Broadway at Birdland
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Last Week
November 5 , 2009
Alan Cumming (left - all photos [except Patrick] by STEPHEN SOROKOFF.) whispered his way through “Taylor, The Latte Boy,” giving the well-known story-song a whole new twist…as if he had a sexy secret.
NINE! That’s how many times I’ve been able to present The Marcy & Zina Show in the Broadway at Birdland series over the years. Each and every time, they’ve delighted us with witty, charming and touching material, a talented cast and a packed house. This last Monday was no exception, that’s for sure. They even stepped up their game a bit, with a string section and a few Broadway superstars thrown in for fun! Alan Cumming (left, in a photo by Stephen Sorokoff) whispered his way through “Taylor, The Latte Boy,” giving the well-known story-song a whole new twist…as if he had a sexy secret. Stephanie J. Block camped and vamped “Fifteen Pounds Away From Your Love,” from her new CD. Scott Coulter, Jill Abramovitz, and Elena Shaddow all sang a few from the M&Z ouevre to brilliant and enthusiastic response. There was even one mega-director in the house, taking in all the talent. Trevor Nunn, who directed a few unknown West End shows like Cats and Phantom, sat at the bar and reveled in Marcy-and-Zina-dom all night! Go girls…and congrats on the fabulous new CD on the Yellow Sound Label!
The following Cast Party was equally exciting…just ask any of the 200-some folks who were there!  I was thrilled to introduce Sam Tsui (left), whom I discovered on YouTube, along with (literally) 2.2 million other people, when he posted a sextet arrangement of a Michael Jackson medley…except all six guys happen to be Sam.
The following Cast Party was equally exciting…just ask any of the 200-some folks who were there! I was thrilled to introduce Sam Tsui (left, thanks to Stephen Sorokoff), whom I discovered on YouTube, along with (literally) 2.2 million other people, when he posted a sextet arrangement of a Michael Jackson medley…except all six guys happen to be Sam. I wrote him immediately, and he made the schlep from Yale to entertain us on Monday! What a spectacular voice and talent he is…his performance of Jason Robert Brown’s “King of the World” was breathtaking, and his solo tribute to the King of Pop was dazzling to hear. We all hope Sam will be a Cast Party regular!
Another dazzle-ment was the appearance of Nonsequitor (left), a 14-person acapella group from Columbia University.
Another dazzle-ment was the appearance of Nonsequitor (left; photo: Stephen Sorokoff), a 14-person acapella group from Columbia University. Their voices, hip arrangements and complete joy in performing won the jaded crowd in about two bars, and OMG we look forward to many more nights with them! There were lots of other contestants in the Mr/Miss Cast Party pageant…Patrick Oliver Jones & Chris Evans sang “You’re Nothing Without Me” with great success, Alissa Stahler sang a swinging ditty, Erich Lou Bergen was really funny then sang an illegal ballad but we like him anyway, Matthew Robinson killed one last time before going back home to Australia, Jonathan Shew showed off his amazing chops, and Gregory Generet absolutely stopped the show, swinging and singing with the Cast Party Symphony Orchestra (Tedd Firth and Sadi Zain with Aaron Weinstein on violin)! And guess what? We do it all again this coming Monday, and I certainly hope you’ll do the done thing and join us!
- Jim!
Jim Caruso's Cast Party and Theatermania.com are proud to present: Broadway at Birdland
JIM CARUSO'S CAST PARTY IS PROUD TO PRSENT the return of Patrick DeGennaro to the Broadway at Birdland concert series.
JIM CARUSO'S CAST PARTY IS PROUD TO PRSENT the return of Patrick DeGennaro to the Broadway at Birdland concert series.

Patrick DeGennaro returns to Birdland to celebrate the release of his new CD, “Unbroken.” Patrick is a MAC Award and Bistro Award Winner for Outstanding Male Vocalist and the first single (from the CD), “Friend” was nominated for the MAC Award Song Of The Year. DeGennaro’s songs are a mix of classic rock & roll and soulful rhythm & blues. From the sexy whisper of “I Hear Your Voice In The Rain,” to the searching screams of “If I Didn’t Know,” DeGennaro’s vocal and stylistic range is unmatched. “Unbroken” is a soundtrack of survival, strength and love. Come see DeGennaro and his band kick it off for this CD release. It’ll be a rock and blues-driven evening with a few killer ballads and a some classic covers!

PATRICK DEGENNARO, "UNBROKEN"

WHEN: Monday, November 9th at 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
TICKETS: $25.00 General, $35 Preferred, $10 food/drink minimum
RESERVATIONS: 212.581.3080 or BirdlandJazz.com
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JAMIE DEROY & FRIENDS PRESENTS: THE MORE, THE MERRIER...DUETS & MORE AT THE METROPOLITAN ROOM Tuesday, November 17th at 7:00 P.M. Jamie deRoy presents a special evening of her multi MAC Award-winning variety show, Jamie deRoy & friends on Tuesday, November 17th (7PM) at the Metropolitan Room (34 West 22nd St. bet. 5th & 6th Avenues). “The More The Merrier Duets & More…” will feature an evening full of duets and multi-voice musical partnering. Joining Jamie will be: Rod (Seth Rettberg), Nicky (Cullen R. Titmas) and Brian (Nick Kohn) from the Tony Award-winning musical “Avenue Q” performing an original number written by James Darrah; David Buskin & Robin Batteau; Uptown Express; Eddie Bruce & Laura Munich; Scott Coulter; London stage star Andrew Halliday; and husband and wife Broadway duo Liz Larsen & Sal Viviano. Musical direction: Lanny Meyers; Director: Barry Kleinbort . CAST PARTY FRIENDS & FAMILY DISCOUNT- USE "DUETS" CODE FOR A COVER OF $25 WHEN RESERVING.
Jamie DeRoy
SHOSHANA BEAN: A HAPPENING to benefit Hadassah, WZOA, Inc. - On Nov 30 at 7:30pm, Broadway star SHOSHANA BEAN inspired by her idol, BARBRA STREISAND, makes her triumphant concert debut in New York City with a show that's not to be missed! Starring in Wicked, Hairspray and the off-Broadway revival of Godspell, Shoshana proved herself a force of nature. Now, audiences will enjoy an evening of many Streisand classics alongside songs from her debut album, Superhero as she seamlessly blends the classic with the contemporary. Dir. by Billy Porter. MD James Sampliner. LINCOLN CENTER, Broadway at 60th Street, NYC. Tickets: $35-150, www.JALC.com (http://jalc.org/concerts/details309a.asp?EventID!50) or www.ShoshanaBeanAHappening.com
Jamie DeRoy
MAUREEN TAYLOR BRINGS HER NEW SHOW TO THE METROPOLITAN ROOM: TAYLOR MADE: BOB MERRILL. From “How Much Is That Doggie In The Window” to “People”, Bob Merrill’s vast amount of work spans the simple to the sublime. Bob Merrill celebrated the “ordinary” man. TAYLOR MADE celebrates the “extraordinary” BOB MERRILL! Directed by MAC Award winner Peter Napolitano, with musical direction by Matt Castle – accompanied by Joe Brent on guitar and mandolin. OCT 25,26 & NOV 8,9. 2 SUNDAYS @4PM, 2 MONDAYS @7PM. Where: Metropolitan Room (34 West 22nd St.) Reservations: 212.206.0440. Cover: $20 plus 2 drink minimum. ($15 MAC, Cabaret Hotline, AEA, AFTRA, SAG) Click: www.MaureenTaylorNYC.com
MAUREEN TAYLOR BRINGS HER NEW SHOW TO THE METROPOLITAN ROOM: TAYLOR MADE: BOB MERRILL.  (4)
GET A SPECIAL OFFER TO FINIAN'S RAINBOW, New York City Center Encores! Sold-out Smash Hit is Coming to Broadway! Tony Award® winner Jim Norton (The Seafarer) stars as the loveable Finian, with Kate Baldwin (Wonderful Town) as his plucky daughter Sharon, Cheyenne Jackson (Xanadu) as Woody, the boy who falls under her spell and Christopher Fitzgerald (Young Frankenstein) as Og the leprechaun. To learn more, please click: http://www.FiniansOnBroadway.com/castparty.html. Use code FRBOW75 at Broadwayoffers.com to get tickets as for as little as $55! October 8th through October 28th pay just $55 for all shows; October 30 through December 20 get $59 tickets (Tues-Fri) and $75 tickets (Sat & Sun). Click here to purchase your tickets now or call Telecharge at 212-947-8844
GET A SPECIAL OFFER TO FINIAN'S RAINBOW, New York City Center Encores! Sold-out Smash Hit is Coming to Broadway!
HERE'S THE NEWEST, FRESHEST VERSION OF THE CAST PARTY T-SHIRT (modeled here by our friend Kyle Michael Kuhlman)! Kids, it's 100% cotton (yes!) in snowy white, with a Minnelli red ringer, and accompanying black and red logo announcing your love for a certain Monday night soiree! We have them in S, M, and L! Get 'em while they're HOT! $20
HERE'S THE NEWEST, FRESHEST VERSION OF THE CAST PARTY T-SHIRT (modeled here by our friend Kyle Michael Kuhlman)! Kids, it's 100% cotton (yes!) in snowy white, with a Minnelli red ringer, and accompanying black and red logo announcing your love for a certain Monday night soiree!  We have them in S, M, and L!  Get 'em while they're HOT! $20
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
CALIFORNIA NATIVE CORTÉS ALEXANDER HAS JUST RELEASED HIS DEBUT SOLO CD, SWELL. It's an eclectic mix of musical styles including pop, jazz, electronica and even a touch of country. Broadwayworld.com has called SWELL “...stunning, spectacular, new, and edgy. 5 out of 5 stars!” Cortés is the recipient of 2 MAC awards and a Backstage Bistro award for his work with the vocal group The Tonics. He spent the last two years touring the world singing and dancing with Liza Minnelli, culminating on Broadway in the Tony award winning extravaganza, “Liza's At the Palace.” SWELL is available on itunes & at CDbaby.com. For more, visit www.cortesalexander.com
CALIFORNIA NATIVE CORTÉS ALEXANDER HAS JUST RELEASED HIS DEBUT SOLO CD, SWELL. It's an eclectic mix of musical styles including pop, jazz, electronica and even a touch of country.  Broadwayworld.com has called SWELL “...stunning, spectacular, new, and edgy.  5 out of 5 stars!”
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
SQUIGS DRAWS THE STARS. Justin 'Squigs' Robertson is quickly becoming known far and wide for capturing show biz folk in pen and ink. 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 onstage. Squigs is currently posting a fresh weekly sketch or two celebrating the American theatre on his Facebook page, 'Squigs Knows His Lines.' Drop by and become a fan. You can also visit Squigs' website for a look at his 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. Visit Squigs on Facebook, too!

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!
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About Us
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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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