OH DEAR LORD...SHE'S BACK.  After an insanely successful show at The Magic Castle in Hollywood, MIRANDA SINGS will be gracing the Broadway at Birdland stage on Sunday, April 25 at 6pm!  Her very special guests will include Broadway’s Annaleigh Ashford (Hair, Wicked, Legally Blonde), Tituss Burgess (Guys and Dolls, Little Mermaid), Mitch Jarvis (Rock of Ages), VOCE (an amazing barbershop quartet!) and Seth Rudetsky (Sirius Satellite Radio).

After five sold-out Birdland concerts, Miranda will be performing with some of Broadway’s biggest stars, and give a lucky celebrity guest one of her much-discussed and sought-after voice lessons, fashion makeovers and dramatic readings of her own hate mail.  You will not want to miss this lipstick-wearing, epileptic-eyebrowed, crooked-smiling beauty as she performs her magic at Birdland once again!

Miranda Sings is an internet character created by California-based theatre student Colleen Ballinger, and proliferated via YouTube.  The character is a satire of increasingly common YouTube videos featuring mediocre or even bad singers who film themselves singing as a form of self-promotion.  Miranda is supposedly from Tacoma, Washington, sings comically off-key, and, when confronted by viewers who take the videos seriously, uses the catchphrase "Haters back off!"  The characterization includes facial tics, unusually active eyebrows and a crooked smile.  She also wears lipstick drawn beyond all natural borders and often dances stiffly to the music she is performing.  Ms. Ballinger's character has enjoyed widespread popularity, particularly among musical theatre fans, and has appeared as Miranda Sings at live club and theater venues in New York (The Minskoff Theatre), Los Angeles (The Magic Castle), London (Ambassador Theatre) and all over Australia.

MIRANDA SINGS

WHEN: Sunday, April 25 at 6pm
WHERE: Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
TICKETS: $25 General, $35 Premium, $10 food/drink minimum
RESERVATIONS: 212.581.3080 or BirdlandJazz.com

THEN...

Jim Caruso is please to present Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich in “The Marcy & Zina Show” as part of the Broadway at Birdland concert series on Monday, April 26 at 7pm.  This performance marks the 10th time the writing duo has been booked at the historic music room!  Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich, the songwriting team responsible for many of today’s most quirky romantic comedy songs, return to Birdland for a one night only performance of The Marcy & Zina Show on Monday, April 26th at 7:00 pm.  Joined by Scott Coulter, Jill Abramovitz, and special guests Clinton Kelly, Nathan Klau and Jonathan Root, Marcy and Zina will offer a collection of songs, plus a sneak peek at some of their upcoming theatrical projects including Freakin’ Fabulous, Serena Bergman, and more.  The duo will also feature selections from Marcy & Zina: The Album, a definitive collection of their work together released in November 2009 on Yellow Sound Label.  With Mike Croiter on drums and guitar, Mary Ann McSweeney on bass, and Clay Ruede on cello, The Marcy and Zina Show musically celebrates both the serious and silly sides of the search for love, not to mention the perfect cup of coffee.

Author MARCY HEISLER and Composer ZINA GOLDRICH, who have been collaborating since 1993, are honored to be the recipients of the 2009 Fred Ebb Award for Musical Theatre Songwriting.  They also received 2009 Drama Desk Award nominations for Outstanding Lyrics and Music for Dear Edwina, and are past recipients of ASCAP's Richard Rodgers New Horizons Theatre Award.  Praised by The New York Times as a “bright inventive production” that “beguiles with rock, rag, rhythm and blues and doo wop among other attractions, Marcy & Zina’s Junie B. Jones enjoyed three highly successful off-Broadway runs under the auspices of Theatreworks USA, earning two Lucille Lortel Award nominations. 

THE MARCY & ZINA SHOW

WHEN: Monday, April 26 at 7pm
WHERE: Birdland, 315 West 44 Street, NYC
TICKETS: $25 cover, $10 food/drink minimum
RESERVATIONS: 212.581.3080 or BirdlandJazz.com

PROMISES, PROMISES on Broadway! It's Manhattan. It's the '60s. And the city is back in full swing, in Broadway's first-ever revival of PROMISES, PROMISES - starring Emmy® Award winner Sean Hayes (Will and Grace) as the enterprising associate on the way up, and Tony® and Emmy® Award winner Kristin Chenoweth (Wicked) as the cafeteria waitress whose romantic troubles have got her down. Now playing on Broadway! Click here to save up to 40%! Visit: http://www.promisespromisesbroadway.com

MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL. Join our vibrant new community to connect with theatre practitioners and fans from around the world. Share advice, photos, videos, sets, props, costumes and a whole lot more to bring your next production to life. Visit MTI ShowSpace by clicking: www.mtishowspace.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. ROCK OF AGES is 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.

HERE'S OUR FRIEND Ben Ross cavorting on a cold Canadian beach, but keeping warm in the newest, freshest version of the Cast Party t-shirt!  Can you believe this 100% cotton beauty can be yours for a mere $20 plus $5 for shipping?  They come in S, M, L and XL! Click: CastPartyNYC.com/Goods.

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.

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.

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.

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.

TRAVERSE CITY WEB DESIGN - BRINGING YOU THIS VERY CAST PARTY NEWSLETTER, offers a full line of web design and online marketing services. We have a wide range of packages and services ideal for entertainers and performers - from one-page "portfolio" sites, to press kits, to full online archives, we can create and host a site that's perfect for you. We also offer marketing services, such as online mass mailings, and can help maximize your site's presence in search engines. Friends & family discount! Mention the Cast Party Newsletter and receive 10% off. Get online with us!

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!

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!

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