Klea Blackhurst News

Tonight, February 15 (7PM), the Broadway at Birdland concert series presents the award-winning cast of the 2012 world premiere production of NUTTY PROFESSOR, THE MUSICAL.

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestras begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including: The Nutty Professor Reunion Concert; Comedy Tonight: Broadway's Funniest Clowns; 54 Sings ABBA; Claybourne Elder at 54 Below; Hold On The Musical in Concert.

Jim Caruso's Cast Party is a wildly popular weekly Open Mic Night that brings a sprinkling of Broadway glitz and urbane wit to the legendary Birdland in New York City every Monday night at 9:30pm. It's a cool cabaret night-out enlivened by a hilariously impromptu variety show. Showbiz superstars hit the stage alongside up-and-comers, serving up jaw-dropping music and general razzle-dazzle. BroadwayWorld was on hand for a recent edition of the show, which also happened to fall on Caruso's birthday! Below, check out exclusive highlights from the special night, which included performances by Linda Lavin, Klea Blackhurst and more!

On February 15 (7PM), The Broadway at Birdland concert series will present the award-winning cast of the 2012 world premiere production of Nutty Professor, the musical written by Rupert Holmes and the late, great Marvin Hamlisch. Julius Kelp, the social-misfit egghead college Professor, becomes committed to changing himself for the better after meeting progressive and idealistic transfer student Stella Purdy. He concocts a potion that transforms him into crooner, the suave and slick Buddy Love. His radical solution for a personal upgrade works, but not as he predicted. Nutty Professor has a book and lyrics by Tony winner Rupert Holmes and music by the late Tony winner Marvin Hamlisch, who died unexpectedly during the world premiere Nashville run.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its lineup for February 15-21, including the John Pizzarelli Quartet, The Nutty Professor Reunion Concert, Marcus Elliott Quartet, and more. Scroll down for details!

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was proud to present Broadway and television actress Linda Lavin for two very special concerts on the historic stage this past week. The show, wryly entitled 'My First Farewell Concert,' is Lavin's personal story told in songs she loves. She performed favorites from the Great American/Brazilian/Yiddish Songbooks, with Billy Stritch at the piano, Steve Bakunas on drums, Ron Affif on guitar, Tom Hubbard on bass, and special guest Aaron Weinstein on violin. Songs included were 'You've Got Possibilities,' 'No More Blues,' and a medley of songs recorded by the late, great Bobby Short. Scroll down for photos from the concert!

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was delighted to present the a concert celebration for the release of MERMAN'S APPRENTICE, a new musical fable by Stephen Cole & David Evans. Scroll down for photos from the evening!

MERMAN'S APPRENTICE, starring Klea Blackhurst, Anita Gillette, Fred Applegate, Elizabeth Teeter and more, will play Birdland tonight, January 18, 2016.

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, January 17, 2016 - Sunday, January 17, 2016.

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestras begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including: 'Merman's Apprentice' Starring Klea Blackhurst, Anita Gillette, & More; New Musicals at 54: Big Red Sun by Georgia Stitt and John Jiler; Bobby Conte Thornton at 54 Below; Kyle Dean Massey at 54 Below; and Whistle Down the Wind: In Concert.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its February 2016 lineup, featuring Jane Monheit, Monterey Jazz Allstars, Nicolas King, The Birdland Big Band, Showbiz After Hours with Frank DiLella, John Pizzarelli Quartet, Birdland Jazz Party, Jim Caruso's Cast Party, and more. Scroll down for details!

Lynn University and Producer Jan McArt, producer and director of theatre arts program development, are launching the popular Mabel Mercer Foundation's Cabaret at Lincoln Center comes to Live at Lynn Series early next year. From January through May five of Manhattan's leading cabaret headliners will appear in concert in Lynn's Amarnick-Goldstein Concert Hall.

'Merman's Apprentice,' starring Klea Blackhurst, Anita Gillette, Fred Applegate, Elizabeth Teeter & more, will play Birdland on Mon, January 18, 2016. Doors: 5:30 pm / Show: 7:00 pm.

On April 6th 2016 The Drury Lane Oakbrook Theatre will present the World Premiere of Hazel, a new musical based on the popular comic strip character and 1960's TV show. With music by Ron Abel, Lyrics by Chuck Steffan, book by Lissa Levin, and directed by Joshua Bergasse, it stars Klea Blackhurst in the title role. Recently Klea and the creative team were making some finishing touches on the show and BroadwayWorld was there to capture the moment. Check out the photos below!

42nd Street Moon announces FALLING IN LOVE WITH LOVE, a fundraising gala that will honor Co-Founder and Artistic Director Greg MacKellan, who will complete his 23rd and final season with the company this June. Singer, actress, and veteran Moon performer Klea Blackhurst will serenade patrons in an exclusive concert during the evening. The event also includes cocktails, a live auction, dinner, and a "MoonLight Lounge" with Musical Director Dave Dobrusky and other 42nd Street Moon performers.  Cocktail attire is encouraged. For tickets ($375 - $7500) and more information, the public may call (415) 255-8207 or visit 42ndstmoon.org.

On Monday, December 20, Birdland regulars Klea Blackhurst, Billy Stritch and Jim Caruso premiered the sixth season of their yearly SWINGING BIRDLAND CHRISTMAS run to a packed house at the historic music room. Scroll down for photos!

The holiday season is here at last, and in just weeks, the world will be spreading yuletide cheer by decking the halls, wrapping the gifts and sipping the eggnog. There are plenty of ways to join in the spirit, because for theatre fans, Broadway is everywhere this season... and BroadwayWorld has a complete guide of where to find it!

Birdland will kick-off their great week of programming with the following acts:

Tony Award winner James Monroe Iglehart is featured in the shop's new video series, along with Ayad Akhtar (Disgraced), Michael Arden, Leslie Odom Jr., Klea Blackhurst, Cotter Smith, Jennifer-Ashley Tepper and more.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its December 2015 schedule, featuring Saxophone Summit: Joe Lovano, Dave Liebman and Greb Osby, Eliane Elias, The Birdland Big Band, Lesli Margherita, Swingin' Birdland Christmas, Freddy Cole, Jim Caruso's Cast Party and more!