Broadway at Birdland
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Last Week
March 26, 2009
Monday night's Kate Shindle/John McDaniel concert was everything we hoped it would be…and more! Great arrangements of gorgeous Broadway and pop classics, pianistic excellence, smart chat, and stellar singing! The crowd went wild!  (pictured, Kate Shindle in a GREAT photo by Steve Sorokoff.)

We kicked off the night with the Fleet Street Singers (left), 16 fresh-faced, bow-tied guys from Stanford University, who absolutely killed with their harmonies, choreography and humor.
**PLEASE NOTE! THIS COMING MONDAY, CAST PARTY WILL START A BIT LATER, at 11pm, because of our double header Broadway at Birdland Jack Donahue/Georgia Stitt concerts!

Monday night's Kate Shindle/John McDaniel concert was everything we hoped it would be…and more! Great arrangements of gorgeous Broadway and pop classics, pianistic excellence, smart chat, and stellar singing! The crowd went wild! I love the photo (left) that Steve Sorokoff took of Kate, and you can see many more on our FLICKR site. (Did you see Ms. Shindle holding her own along with the charming Ann Coulter on the “Hannity” show on Fox-TV?) It blows my mind that some of my fave performers are part of the Broadway at Birdland series. We have some shockingly brilliant folks coming up (see below) as well as Shoshana Bean, Linda Lavin, Peter Eldridge, Laurel Masse, Victoria Shaw, Marilyn Michaels, Julie Halston, Groove Lily, Annaleigh Ashford, Natalie Douglas, Ron Abel and Stephanie J. Block!

The following Cast Party was…well…one for the history books. It's hard to explain just how…varied…the entertainment was. Again, check out the photos on Flickr, and you'll get the idea. We kicked off the night with the Fleet Street Singers (left), 16 fresh-faced, bow-tied guys from Stanford University, who absolutely killed with their harmonies, choreography and humor.
movie stars Craig Chester, Parker Posey, and comedy writer Robbie Robertson (left), and Broadway boy Ward Billeisen
Michael Winther sang a brand new song written by Deborah Barsha and Lance Horn, who accompanied him on piano and vocals. Forbidden Broadway superstar Christine Bianco did the best Celine Dion impression on Earth. Eddie Bruce gave us a swingin' taste of his Tony Bennett show. The amazing Zoe Lewis, whom I've heard about forever, finally had her Cast Party debut, along with extraordinary recorder player Roxanne Layton. KT Sullivan showed off her chops and gave us a preview of her Algonquin material. Then, Jeanette Bayardelle stunned the packed house into dead silence with her performance of “I'm Here,” the eleven o'clock number she sang in The Color Purple on Broadway. There were some showbiz swells in the audience taking it all in, like Village People Cowboy Randy Jones, movie stars Craig Chester, Parker Posey, and comedy writer Robbie Robertson (left), and Broadway boy Ward Billeisen. Tedd Firth, Steve Doyle and Steve Bakunas performed brilliantly as the Cast Party Symphony Orchestra, as they will this coming Monday, when YOU'LL be there to sing your way into our collective hearts!! Keep in mind that we'll be starting Cast Party a bit later - at 11pm, because of our double-header Broadway at Birdland concerts!
- Jim!
Jim Caruso's Cast Party and Theatermania.com are proud to present: Broadway at Birdland
Jim Caruso's Cast Party is proud to present vocalist JACK DONAHUE on Monday, March 30 at 7pm, in continuation of “Broadway at Birdland.” This series features top Broadway and nightclub performers and songwriters at the legendary music room, located at 315 West 44 Street in NYC.
WOW! IT'S A DOUBLE-HEADER THIS MONDAY, MARCH 30! At 7pm, swingin' Jack Donahue! At 9pm, dazzlin' Georgia Stitt & Friends! THEN…all next week - it's Jason Robert Brown in concert!

Jim Caruso's Cast Party is proud to present vocalist JACK DONAHUE on Monday, March 30 at 7pm, in continuation of “Broadway at Birdland.” This series features top Broadway and nightclub performers and songwriters at the legendary music room, located at 315 West 44 Street in NYC.

Critically acclaimed vocalist Jack Donahue returns to Birdland with 2009 Grammy nominee Keith Ganz on guitar. Expect an intimate evening of introspective music with fresh takes on ballads, bossa novas, tangos and pure pop standards. Rex Reed raves, "Donahue is astoundingly imaginative...he will haunt you." Jack will be joined by Erik Privert on bass and James Shipp on percussion.

JAZZ TIMES wrote, "It's not every singer who can handle the carousel ebullience of Kenny Rankin's 'Haven't We Met,' the retro bounciness of 'You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby,' the saucy innuendo of Cole Porter's 'Let's Do It,' the inky grandeur of Kurt Well's 'Lost in the Stars,' and the cheeky familiarity of Jay Leonhart's cocky 'Robert Frost' with parallel aplomb. Donahue can."

JACK DONAHUE

WHEN: Monday, March 30 at 7pm
WHERE: Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
COVER CHARGE: $25 Cover Charge; $10 food/drink minimum
RESERVATIONS: 212.581.3080 or BirdlandJazz.com

Jim Caruso's Cast Party is proud to announce the return of songwriter GEORGIA STITT in Concert on Monday, March 30 at 9pm, in continuation of the Broadway at Birdland series.
Jim Caruso's Cast Party is proud to announce the return of songwriter GEORGIA STITT in Concert on Monday, March 30 at 9pm, in continuation of the Broadway at Birdland series.

In anticipation of the March 31st release of “Alphabet City Cycle” (PS Classics), Georgia Stitt and her fabulous friends return to Birdland on March 30th at 9pm. There will be featured performances by Broadway talents Julia Murney, Tituss Burgess, Kate Baldwin, Graham Rowat, Laura Osnes, Kathleen Monteleone and Kevin Greene, as well as a New York City debut of newcomer Ashley Marks. Expect songs from Georgia's album "This Ordinary Thursday" and her new musical revue Sing Me A Happy Song, as well as a handful of brand new song never before performed in New York. The rocking house band will include Shannon Ford on drums, Randy Landau on bass and Christian Hebel on violin.

GEORGIA STITT is a composer and a lyricist. Her musicals Big Red Sun (winner of the Harold Arlen Award in 2005 and written with playwright John Jiler) and The Water (premiered at the University of Michigan in 2004 and written with collaborators Jeff Hylton and Tim Werenko) are both in development. At present she is developing a musical revue with composer/lyricist David Kirshenbaum, currently titled Sing Me A Happy Song. In spring of 2007 she released her first album, “This Ordinary Thursday: The Songs of Georgia Stitt,” on the PS Classics label. The recording features stellar performances by such contemporary theater luminaries as Sara Ramirez, Kelli O'Hara, Faith Prince, Carolee Carmello, Susan Egan, Tituss Burgess, Keith Byron Kirk, Andrea Burns, Matthew Morrison, Will Chase, Jenn Colella, Lauren Kennedy and Cheyenne Jackson, and the CD's songbook of printed music is now available through Hal Leonard. Aside from contributing two songs to the 2008 MTV movie “The American Mall,” Georgia has also written songs that are included on Susan Egan's solo albums “Coffee House” and “Winter Tracks” (LML Records) and Lauren Kennedy's album “Here and Now” (PS Classics). GEORGIA was the on-camera vocal coach for the NBC reality TV show “Grease: You're The One That I Want,” and the Production Music Coordinator for the Disney/ABC TV musical “Once Upon A Mattress” starring Tracey Ullman and Carol Burnett. On Broadway she was the assistant conductor of the 2003 Little Shop of Horrors revival and the associate conductor of the Encores! production of Can-Can starring Patti LuPone. In 2005 she served as an arranger for the Boston Pops Orchestra (Keith Lockhart, conductor) in their 75th Anniversary Tribute to Stephen Sondheim at Tanglewood and Boston's Symphony Hall.

GEORGIA STITT & FRIENDS

WHEN: Monday, March 23 at 9:00 pm
WHERE: Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
COVER CHARGE: $25 Cover Charge; $10 food/drink minimum
RESERVATIONS: 212.581.3080 or BirdlandJazz.com
Jim Caruso's Cast Party is proud to announce that Jason Robert Brown, the award-winning composer/lyricist (Parade, The Last Five Years) will be returning to Broadway at Birdland for a five (5) night engagement (March 31-April 4) that will feature new material from the past five years.
Jim Caruso's Cast Party is proud to announce that Jason Robert Brown, the award-winning composer/lyricist (Parade, The Last Five Years) will be returning to Broadway at Birdland for a five (5) night engagement (March 31-April 4) that will feature new material from the past five years. As always, they will be some of the most exciting and original songs in town! Brown will be joined by Lauren Kennedy (The Last Five Years), as well as many other singers with whom he has worked.

Jason Robert Brown has been hailed as "one of Broadway's smartest and most sophisticated songwriters since Stephen Sondheim" (Philadelphia Inquirer), and his "extraordinary, jubilant theater music" (Chicago Tribune) has been heard all over the world, whether in one of the hundreds of productions of his musicals every year or in his own incendiary live performances. The New York Times refers to Jason as "a leading member of a new generation of composers who embody high hopes for the American musical."

Performances are Tuesday through Saturday, March 31- April 4 at 7PM. Tickets are $35 for General seating and $50 for Premium seating and may be obtained by calling (212) 581-3080 or online at www.birdlandjazz.com. There will be a $10 food/drink minimum.

JASON ROBERT BROWN

WHEN: Tuesday through Saturday, March 31 - April 3 at 7:00 pm
WHERE: Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
COVER CHARGE: $35 Cover Charge; $20 Premium Seating, plus $10 food/drink minimum
RESERVATIONS: 212.581.3080 or BirdlandJazz.com

UPCOMING: Linda Lavin with Billy Stritch: "Moments Like This"
Our Sponsors
Bistro Awards, Tuesday, April 28th.  Honoring Charles Azvanour, Liza Minnelli and over 30 other artists! Click: www.bistroawards.com for more information.
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.
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.
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.
DAVID BUDWAY (CAST PARTY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA) IS ONE OF THE MOST DISTINCTIVE PIANISTS ON TODAY'S INTERNATIONAL JAZZ SCENE.
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 at The Palace Theater, online and in stores.
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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