Singer
Ann Hampton Callaway called it "Musical Church," and deemed host
Jim Caruso the "Irreverent Reverend!" Monday night's Cast Party was the be-all and end-all of extreme open-mic madness, with impromptu performances by some of the best and brightest on the Broadway, jazz, cabaret and concert scenes. Callaway led a blues vocal quintet, along with headliner
Lorna Luft, Broadway leading lady
Carrie Manolakos, Birdland's
William Blake and Manilow-co-star Muffy Hendrix. Their song, "Diva Power," was composed on the spot by the singers, developing into a roaring, riffing belt-fest!
Not to be outdone, Broadway stars
Nick Adams,
Michael James Scott,
Jessica Rush and
Ashley Brown gave a thrilling taste of their upcoming XL Cabaret concert version of Songs For A New World. Jazz superstar Raul Midon, in town headlining with Karrin Allyson at the Blue Note this week, sang, scatted and offered amazing vocalize to the proceedings.
Lindsay Mendez and
Michael Holland (alums from the recent Broadway Godspell) stole hearts with a new song and dazzling musicianship.
Elizabeth Stanley, one of our favorite Broadway leading ladies, sang a sexy and surprising "Hound Dog." The Copa Boys, currently performing at Irridium, brought Rat Pack realness and tuxedoed elegance and fun to the stage. There was a wealth of very young talent, as Feinstein-winners
Nick Ziobro and
Tony Ponella crooned and jazz violinist
Jonathan Russell thrilled. Favorite cabaret gal
KT Sullivan reminisced with a Weimar ditty, and
T. Oliver Reid showed off his spectacular vocals with style and aplomb.
The Cast Party Symphony Orchestra (
Tedd Firth,
Steve Doyle and
Daniel Glass) kept the music sublime, and the fun went on into the wee hours!
Jim Caruso's Cast Party takes place every Monday night at 9:30 at Birdland (315 West 44 Street) in NYC.
Photo Credit: Seth Walters


Lorna Luft, Ann Hampton Callaway and Company

Lorna Luft, Ann Hampton Callaway and Company

Tony Ponella

T. Oliver Reid

The Copa Boys

Raul Midon

Nick Ziobro

Nick Ziobro and Tony Ponella

Nick Adams

Natalie Douglas

Muffy Hendrix, Lorna Luft and Ann Hampton Callaway

Muffy Hendrix, Lorna Luft, Ann Hampton Callaway and Carrie Manolakos

Michael James Scott

Michael Holland

Lindsay Mendez and Michael Holland

KT Sullivan

Jonathan Russell

Jim Caruso and Gianni Valenti

Jim Caruso and Daniel Glass

Jessica Rush

Jessica Rush, Nick Adams, Ashley Brown and Michael James Scott

Elizabeth Stanley

Carrie Manolakos

Ashley Brown and Michael James Scott
