Mark Rupp News

THE AFTER PARTY, which has been nominated for a 2008 MAC Award for Variety Production/Recurring Series on Friday, April 11th, 2008 presented Drama Desk Award Nominee and star of Mamma Mia, Judy McLane. Alos featured were Lavinia Draper and a special appearance by Mamma Mia's Carey Anderson

On Monday, February 25, the Broadway at Birdland series welcomed composer/performer Victoria Shaw and her celebrated showcase 'Under The Covers With Victoria Shaw.' Following the concert was Jim Caruso's Cast Party.

Due to popular demand, a second concert performance of The Last Five Years, featuring composer and performer Jason Robert Brown and the incomparable talent of Lauren Kennedy, has been added to the Birdland Broadway series on Tuesday, March 18 at 7PM. The performance on Monday, March 17 at 7PM is quickly selling-out.

Composer and performer Jason Robert Brown and Lauren Kennedy will present a special one-night-only concert version of The Last Five Years, Brown's 2002 musical that won the Drama Desk Award for Best Music and Best Lyrics, with the original Off-Broadway orchestra, Monday, March 17, 2008 at 7PM.

Composer, arranger, vocalist and jazz pianist Billy Stritch celebrated the release of his acclaimed new record, 'Billy Stritch Sings Mel Tormé' on Monday, February 18, 2008 at 7PM at Birdland, as part of the long-running, critically-heralded and popular concert series Broadway at Birdland.

On Friday, February 15 at the ASPCA Pet Adoption Center (424 East 92nd Street), ten dogs, all available for adoption at the ASPCA, and their handles showcased their soon-to-be unhidden talents for a panel of celebrity judges

Maureen McGovern returns to the Manhattan cabaret scene with her new show A Long and Winding Road at New York City's Metropolitan Room at 7:30PM on February 13-16 and February 21-23.

Jim Caruso hosted his guests and friends at The Cast Party on Monday, February 11 at Birdland. In attendance were cast members of off-Broadway hits Celia and Altar Boyz, plus Hilary Kole, Katherine Luckinbill, Erich Bergen, Billy Stritch, Natalie Douglas Tony DeSare, Lari White and more.

Liz McCartney (Taboo, Mamma Mia) is returning to the Laurie Beechman cabaret stage in 'Rosemary and Time, a Tribute to the Life and Music of Rosemary Clooney.' Performances are February 25 and March 2, 9 & 31

Robert R. Oliver, who starred as Mortimer in the off-Broadway revival of The Fantasticks, died suddenly Monday, February 4 of a heart-attack, report press sources. He was 68 years old.

Jim Caruso celebrated his birthday with his guests and friends at The Cast Party on Monday, February 4 at Birdland. In attendance were Susan Mosher and John Boswell of Cashino, Michael Winther, Christine Pedi, Julie Garnye and Stephanie D'Abruzzo.

Hunting and Gathering by Brooke Berman, directed by Leigh Silverman, officially opened Sunday February 3 at Primary Stages (59 East 59th Street).

Free and open to the public, the Stephen Wise Free Synagogue presents 'Our Tradition, Our Torah, Our Future' - the major Centennial concert, includes a musical journey from the inception of SWFS until the present day and into future, featuring past and present musical forces of the synagogue. The concert will be held Sunday February 10 at 7PM.

On Friday February 1 at 10:30PM, 'The After Party' welcomed Katrina Rose Dideriksen and Luke Grooms, from the recent production of Jerry Springer: The Opera - In Concert, plus 2007 Ed Kleban Award Winner and 2006 Jonathan Larson Award winner Joe Iconis!

According to the trades James Gandolfini will star in and produce the $15 million Marvin Gaye biopic Sexual Healing.

American song-man Tony Bennett was a special guest at Jim Caruso's Cast Party on Monday, January 28 at Birdland.

Classical music commentator Rob Kapilow presents an engaging exploration of some of George Gershwin's most beloved songs in Rob Kapilow's What Makes it Great? The Songs of George Gershwin. Kapilow is joined by soprano Sally Wilfert and tenor Michael Winther for the first What Makes it Great? program of the season, taking place on Saturday, February 2 at 8PM at NEC's Jordan Hall

The award-winning singer talks about the creation of comedy and cabaret.