobim. Of these, probably the most memorable is "Someone to Light Up My Life," which most Americans first heard on Sarah Vaughan's legendary Brazilian album. Here Stritch captures the simple sensitivity and all the yearning poignancy the composer had in mind when he first penned it. Sergio Mendez's "So Many Stars" takes you on an indolent, dreamy, and gentle journey...[Stritch's] phrasings and delicate nuances are so insightful that the album becomes a powerful musical statement with many subtle, yet potent, moments." -- John Hoglund, Backstage. The CD and all things Billy Stritch are at www.billystritch.com.

BILLY STRITCH'S WATERS OF MARCH: THE BRAZILIAN ALBUM: "...Stritch imaginatively captures the magic of the bossa nova rhythm on some terrific cuts, including three by Brazilian music icon Antonio Carlos Jobim.
TEDD FIRTH, OF THE CAST PARTY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, is a New York City based accompanist, jazz pianist and arranger. He has accompanied many renowned artists, including Lee Ann Womack, Faith Prince, Tom Wopat, Margaret Whiting, Maureen McGovern and Marilyn Maye. Among the jazz musicians he has worked with are John Pizzarelli, Houston Person, Benny Golson and Joe Morello. Mr. Firth's New York appearances include the Blue Note, Birdland, the Iridium, the Algonquin, the Rainbow Room, Carnegie Hall, and the Russian Tea Room. Tedd's arrangements have been performed by the Philadelphia Pops and the Ocean City Pops. Find him on MySpace Music at www.myspace.com/teddfirth.
TEDD FIRTH, OF THE CAST PARTY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, is a New York City based accompanist, jazz pianist, and arranger. He has accompanied many renowned artists, including Lee Ann Womack, Faith Prince, Tom Wopat, Margaret Whiting, Maureen McGovern and Marylin Maye.
STEVE DOYLE, THE CAST PARTY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA BASS PLAYER, has been an active part of the jazz and cabaret scene in New York for the past 18 years, performing with many internationally renowned artists including Bucky Pizzarelli, Billy Stritch, Tony Desare, Rigmor Gustafssen, Klea Blackhurst, Hilary Kole, Dave Stryker, Steve Slagle, Christine Ebersole, Pekka Pylkannen, Stephanie Block, K.T. Sullivan, Emily Skinner, Freddie Bryant, Marilyn Maye, Lari White and many others. Get the full scoop and check out his 1997 CD, Presence, at www.stevedoyle.com .
STEVE DOYLE, THE CAST PARTY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA BASS PLAYER, has been an active part of the jazz and cabaret scene in New York for the past 18 years performing with many internationally renowned artists
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.
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.
CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? After two years touring with the incomparable Liza Minnelli, we're bringing the show to Broadway!  Liza's At The Palace open at The Palace Theatre on December 3, and will run for 4 weeks! Check out the website for all the details. The first act is pure Liza at the top of her form, and the second act will celebrate the late, extremely great Kay Thompson and the Williams Brothers' historic nightclub act that took the world by storm in the late 40's.  Cortés Alexander, Johnny Rodgers, Tiger Martina and I have worked 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!

NOVEMBER 14 MILAN, ITALY AUDITORIO ACHIMBOLDI
NOVEMBER 19 WOONSOCKET, RI STADIUM THEATRE PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE
NOVEMBER 21- 23 WOONSOCKET, RI STADIUM THEATRE PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE
DECEMBER 3 - 14 NEW YORK, NY THE PALACE THEATRE
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

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

Click for more featured concerts! www.castpartynyc.com/Concerts.htm