Murney, Daniels, Etc. Set for Bway at Birdland Fall Line-Up

"Broadway at Birdland," a series of Monday and Tuesday concerts featuring top Broadway stars, cabaret performers and songwriters at Birdland (315 West 44th Street) in NYC, will continue at the legendary club this fall.  Jim Caruso's Cast Party and Theatermania.com present the series.

The season will include Jason Robert Brown, Todd Londagin and His Big Band, The Lascivious Biddies, "The Nashville Connection: Broadway Meets Country," Erich Bergen and Deven May, "The Songs of Deborah Abramson," Julia Murney, "Peter Sachon: Strings Attached," Jeff Daniels, "The Jeff Blumenkrantz Songbook," and Jack Donahue.

Jason Robert Brown will perform on September 11 at 7pm.  "The Tony Award-winning composer and his band, The Caucasian Rhythm Kings, return to Birdland with jazz singer Kate McGarry and some other very special guest performers. The concert will contain songs from Jason's Broadway and Off-Broadway successes (Parade, The Last Five Years), as well as material from his new solo cd, 'Wearing Someone Else's Clothes' (Sh-K-Boom Records)." His concert is $35, visit www.jasonrobertbrown.com for more information on Brown.

On September 12 at 9 and 11pm, Todd Londagin and His Big Band will be featured.  "This trombone-playing, tap dancing singer has been touring internationally since the age of seven. A pop vocalist with a jazz sensibility and deep understanding of the essence of popular American songwriting from the 1930's through the 1950's, Todd's sound has broadened thanks to his 14 years as co-founder of the highly acclaimed Flying Neutrinos."  His concert is $25.  Visit www.toddlondagin.com.

The Lascivious Biddies will be featured on September 18 at 7pm.  "This all-female cocktail pop quartet has been making headlines for having an energetic and tightly woven live show, full of humor, expert musicianship and a dash of sentimentality. Blending jazz, pop and cabaret with four part harmonies, they have carried their fresh, genre-defying sound all the way from The Kennedy Center to a segment on the CBS Evening News."  Their show is $25.  Visit www.biddies4ever.com.

"The Nashville Connection - Broadway Meets Country" will be performed on September 19 at 8pm.  "Grammy Award winner Marcus Hummon ('Bless The Broken Road,' 'Cowboy Take Me Away') joins country star Sherrie Austin, and a plethora of theatre stars for an amazing night of music. First presented at the O'Neil Theatre Center, the evening is directed by Michael Bush (Based On A Totally True Story). 'The Nashville Connection' also features Erich Bergen, Cole Burden, Deven May (Bat Boy: The Musical), Brian Charles Rooney (Threepenny Opera), Nancy Slusser, and Louis Tucci (Buddy). All members of the show are also featured in Marcus Hummon's new musical Warrior, an upcoming 2006 New York Musical Theatre Festival production."  The evening is $25.  Visit www.marcushummon.com.

"Once Before We Go with Erich Bergen & Deven May" will be presented on September 19 at10pm.  "Having recently been cast in an upcoming national tour, Erich Bergen and Deven May decided on one last Manhattan hurrah before seeing the country. 'Once Before We Go' is a one-night variety show that will feature pop and theater music, plus a glimpse into Erich and Deven's off-the-wall imaginations."  The evening is $25.

"The Songs of Deborah Abramson" will follow on October 2 at 7pm. Deborah Abramson, frequent Musical Director (most recently Bernarda Alba), steps away from the piano and gives the stage to 2006 Tony nominees Manoel Felciano (Sweeney Todd) and Megan Lawrence (The Pajama Game), plus Sally Wilfert (Assassins, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer), Michael Winther (Drama Desk Nominee for Songs From An Unmade Bed), and special guest Theresa McCarthy (Floyd Collins, Titanic). The concert pairs Deborah's music with lyrics by William Finn, Rachel Sheinkin (Tony-winning librettist for Spelling Bee), Peter Mills, Amanda Yesnowitz, and Nathan Tysen. Musical Director is Marco Paguia."  Her show is $25.  Visit www.deborahabramson.com.

Julia Murney will head to Birdland on October 23 at 7pm.  "Fresh from her starring role in the national tour of Wicked, Julia Murney removes the green makeup and celebrates her new cd, 'I'm Not Waiting' (Sh-K-Boom Music) at Birdland. Known for her Drama Desk-nominated performance in the Manhattan Theatre Club production of Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party, she appeared in last season's Lennon on Broadway, and also First Lady Suite, A Class Act, Time and Again and Crimes of the Heart, as well as Actor's Fund benefit concert versions of Funny Girl and Chess." Her show is $25.  Visit www.juliamurney.com.

"Peter Sachon: Strings Attached" will be performed on November 6 at 7pm.  "Tony Award-winner Victoria Clark directs Peter Sachon, the acclaimed cellist featured in the Broadway orchestra of The Light in the Piazza. In his Birdland debut, Sachon will perform music composed for his Cello Project by such gifted writers as Stephen Schwartz, Jeff Blumenkrantz, and Ricky Ian Gordon. He will also duet with some astonishing stage stars."  The evening is $25.

Jeff Daniels will take center stage on November 13 on 7pm.  "Best-known for such films as Terms of Endearment and Dumb and Dumber, actor/singer/songwriter Jeff Daniels has been writing music and lyrics since the 1970's. Songs included in his return to Birdland will include 'If William Shatner Can, I Can Too' and 'The Dirty Harry Blues,' which describes the joy of being killed by Clint Eastwood!"  His show is $25.  Visit www.jeffdaniels.com.

"The Jeff Blumenkrantz Songbook" will be performed on November 20 at 7pm.  "Broadway babies will sing the material of the Jeff Blumenkrantz, the Tony Award-nominated composer of such theatrical ventures as Urban Cowboy, The Audience, and Audra McDonald's The Seven Deadly Sins. Happily, Mr. Blumenkrantz will be hosting from the piano!"  The show is $25.  Visit www.jeffblumenkrantz.com.

Jack Donahue will wrap up the Birdland season on November 27 at 7pm.  "Jack returns to Birdland with Randy Ingram on piano along with a full band, performing songs from his upcoming release 'a small blue thing.' The show will feature songs by Cole Porter, Alec Wilder, Abby Lincoln, Suzanne Vega and original material."  His show is $25.  Visit www.jackdonahue.com.

There will be a $10 food/drink minimum in addition to cover charge. Tickets may be purchased through the Birdland box office (212-581-3080) or online at www.instantseats.com/birdland. A full dinner menu is available at Birdland until 1am. All Monday night concerts will be followed by Jim Caruso's Cast Party, an open-mic night for the showbiz community.

Birdland is located at 315 West 44 Street.  For reservations, call 212-581-3080 or visit www.InstantSeats.com/Birdland.