Kay Thompson News

On June 19, the attraction in Cabaret Jazz was Jim Caruso's Cast Party, with Billy Stritch on the piano. It is not only a fun way to pass a few hours, but it is the perfect showcase for all the first-rate talent in Las Vegas.

The Muny announced two principal casting changes for the 2013 season. Stephen Wallem will play the title role in Shrek, and Dee Hoty will play the Reverend Mother Mary Regina in Nunsense Muny Style!

Jim Caruso & Billy Stritch return to Bemelmans at The Carlyle Hotel with their evening of swinging standards tonight, June 9, then running every Today in June, from 9pm - 12 midnight. The two performers, who have performed extensively on their own, gained national exposure together as the host and musical director of the wildly popular open mic, Cast Party, which celebrates talent every Monday at Birdland in NYC, and tours nationally. During their November run at Bemelmans, the duo received critical acclaim, and made news when rock legend Bono joined them in an impromptu performance. In their upcoming Carlyle run, Caruso and Stritch will be joined by bassist Steve Doyle.

Jim Caruso & Billy Stritch return to Bemelmans at The Carlyle Hotel with their evening of swinging standards on Sunday, June 9, then running every Sunday in June, from 9pm - 12 midnight. The two performers, who have performed extensively on their own, gained national exposure together as the host and musical director of the wildly popular open mic, Cast Party, which celebrates talent every Monday at Birdland in NYC, and tours nationally. During their November run at Bemelmans, the duo received critical acclaim, and made news when rock legend Bono joined them in an impromptu performance. In their upcoming Carlyle run, Caruso and Stritch will be joined by bassist Steve Doyle.

Happy Birthday, Liza Minnelli! Minnelli was born in Los Angeles into show business royalty. With her mother Judy Garland and her father the Award winning director Vincent Minnelli, her's is the only family where both parents and child have won an Oscar. Her god parents were Ira Gershwin and Kay Thompson. Liza made her screen debut in 1949 as a toddler with her mother in the MGM movie musical In the Good Old Summertime.

Jim Caruso & Billy Stritch return to Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel with their evening of swinging standards tonight, March 10, then running every Today in March, from 9:00 p.m. to midnight. The two performers, who have performed extensively on their own, gained national exposure together as the host and musical director of the wildly popular open mic, Cast Party, which celebrates talent every Monday at Birdland in NYC, and tours nationally. During their November run at Bemelmans, the duo received critical acclaim, and made news when rock legend Bono joined them in an impromptu performance. In their upcoming run, Caruso and Stritch will be joined by bassist Steve Doyle.

Jim Caruso & Billy Stritch return to Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel with their evening of swinging standards on Sunday, March 10, then running every Sunday in March, from 9:00 p.m. to midnight. The two performers, who have performed extensively on their own, gained national exposure together as the host and musical director of the wildly popular open mic, Cast Party, which celebrates talent every Monday at Birdland in NYC, and tours nationally. During their November run at Bemelmans, the duo received critical acclaim, and made news when rock legend Bono joined them in an impromptu performance. In their upcoming run, Caruso and Stritch will be joined by bassist Steve Doyle.

Today, February 23 and February 24 and 25 Lyrics & Lyricists tours Miss Peggy Lee's hip musical landscape with guest artistic director Billy Stritch and vocalists Barbara Fasano, La Tanya Hall and Gabrielle Stravelli. Cabaret legend Marilyn Maye, who frequently includes Peggy Lee classics in her shows, joins the show as a special guest.

On February 23, 24 and 25 Lyrics & Lyricists tours Miss Peggy Lee's hip musical landscape with guest artistic director Billy Stritch and vocalists Barbara Fasano, La Tanya Hall and Gabrielle Stravelli. Cabaret legend Marilyn Maye, who frequently includes Peggy Lee classics in her shows, joins the show as a special guest.

This past week, Klea Blackhurst, Jim Caruso and Billy Stritch brought holiday cheer to the iconic music room Birdland, with their "Swinging Birdland Christmas." For the third year in a row, the performers were accompanied by John Hart on guitar, Carmen Intorre on drums and Paul Gill on bass, along with special guest jazz violinist/comedian Aaron Weinstein.

Actor/singer Cortes Alexander debuted his delightful Swell Party at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal on Monday August 13, and as I wrote then 'What a uniquely fun evening of anecdote and song!' Alexander worked with Liza Minnelli in Liza at the Palace, but she met him years before when his group The Tonics had a regular gig in NYC. Alexander sings many of his own compositions and has a fine, smooth, easy-going style that pulls you in the minute he opens his mouth. On Monday December 10, Alexander came back to the Federal for the Christmas version of his show called Have a Swell Holiday. His Swell girls were also on hand Melissa Bailey and this time Julie Garnye with musical director John Boswell at piano, Norman Ludwin on bass, Terry Schoenig on percussion, and Paul Landry on guitar. The total effect of these stellar musicians made for a jazzy, swinging evening of musical mirth.

Birdland has announced the third year of "A Swinging Birdland Christmas," starring Birdland regulars Klea Blackhurst, Jim Caruso and Billy Stritch. This will be a limited engagement of 6 performances, Friday, December 21 through Tuesday, December 25. All shows are at 6pm, except for the Monday and Tuesday, with 7pm and 10pm shows.

The RRazz Room, San Francisco's premier nightclub, will present the Bay Area debut of "Jim Caruso's Cast Party" tonight, November 6 at 8:00 PM. "Jim Caruso's Cast Party" is a wildly popular weekly event that has been bringing a sprinkling of Broadway glitz and urbane wit to the legendary Birdland in New York City every Monday night for the past nine years. The hilariously impromptu evening has also been celebrating local talent across the country, in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Chicago, Cleveland, Austin, Orlando, Pittsburgh, and on the high seas.

Jim Caruso & Billy Stritch returned to Bemelmans at The Carlyle Hotel with their evening of swinging standards. The two performers, who have performed extensively on their own, gained national exposure together as the host and musical director of the wildly popular open mic, Cast Party, which celebrates talent every Monday at Birdland in NYC, and tours nationally. During their June debut run at Bemelmans, the duo received critical acclaim, and made news when showbiz heavy-hitters like Liza Minnelli and Michael Feinstein joined them in impromptu performances. Check out coverage of the duo in action below!

The RRazz Room, San Francisco's premier nightclub, will present the Bay Area debut of "Jim Caruso's Cast Party" on Tuesday, November 6 at 8:00 PM. "Jim Caruso's Cast Party" is a wildly popular weekly event that has been bringing a sprinkling of Broadway glitz and urbane wit to the legendary Birdland in New York City every Monday night for the past nine years. The hilariously impromptu evening has also been celebrating local talent across the country, in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Chicago, Cleveland, Austin, Orlando, Pittsburgh, and on the high seas.

Jim Caruso & Billy Stritch return to Bemelmans at The Carlyle Hotel with their evening of swinging standards on Sunday, October 28, and running every Sunday in November, from 9pm - 12 midnight.

ANNIE, the new production of the Tony Award-winning musical, went into rehearsal today in New York City with its full company. The production begins previews October 3, 2012 and opens November 8, 2012 at the Palace Theatre (Broadway at 47th Street). Meet the full cast below!

The 10th Anniversary of the South Dakota Festival of Books will be held today, September 28-30, 2012.

The 10th Anniversary of the South Dakota Festival of Books will be held on September 28-30, 2012.

In this chat, actor Cortes Alexander talks about the challenges of doing this play, Dangerous Corner at Crown City Theatre, and his musical work, including how his group The Tonics skyrocketed to fame.