By Marilyn Lester***Broadway, concert and recording star Karen Mason created another knockout performance at Birdland, with her show, Just in Styne: Karen Sings Jule, honoring one of her favorite songwriters. Mason has long made Styne a part of her musical repertoire, and having known him back in the day, handily added spice to the evening. And, of course, the show was infused with all of the Mason hallmarks: wit and humor, an easy and familial relationship with her audience, a spot-on narrative and superb vocals.
What else to open with than “Let Me Entertain You” (Stephen Sondheim), and because the tune opens Gypsy, sung by Baby June and Baby Louise, no removal of clothing was involved. Mason delivered from the other (of the many) big hit shows Styne wrote music for, Funny Girl‘s “People” (Bob Merrill). So, as the diva noted, among the songwriter’s many gifts to musical theater was the ability to write truly iconic songs for women.
There were plenty of tidbits of biographical information in the show, salted into a smartly, well-paced set. Mason is not only an expert at interpreting a lyric, but also of creating mood, as in a contemplative and evocative World War II-era medley: “I’ll Walk Alone” (Sammy Cahn), and also with Cahn, “It’s Been a Long, Long Time.” Mason sang in duet, with stalwart music director, Chris Denny, another Gypsy hit, “Together Wherever We Go.” Tom Hubbard, who played a sturdy bass during the show, had a magnificent solo on the tune. And so, under the direction of Barry Kleinbort, Karen Mason triumphed once again the Birdland Stage.
Enjoy this photo gallery by Maryann Lopinto:
