Jim Caruso's Cast Party with Billy Stritch
Birdland315 West 44th Street, New York 10036
Jim Caruso’s Cast Party arrives at Birdland as an anything-goes open mic and variety show, with Caruso hosting and Billy Stritch at the piano. Rather than a fixed-band concert, the evening invites performers and audience members into the mix: Broadway voices, jazz singers, crooners, tap dancers and emerging acts are all part of the format. The regular Cast Party Symphony Orchestra also includes Steve Doyle on bass and Daniel Glass on drums. No special guests have been identified for this date.
A New York City institution, Cast Party has made Birdland’s Monday nights a variety spectacular since 2003. Its range runs from established show-business names to newcomers, with the audience encouraged to take part. The show has received 13 BroadwayWorld Awards, seven MAC Awards, a Bistro Award and two Nightlife Awards. A Los Angeles edition has featured surprise guests including Liza Minnelli, Melissa Manchester, Carol Channing, Linda Lavin and Shoshana Bean. The New York Times called Cast Party “a joyous free-for-all” and “show business heaven”; the Wall Street Journal called it “the gold standard of open mic nights.”
Birdland offers a refined jazz experience in a room where the audience sits at tables close to the stage, allowing every note to reach you clearly. The venue features a full menu with dishes like New Orleans-style gumbo alongside a well-stocked bar, making it easy to enjoy a meal or drinks while listening. Each show is ticketed per set, encouraging focused listening as the music unfolds in roughly 45-minute segments. The club’s walls echo decades of jazz history, having hosted legends and continuing to attract top contemporary artists. Located in Manhattan’s Theater District, the space balances a serious music environment with the energy of a night out, where attentive audiences savor the performances without distraction. Booking ahead is essential, as the club fills quickly for its celebrated lineup.