Cabaret artist Jim Caruso returns to Arci's Place in Manhattan with Billy Stritch on piano Oct. 2 for a series of fall dates on Monday evenings. Caruso — Live and In Person continues 8 PM Mondays through Dec. 18 There are no performances Oct. 9 and Nov. 20.

Caruso — who says there is no evidence of his being related to singer Enrico Caruso, but has no objections to the association of being "great" — was the founding member of the nationally acclaimed jazz vocal and comedy trio, Wiseguys, winners of the 1992 MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets) Award for musical-comedy excellence and the Backstage Magazine 1991 Bistro Award. As a member of Wiseguys, Caruso played such venues as the Algonquin Hotel's Oak Room and Carnegie Hall, and has performed his solo act at The Triad, Birdland, Odette's, and Eighty Eights.

Caruso was recently the host at Broadway on Broadway, the annual concert that officially starts the theatre season in Times Square.

The new show is slightly altered from Caruso's summer gig at Arci's. Stritch sings with Caruso, and they offer "Errand Boy for Rhythm," "Rhythm in My Nursery Rhymes," "I'm Hip," John Pizzarrelli's "I Wouldn't Trade You," "Crazy Rhythm" melded with "Fascinating Rhythm," Fred Ebb's "Girl From Ipanema" spoof, "The Boy From Fire Island," and more. Look for a special arrangement of "How Deep is the Ocean," which Kay Thompson gave Caruso. He says it's full of Thompson's signature wails and scatting.

For more information, check out Caruso's web site at www.jim-caruso.com.

At Arci's Place (450 Park Avenue South, between 30th and 31st Streets) there is a $25 cover charge and a $15 food and/or beverage minimum. For reservations, call (212) 532 4370.

— By Kenneth Jones