Carol Shaw

Preheat to the year 1835. Mix the Baker and the Nobleman together until romance blossoms. For a little confusion, gently add the Sweet Young Lady into the mix. Sprinkle in a pinch of frustrated love, and then add a dash of Hero rushing in to save the day. Bake at 350 degrees for the length of one duel, or until ready to admit the truth. Serves them all right.

“Jim Caruso's Cast Party,” the extreme open mic/variety show, made it's Nashville debut at The Franklin Theatre on September 7.  A packed house was privy to performances by Grammy winners, legends from the Country Music Hall of Fame, Broadway, pop, gospel and blues singers.

A 1957 Fourth of July "Watch the Atomic Bomb" party is about to begin in a Las Vegas hotel room. Suddenly, two unexpected guests arrive and change the fortunes of everyone in the room.

Birdland Theater was proud to present the return of singer/songwriter Victoria Shaw in "Under The Covers" on Wednesday, March 6. Victoria's very special guests were singer/songwriters Beth Nielsen Chapman, Julie Gold and Marcus Hummon. This show was captured for a future airing on the ALL ARTS broadcast channel, streaming app and Website.

After Lesli Margherita's sold-out “Broad” concert at Birdland last week, there was a wild, celebrity-filled, super-charged Cast Party! As usual, the weekly event, hosted by Jim Caruso (with Billy Stritch at the piano, Daniel Glass on drums and Steve Doyle on bass) took the words “open mic” to a new level. The entire cast of the Lincoln Center's Merchant of Venice showed up to cheer their stars Jonathan Pryce, Giles Terera and Stefan Adigbola in impromptu performances before heading to their run at Kennedy Center. Multi-million record-selling Victoria Shaw, her mother Carol Shaw, and daughter Ruby Locknar all performed. Soul Train Award winner Nicole Henry sang her heart out. World-class trumpet player Dominick Farinaccci dazzled the crowd. Folk-singing superstar Christine Lavin had the audience out of their seats and dancing. Hamilton Award-winning singer Avery Raquel showed off her jazz chops. And theater writer Phillip Boroff sang, then proposed marriage to his girlfriend. (She said yes!) Is it any wonder Cast Party is known as the “come what mayhem” of Manhattan showbiz events?

The Board of Opera Naples is pleased to announce that Dennis Hanthorn has been appointed General Director of Opera Naples, effective November 15, 2015. The announcement comes following a six month international executive search guided by Arts Consulting Group, resulting in over 70 applications.

Monday night's episode of Jim Caruso's Cast Party felt like New Years Eve, if only for the jam-packed house, glittering entertainers and high energy!