Ron Abel, Clint Holmes, Valarie Pettiford Photo

From: Photo Flash: Amra-Faye Wright, Valarie Pettiford, et al. at CAST PARTY!

Jim Caruso's Cast Party packed Birdland with a huge variety of talent on Monday night. The weekly open mic, recently called 'the best party in the universe' by the Australian Cabaret Confidential, was the place for Broadway folk like Amra-Faye Wright (currently starring as Velma in Chicago), supperclub star Clint Holmes (in rehearsal for his upcoming Café Carlyle run), country legend Larry Gatlin, jazz superstars Jane Monheit, Natalie Douglas and Sachal Vasandani, publicist and birthday boy Richard Hillman, 'Broadway Beat' host Richie Ridge, musical director/pianist Ron Abel, cabaret folks like Scott Coulter and Carole J. Bufford (this Monday's11 O'Clock Numbers revue at Birdland), and regulars Allana Adderly, Daniel Kirkley, Matthew Falber, William Blake, and LA diva Valarie Pettiford!