Anderson, Bundy, Stritch, Etc. Play Birdland This Summer

The performers appearing in the Broadway at Birdland series in July and August will include Broadway's top Blonde Laura Bell Bundy; two-time Drama Desk nominee Nancy Anderson; Billy Stritch and some of 'his girls'; Ron Abel (with his girls including Lucie Arnaz); MAC Award winner Natalie Douglas, The Broadway Boys, and The Fabulous Pink Flamingos. The series of Sunday and Monday night concerts beginning at 7 PM, presented by Jim Caruso's Cast Party and TheaterMania, features top Broadway stars and theater songwriters continues at the legendary Birdland, 315 West 44th Street, NYC. The series is presented by Jim Caruso's Cast Party and TheaterMania.com.

The line-up is as follows:

On Monday, July 2 - Nancy Anderson (Fanny Hill, London Kiss, Me Kate, Broadway's Wonderful Town) "returns to Birdland with musical director Ross Patterson and his Little Big Band to celebrate her recording, 'Ten Cents a Dance,' which features standards and lost treasures from the 1920's and 30's.  Produced by Bill Daugherty with Ross Patterson and Danny Whitby as musical directors, the CD includes 'The Trouble with Me is You,' 'My Romance,' 'But Not for Me,' and the title track 'Ten Cents a Dance,'" state press notes. There is a $30 cover, $10 food/drink minimum for Ms. Anderson.

Monday, July 9 - The Broadway Boys were assembled by Jesse Nager to create a new sound for theater and non-theater audiences alike.  By mixing pop, jazz, gospel, and funk elements to Broadway standards, The Broadway Boys have created what has been called, "A Symphony of Sound."  The Broadway Boys include Maurice Murphy (25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Two Gentlemen of Verona), Daniel Torres (Woman in White, Pirate Queen) Danny Calvert (Altar Boyz, White Noise), Michael Scott (All Shook Up, Mamma Mia!), Jesse Nager (Mary Poppins, Good Vibrations), and Peter Matthew Smith (Hairspray, Fiddler on the Roof).  There is a $25 cover, $10 food/drink minimum for The Broadway Boys.

Sunday, July 15 and Monday, July 16 - Ron Abel with Special Guests Lucie Arnaz & Valarie Pettiford - "Ron Abel is a multi-award winning composer, producer, arranger, orchestrator, conductor and musical director.  He has worked with Michelle Pfeiffer, Kim Basinger, Lily Tomlin, Bea Arthur, Carol Burnett, pop star Taylor Dane and many others.  He recently produced and arranged albums for Deborah Gibson ('Colored Lights: The Broadway Album') and Valarie Pettiford ('Hear My Soul') and his arrangements and songs can be heard on Petula Clark, Helen Reddy, Lucie Arnaz, and Dorian Harewood's albums.  Abel is the co-creator and arranger of the Broadway musical, Blame it on the Movies. His score for the musical, Twist of Fate, was awarded both the Los Angeles Drama Critic's Circle and L.A Weekly Theatre Awards, for Best Musical of the Year. His latest project, undressed, the unflinching musicalization of the Dumas classic Camille, was a finalist in the O'Neill Musical Theatre 2007 Conference."  There is a $25 cover/$10 food/drink minimum for Ron Abel.

Sunday, July 22 - The Fabulous Pink Flamingos, Live From The Lu'au Lounge - "The Fabulous Pink Flamingos are a vocal trio who blend nostalgia and humor with their electrifying three-part harmony.  In 2006, they were awarded the Back Stage Bistro Award for Outstanding Vocal Group, as well as being nominated for a Night Life Award.  Following another SRO tour of South America (Orlando mostly), the Pink Boys come home to New York, with an evening of Hawaiian-inspired Hularity." There is a $25 cover/$10 food/drink minimum for The Fabulous Pink Flamingos

Mondays, July 23 & 30, August 20 - Laura Bell Bundy - "Laura Bell Bundy (Ruthless, The Musical!, Hairspray, Wicked, Dreamgirls film) is 2007 Tony and Drama Desk-nominee for Best Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Elle Woods in Legally Blonde the Musical on Broadway. She also received a 2007 Drama League Honor for that performance.  Her Birdland debut celebrates the release of her debut country album entitled 'Longing for a Place Already Gone.'"   There is a $25 cover/$10 food/drink minimum for Laura Bell Bundy.

Sunday, July 29 - Billy Stritch and The Girls - "An award-winning composer, arranger, vocalist, and jazz pianist, Billy Stritch breathes new life into the Great American Songbook, all the while bringing an easy sense of humor and showmanship to his performances.  He has arranged for, produced and performed onstage with Liza Minnelli, Christine Ebersole, Marilyn Maye and Charles Aznavour, and was guest conductor for 'The Rosie O'Donnell Show.' Stritch has headlined in every famed nightspot in Manhattan.  In Los Angeles, he's played The Cinegrill, The Gardenia and Jazz Bakery; in London, The Ritz Hotel and Pizza On The Park.  He is the winner of the Nashville Music City News Award, a BMI Song of the Year Award and five awards from the Manhattan Association of Clubs and Cabarets.  In this Birdland outing, Mr. Stritch will be joined by some of the fabulous females in his life…to be announced at a later date!"  There is a $30 cover, $10 food/drink minimum for Billy Stritch.

Sunday, August 5 and Monday, August 6  - Natalie Douglas - Six time MAC Award-winner, Natalie Douglas brings her show, 'I Sing Because I'm Happy,' back to the Birdland stage for the sixth time!  Douglas and her band of Broadway All-Stars, led by Avenue Q'sMark Hartman, bring a show featuring the gospel music they grew up with.  A gospel choir will aid Natalie and the band as they perform traditional gospel tunes like 'Children Go Where I Send Thee,' 'Precious Lord,' and secular songs given a gospel treatment." There is a $25 cover/$10 food/drink minimum for Natalie Douglas.

For reservations call Birdland at (212) 581-3080 or www.Birdlandjazz.com.

Photo of Nancy Anderson by Ben Strothmann