Post by jag11 on Jul 28, 2010 7:54:33 GMT -5
Now the Magic Castle has brought Jim to LA and you would be woe to miss this jaunt through history.
You might not know a single performer Jim brings to the stage but the enthusiasm with which he presents and the professional quality of each performer convinces you wholeheartedly that you are witnessing the greatest the world has to offer.
Wonderfully entertaining, potentially great networking, undeniably educational – take the opportunity to be part of this true Hollywood Cast Party.
As part of its new Cabaret series, The Magic Castle debuts Jim Caruso's Cast Party once a month. This night of Broadway history introduces you to everyone who ever was and will be a star. An open mic night for the ultra-talented; it showcases performers ranging from the Old Hollywood Vanguard to those just burgeoning with YouTube success. The audience is equally impressive, made up of every whose who in the performance community. As Jen Abrams puts it, “This is a Hollywood Party.”
Take it to heart that doors open at 6pm. The party, the sign up sheet and chatting up stars all take place before the show. After the show there's some time to talk before Jim and Cast go have breakfast (I never did find out where), but if your goal is the people – come before 7pm. This will also give you the rare privilege to explore the castle. Traffic will be bad and valet parking is $8 but upon entrance the Magic starts. Get your tickets, say two words to a feathered friend and you are in. Wind up pasts the bars, magicians, dining hall and down stairs past endless distractions and you just might make it to the Inner Circle. Low ceilings, mood lighting and small candle lit tables create the ambiance. The dim purple and gold lighting encourages intimate conversation, and makes it hard enough to distinguish faces that you have an excuse to walk across the room and introduce yourself. The cozy atmosphere makes you feel immediately part of the community and perhaps even ready to try your luck at the mic; but don't worry – no one is going to make you sing, regardless how they threaten. Dinner, dessert, drinks: you are looking at $$$, maybe $$$$. I recommend the Banana Cream Pie.
Four to a table you may get lucky and be placed with the likes of Rene Ruiz and Mandy Deacon. Rene is the founder of Toxic Acoustic and Mandy runs Show Creators. Both were very kind and ready to share history of the event. These Cast Party's were inspired by Liza Minnelli's soirees, based on her own family gatherings. Liza and friends would gather around the piano and sing until morning came, Jim Caruso realized this could be worth turning into an event and whipped out his little black book. A couple calls and the lates and greats of New York City were lining up at his door to perform. Now the Magic Castle has brought Jim to LA and you would be woe to miss this jaunt through history. I left with enough song titles and names of performers to keep me researching for days.
Jim and Billy opened the show with a couple duets and a lot of jokes. You might not know a single performer Jim brings to the stage but the enthusiasm with which he presents and the professional quality of each performer convinces you wholeheartedly that you are witnessing the greatest the world has to offer. On the night's roster were: Julie Garnye, Scott Morrow, Bernardo De Paula, Cortez Alexander, Ilene Graff, Daniel Baster, Don Beach, Robyn Spangler, Griffith Frank, Jen Abrams. If you recognize any of these names you're already more than prepared, if you don't you will still love this event. A highlight of the evening was Lindon Warren, an incredible Judy Garland imitator with YouTube fame and the vocal range of the entire Mormon Tabernacle Choir. One magician, Andrew Goldenhersh, graced the stage with a few pets, a straight jacket and absolute brilliance. Miranda Sings sang off-key with more intent and skill than most of the award-winning performers of the evening. Her incredible wit behind a 'special' facade, and her beautiful voice highlighting every hilarious note you would never want to hear, make up a powerful performer that will break your expectations (and your ears) as you cry with laughter. Ray Jessel performed What She's Got (The thingy Song) and Life Sucks and Then You Die, simply incredible. Melissa Manchester and her daughter Hannah performed beautifully. This event gives great performers a comfortable space to do whatever they want. Melissa Manchester did not sing Gershwin or any of her own pieces, but got to have fun singing show-tunes with her daughter. The performances of Jim Caruso and Billy Stritch held the evening together flawlessly. Billy Stritch's incredible musicianship on piano saved the performers numerous times, as any singer floated off key Billy would follow them until they came back. Jim arranging show-order uses the motto, “don't slow the night down” and mixes up slow and fast songs, new faces and old greats, unique acts and consistent pleasers. The next Cast Party return until the end of September, but keep looking for it. Wonderfully entertaining, potentially great networking, undeniably educational – take the opportunity to be part of this true Hollywood Cast Party.
www.socal.com/6682/146/JIM+CARUSO+S+CAST+PARTY.html
You might not know a single performer Jim brings to the stage but the enthusiasm with which he presents and the professional quality of each performer convinces you wholeheartedly that you are witnessing the greatest the world has to offer.
Wonderfully entertaining, potentially great networking, undeniably educational – take the opportunity to be part of this true Hollywood Cast Party.
As part of its new Cabaret series, The Magic Castle debuts Jim Caruso's Cast Party once a month. This night of Broadway history introduces you to everyone who ever was and will be a star. An open mic night for the ultra-talented; it showcases performers ranging from the Old Hollywood Vanguard to those just burgeoning with YouTube success. The audience is equally impressive, made up of every whose who in the performance community. As Jen Abrams puts it, “This is a Hollywood Party.”
Take it to heart that doors open at 6pm. The party, the sign up sheet and chatting up stars all take place before the show. After the show there's some time to talk before Jim and Cast go have breakfast (I never did find out where), but if your goal is the people – come before 7pm. This will also give you the rare privilege to explore the castle. Traffic will be bad and valet parking is $8 but upon entrance the Magic starts. Get your tickets, say two words to a feathered friend and you are in. Wind up pasts the bars, magicians, dining hall and down stairs past endless distractions and you just might make it to the Inner Circle. Low ceilings, mood lighting and small candle lit tables create the ambiance. The dim purple and gold lighting encourages intimate conversation, and makes it hard enough to distinguish faces that you have an excuse to walk across the room and introduce yourself. The cozy atmosphere makes you feel immediately part of the community and perhaps even ready to try your luck at the mic; but don't worry – no one is going to make you sing, regardless how they threaten. Dinner, dessert, drinks: you are looking at $$$, maybe $$$$. I recommend the Banana Cream Pie.
Four to a table you may get lucky and be placed with the likes of Rene Ruiz and Mandy Deacon. Rene is the founder of Toxic Acoustic and Mandy runs Show Creators. Both were very kind and ready to share history of the event. These Cast Party's were inspired by Liza Minnelli's soirees, based on her own family gatherings. Liza and friends would gather around the piano and sing until morning came, Jim Caruso realized this could be worth turning into an event and whipped out his little black book. A couple calls and the lates and greats of New York City were lining up at his door to perform. Now the Magic Castle has brought Jim to LA and you would be woe to miss this jaunt through history. I left with enough song titles and names of performers to keep me researching for days.
Jim and Billy opened the show with a couple duets and a lot of jokes. You might not know a single performer Jim brings to the stage but the enthusiasm with which he presents and the professional quality of each performer convinces you wholeheartedly that you are witnessing the greatest the world has to offer. On the night's roster were: Julie Garnye, Scott Morrow, Bernardo De Paula, Cortez Alexander, Ilene Graff, Daniel Baster, Don Beach, Robyn Spangler, Griffith Frank, Jen Abrams. If you recognize any of these names you're already more than prepared, if you don't you will still love this event. A highlight of the evening was Lindon Warren, an incredible Judy Garland imitator with YouTube fame and the vocal range of the entire Mormon Tabernacle Choir. One magician, Andrew Goldenhersh, graced the stage with a few pets, a straight jacket and absolute brilliance. Miranda Sings sang off-key with more intent and skill than most of the award-winning performers of the evening. Her incredible wit behind a 'special' facade, and her beautiful voice highlighting every hilarious note you would never want to hear, make up a powerful performer that will break your expectations (and your ears) as you cry with laughter. Ray Jessel performed What She's Got (The thingy Song) and Life Sucks and Then You Die, simply incredible. Melissa Manchester and her daughter Hannah performed beautifully. This event gives great performers a comfortable space to do whatever they want. Melissa Manchester did not sing Gershwin or any of her own pieces, but got to have fun singing show-tunes with her daughter. The performances of Jim Caruso and Billy Stritch held the evening together flawlessly. Billy Stritch's incredible musicianship on piano saved the performers numerous times, as any singer floated off key Billy would follow them until they came back. Jim arranging show-order uses the motto, “don't slow the night down” and mixes up slow and fast songs, new faces and old greats, unique acts and consistent pleasers. The next Cast Party return until the end of September, but keep looking for it. Wonderfully entertaining, potentially great networking, undeniably educational – take the opportunity to be part of this true Hollywood Cast Party.
www.socal.com/6682/146/JIM+CARUSO+S+CAST+PARTY.html