Historically, Monday night has been known as a dark night on the show biz scene, but Cast Party changed all that eighteen years ago. That’s when host Jim Caruso decided to shine a bright spotlight on Broadway, jazz and cabaret stars, all the while thrilling the people who love those folks!
After fifteen months of unwanted hiatus, host/producer Jim Caruso brought his notorious 'Cast Party' back to it's home on the Birdland stage. July 5 marked the return of the wildly popular weekly open mic/variety show that has been bringing Broadway glitz and urbane wit to the historic music room every Monday since 2004.
Fifteen months off of the stage certainly hasn't diminished their light, their talent, or their on stage instincts. Ms. Mosher and Mr. Caruso are back, they're in fine form, and they are rarin' to go.
Gianni Valenti sure knows how to throw a re-opening, as Birdland audiences last week learned... or re-learned, as it were.
Fourteen months after her new show was to premiere in New York City, Dawn Derow is ready to go - live and virtually - and nothing is going to stop her, even if it means moving the back to the city where it was set to originate, at the last minute.
NY State Senator Brad Hoylman, who is currently running to be the next Manhattan Borough President, has a long history supporting the performing arts and cultural institutions in New York City. André De Shields, Judy Kuhn, Liz Calloway, Ryann Redmond, Telly Lueng, Seth Rudetsky, and more have come together signing a letter of endorsement.
Broadway might be dark, but that doesn't mean that theatre isn't happening everywhere! Below, check out where you can get your daily fix of Broadway this weekend, February 27-28, 2020.
The livelihoods of touring musicians, club owners, technicians, and venue staffers have been thwarted by the pandemic and Vocal Gumbo strives to keep the music happening, keep the bills paid, and keep the hope alive that one day we'll be venturing out to a clubs and experiencing the magic of live music together once again.
Notables from President Bill Clinton and Whoopi Goldberg to musicians Wynton Marsalis and Sting joined together on Sunday, Jan 24th to “Save Birdland”. During the fundraising concert the Broadway community was treated to “All That Jazz” starring the original Velmas of Chicago, Chita Rivera and Bebe Neuwirth.
The fundraising campaign for Birdland Jazz Club will conclude on January 24th with a free streaming concert titled Save Birdland: A Celebration of Music, History and Community.
And the hits just keep on coming!
The fundraising campaign for Birdland Jazz Club will conclude on January 24th with a free streaming concert titled Save Birdland: A Celebration of Music, History and Community.
Gianni Valenti, Jim Caruso and Tom D'Angora go into overtime trying to save Birdland from closure.
Lots of theater and nightclub-goers swear that Jim Caruso's Cast Party is the mother of all open mic night/variety shows. It certainly is one of the longest-running impromptu extravaganzas on the scene.
Nine months is too long to be dark, especially for an institution like Birdland.
We're checking in with Birdland's Jim Caruso, who is telling us even more about the club's history and what viewers can expect from the new pay-per-view series, Radio Free Birdland.
'Let's go on with the show'! And what a show it's been thanks to the host with the most, Mr. Jim Caruso!
Cabaret's most celebrated and venerated emcee didn't let a little thing like a shelter in place order keep him from entertaining the masses. He just took his cast party to bed. Everyone into your PJ's!
While all non-essential businesses have closed, Birdland owner Gianni Valenti has been hard at work, preparing for the inevitable day when the legendary Manhattan hotspot will reopen for the throng of fans who call Birdland home.
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