Every day is opening night.

Contact:
Rick Miramontez / Kendall Edwards
rick@omdkc.com / kendall@omdkc.com
212-695-7400

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PLEASE

JAMIE DEROY & FRIENDS
TO PRESENT
35^th ANNIVERSARY CABARET
AT BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB
ON MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2025 AT 7:00PM
IN SUPPORT OF
THE ENTERTAINMENT COMMUNITY FUND  

FEATURING
GRAMMY AWARD NOMINEE HAROLYN BLACKWELL
LEGENDARY DUO DAVID BUSKIN & ROBIN BATTEAU
GRAMMY AWARD WINNER JULIE GOLD
COMEDIAN ROB MAGNOTTI
AND
THE OLIVIER AWARD-WINNING CAST OF BROADWAY’S
“OPERATION MINCEMEAT”

New York, NY (March 17, 2025) – Esteemed producer Jamie deRoy announced today that she will present a special one-night-only cabaret celebrating 35 years of her legendary cabaret and cable television show “Jamie deRoy & friends” on Monday, March 31^st at 7:00pm ET at Birdland Jazz Club. The evening will feature performances from Grammy Award nominee Harolyn Blackwell, legendary duo David Buskin & Robin Batteau, Grammy Award winner Julie Gold, comedian Rob Magnotti and the Olivier Award-winning cast of Broadway’s Operation Mincemeat. Tickets can be purchased at www.birdlandjazz.com.

To download headshots, click here.

“Jamie deRoy & friends” is directed by Barry Kleinbort and music directed by Ron Abel. The one night only event will be a benefit for the Entertainment Community Fund.

Jamie deRoy has performed at over 20 clubs throughout her illustrious 35-year career including 54 Below, Birdland Jazz Club, Birdland Theatre, The Ballroom, Cinegrill (Los Angeles), Caroline’s on Broadway, Columbus on Broadway, Dillon’s, Don’t Tell Mama, Encore! Encore!, Feinstein’s at the Regency, Florence Gould Hall, The Gardenia (Los Angeles), Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College, Green Room 42, Laurie Beechman Theater at West Bank Café, New York Friars Club, Metropolitan Room, Steve McGraw’s, and The Triad.

A frequent presence on the New York cabaret scene, Jamie deRoy has produced “Jamie deRoy & friends” for 35 years. For the last decade, “Jamie deRoy & friends” has benefitted the Entertainment Community Fund and several other charitable organizations.

Jamie deRoy, instantly recognizable for her iconic silver mane and omnipresent grin, is a perennial force in the world of show business and a beloved figure amidst New York’s cultural landscape, with an illustrious career spanning Broadway, cabaret, film, and television. Over the years, she has cemented her reputation as a prolific producer, an engaging performer, and a generous humanitarian, whose work has left a lasting impact on the entertainment industry and beyond.

Her producing career began almost serendipitously but quickly grew into the stuff of New York legend. Her role as a producer on more than 150 Broadway and Off-Broadway productions has earned her a staggering 14 Tony Awards and a diverse list of credits ranging from beloved revivals like Merrily We Roll Along and Gypsy to daring new works such as Leopoldstadt, The Ferryman, and Stereophonic.

Beyond Broadway, Jamie maintains a powerful presence on the New York nightclub scene. Her long running Jamie deRoy & friends series has spawned nine albums on the Harbinger and PS Classics labels. In addition to providing best-in-class entertainment offerings to a loyal fanbase, these shows have raised funds for numerous charitable causes, including The Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund).

Jamie’s reach extends into television, where she has made a significant impact with her Emmy-nominated variety show Jamie deRoy & friends. A pioneering figure in public access television, her show has aired for more than 34 years, bringing the best of New York’s nightlife and theater scene directly into viewers’ homes. Her credits also include producing award-winning documentaries like Rick McKay’s “Broadway: The Golden Age” and its sequel “Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age,” which celebrate the history and legacy of Broadway through the personal stories of its most prominent figures.

In addition to her 14 Tony Awards, her mantel boasts nine MAC Awards, 15 Drama Desk Awards, four Audience Choice Awards, and 13 Drama League Awards. Her dedication to promoting and supporting theater has also earned her the MJHI Manhattan Jewish Hall of Fame honor and various Lifetime Achievement recognitions from prestigious organizations such as CaB Magazine and The York Theatre.

As a performer, she has graced both the stage and the screen with memorable roles in iconic films such as GoodFellas and Raging Bull, and television appearances in shows like “Alice,” “Knight Rider”, and “Spider-Man.” On stage she has performed alongside René Auberjonois in The Threepenny Opera and under Barry Manilow’s musical direction in The Drunkard.

Jamie deRoy’s decades-long career stands as a testament to her deep commitment to fostering the creative spirit of the city, making her an enduring and influential figure in New York’s live entertainment world.

BIOGRAPHIES

HAROLYN BLACKWELL is recognized for her expressive and exuberant performances, with a career that has spanned opera, concert and recital stages around the world.  Following college, the Washington, D.C., native began her career on Broadway in Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story.  Shortly afterwards, she was selected as a finalist for the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, and her career path changed from the musical theatre to opera.  Since then, she has performed with many of the major national and international opera companies, and at festivals around the world, including Lyric Opera of Chicago, Glyndebourne Festival, Teatro Colon de Buenos Aires, Seattle Opera, Opera de Nice, Miami Opera, Canadian Opera Company, Aix-en-Provence Festival, Opera Orchestra of New York and New York’s Mostly Mozart Festival.  She has appeared in several productions at the Metropolitan Opera, including Un Ballo in Maschera, Le Nozze di Figaro, Manon, Die Fledermaus, Werther and La Fille du Régiment. Ms. Blackwell starred as Cunegonde in the Broadway revival of Candide.  An accomplished recitalist, she has performed in several acclaimed concert series, including London’s Wigmore Hall, Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, The Morgan Library, The Library of Congress, The San Francisco Performances Series at the Herbst Hall, The Kennedy Center’s Fortas Chamber Series, The Vocal Arts Society of Washington  and  The Ambassador Foundation Performing Arts Series in Los Angeles. She has also appeared in a number of nationally televised concerts such as. The Grammy Awards, The Kennedy Center Honors, The Memorial Day and Fourth of July Concerts on PBS, Christmas in Washington and The PBS Live From The White House to name a few. Ms. Blackwell is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, one of which provided her with the opportunity to study in Italy with Renata Tebaldi and Carlo Bergonzi. Most recently, she was the recipient of The National Opera Association’s “Lift Every Voice” Legacy Award.

She is a member of the voice faculty at Manhattan School of Music, NYU Steinhardt and Barnard/Columbia University. Previously, she was a member of the voice faculty at The Peabody Conservatory of Music at The Johns Hopkins University.

DAVID BUSKIN & ROBIN BATTEAU have been performing their “irresistible amalgam of melodic, sensual pop, folkie grit and killer wit” (The Washington Post) for more than forty years. Their songs have been recorded by many great artists, including Judy Collins, Ladysmith Black Mombazo, The Oak Ridge Boys, Peter, Paul & Mary, Johnny Mathis, Tom Rush, Bette Midler, Astrud Gilberto, Anne Murray, Dixie Carter and Roberta Flack. Their Clio Award-winning jingles have been recorded by “everybody famous with a mouth.” But they are at their best live, dishing out what Stephen Holden of The New York Times called their “by turns acerbic, funny and plaintive” music and commentary. They are proud to have performed and produced benefits for and served on boards of numerous non-profits like Why/Hunger, Ocean Alliance, The Hole In The Wall Camp and Stand for the Troops.

JULIE GOLD is a singer/songwriter best known for Bette Midler’s version of “From A Distance,” a song which won her a Grammy for Song of the Year in 1991. Her songs have been covered by a wide range or artists, including Patti LaBelle, Patti Lupone, Cliff Richard, The Byrds, Kathie Lee Gifford, Nanci Griffith, Lea Salonga Judy Collins and Jewel. “From a Distance” has enjoyed over 6 million radio plays worldwide and countless millions of digital downloads. It has been translated in to many foreign languages.  It has been recited into the Congressional Record…  It has been illustrated as a children’s book.  Music boxes, greeting cards, calendars and even a white bear wearing a purple tutu feature “From a Distance.” She was the lyricist for the widely known “We’re 4 New York” news promotion back in the 90s. Her song “Thanks To You” was featured in the movie Andre. Her song “Dream Loud” was featured in the movie Unfaithful. Julie has written songs within the curriculum of The Oxford University Press, that teach English to elementary school children all over the world. When not performing or writing songs, Julie enjoys swimming at Chelsea Piers.

ROB MAGNOTTI is a multi-talented Comedian, Impressionist, and Actor who infuses his stand-up comedy with a broad range of hilarious celebrity impressions and characters. His appearance on “The Late Show with David Letterman” (CBS TV) was a standout  performance seen worldwide and garnered millions of hits on YouTube! It prompted Mr. Letterman himself to exclaim, “Tremendous! Rob Magnotti! That’s what I’m talking about!” Magnotti rocks the house at comedy clubs, theatres, and corporate events! Rob’s performances combine his unique point of view on life and family with physical comedy, acting, improv, and dance for a one-of-a-kind show! In addition, Magnotti seamlessly weaves in and out of spot-on celebrity impressions transforming into Al Pacino, Adam Sandler, Nicholas Cage, John Travolta, Ray Romano, and Brad Garrett, U.S.A. Presidents, The Sopranos, DWS’s Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli, and many more! Rob received a full house standing ovation at the Reilly Arts Center in Ocala, Florida two years in a row! Rob has performed with the cast of HBO’s “The Sopranos” on their live touring show “In Conversation with The Sopranos”! Most recently, in 2022, he opened, hosted, and moderated the show at the historic St. George Theatre alongside the stars Steve Schirripa, Michael Imperioli, and Vincent Pastore. Rob appeared in a scene with Kevin James in “Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2”!  A memorable moment in Rob’s career occurred when he played a featured MP Officer in the movie “A Beautiful Mind” and was given personal direction for the scene by Legendary Director Ron Howard. Rob also landed a lead role in the musical comedy “Funny Business” at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. (Dodger Productions), and he appeared on FOX TV, TV Land’s “Top Ten Show” several times in multiple episodes and performed voice-over work on Late Night with Conan O’Brien.

You may have heard Rob on the Bernie and Sid Radio Show (77WABC) where he received supreme endorsements from the hosts and listening audience! Following his appearance, he performed on Bernie and Sid’s “Night of Comedy” at The Cutting Room NYC and The Hard Rock Cafe NYC! Rob was asked by Ernie Anastos, the legendary Three-time Emmy Award-winning Broadcaster for ABC TV Eyewitness and FOX 5 News New York, to be his special guest on his video podcast “Positively Ernie” at the 77 WABC Radio Studios in NYC. His show streams on Spotify, Amazon Music, iTunes, Stitcher, iHeart, and over two hundred podcasting platforms! Although Rob Magnotti is a veteran headline comedian, he was the featured guest performer for Michael Buble´ at Town Hall in New York City, and Olivia Newton-John, who enjoyed seeing Rob’s John Travolta impression at the NYCB Theatre Westbury. Rob Magnotti is an audience favorite Nationally and Internationally from the Comedy Club scene of New York City to the Casino-Theatres of Atlantic City and Las Vegas, to Montreal, Canada, and Dubai! He is featured online on YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and www.RobMagnotti.com.

DAVID CUMMING is a member of SpitLip and a co-writer of Operation Mincemeat. An Olivier Award-winning writer/actor/composer and originator of the role of Charles Cholmondeley, David creates innovative work “full of energy, wit, fun, anger and…joy” (The Times). Theatre: Operation Mincemeat (Fortune Theatre), Frankenstein (BAC/world tour: co-writer/ composer, co-director). TV: “Hex Vet” (Nickelodeon). Also part of award-winning troupe Kill the Beast who develop shows with BBC Studios/Comedy Central US.

CLAIRE-MARIE HALL. West End: Operation Mincemeat (Jean), Les Misérables (Cosette), High School Musical (Gabriella), The Grinning Man. National tour: The King and I (Tuptim). Off West End/regional: Operation Mincemeat (Southwark Playhouse/ Riverside Studios), The Wicker Husband (Watermill), The Colours (Soho Theatre). TV/radio: “Just Up Your Street,” “Aladdin,” “When the Dog Dies,” “My Brilliant Divorce” (all BBC). @claire_m_hall

NATASHA HODGSON is a member of SpitLip and a co-writer of Operation Mincemeat. She originated the role of Ewen Montagu in Operation Mincemeat (winner: Best New Musical, nomination: Best Actress, 2024 Olivier Awards), and outside of the show she is an award-winning comedy writer/performer. She has created, written and performed on projects for companies including Netflix, BBC, Paramount and Cartoon Network. This production marks her Broadway debut.

JAK MALONE is ecstatic to be making his Broadway debut in a show he loves dearly. In 2024, Jak was honoured to receive the Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical for his portrayal of Hester. He’s happy that you’re here to see this show, but he’s even more happy that he’s here to perform it!

ZOË ROBERTS is a member of SpitLip and is a co-writer of Operation Mincemeat. Best Supporting Actress Olivier nominee. Zoë specializes in making entertaining, genre-defying stories infused with utter silliness. Part of the comedy theatre troupe Kill the Beast. Theatre: Operation Mincemeat (Olivier Award winner), Saint Jude, Director’s Cut, He Had Hairy Hands. Film/TV writing: “Dogs in Space” (Netflix). Podcast/radio: “Who Exploded Vivien Stone?”

ABOUT THE ENTERTAINMENT COMMUNITY FUND

The Entertainment Community Fund, formerly The Actors Fund, is a national human services organization that addresses the unique needs of people who work in performing arts and entertainment with services focused on health and wellness, career and life, and housing. Since 1882, the Fund has sought to ensure stability, encourage resiliency and be a safety net for those who shape our country’s cultural vibrancy. Learn more at entertainmentcommunity.org.

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