Call Redialed: NEW Karen Mason Interview: Celebrating Life at 75 with Broadway Baby
Apr 17, 2026
It has been 2 years since I last interviewed Award Winning Singer & Actress Karen Mason whom I am thrilled to be catching up with on the heels of her 75th Birthday & latest cabaret show, Broadway Baby.
In this NEW interview, Karen once again answered my call, but this time around she shares:
- The origins & key songs in her cabaret show Broadway Baby
- What she’s bringing with her from NYC to San Francisco
- Reflecting on her life and evolution as a performer
- What she’s learned about performing, storytelling, and advice for people starting out in theatre or cabaret
- Exploring personal stories behind iconic songs from her Broadway career
- What makes life meaningful now
- Updates on her show Unfinished Business about her late music director & friend Brian Lasser
- What she wants audiences to know about her
- So much more
Connect with Karen: Website, Facebook, Instagram
Karen will be performing her newly acclaimed show, Broadway Baby at Feinstein's at the Nikko in San Francisco on Friday, April 24 & Saturday, April 25, 2026. All shows at 8pm. Click Here for tickets!
Broadway Baby is a crowd-pleasing, story-driven evening that takes audiences on a musical journey through Karen’s remarkable career spanning eight Broadway shows, with her portraying some of the most iconic roles in American musical theater.
The show features songs from Mamma Mia!, in which Karen originated the role of Tanya in the Broadway company; Sunset Boulevard, where she served as standby for Norma Desmond, covering Glenn Close, Betty Buckley and Elaine Paige for more than 1,000 performances; and beloved standards including “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” “A Whole New World” and a mashup of the Beatles’ “Help!” and Sondheim’s “Being Alive” — reimagined in the kind of unexpected, emotionally resonant arrangements that have become Karen’s signature.
Broadway Baby features songs wrapped in personal reflection, with compelling stories behind the roles, the moments that shaped a career and the mentors and collaborators who made the music possible.
Karen premiered Broadway Baby in Puerto Vallarta in January 2025 and has since performed it to enthusiastic audiences across the country. The show is directed by Barry Kleinbort, with musical direction by Christopher Denny.
In addition to her Broadway Baby show, Karen will also be making a special guest appearance at a benefit gala for the Amateur Music Network (AMN) on April 23, 2026 in San Francisco.
Karen Mason celebrating her 75th Birthday
Birdland Jazz Club NYC, Photo Credit: Kevin Alvey
1. You just celebrated your milestone 75th Birthday with a sold-out concert at Birdland Jazz Club in NYC, called Broadway Baby. What do you remember about that magical night? THE BIRTHDAY BASH! What a fantastic night! I recommend everyone should have a room full of applauding fans on your birthday! There's nothing like it!
I work with fabulous people (Barry Kleinbort; Christopher Denny) who helped build a show that just said, “This is going to be fun!”.
2. Now, you are bringing Broadway Baby to San Francisco’s Feinstein’s at the Nikko for 2 nights. What did you learn from your NYC show that you will now bring with you to Feinstein's at the Nikko? Hmmm... I learned all the lyrics! HAHA. I learned something that I learn every time I sing: People love to know they aren’t alone. Just tell the stories. Just share your stories.
3. What was the first song you knew had to be in Broadway Baby? There were a few, actually. One of the first arrangements done for me by Brian Lasser of SOMETHING'S COMING.
And also, an arrangement done by Barry Kleinbort (my Director) and Christopher Denny (my MD) of BROADWAY BABY and ON BROADWAY. Just delicious!
4. Why was that song the catalyst for the rest of the show's set? Because for me, all of those 3 songs are about hope, passion, discovery……. and also disappointment. What being an actor is all about.
Karen Mason as Tanya in Mamma Mia!
Photo Courtesy of Karen Mason's Website
5. Since your show is called Broadway Baby, what advice would you give to someone who is just starting out in theatre or cabaret? Just keep learning and trying. Learning should never stop!
And if you REALLY HAVE NO CHOICE but to be in the arts (It was all I wanted), do it!
It won’t be a life you expected, perhaps, but it won't be dull! Nope, never dull!
6. Now that you just turned 75, what is something that you now know about your performance style that you wish you knew when you were just starting out? RELAX, KAREN! I enjoy performing so much more now because I don’t get as crazy before a show. Oh, I get crazy!! Ask anyone…BUT I try to face a show with the joy of sharing the stage with friends! How lucky am I!
Karen Mason as Norma Desmond
Sunset Blvd
7. Let's find out a bit more about you through some of the songs you have sung throughout your Broadway journey or are performing in Broadway Baby
- From Mamma Mia: "Does Your Mother Know" - What is something you wish your mom would have been around for that she missed? My Mom died in 2020. She had Alzheimer’s…so there are many things I missed sharing with her. Every time I visited, though….I would bring ice cream, and Mom and I would talk and giggle like schoolgirls…so I will hold on to those moments. She is still in my heart with everything I do.
- From Sunset Boulevard - "With One Look" - When have you ever had to make a point to someone with just one look? My Mom had an eyebrow that arched in a very specific way. I am not sure I achieve that level of effect. But I think Paul, my husband, knows when I have reached my maximum level of frustration. With one look! Beware! hahah
- From Company - "Being Alive" - What makes you excited to be alive today? Just waking up! Paul and I... and my family being ok for one more day!
Karen Mason & her husband, Paul Rolnick in 2017
Photo Courtesy of Karen Mason's Social Media
8. While you are in California, you are also going to be making a special guest appearance at Amateur Music's benefit gala. This organization connects adult amateur musicians of all skill levels with professional musicians. It provides workshops that foster joy through playing and singing, with a strong focus on inclusivity across all genres, ages and backgrounds. What skills or words of wisdom do you hope to impart on these beginners? Keep making music! Keep surrounding yourself with people who love what you love…and also love you!
AND keep telling stories about your life so that others can hear and understand. This world needs more understanding and kindness. And music has all of that! Keep sharing.
9. I am so excited to hear that there has been forward movement on your show Unfinished Business, a show you have been working on for over a decade about your late music director and friend Brian Lasser. How has this show changed since I last saw it in 2015? Oh boy, it is changing! I needed to tell the story in a different way. I am a different person from all those years ago….a lot more tread on these tires.
So, moving forward, I started working with director Christa Scott Reed. It is a very exciting process. And I am really loving writing.
10. What do you want the world to know about Brian that you don't talk about in the show? If I told you that, Adam, no one would come to the show!
11. What is something we didn't get to talk about in this interview that you'd like my audience to know about you? I would just like to remind people to go out more and socialize! Come to the clubs and take a chance on someone new.
We need to share with each other…through art, music, theatre, whatever... so we don't totally lose our humanity! It helps us all to know that we are not alone.
More Karen Mason Interviews:
2024 (Read Here): Celebrating The Music of Kander & Ebb
Karen Mason
Photo Credit: Gene Reed Photography
More on Karen Mason:
Karen Mason has starred on Broadway, off-Broadway, television and recordings and has been hailed by critics as one of New York’s finest musical storytellers.
On Broadway, she originated the role of Tanya in ABBA’s Mamma Mia! (earning a Drama Desk Award nomination); starred as the Queen of Hearts in Wonderland; and delivered critically acclaimed performances as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard in both Los Angeles and New York. Her other Broadway credits include Hairspray, Jerome Robbins’ Broadway, Torch Song Trilogy and Play Me a Country Song.
Off-Broadway, she won the Outer Critics Circle Award for And the World Goes ‘Round and earned a Drama Desk nomination for Carnival. On tour, she starred as Madame Giry in the North American premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Love Never Dies.
On television, she appeared as Mrs. Marsh in Ryan Murphy’s Netflix series Halston and on Law & Order: SVU.
The recipient of the 2019 Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs (MAC) Lifetime Achievement Award, Karen is a 14-time MAC Award winner including six consecutive wins for Major Female Vocalist of the Year. She holds three Bistro Awards and the 2006 Nightlife Award for Major Female Vocalist.
Karen has released nine acclaimed solo albums, most recently And All That Jazz (2024), a celebration of the songs of Kander & Ebb with liner notes by John Kander, voted Broadway World’s Best Commercial Recording of 2024.
Karen has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center and Lincoln Center and shared the stage with luminaries including Luciano Pavarotti, Liza Minnelli, Rosemary Clooney and Michael Feinstein.
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