Jim Caruso's Cast Party will present EXTRAVAGAINZA: THE SONGS OF Henry Gainza, Monday August 11th at 7:00 p.m., as part of the long-running, Nightlife Award-winning concert series Broadway at Birdland.
It will be another unforgetable evening at Birdland, as up-and-coming singer/songwriter
Henry Gainza and friends take to the stage to perform a collection of songs, offering a musical fusion of Salsa, Pop and influences from the Great White Way. Guest artists include Tony Award nominee ROBIN DE JESÚS (In the Heights),
Christopher Jackson (In the Heights),
Janet Dacal (In the Heights), ANDY SEÑOR (
Rent),
Krysta Rodriguez (In the Heights), VERONICA VAZQUEZ-JACKSON (Nervous Records),
Darius de Haas (
Rent, Dreamgirls),
Tituss Burgess (
The Little Mermaid), and
Joshua Henry (In the Heights,
Godspell).
Henry Gainza has performed across the United States, abroad, and in the New York theater community. He has appeared on NBC's "Saturday Night Live," in the film Isabella Rico, and sung jingles for companies such as Heineken. He also had a leading role in pop star
Enrique Iglesias' off Broadway hit 4 Guys Named Jose and was featured on the cast album. He frequently returns to South Florida where he performs at the Actors' Playhouse and with City Theatre. GAINZA was a finalist in the
John Lennon Song Writing Contest with his song, "Lo Tienes Todo," which was recorded in a home studio that also doubled as a laundry room. He has also participated in, and received accolades in The International Songwriting Contest, USA Songwriting Contest and VH-1's Song of The Year. GAINZA is a Carbonell nominee and an "Hola Award" winner.
Created by acclaimed performer, writer, producer & presenter
Jim Caruso, BROADWAY AT BIRDLAND is a weekly concert series on Sunday and Monday evenings, showcasing legendary Broadway performers and composers, as well as up-and-coming musical theater talents. It started as a companion piece to the hugely popular and hilarious weekly impromptu variety show
Jim Caruso's Cast Party (which follows Mondays at 9:30pm). BROADWAY AT BIRDLAND has recently hosted such diverse performers as
Jason Robert Brown,
Lucie Arnaz,
Christine Ebersole with
Billy Stritch, and
Melissa Errico – as well as the benefit concert
Chita Rivera Loves Broadway Cares, which sold out two shows in record time.
Tituss Burgess was born and raised in Athens, Georgia where he grew up in the church and sang around the city with his mama (when he is home, he still does!) As an only child, he entertained himself by banging on the nearest piano; perhaps his passion for music and communication came from his need to fill time. Having graduated from the University of Georgia with a BA in Music, he currently stars as Sebastian the Crab in Disney's
The Little Mermaid. Past credits on Broadway:
Jersey Boys and Good Vibrations. Regionally he was seen in The Wiz (Cowardly Lion, La Jolla), Songs For A New World w/
Jason Robert Brown,
Brian d'Arcy James and
Alice Ripley. Television: "The View," "The Today Show," "Good Morning America," "Late Night with David Letterman."
Darius de Haas: Broadway: Kiss of the Spiderwoman, Carousel,
Rent, Gershwins' Fascinating Rhythm, Marie Christine, Dreamgirls, Hair. Other credits: Running Man (Obie Award), The Bubbly Black Girl…, Children of Eden. Concert soloist: Lincoln Center, The Blue Note (Japan),
Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, LA's Disney Concert Hall, London's Royal Festival Hall. Special Guests Appearances:
Vanessa Williams,
Roberta Flack,
Marvin Hamlisch,
Audra McDonald,
Deborah Harry,
Elvis Costello,
Michael Feinstein. Recordings:
Darius de Haas: Day Dream (PS Classics), Children of Eden, Marie Christine, I Was Looking at the Ceiling…, Myths and Hymns, Bubbly Black Girl…, Dreamgirls, Bright Eyed Joy, Anastasia, Chicago. Website: www.DariusdeHaas.com.
ROBIN DE JESÚS was nominated for a 2008 Tony Award for his work in In the Heights. He is thrilled to return to In the Heights after its amazing Off-B'way run (Drama Desk for Best Ensemble.) B'way/NY credits include
Rent; Lonnie/Jake; Kingdom; Kander, Ebb and Stein's All About Us;
Stephen Schwartz' Captain Louie; Zorba; Mask. Regional:
Godspell,
Nilo Cruz'
A VERY OLD Man With Enormous Wings. Also the Public, the York, NYTW, NAMT,
Barrow Group, McCarter, Paper Mill, Shakespeare Theatre of NJ. Film: Camp, Pet the Goat, Fat Girls. Proud member of
Actors' Equity.
Janet Dacal: Broadway: In the Heights, Good Vibrations. Off-Broadway: In the Heights (Drama Desk Award), Byzantium. Regional: Señor Discretion, Himself (
Arena Stage); 5 Course Love (Carbonell Nomination); 4 Guys Named Jose; Annie and others (Actors' Playhouse). Recordings and tours for various Grammy winning artists including
Gloria Estefan,
Jon Secada and Luis Enrique. "Los quiero mami, papi, my brothers and sister, nieces, family and supportive friends."
Joshua Henry is excited to make his Broadway debut with this blessed cast of In the Heights. Off-Broadway: Serenade (Thomas), In the Heights, Regional:
Godspell at Papermill Playhouse (Judas), Being Alive at Westport Country Playhouse. Thanks to God, family, AEA, and
Jaradoa Theater Company. Joshua will star as Judas in the upcoming Broadway Production of
Godspell.
Christopher Jackson: Having been involved with Heights since 2002, Christopher is thrilled to be making the move to Broadway! Credits: Freestyle Love Supreme (charter member). Broadway: Simba in Disney's
The Lion King. Regional: Clay Harris in Comfortable Shoes (Jefferson Award, Black Theater Alliance Award nomination '03), Happy Mac in Beggar's Holiday (BATC nomination '05). 2007 Drama Desk Award recipient, Outstanding Ensemble Performance. Special thanks to Brian and Cory at Liebman Ent., Jen and the gang at Gersh NY, and his beautiful family, Veronica and CJ!
Krysta Rodriguez: Broadway:
In The Heights (Ensemble; U/S Vanessa, Nina & Carla),
A Chorus Line (Bebe),
Spring Awakening, Good Vibrations (Original Casts). Regional: The Boy Friend directed by
Julie Andrews (Goodspeed/ National Tour), Bye Bye Birdie (Encores!), title role in Gidget The Musical directed by
Francis Ford Coppola.
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