Karen Mason, Jim Caruso and Billy Stritch Coming to Ocean State Theatre

Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC), currently celebrating its fourth season in its comfortable stadium-style theatre in Warwick, is pleased to announce that Karen Mason, Jim Caruso, and Billy Stritch will be participating in OSTC's new CABaretFEST being held from June 24 - 26.

"We are thrilled that with the assistance of Rhode Island performance artist and OSTC Ambassador, Ida Zecco, we are able to host such a distinguished group of cabaret artists for our first Cabaret Symposium and CABaretFEST," said Amiee Turner, Producing Artistic Director of Ocean State Theatre Company. "In addition to the Festival Showcase Headliner Concerts, there will be Piano Bars/Open Mics following the Friday and Saturday evening concerts, and a special final concert on Sunday evening which will feature the Cabaret Symposium participants and some special guests."

Karen Mason garnered rave reviews starring as The Queen of Hearts in Wonderland on Broadway. She originated the role of Tanya on Broadway in ABBA's Mamma Mia! (Drama Desk nom.). Other roles include Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard, on Broadway and in Los Angeles; Velma von Tussel in the final Broadway company of Hairspray; among others. She is a ten-time MAC Award winner. Ms. Mason will be performing on Friday, June 24 at 7:30 pm.

Opening for Ms. Mason will be Brian De Lorenzo, Jason Loete and John O'Neil.

An evening of sensational musical fun, featuring world-class musicianship, brilliant comedic timing, and the unique vocal and musical stylings of two of our country's most original artists. Jim Caruso made his Broadway debut alongside Liza Minnelli in the smash hit Liza's At The Palace! Billy Stritch is one of the premiere singer/pianists on the New York and national jazz and cabaret scene. Mr. Caruso and Mr. Stritch will be performing on Saturday. June 26 at 7:30 pm.

Opening for Mr. Caruso and Billy Stritch will be Angela Bacari, Nicolas King, Valerie Sneade and Ida Zecco.

After four days of intensive study with leading cabaret professionals, focusing on internal connections to songs, relationships with audiences, the development of patter, song selection, arrangements, show structure and comic timing, symposium participants will perform a portion of their cabaret repertoire. Cabaret Symposium Participants will be performing on Sunday, June 26 at 6:30 pm.

Opening for the symposium participants will be Jon Abernathy, Donald Blais, Diane Carey, Jason Loete, John O'Neil, Amiee Turner, Valerie Sneade and Ida Zecco,

OSTC's CABaretFEST will take place at Ocean State Theatre from June 24 - 26, 2016. The theatre is located at 1245 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI. Tickets are $40 for one concert, $70 for two concerts, and $85 for three concerts. Tickets are on sale at the box office Monday through Friday from 12 noon - 6:00 pm, Saturdays from 12 noon - 4:00 pm, and from 12 noon until curtain time on performance days. Tickets are also available online 24 hours a day at www.OceanStateTheatre.org and via telephone during normal box office hours by calling (401) 921-6800.