Karen Mason | |
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| Born | (1951-03-31)March 31, 1951 (age 73)[citation needed] New Orleans, Louisiana |
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| Spouse | Paul Rolnick |
| Website | www |
Karen Mason is an American musical theatre actress and singer. She has appeared on stage in Broadway theatre, notably as Norma Desmond inSunset Boulevard, and is a multiple award-winningcabaret performer.
Mason was born inNew Orleans, Louisiana, and grew up inSt. Louis and Chicago. She majored in theater at theUniversity of Illinois at Chicago Circle, graduating in 1999.[1] Mason started as a "singing hostess at Lawrence of Oregano in Chicago" in 1976 after leaving college, where she met the late pianist and composer Brian Lasser, with whom she worked until his death in 1992.[2][3]
Mason has performed in cabaret and with symphonies for many years.[4] She was one of the featured cabaret vocalists atDuplex Cabaret Theatre, New York City, in the early 1980s, and in 2005 presented a program "Better Days" with songs by her late musical director Brian Lasser.[5] She appeared at the Bay Area Cabaret, Empire Ballroom, San Francisco in 2010.[6] She continues to perform her cabaret act at such venues as Davenport's (Chicago)[7] and The Iridium (New York City).[8] She taught at the Theatre Arts Center's Summer Workshops & Camp inBayside, Queens, New York in 2010.[9]
She first appeared on Broadway inPlay Me a Country Song in 1982.[10] She took the role of standby toGlenn Close as Norma Desmond inSunset Boulevard in the Los Angeles production in 1993, and went on to play almost 300 performances over two years both in Los Angeles and on Broadway.[2][11] She originated the role of Tanya inMamma Mia!, playing the role from October 5, 2001 to October 6, 2002.[12] She took over the role ofVelma Von Tussle inHairspray on April 6, 2008.[13] She was the Queen of Hearts inWonderland in 2011 on Broadway and in theTampa andHouston productions in 2009–2010.[4][14] Mason appears in the US tour ofA Christmas Story, The Musical! starting in November 2011.[15]
In 2011, Mason was scheduled to play Mrs. Danvers in the musicalRebecca on Broadway.[16] In 2017, she sang, "It's About Time", written by her husband, Paul Rolnick (in 2011), to call for marriage equality.[17] Mason appeared on tour inAndrew Lloyd Webber'sLove Never Dies asMadame Giry. The tour ended on December 2, 2018. In December 2020, Mason appeared in TheDoris Dear Christmas Special on Broadway on Demand, where her performance received a 5-star rating.[18]
Broadway[19]
Off Broadway
Regional
Touring Production
Recording
Mason has recorded 6 solo albums, includingRight Here, Right Now.[4] She appears on the cast recordings ofAnd the World Goes 'Round[27] andWonderland.[28]
Mason is married to Paul Rolnick, a producer and composer.[29]
Mason has received 10MAC Awards, including the 2004 MAC Award for Major Female Vocalist, and three Bistro Awards.[4]
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