Broadway at Birdland
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Last Week
April 2 , 2009
The Jason Robert Brown concerts continue every night at 7pm through Saturday night! The Tony-winning composer (left) is selling out, so you better call the club now if you expect to get a seat for his extravaganza! He has brought some of the most talented 'belting freaks' in the world to help sing his songs, and we couldn't be happier for his return!
THERE'S A WHOLE LOTTA SHOWBIZ GOING ON AT BIRDLAND THIS WEEK. The Jason Robert Brown concerts continue every night at 7pm through Saturday night! The Tony-winning composer (left) is selling out, so you better call the club now if you expect to get a seat for his extravaganza! He has brought some of the most talented 'belting freaks' in the world to help sing his songs, and we couldn't be happier for his return!
I love the photo Steve Sorokoff took of Jack's exit from the stage - coat thrown casually over his shoulder like a modern-day Sinatra.
This past Monday night scored a musical triple-header, with swingin' jazz dude Jack Donahue starting the night with a laid-back show of standards and some highly original tunes. I love the photo Steve Sorokoff took of Jack's exit from the stage (left) - coat thrown casually over his shoulder like a modern-day Sinatra. And look at those audience faces. That's a happy crowd!
Composer/hottie Georgia Stitt was next on the bill, bringing Broadway at Birdland yet another evening of her compositions, sung by some top notch performers l

Composer/hottie Georgia Stitt (left) was next on the bill, bringing Broadway at Birdland yet another evening of her compositions, sung by some top notch performers like Julia Murney, Tituss Burgess, Kate Baldwin, Graham Rowat, Jamison Stern, Laura Osnes, Kevin Greene, Ashley Marks, Kathleen Monteleone, and Christian Hebel on violin! There were some heavy-hitters in the crowd: Jim Jacobs (co-creator of the hit Broadway musical Grease), and Daisy Prince (director of The Last Five Years and Songs For A New World) were both seen cheering Georgia and the cast.
And then there was Cast Party. Since we had two concerts, the wackiness started a bit later than usual, but the quality of the talent was beyond first-rate! Jeanette Bayardelle (pictured), starred in The Color Purple on Broadway and in the National Tour
And then there was Cast Party. Since we had two concerts, the wackiness started a bit later than usual, but the quality of the talent was beyond first-rate! Jeanette Bayardelle (left), who starred in The Color Purple on Broadway and in the National Tour, The Broadway Boys, The Carlyle Hotel's Loston Harris, Italy's Andrea Balducci, the very young and very talented Alex Getlin, Forbidden Broadway's Christina Bianco, “The Guitar Man of Central Park” David Ippolito, Christine Lavin, Colleen McHugh, William Blake, David Goldman, Sarah Rice, Badia Farha, Jenna Esposito and Rob Langedar all entertained the lucky audience. The evening was capped off by a surprise performance by Luke Hawkins, a Broadway dancer extraordinaire, who just happened to have his tap shoes handy. He dazzled everyone with his talents, and sent them all out into the cool spring night with visions of Astaire and Kelly. Linda Lavin and Michael Feinstein were both watching, cheering and laughing on the sidelines! Billy Stritch, Steve Doyle and Steve Bakunas performed as the Cast Party Symphony Orchestra, proving that we're the luckiest Open Mic on the planet. And we do it all again this coming Monday. You better be there!
- Jim!
Jim Caruso's Cast Party and Theatermania.com are proud to present: Broadway at Birdland
JIM CARUSO'S CAST PARTY IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT LINDA LAVIN AND BILLY STRITCH will return to the Broadway at Birdland series with a brand new show, “Moments Like This,” on Monday, April 6 at 7pm.
JIM CARUSO'S CAST PARTY IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT LINDA LAVIN AND BILLY STRITCH will return to the Broadway at Birdland series with a brand new show, “Moments Like This,” on Monday, April 6 at 7pm.

“Moments Like This” is a new show that gives audiences a chance to meet Broadway and television star Linda Lavin up-close and personal as she recalls her roots in the theater, her love of torch songs, and a life-long obsession with the big bands of the 1940's. Linda's varied musical choices range from Cole Porter to Trisha Yearwood, and the musical relationship with pianist/singer Billy Stritch only adds to the party atmosphere this hostess-with-the-mostess exudes.

Linda Lavin first burst on the New York musical comedy scene with roles in Oh, Kay!, It's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's Superman and On a Clear Day, You Can See Forever. She also won kudos for her straight acting roles in Little Murders and Last of the Red Hot Lovers. TV beckoned and she soon became a household name as the star of the sitcom "Alice.” During the nine seasons it was on the air, Linda nabbed two Golden Globe awards and an Emmy nomination. She even sang "There's a New Girl in Town" over the opening credits of the show. Following this success, she focused her attentions once again on the stage. She earned renewed respect, in addition to critic's awards, for her diversified Broadway work in Gypsy, The Sisters Rosensweig, Collected Stories, Broadway Bound (1987 Tony award), Death Defying Acts (Obie award), The Diary of Anne Frank (Tony nomination) and The Tale of the Allergist's Wife (Tony nomination). She also appeared in Carol Burnett's autobiographical play Hollywood Arms portraying Burnett's grandmother, and most recently in Paul Rudnick's The New Century at Lincoln Center.

An award-winning composer and performer, Billy Stritch has produced, arranged for and sung onstage with world-renowned icons including Liza Minnelli, Christine Ebersole, Marilyn Maye and Charles Aznavour, and was a guest conductor for The Rosie O'Donnell Show.
An award-winning composer and performer, Billy Stritch has produced, arranged for and sung onstage with world-renowned icons including Liza Minnelli, Christine Ebersole, Marilyn Maye and Charles Aznavour, and was a guest conductor for The Rosie O'Donnell Show. As a composer, Stritch co-penned the 1994 Grammy Award-winning song, “Does He Love You?,” recorded by Reba McEntire and Linda Davis, which has sold over four million copies nationwide and was named one of the Top Ten Country Songs of that year. Stritch has headlined every famed nightspot in Manhattan, including Rainbow and Stars, The Algonquin Hotel's Oak Room, The Russian Tea Room, The Blue Note and Birdland. In 2001, he landed the role of piano-playing crooner Oscar in the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of 42nd Street, opposite Ebersole - which led to a long-standing and hugely celebrated professional partnership, across dozens of stages and television shows. Stritch is also the winner of the Nashville Music City News Award, a BMI Song of the Year Award and four awards from the Manhattan Association of Clubs and Cabarets."

Linda Lavin With Billy Stritch, "Moments Like This"

WHEN: Monday, April 6 at 7pm
WHERE: Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
COVER CHARGE: $35/$45 Cover Charge; $10 food/drink minimum
RESERVATIONS: 212.581.3080 or BirdlandJazz.com

Our Sponsors
Bistro Awards, Tuesday, April 28th.  Honoring Charles Azvanour, Liza Minnelli and over 30 other artists! Click: www.bistroawards.com for more information.
"THE ART OF VOCAL TECHNIQUE": Julie Budd fully understands the demands of live performance, and the toll those rigors can take on the professional instrument. To protect, preserve and enhance the instrument of the serious vocal musician, she has developed a Master Class study course, and one-on-one private classes. Julie Budd works constantly in live performance, TV, film, and sings with symphonies all over the country. She knows that it is vital to learn to protect your instrument. That is what "The Art Of Vocal Technique” is all about. For more information regarding private vocal instruction, Ms. Budd can be reached at (917) 445-8799, or private messages can be left on her web site in the forum section, under "Private Message Section”. www.juliebudd.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.
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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