Brian Lasser News

Upon her return to Davenport's in Chicago, the theater & cabaret star talks about her voice and how she almost lost it.

Haul out the holly and break out the Christmas decorations! Broadway's award-winning Karen Mason, from the smash hit musicals Mamma Mia, Hairspay!, Sunset Boulevard and most recently Wonderland will make a special return appearance to her hometown with her holiday show "Christmas, Christmas, Christmas." The show will feature a mixture of holiday standards, light seasonal fare to the more traditional Christmas songs performed in Mason's distinctive style that will even put Scrooge in the holiday spirit. This marks Karen's return to her hometown, which began as a holiday tradition when she was a mainstay on the Chicago nightclub circuit in the late 1970's and early 80s with her longtime musical collaborator Brian Lasser, before heading off for stardom in New York and Broadway.

Back on April 1, when he posted his third compilation of delayed cabaret reviews from shows staged during the winter, BroadwayWorld.com's lead New York cabaret reviewer promised Number 4 would come with arrival of summer. Okay, so he missed his self-imposed deadline by a couple of weeks. but here's yet another catch-up column with critiques of a half dozen spring shows performed by Bryan Batt, Dawn Derow, Lynly Forrest, Dennis McNeil, Anastasia Barzee, and Nina Hennessey.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, UCLA theater professor Gary Gardner died of natural causes on June 15, 2013. He was 69.

CAP21 will augment its 20th Anniversary Season with the addition of F#%king Up Everything, the award-winning rock musical comedy opening Off-Broadway.

The CAP21 Theatre Company will kick off its 20th Anniversary Season tonight, February 4th with the opening of Unfinished Business starring Karen Mason (Wonderland, Mamma Mia!).

Karen Mason (Wonderland, Mamma Mia!) and her new show Unfinished Business will kick off The CAP21 Theatre Company's 20th Anniversary Season this Monday (Feb. 4). Following the show, CAP21 and Karen Mason have invited all ticket holders to an Opening Night Post-Show Reception being held at CAP21.

On Sunday January 27 singer/TV executive producer Joe Lupariello brought his musical show Where or When to Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal. Lupariello has had a background in musical comedy, but chose a mix of contemporary and traditional pop standards for Where or When, some of which worked better than others. Backed by great versatile Brian Graden at the piano, Lupariello worked like a charm with his SRO crowd, bringing the set in at under 60 minutes.

The CAP21 Theatre Company will kick off its 20th Anniversary Season on February 4th with the opening of Unfinished Business starring Karen Mason (Wonderland, Mamma Mia!).

Broadway Star, Karen Mason (Wonderland, Mamma Mia! and the upcoming Broadway show, Rebecca), brings her talents to the intimate stage (78 seats) at CAP21 where she is performing in their benefit series, Concerts for CAP21. As CAP21 approaches their 20th Anniversary, the concert series celebrates all of the accomplishments the organization has had and its goals of the future. Karen Mason: Unfinished Business will be performed through July 19 and certain performances include a reception that is available for ticket buyers. Ticket Prices range from $25-$100. CAP21 is located at 18 West 18th Street, New York, NY 10011. Tickets and additional information are available at www.cap21.org or by calling 646.213.5488. BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was there for the first concert, and we bring you highlights from the event and interviews with the star of the evening below!

Broadway Star, Karen Mason (Wonderland, Mamma Mia! and the upcoming Broadway show, Rebecca), brings her talents to the intimate stage (78 seats) at CAP21 where she is performing in their benefit series, Concerts for CAP21.

Broadway Star, Karen Mason (Wonderland, Mamma Mia! and the upcoming Broadway show, Rebecca), brings her talents to the intimate stage (78 seats) at CAP21 where she is performing in their benefit series, Concerts for CAP21.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series announces that Broadway stars Karen Mason and Brent Barrett will share the stage for the first time in "Sing Happy" on Monday, April 9 at 7pm.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series announces that Broadway stars Karen Mason and Brent Barrett will share the stage for the first time in "Sing Happy" on Monday, April 9 at 7pm.

Daniel Wolfsbauer Productions and The Open Acting Academy Hamburg-Wien are pleased to announce the US premiere of SURVIVING LOVE, written by Robert Chionis and directed by Stephan Perdekamp. In association with the Midtown International Theatre Festival, SURVIVING LOVE performs on: Wednesday, July 20 at 8:30 PM, Saturday, July 23 at 5:00 PM and Sunday, July 24 at 12:00 PM. Performances are at Main Stage Theatre (312 W. 36th Street, between 8th & 9th Avenues. Via subway take the A, C, E, 2, 3 to 34th Street-Penn Station; and the B, D, F, M, N, Q, R to 34th Street-Herald Square.). The regular ticket price is $18 ($15 for students and seniors). For tickets, call Ovation Tix on 866-811-4111 or visit www.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/834985. For more information, visit SURVIVING LOVE on Facebook at www.facebook.com/survivinglovenyc.

Internationally-acclaimed songstress KAREN MASON, who recently starred as the zany Queen of Hearts in 'Wonderland' at the Marquis Theatre, returns to Broadway on Tuesday, July 19th with a 7pm show at Iridium (1650 Broadway, at 51st Street).

Internationally-acclaimed songstress KAREN MASON, who recently starred as the zany Queen of Hearts in 'Wonderland' at the Marquis Theatre, returns to Broadway on Tuesday, July 19th with a 7pm show at Iridium (1650 Broadway, at 51st Street).

Daniel Wolfsbauer Productions and The Open Acting Academy Hamburg-Wien are pleased to announce the US premiere of SURVIVING LOVE, written by Robert Chionis and directed by Stephan Perdekamp. In association with the Midtown International Theatre Festival, SURVIVING LOVE performs on: Wednesday, July 20 at 8:30 PM, Saturday, July 23 at 5:00 PM and Sunday, July 24 at 12:00 PM. Performances are at Main Stage Theatre (312 W. 36th Street, between 8th & 9th Avenues. Via subway take the A, C, E, 2, 3 to 34th Street-Penn Station; and the B, D, F, M, N, Q, R to 34th Street-Herald Square.). The regular ticket price is $18 ($15 for students and seniors). For tickets, call Ovation Tix on 866-811-4111 or visit www.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/834985. For more information, visit SURVIVING LOVE on Facebook at www.facebook.com/survivinglovenyc.

The METROPOLITAN ROOM announces show and performer changes for the month of May.

Chicago Cabaret Professionals presents its eleventh anniversary Gala Benefit 2009: 'Put on Your Sunday Clothes' Honoring Karen Mason