Karen Mason to Tell the SECRET OF THE ANCIENT DIVAS at Bay Area Cabaret, 5/18

Bay Area Cabaret concludes its Tenth Anniversary Season by presenting the award winning Karen Mason in her new show, "SECRET OF THE ANCIENT DIVAS." A performer who has mastered both playing starring roles on the Broadway stage as well as projecting her own presence in intimate cabaret settings, Ms. Mason now comes to San Francisco for a performance in homage to her personal idols, including iconic singers Judy Garland, Barbara Streisand, and Peggy Lee. Ms. Mason will perform at the historic Venetian Room of The Fairmont San Francisco, 5pm, Sunday, May 18, 2014. Tickets ($48) are available at www.bayareacabaret.org or by phone at City Box Office (415) 392-4400.

Karen Mason first rose to prominence in Chicago before conquering New York and Broadway. Most notably, she originated the part of Tanya in the original Broadway cast of Mamma Mia! Other Broadway appearances include playing Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard, performing nearly 300 shows over a span of three years, and assuming the role of Velma Von Tussle in Hairspray. Ms. Mason also received rave reviews for her recent portrayal as The Queen of Hearts in the original Broadway production of Wonderland.

After starring Off-Broadway in her own show Karen Mason Sings Broadway, Beatles, and Brian, Ms. Mason went on to receive an Outer Critics Circle Award for her performance in And The World Goes 'Round as well as a Drama Desk nomination for her portrayal of Rosalie in the Off-Broadway revival of Carnival. In addition to receiving critical acclaim for her appearances on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and on television, Ms. Mason has also achieved a record-breaking career in cabaret, earning an astounding ten Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs Awards, including the award for Major Female Vocalist six years in a row, securing her position as one of New York's most sought-out cabaret singers. This past summer Ms. Mason received rave reviews for her London Cabaret debut.

Bay Area Cabaret was founded ten years ago by fifth generation San Francisco native Marilyn Levinson as a not-for profit organization. Through its concert series and wide-ranging outreach activities, BAC aims to expand the definition of cabaret and broaden the audience for intimate entertainment, offering Great American Songbook entries from Harold Arlen and Stephen Sondheim to Jonathan Larson and Stevie Wonder. Past seasons have featured Sutton Foster, Barbara Cook, Marvin Hamlisch, Christine Ebersole, Chita Rivera, jazz vocalists John Pizzarelli, Stacey Kent and Jane Monheit, Rent stars Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal, and the high school vocal competition Bay Area Teen Idol.

For Bay Area Cabaret patrons, The Fairmont San Francisco offers a delicious buffet dinner in the Laurel Court Restaurant & Bar for $40 (plus tax and tip), plus four hours of free parking for all who dine in the Laurel Court. For more information, visit www.bayareacabaret.org.

Photo courtesy of Karen Mason.

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