Anita Gillette Dazzles in Birdland Return; Elizabeth Stanley to Get CARRIED AWAY Next Week

On Monday night, Birdland was thrilled to welcome back Broadway and TV star Anita Gillette in a brand new concert entitled "So, As I Was Saying".

"So, As I Was Saying" included behind-the-scenes stories about the showbiz giants she's worked with, including Jule Styne, her mentor Irving Berlin, and memories of sleeping with Burt Lancaster's Oscar! Songs included were "Everybody Says Don't", "Never Was You", and "Just In Time".

The evening was directed by Barry Kleinbordt, musical direction was by Paul Greenwood, with Ritt Henn on bass and John Redsecker on drums.

The following Cast Party, the 536th at Birdland, was worth the wait! There was a packed and supportive house and wondrous and hilarious talent -- what more could you want in an "extreme" open mic night?

There was a table of guests from Denmark, who said: "We come to town once a year, and it just wouldn't be New York without a visit to Cast Party!"

They were royally entertained by (among others) Suede (concertizing at Birdland on May 4), Tyler Rix, Aisha de Haas, Perri Balin, Eloise Mueller, Arbender Robinson, Adam Shapiro, the tapping feet of Luke Hawkins, Joan Crowe, Jeffrey Pew, Michelle Walker, Kesinee Haney, Gabrielle Stravelli and Aja Nisenson, who had the audience in stitches with items pulled from her personage, including a can of tuna and subsequent can opener! It was pure joy to see Lari White again. The Nashville beauty was in town for a few days, and was kind enough to favor everyone with a song.

COMING UP...

The Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to announce that On The Town star Elizabeth Stanley will be celebrating the show's creators Betty Comden and Adolph Green in concert in "Carried Away" on Monday, April 6 at 7pm. Elizabeth's very special guest will be Television/Broadway star Andrew Rannells.

Inspired by her current role as Claire De Loone in the Broadway revival of ON THE TOWN, leading lady Elizabeth Stanley pays homage to the witty and poignant songbook of the show's creators and original stars, Betty Comden and Adolph Green. Stanley explores some of the legendary duo's unforgettable hits ("Just In Time", "Make Someone Happy") and celebrates their collaborations with the great American composers Leonard Bernstein, Cy Coleman, Morton Gould and Jule Styne. The show, directed by Alexander Gemignani, will include Tedd Firth (piano), Matt Aronoff (bass), and Larry Lelli (drums).

Elizabeth is currently getting "Carried Away" in the Broadway revival of ON THE TOWN, as the man-crazed anthropologist, Claire de Loone. A Broadway veteran, she first caught the attention of New York audiences and Stephen-Sondheim-fans with her portrayal of the flight attendant, April, in the 2007 Tony-Award-winning revival of COMPANY. She again pleased NY and Sondheim-fans with her portrayal of Gussie Carnegie, in the New York City Center, Encores! production of MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG.

Other roles originated on Broadway include: Allison, in John Water's CRY-BABY, and Dyanne in the rock 'n' roll musical, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET. First National and Japanese Tour: Kira in XANADU. Off-Broadway: The Nurse in HELLO, AGAIN (Transport Theatre Group -- Drama League Nomination, best ensemble).

TV: Black Box, Made in Jersey, Fringe, The Chappelle Show, All My Children, The Today Show, Jimmy Fallon, the TONY awards, PBS Great Performances.

Numerous leading roles regionally: Sundance Theatre Lab, Goodspeed Opera Co., Barrington Stage Co., Sacramento Music Circus, Philadelphia Theatre Co., Pittsburgh CLO, Rep. of St. Louis, The O'Neill, La Jolla Playhouse, Pioneer Theatre Co., Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park.

Stanley has also wowed audiences with her vocally versatile concert performances in New York City's Town Hall Broadway by the Year series, as well as her own self-written cabaret shows. She has been a soloist with the Cincinnati and Ft. Wayne Pops Orchestras. Upcoming: A SONDHEIM CELEBRATION with Chicago's Grant Park Orchestra. A Midwestern native, Elizabeth is a graduate of the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.

For tickets and more information, visit www.BirdlandJazz.com.

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