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Last Week
December 11 , 2008
Under the Covers With Victoria Shaw is one of the most unique and musically satisfying events we book in the Broadway at Birdland series.
Under the Covers With Victoria Shaw is one of the most unique and musically satisfying events we book in the Broadway at Birdland series, and this past Monday, Vic brought one of the all-time best casts to sing and discuss the huge radio hits they've all had! One of my all-time fave country guys, Ty Herndon, sang his heart out, and even included his first #1, “What Mattered Most,” which was written by Gary Burr (just inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame), who we were lucky enough to have onstage all night! Rivers Rutherford, who wrote the #1 country song of 2001 for Brooks & Dunn, among many, many others, sang and played, much to everyone's happiness! We were thrilled that Mark Hudson sat in with his rainbow-colored beard, great stories and spectacular voice. Then, Victoria, who produced the country smash-hit group Lady Antebellum (up for 2 Grammys!) introduced her new find, the spectacular Ryan Rothe (left), who made his New York debut with us! You're gonna be hearing a lot about him and his great style and voice…maybe next years' Grammys??

Hilary Kole and Ty Herndon
Everyone from Under the Covers stuck around for Cast Party, giving the evening a welcome twang! The afore-mentioned Mr. Herndon clearly became a fan of our own Hilary Kole (left), who sang and swang! The always-amazing Altar Boyz paid us a visit after their show at the New World Stages, and they killed with a new tune. GuyTunes gave us a sample of their creamy harmonies, which they'll be showing off in next Monday's Broadway at Birdland concert at 7pm! (See below!) Tom Leopold, one of the brilliant “Seinfeld” writers, was hilarious, and opened with his encore!  His pal Paul Shaffer, who you might know from being a TV superstar, played his one (and only) hit “It's Raining Men.” Evidently, the song was SUCH a hit that Paul's accountant is OK with the fact that it's the ONLY hit! Two of my fave songwriters, Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison (who happened to win Tonys for The Drowsy Chaperone) brought in a new tune from their upcoming musical Big Rosemary, performed by leading man-extraordinaire Troy Britton Johnson and Tony-winning Cady Huffman! Add lots of newcomers and beloved regulars…and this Cast Party was one for the books!
In other news, Liza's At The Palace continues it's successful run at The Palace Theater here in NYC! 
In other news, Liza's At The Palace continues it's successful run at The Palace Theater here in NYC! There are no words to tell you how much fun I'm having singing and dancing with one of the all-time best entertainers on the planet. If you haven't seen us yet, and would like to get tickets, click on the link and order away! Liza's making history and breaking records! (Photo at left by Nicholas King.) If you want to see how we're helping light up Times Square, click on Entertainment Tonight!
- Jim!
Jim Caruso's Cast Party and Theatermania.com are proud to present: Broadway at Birdland
After their sold-out New York debut, GUYTUNES returns to Birdland on Monday, December 15 at 7pm to ring in the holiday season in their signature fashion.
After their sold-out New York debut, GUYTUNES returns to Birdland on Monday, December 15 at 7pm to ring in the holiday season in their signature fashion. Nick Blaemire (Glory Days), Justin Keyes (…Spelling Bee) and Joey Khoury (Altar Boyz) have compiled a brand new show full of seasonal favorites that investigate the reason for the season, and the many different ways it can be celebrated. The evening will be directed by John Simpkins (The Black Suits, Things to Ruin). With their sparkling blend of comedy, exciting new musical arrangements and tight three-part harmony, these guys have the tunes to satiate your holiday fix. After all, what's better than a few Christmas Hams?

GUYTUNES
Nick Blaemire, Justin Keyes & Joey Khoury
Date: Monday, December 15 at 7pm
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Broadway at Birdland
315 West 44 Street, NYC
Reservations: 212-581-3080
www.BirdlandJazz.com
www.myspace.com/guytunesmusic
$25 General Admission, $40 Orchestra + $10 food/drink minimum

NEXT:
Johnny Rodgers Band: "Bound Together" CD Release - Dec. 29th
Our Sponsors
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!
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

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