Lullaby of Birdland

I took my lovely friend, the boy genius composer-lyricist-musical director Sam Willmott to dinner and a show at Birdland last night. Sam hadn't been back there for two years which is pretty unusual as most show folk find their way to this terrific cabaret room about once a fortnight.

The occasion was the launch of a new CD called "I'VE BEEN PLAYED: Alysha Umphress Swings Jeff Blumenkrantz" and it's a gem. Alysha and Jeff performed the whole song list and Jeff''s compositions which make up the bulk of the album are simply marvelous.

Alysha was in the Broadway company of PRISCILLA and currently stars in ON THE TOWN. Jeff recently enjoyed a long run in the brilliant MURDER FOR TWO and was in MR. MAGOO'S CHRISTMAS CAROL with me.

Sam and I had such a good time that we stayed on after their show to see the regular Monday night event, Jim Caruso's Cast Party, an open mike for Broadway and visiting performers. By the time we tottered out into the freezing night air we'd been at our table for seven hours!! Ah, where else but New York?