Broadway at Birdland
Sign up for the Cast Party Newsletter Sign up for the Cast Party Newsletter! Click for more Party Pix on Flickr!
Last Week
January 29, 2009
Patrick DeGennaro kicked all kinds of super-pop tuchas in his Monday night concert at Birdland! His concert of highly original songs (with a few standards thrown in for good measure) had the place hopping and popping, thanks to a marvelous band, his gorgeous voice, superb backup from Ula Hedwig and Lisa Burns and special guest Annie Golden! 
Jeremy Schonfeld, as always, brought us a fabulous show showcasing his thoroughly original and rollicking pop/rock theater songs!  Birdland was packed with show folk and the people who love them, and we couldn't have been happier with the response. Just another brilliant evening in the Broadway at Birdland series, with many thanks to Jeremy and company!

The following Cast Party boasted some showbiz heavy hitters like the great Larry Gatlin, the lovely Linda Lavin and the marvelous Marilyn Maye (left, thanks to Steve Sorokoff), all of whom graced our stage with a performance.
Ex-pageant girl and current hottie singer Ryan Kelly blew everyone away with her swinging and singing.
Larry (left) and Ms. Maye came in to celebrate their dazzling performances over at The Nightlife Awards.  Linda came in to announce her return engagement at Birdland on April 6, along with Billy Stritch at the piano, Steve Doyle on bass and Steve Bakunas on drums.  Shockingly, those were the guys making up our Cast Party Symphony Orchestra on Monday!  They helped make the genius music, along with drop-ins like Christine Lavin, Sarah Rice, Darren Williams, Patrick Oliver Jones, Joan Crowe, Tom Leopold, Jamie DeRoy, William Blake, Lodi Carr, Jenna Esposito, and so many more!   We'll be whooping it up again next Monday night with Tedd Firth and the afore-mentioned Mr. Doyle on piano and bass, respectively.  And we wanna see you there, no kidding!

If you happen to be in Austin, Texas this week, come see me and Mr. Billy Stritch at Stuart Moulton's Austin Cabaret Theatre!  We'll be bringing Cast Party to the gorgeous nightspot on Thursday and Friday, and can't wait to hear all the local talent again!  Check out austincabaret.blogspot.com for all the details, and come see us, y'all!
- Jim!
Jim Caruso's Cast Party and Theatermania.com are proud to present: Broadway at Birdland
Jim Caruso's Cast Party is thrilled to announce the return of Amanda Green to the Broadway at Birdland concert series on Monday, February 2 at 7pm.
Jim Caruso's Cast Party is thrilled to announce the return of Amanda Green to the Broadway at Birdland concert series on Monday, February 2 at 7pm.

Come ring in Groundhog Day with the hilarious songs of award-winning Broadway songwriter and performer Amanda Green, joined by some of Broadway's finest.  Amanda delivers her "murderously witty songs with the comic zing and self-lacerating rue of a young Carol Burnett,” says The Wall Street Journal.  Joining Amanda will be Norm Lewis (Little Mermaid), Jenn Colella (High Fidelity, Urban Cowboy), David Pittu (What's That Smell?, Is He Dead?, Lovemusik) and Jenifer Foote (A Chorus Line, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), composers Larry Grossman (Minnie's Boys, Grind, Goodtime Charley) and Tom Kitt (High Fidelity, Next To Normal) plus a surprise guest or two!  Musical Director will be Matt Gallagher (9 to 5, Legally Blonde, High Fidelity).

Amanda Green wrote the lyrics for High Fidelity on Broadway and is currently writing a musical with Pulitzer prize-winning playwright Doug Wright.  She's also written for the TV show "The Wonder Pets" for Nick, Jr.  She is the winner of MAC Awards, Bistro Awards, Jonathan Larson Award and Songwriter's Hall of Fame Award for Excellence in Songwriting.

Who's Worse Than People? (And Other Songs Of The Season)
The Heartwarming Lyrics of AMANDA GREEN

WHEN: Monday, February 2, 2009, 7pm
WHERE: Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
COVER CHARGE: $25 General Admission / $10 food/drink minimum
RESERVATIONS: 212.581.3080 or BirdlandJazz.com

NEXT: The Marcy & Zina Show! February 9th at 7PM
Our Sponsors
JAMIE DEROY & FRIENDS CELEBRATE THE ACADEMY AWARDS! A special Academy Awards edition of Jamie deRoy & Friends, the MAC Award-winning variety show, will be presented Feb. 16 at the Metropolitan Room in Manhattan (34 West 22nd Street). The evening will feature Oscar-winning songs. Among those scheduled to lend their talents to the 7 PM performance are film critic and columnist Rex Reed, Jacques Brel star Gay Marshall (at right), Company and Cabaret actress Leenya Rideout, comedian Steven Scott and Nightlife Award winner Daryl Glenn. Oscar-winning composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz will be the evening's special guest. Barry Kleinbort will direct the concert with Lanny Meyers as musical director. There is a $25 cover charge and a two-drink minimum; call (212) 206-0440 for reservations. And...don't miss "Jamie deRoy & friends" on MNN, every other Tuesday at 4:00 PM & Time Warner, Channel 67 and RCN, Channel 85
A special Academy Awards edition of Jamie deRoy & Friends, the MAC Award-winning variety show, will be presented Feb. 16 at the Metropolitan Room in Manhattan (34 West 22nd Street).A special Academy Awards edition of Jamie deRoy & Friends, the MAC Award-winning variety show, will be presented Feb. 16 at the Metropolitan Room in Manhattan (34 West 22nd Street). (Pictured: featured guest Gay Marshall)
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
DAVID BUDWAY (CAST PARTY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA) IS ONE OF THE MOST DISTINCTIVE PIANISTS ON TODAY'S INTERNATIONAL JAZZ SCENE. He is deeply rooted in Classical, Jazz and Rock and Roll Music. In 1992, David made his classical debut as soloist with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. His recording credits include Hubert Laws, Branford Marsalis, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Clark Terry, Michael Brecker, Christiane Noll and others. David has performed with Wynton Marsalis, Liza Minnelli, Dizzy Gillespie, Stanley Turrentine, Ravi Coltrane, Jimmy Heath, Mark Murphy, Joe Pass, Roger Humphries, Art Farmer, Regina Carter, Dave Liebman and The Mingus Big Band. David composed music to the motion pictures “Lift”, and “Giant Steps”, and won two prizes in the John Lennon Songwriting Competition. Look for David's soon to be released Jazz CD “Strike Up the Bud”. Click: DavidBudway.com, or www.myspace.com/davidbudway.
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.
LIZA'S AT THE PALACE...THE 2-CD SET! Two years of touring with the incomparable Liza Minnelli resulted in a triumphant run of Liza's At The Palace at The Palace Theatre. Check out the website for beautiful video footage, photos, and the brand-new 2-CD set of this unforgettable show. The first act is pure Liza at the top of her form, and the second act celebrates 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 worked hard to approximate the blend and unique sound that Bob, Dick, Don and Andy Williams brought to Kay's ingenius vocal arrangements. With old pal Billy Stritch at the piano, this project was an absolute dream come true! Hurry to: LizasAtThePalace.com for an exclusive preview of the 2-CD set available now at The Palace Theatere and online and in stores February 3, 2009!
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
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

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