Bundy, Block, Etc. to Play Birdland in August

This August, Laura Bell Bundy and Stephanie J. Block, two of Broadway's most popular leading ladies, along with six-time MAC Award winner Natalie Douglas and The Guytunes, will perform as part of Broadway at Birdland. The series of Sunday and Monday night concerts at 7 PM featuring top Broadway stars and theater songwriters continues at the legendary Birdland, 315 West 44th Street, NYC. 

The line-up is as follows:

Sunday, August 5 and Monday, August 6 at 7 PM - 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's Mark 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," state press notes. There is a $25 cover/$10 food/drink minimum for Natalie Douglas.

Monday, August 20 at 7 PM - Laura Bell Bundy
"Laura Bell Bundy 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.  Also on Broadway, she originated the role of Amber Von Tussle in the Tony Award-winning musical Hairspray, and played Glinda in the smash hit, Wicked.  Prior to that, she originated the role of Tina Denmark in Ruthless, The Musical! for which she received the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical and a Drama Desk nomination.  She can also be seen in the hit movie Dreamgirls as 'Sweetheart', a backup singer for the song, 'Cadillac Car.'  She has also appeared on 'Veronica Mars,' an episode of 'Cold Case' as well as other highly rated television programs. 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, August 26 at 7 PM - "The Guytunes Sing Shakespeare - Jason Michael Snow, Nick Blaemire and Justin Keyes"
 "he words and stories of William Shakespeare have been cherished, imitated and immortalized in song by artists for generations -musicals like West Side Story, Kiss Me Kate and The Boys From Syracuse all draw their inspiration from the writer's most timeless plays.  Now, three young guys make their New York cabaret debut at Birdland with an original, hilarious and ultimately compelling look at the world of music based on the Bard's work. Some you'll know, some you won't - from hits, flops, the unreleased and even the unfinished, join the Guytunes for an unforgettable night, as they Sing Shakespeare!  The Guytunes are a unique new cabaret act comprised of Nick Blaemire (Off Broadway's Altar Boyz), Justin Keyes (Broadway's The Apple Tree) and Jason Michael Snow (Goodspeed Opera House's The Pirates of Penzance)." There is a $25 cover, $10 food/drink minimum for The Guytunes.

Monday, August 27 at 7 PM - Stephanie J. Block
"Stephanie J. Block recently starred on Broadway as Grace "Grania" O'Malley in The Pirate Queen.  She was also seen as Liza Minnelli opposite Hugh Jackman in The Boy From Oz and Elphaba in the National Tour of Wicked.  She brings her dazzling one-woman show back to Birdland for the fourth time, and in addition to singing standards and beloved Broadway songs, will perform a rarely heard ballad cut from Wicked, swinging duets with musical director/performer Billy Stritch and several songs from the creators of The Pirate Queen, Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg."  There is a $40 ($60/VIP seating) cover charge with $10 food/drink minimum for Stephanie J. Block. 
 
The following performers play Birdland in July:

Broadway at Birdland
"Jim Caruso's Cast Party and TheaterMania.com present a weekly series of Sunday and Monday night concerts at 7 PM featuring top Broadway stars and theatre song writers at Birdland, 315 West 44th Street, NYC."    Reservations: (212) 581-3080 or www.birdlandjazz.com.
Monday, July 2 at 7 PM: Nancy Anderson celebrates her new CD "Ten Cents A Dance".

Monday, July 9 at 7 PM:  "The Broadway Boys combine pop, jazz, gospel, and funk with Broadway standards to create a 'symphony of sound.'"

Sunday, July 15/Monday, July 16 at 7 PM:  Ron Abel with Special Guests Lucie Arnaz, Valarie Pettiford, Sally Mayes & Billy Stritch.

Sunday, July 22 at 7 PM:  The Fabulous Pink Flamingoes Live from The Lu'au Lounge.

Mondays, July 23 and 30, August 20 at 7 PM:  2007 Tony-nominee Laura Bell Bundy (Legally Blonde: The Musical) celebrates the release of her debut country CD "Longing for a Place Already Gone."

Sunday, July 29 at 7 PM:  Billy Stritch and the Girls: "The popular composer, arranger, vocalist and jazz pianist breathes new life into the Great American Songbook with some of the fabulous females in his life – TBA."

Jim Caruso's Cast Party and TheaterMania.com present Broadway at Birdland.

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

Photo of Laura Bell Bundy by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.

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