JIM CARUSO'S CAST PARTY IS THRILLED TO PRESENT JOHN BUCCHINO & FRIENDS IN CONCERT, as part of the Nightlife Award-winning series Broadway at Birdland. The event will take place on Monday, March 9 at 7pm.

Noted songwriter and pianist John Bucchino will present an intimate evening of his work, with Broadway stars singing his songs and praises. Joining John will be Brian Stokes Mitchell, Ann Hampton Callaway, Brian Lane Green, Daisy Prince, Justin Paul, Benj Pasek, Jessica Phillips, Lucas Steele, Jamison Stern, Joan Almedilla, Jacqueline Hester and cellist Yair Evnine. Bucchino and friends will perform songs from the composer's CDs "Grateful," "It's Only Life," and "On Richard Rodgers' Piano," as well as material from his recent Broadway show A Catered Affair.

John Bucchino's collaboration with Harvey Fierstein, A Catered Affair, was recently seen on Broadway at The Walter Kerr Theater. He has written songs for the musicals Urban Myths and Lavender Girl, a piece included in 3HREE, an evening of short musicals compiled by Harold Prince, which had productions in Philadelphia and Los Angeles. It's Only Life, a revue of his songs directed by Daisy Prince, premiered at New York's Summer Play Festival and was presented in a concert version at Lincoln Center. He has also written the songs for the Dreamworks animated film JOSEPH, KING OF DREAMS from which "Better Than I" won the 2000 Video Premiere Award for best song. Some recordings of his work are: GRATEFUL, THE SONGS OF JOHN BUCCHINO (an RCA Victor CD and companion songbook), SOLITUDE LESSONS (another collection of original songs), ON RICHARD RODGERS' PIANO (solo piano interpretations of Rodgers songs on the composer's own Steinway), and the PS Classics release of IT'S ONLY LIFE. In September 2003, Harper Collins published an illustrated children's book, based on John's song, called GRATEFUL, A SONG OF GIVING THANKS as part of their Julie Andrews Collection. The book includes a CD of a newly recorded version of the song, sung by Art Garfunkel, and is a winner of the Parents' Choice Gold Award.

John Bucchino's songs have been recorded and performed by Judy Collins, Barbara Cook, Michael Feinstein, Art Garfunkel, Patti LuPone, Yo-Yo Ma, Audra MacDonald, Liza Minnelli, Deborah Voight, The Boston Pops, The Los Angeles Philharmonic, and many others in venues that include Carnegie Hall, The Metropolitan Opera, The Hollywood Bowl, The Sydney Opera House, and The White House. He has been honored as recipient of The Johnny Mercer Songwriter Award (1997), The Songwriters' Fellowship Award (1998), The ASCAP Foundation Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award (1998), The Second Stage Constance Klinsky Award (2000), The Gilman & Gonzalez-Falla Commendation Award (2000), The Jonathan Larson Award (2001), The Kleban Award (2001) and the first annual Fred Ebb Award (2005).

JOHN BUCCHINO & FRIENDS IN CONCERT

WHEN: Monday, March 9, 2009, 7:00 pm
WHERE: Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
COVER CHARGE: $25 Cover Charge; $10 food/drink minimum
RESERVATIONS: 212.581.3080 or BirdlandJazz.com

UPCOMING SHOWS: Christine Pedi (March 16), Kate Shindle & John McDaniel (March 23)

AFTER A SOLD OUT SHOW FOR OUR V-DAY EXTRAVAGANZA, ‘Nab-A-Date: The World’s 1st, Best (and only) Musical Dating Show!’ is bringing you four more chances to catch the show! Join us every Thursday night in March at the Legendary Duplex Cabaret Theatre for a fast paced musical spoof of any and all of those ‘dating games’ out there. Lee Cavellier hosts, as our bachelorettes parade, persuade and serenade in hopes of harpooning the heart of our hunk. Check out cast pics and bios, and more info at www.Nab-A-Date.com or visit:
https://www.smarttix.com/show.aspx?showCode=NAB0 for tickets!

MAC/ASCAP SONGWRITER SHOWCASE, Saturday, March 21st @ 2:00PM, at the Metropolitan Room. (34 West 22nd Street, NYC). Admission is FREE for members of ASCAP and MAC. Non-members $10. There is no minimum, but a cash bar for drinks and snacks will be available. Reservations strongly recommended – call 212.206.0440 or e-mail your reservation to RSVP@MACNYC.com. The showcase will be hosted by award-winning performer and producer Jamie deRoy, who will be welcoming songwriters Jeff Blumenkrantz, Steven Lutvak. Sidney Myer will also perform songs from various composers. The special guest will be multi-platinum award winning recording artist David Pomeranz. David's songs and recordings have sold over 40 million copies. He is the recipient of 22 Platinum and 18 Gold albums and his concert appearances have delighted audiences all over the world. For more information on ASCAP or MAC, please visit www.ASCAP.org or www.MACNYC.com.

IN 1987 ON THE SUNSET STRIP, A SMALL TOWN GIRL MET A BIG CITY ROCKER and in LA’s most legendary rock club, they fell in love to the greatest songs of the ‘80s.Coming to Broadway March 17,2009 is ROCK OF AGES, an arena-rock love story told through the mind-blowing, face-melting hits of Journey, Bon Jovi, Styx, Reo Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison, Asia, Whitesnake and many more. Don’t miss this awesomely good time about dreaming big, playing loud and partying on.

SCOTT SIEGEL PRESENTS: BROADWAY JUKEBOX AT BIRDLAND, SUNDAY, MARCH 8TH AT 6:30 P.M. This week's cast: Julia Murney (Wicked), Kerry O'Malley (White Christmas) and Brad Oscar (Producers)! BROADWAY SONGS! BROADWAY STARS! YOU PICK THE MUSIC! "Broadway Jukebox is a great value for those who want to enjoy some of the best talent of New York’s theatre and cabaret scenes."  -- Jena Tesse Fox, Broadwayworld.com. Musical Director: Tedd Firth, Director: Scott Coulter. Host: Scott Siegel. Broadway’s best are coming to sing the best of Broadway! Music Charge: $25/$35 + $10 Minimum. Show Time: 6:30 PM (doors open at 5 PM). at Birdland 315 West 44th Street, Reservations: 212-581-3080. For more information email: SiegelEntertainment@msn.com, or visit: SiegelPresents.com

"ADRIANA MCPHEE IS YOUNG, BEAUTIFUL AND OOZING A UNIQUE CHARM!" ~ Miss Julie Wilson. After selling out The Gardenia in Los Angeles, sultry Adriana McPhee makes her New York cabaret debut with “Starting Here, Starting Now” at The Metropolitan Room. Adriana is the scion of an acclaimed show business family and her mother, celebrated cabaret singer Peisha McPhee, will appear as a special guest in all shows. Shows are Tuesday, March 3rd at 9:30 PM, Wednesday, March 4th and Thursday, March 5th at 9:45 PM. Tickets are $25 ($20 for MAC members). Call (212) 206-0440 for reservations or online at The Metropolitan Room. For more about Adriana, click: www.adrianamcphee.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. 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.

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.

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 .

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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

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.

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