Anderson, Daniels, Errico to Perform at Birdland in May

Jim Caruso's Cast Party and TheaterMania.com will present three of Broadway's most entertaining performers in May as part of Broadway at Birdland, a series of 7 PM concerts featuring top Broadway stars and theater songwriters at the legendary Birdland, 315 West 44th Street, NYC.

On May 7th, Nancy Anderson will celebrate her recently release CD 'Ten Cents A Dance.'  On May 14th Broadway and film star Jeff Daniels will present his eclectic mix of personal songs and on May 21 and May 28, Melissa Errico will present 'Lullabyes n' Broadway', a blend of jazz standards, theater classics, original songs and lullabies.   The cover charge varies per performer, and there is a $10 food/drink minimum per person.  Full dinner service is available until 1 AM.  Every Monday night 'Broadway at Birdland' concert at 7 PM is followed by Jim Caruso's Cast Party, an open-mic night for the Broadway and music scenes.

Anderson, with Ross Patterson and his Little Big Band, returns to Broadway at Birdland on Monday, May 7 at 7 PM to celebrate her recently released CD 'Ten Cents a Dance,' featuring standards and lost treasures from the 1920's and 30's.  Produced by Bill Daugherty with Ross Patterson and Danny Whitby as Musical Directors, the CD includes "The Trouble with Me is You," "My Romance," "But Not for Me," and the title track "Ten Cents a Dance."  Anderson will be joined at Birdland by Ross Patterson and his Little Big Band.  Ms. Anderson is a two-time Drama Desk nominee for her work as the title character in the Off-Broadway production of Fanny Hill and as all of the women in Jolson & Co.  In 2002, she was honored with an Olivier Award nomination and a Helen Hayes Award nomination for her work as Bianca/Lois in Kiss Me, Kate, seen on PBS and available on DVD.  She has appeared on Broadway as Helen in Wonderful Town and Mona in A Class Act.  There is a $30 cover and a $10 food/drink minimum for  Anderson's show.

Actor/singer/songwriter Jeff Daniels returns to "Broadway at Birdland" on Monday, May 14 at 7pm.  Best-known for such films as "Terms of Endearment," "Dumb and Dumber," and "The Squid and the Whale,"   Mr. Daniels is currently starring in the 2007 Oliver Award-winning play Blackbird, by Scottish playwright David Harrower, at the Manhattan Theatre Club.  Jeff Daniels has been writing songs since the 1970's, something most people didn't know, because - unlike numerous other celebrities - he kept them to himself.  "A few years ago, someone suggested that he might be able to raise funds for his pet project, the Purple Rose Theater in his hometown of Chelsea, Michigan, by going out on stage and singing some of those songs.  Lo and behold, a musical star was born!  The subsequent CD, 'Live and Unplugged,' is a collection of live performances, which humorously and often touchingly, reflect on his life and career. 'If William Shatner Can, I Can Too' is Daniels' take on celebrities trying to be taken seriously as musicians.  'The Dirty Harry Blues' describes the joy of being killed by Clint Eastwood.  He bares his heart in 'Kathy,' which describes his first date with his wife, and then thanks his mother for support and guidance in 'Momma Never Left Her Oldest Boy Alone,'" state press materials.  The cover for Daniels' show will be $30 with a $10 food/drink minimum.
 
On Monday May 21 and 28 at 7 PM, Melissa Errico returns to Birdland with "Lullabyes 'N Broadway," a blend of jazz standards, theater classics, original songs and lullabies, including "I Remember," "Once Upon a Summertime," "Speak Low" and "Accustomed to (His) Face."  She will also sing songs from her upcoming CD sharing such gems as "Gartans Lullabye" and the Beatles' "Goodnight."  The evening also features highlights from her debut album "Blue Like That" (EMI) and her collaboration with Michel Legrand and Phil Ramone, including such Oscar-winning favorites as "The Summer Knows" and the new song "Another Life" written for her. The show will feature Andy Ezrin on piano and Tim Lefebvre on bass.  Tony-nominated for her work in Amour, Errico has also been seen on Broadway in Dracula The Musical, High Society, My Fair Lady and Anna Karenina, in addition to numerous shows Off-Broadway and at Encores!. There is a $30 cover and a $10 food/drink minimum for the show.

For reservations call Birdland at (212) 581-3080 or www.Birdlandjazz.com.

Photo of Nancy Anderson by Ben Strothmann

 

 

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