My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!
Home For You Chat My Shows (beta) Register/Login Games Grosses

Karen Mason: Let the Music Play 2021


Karen Mason: Let the Music Play Album Cover Art About the Album: KAREN MASON – the acclaimed Broadway star and concert artist – has announced the release of her new album Let the Music Play, which will be released Friday, November 12 in all digital formats and on CD from Zevely Records. The recording’s powerful and timely first single, the title cut “Let the Music Play,” will be available on Friday, October 15. On the heels of her featured role opposite Ewan McGregor on the hit Netflix miniseries “Halston,” Mason will present this new collection of theater music, pop classics and new compositions. Special guests Stephen Schwartz, who plays piano on a tender version of the beloved Wicked ballad “For Good,” and David Friedman, who accompanies Karen on his poignant standard “We Can Be Kind.” The album – which features arrangements by Christopher Denny and Barry Kleinbort, in addition to contributions from Dick Gallagher, and Brian Lasser – is produced by Paul Rolnick.

Mason will celebrate the album with national tour dates including Chicago’s Davenport’s (November 4-7), New York’s Feinstein’s/54 Below (November 16), and New Hope, PA’s RRazz Room (December 11). Concert info and album details are at KarenMason.com.

Let the Music Play leads with the anthemic first single, the title track poised to be the collection’s breakout song.“Live music, for me, is breathing! As New York – and the rest of the world – returns to live performance, this piece reflects our growing optimism after a pandemic pause with a world coming back to normal. I am so excited to appear again in front of in-person audiences. I hope this song resonates with everyone who has missed that connection of music as much as I have. I’m thrilled to breathe again.”

Mason puts her stamp on an exciting arrangement of Funny Girl’s “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” flush with strings, in anticipation of the famed musical’s first-ever Broadway revival in 2022. “Who doesn’t love this example of finally taking charge of your life!?,” Karen adds. “I had the good fortune to play that role a few times. Singing this number is a diva’s dream!” She brings her particular joie de vivre to the ebullient Irving Berlin classic “Steppin’ Out with My Baby.” Karen performed another Berlin gem, the rarely recorded “Mr. Monotony,” on Broadway in the Tony Award-winning “Best Musical” Jerome Robbins’ Broadway. She remembers, “It was so much fun to be on stage by myself to sing with Paul Gemignani conducting that fierce orchestra. Heaven.”

On a more subdued note, Karen brings a quiet poignancy to Paul Rolnick’s thoughtful acoustic composition “Jerusalem.” She explains, “This song is about finding peace. It’s about the city of Jerusalem specifically, both the inherent beauty of the word, and what it means to all the great religions. But it could just as easily be about Afghanistan, Iraq, Vietnam – or even America – any of the places where fighting never seems to end.”

Paul Rolnick and Tom Kochan provide the pensive “Is There Anybody Out There,” boasting a vintage arrangement of Mason’s longtime collaborator, the late Brian Lasser. Karen elaborates, “This song speaks to those moments of desperation we all feel sometimes, especially relevant during this pandemic era. There are so many personal connections to the creative team of this selection. It felt like it was time to finally release this.”

As usual, Mason works to highlight uncovered gems from the American musical theater. A prime example is the track “Time,” which she first heard at a new musical presentation of the show Was, by Barry Kleinbort and Joseph Thalken. “I knew I wanted to sing this song the first time I heard it,” she says.

The collection closes aptly with a delicate rendition of “In My Life,” the Lennon and McCartney evergreen. “After our time in quarantine from Covid,” reflects Karen, “I have a new appreciation for the people who have supported me in my artistic endeavors for years. This is my special thank you to fans, old, new, and soon to be.”

As a bonus cut, Karen chose to include a new mix of one of her signature songs, Paul Rolnick’s “We Never Ran Out of Love (We Just Ran Out of Time)” in part to celebrate Rolnick’s 2020 “Jamie deRoy Songwriting Award” from The ASCAP Foundation. “With all the losses we were living through,” comments Karen, “I was stunned by how this spoke to my heart once again. We wanted to add this new mix of this recording for all of us who lost someone dear to us, and miss them every second.”

Label: Zevely Records



Related Articles
Charles Busch and Travis Moser Release New Album MIXTAPE
by A.A. Cristi - March 06, 2026

Theatrical icon Charles Busch and cabaret artist Travis Moser have released their new album 'MIXTAPE', recorded live at The Laurie Beechman Theatre and now available on all music platforms.

Listen: Charles Busch and Travis Moser Release New Album 'Mixtape'
by Josh Sharpe - March 06, 2026

Theater artist Charles Busch and cabaret artist Travis Moser have teamed up to release their new album, 'Mixtape,' based on the live show of the same name, recorded at NYC's Laurie Beechman Theatre.

Listen: Jessie Altman Releases new EP, SLEEPWALKING
by Chloe Rabinowitz - March 06, 2026

Singer-songwriter Jessie Altman has released her new EP Sleepwalking today, marking the first full project under her newly embraced artist name.

Listen: Georgia Stitt's New Album BELL TOWER Out Now
by Chloe Rabinowitz - March 06, 2026

Concord Theatricals Recordings has released Georgia Stitt's Bell Tower, an album featuring twenty-six theatrical art songs performed by Broadway stars and recording artists.

Voting Open For BroadwayWorld's 2025 Stage Recording Awards
by Team BWW - March 05, 2026

Voting is now open for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Stage Recording Awards, celebrating outstanding achievements in theatrical and performance-based recordings released during the 2025 calendar year.

Listen: Killian Donnelly Featured on New Space Opera Album From LIM
by Josh Sharpe - March 04, 2026

West End performer Killian Donnelly (The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables) is featured on a new space-opera concept album from musical collective LIM.

Claybourne Elder to Release Debut Album with Live Shows at 54 Below
by Chloe Rabinowitz - March 02, 2026

Center Stage Records will release If the Stars Were Mine, the debut album from Claybourne Elder – best known for starring in HBO's “The Gilded Age” and Broadway's Company – in digital and streaming formats.

Listen: Frank Wildhorn’s 'The Symphonic Suites' Now Streaming
by Josh Sharpe - February 27, 2026

Tony Award-nominated composer has released The Symphonic Suites, an album comprised of new symphonic interpretations of four of his celebrated musical theatre scores, including Dracula, Jekyll & Hyde, Einstein: A Matter of Time, and Artus Excalibur (aka XCalibur).

NEXT TO NORMAL Original London Cast Recording Out on CD Now
by Chloe Rabinowitz - February 27, 2026

Ghostlight Records has released Next to Normal: Original London Cast Recording as a special 2-CD set.

Beat By Beat Press Releases OLYMPUS: THE GREEK ROCK MUSICAL, NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN, And STAR POWER For Licensing
by A.A. Cristi - February 26, 2026

Beat by Beat Press has released three new youth musicals—OLYMPUS: THE GREEK ROCK MUSICAL, NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN, and STAR POWER—for global licensing.

Final Chance To Submit Nominations For BroadwayWorld's 2025 Stage Recording Awards
by Team BWW - February 23, 2026

This is the final chance to submi nominations for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Stage Recording Awards, celebrating outstanding achievements in theatrical and performance-based recordings released during the 2025 calendar year.

Listen: Baz Luhrmann's EPIC: ELVIS PRESLEY IN CONCERT Releases Soundtrack
by Josh Sharpe - February 20, 2026

The offical motion picture soundtrack has been released for EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert, the new cinematic experience from filmmaker Baz Luhrmann.

Listen: ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE New Musical By Adam Gwon Out Now
by Chloe Rabinowitz - February 20, 2026

Joy Machine Records has released All the World's a Stage: Original Cast Recording – the new musical with book, music and lyrics by Adam Gwon.

Wingstastic Book Fair Launches Online Auction of Rare, Signed Broadway Treasures
by Nicole Rosky - February 20, 2026

The Wingstastic Book Fair brings theatre lovers an extraordinary opportunity to own rare and signed Broadway treasures while supporting a vital nonprofit mission: preserving theatre history.

Exclusive Video: Elizabeth Stanley Sings 'I Don't Ask' From ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE
by Chloe Rabinowitz - February 20, 2026

Joy Machine Records has released All the World’s a Stage: Original Cast Recording – the new musical with book, music and lyrics by Adam Gwon.

Listen: THE MAGICIAN’S ELEPHANT World Premiere Recording Out Now
by Chloe Rabinowitz - February 20, 2026

Center Stage Records has released the world premiere recording of THE MAGICIAN'S ELEPHANT, based on the acclaimed novel.

Exclusive: Read the First Chapter of Andrew Keenan-Bolger's LIMELIGHT
by Nicole Rosky - February 25, 2026

Broadway's Andrew Keenan-Bolger is making a showstopping YA debut with Limelight (now available where books are sold), a poignant coming-of-age novel about identity, first love, and the power of the arts to help young people feel seen.

Andrew Keenan-Bolger Will Celebrate LIMELIGHT Release with Book Launch Events in NYC
by Nicole Rosky - February 20, 2026

Broadway's Andrew Keenan-Bolger is making a showstopping YA debut with Limelight, a poignant coming-of-age novel about identity, first love, and the power of the arts to help young people feel seen.

Exclusive: Jon-Michael Reese SINGS 'I’m Your Man' From Adam Gwon's ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE
by Chloe Rabinowitz - February 19, 2026

Adam Gwon’s new musical All the World’s a Stage will be released as an original cast album.

Al Hirschfeld Foundation to Release HIRSCHFELD'S ICONS Poster Book in April 2026
by Chloe Rabinowitz - February 19, 2026

The Al Hirschfeld Foundation will present a new collection titled Hirschfeld's Icons: A Poster Book featuring iconic figures like Elvis and Madonna.

Alfie Boe Sets New Album 'Face Myself' Featuring Original Songs
by Josh Sharpe - February 18, 2026

Tony Award winner and international musical theater performer Alfie Boe has set the release of his first-ever album of predominantly original material, Face Myself, arriving on April 10.

Grand Teton Music Festival to Release Mahler 5 Recording Led By Sir Donald Runnicles
by Chloe Rabinowitz - February 17, 2026

The Grand Teton Music Festival will release of Mahler: Symphony No.

SIGNS OF LIFE Concept Album Featuring Shoshana Bean, Jenn Colella and More to be Released
by Chloe Rabinowitz - February 17, 2026

The concept album for the new musical in development, Signs of Life, will be released on all streaming platforms.

THE HOUSEMAID Thriller Film Coming to Blu-ray in March
by Josh Sharpe - February 17, 2026

The Housemaid, the hit thriller film starring Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney, will arrive on Blu-ray, DVD, and an Amazon-Exclusive 4K UHD Combo Pack on March 17 from Lionsgate.

Eugene IV to Release YOUNG JOHN LEWIS Musical Album
by Josh Sharpe - February 16, 2026

Atlanta-based composer and music producer Eugene IV is releasing an album featuring music from and inspired by the Theatrical Outfit world premiere of the musical Young John Lewis.

Claybourne Elder Sets Date for 'If the Stars Were Mine' Album Release
by Josh Sharpe - February 12, 2026

Claybourne Elder will release a studio recording of his popular one-man show, If the Stars Were Mine on April 3 from Center Stage Records.

WICKED: FOR GOOD Soundtrack Gets New Limited Pop-Up Edition
by Josh Sharpe - February 11, 2026

Just in time for the streaming debut of Wicked: For Good on Peacock, Republic Records will release a brand-new pop-up vinyl edition of the soundtrack featuring an embossed cover and a pop-up gatefold jacket depicting Elphaba, Glinda, Grimmerie pages, and more.

NEXT TO NORMAL – ORIGINAL LONDON CAST RECORDING To Be Released As 2-CD Set
by A.A. Cristi - February 10, 2026

Ghostlight Records has announced the release of NEXT TO NORMAL – ORIGINAL LONDON CAST RECORDING as a special two-CD set on Friday, February 27.

New Single Released from ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE Cast Recording
by A.A. Cristi - February 06, 2026

Joy Machine Records has announced the second single from All the World's a Stage: Original Cast Recording – “Other Lives,” performed by rising theater star Eliza Pagelle – today, Friday, February 6.



Back to Upcoming Releases...

Videos