By Marilyn Lester***Could it be possible that the wondrous Karen Mason could outdo herself on the cabaret stage? Anyone present for her recent triumph at Broadway at Birdland with 30…and Counting would have to vote a resounding “yes!” The “30” refers to years, namely her partnership with music director-pianist-arranger, Christopher Denny. What’s more, shortly after the meeting between these two artists, Barry Kleinbort joined the 
team as director, thus forming a triad gifting audiences with three decades of beautifully-crafted cabaret and concert outings.
Mason performed her first concert with Denny on August 5, 1992. It was magic from the start she reported, musically underscoring that feeling with a robust “Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart” (James F. Hanley). Animated, flying high, Mason swung to Denny’s jazz arrangement with gusto. Had theater not claimed her, Mason could easily have had a blazing career in the jazz world. Another swing number, “Taking a Chance on Love” (Vernon Duke, John Fetter, John Latouche), a favorite of the duo’s, was originally arranged and performed in 1998 for the opening night of Arci’s Place on Park Avenue (the club closed in 2002). The tune was paired with “I Made a New Friend,” written for Mason by Brian Lasser. In a tender reminiscence, Mason paid homage to this musical genius who was her music director for 15 years prior to Denny. Ill and unable to continue working at the end of his life, Lasser succumbed to AIDS at age 40 in November 1992.
One of Mason’s strong suits is her absolute authenticity—she’s a what you see is what you get kind of person, an attribute that not only makes her instantly likeable, but is integral to her keen ability as a storyteller. She was particularly on fire at this celebratory Birdland outing. A medley of “Watch What Happens/I Will Wait for You” (Michel Legrand, Norman Gimbel) was powerfully rendered
. Even within Mason’s big personality and strong vocals, the simplicity of her delivery—emotive and straightforward—magically reached right into the very core of feeling. Denny’s arrangement of “Watch What Happens” was particularly creative in its subtle yet supportive counter melody. An inventive pairing of “Help/Being Alive” (Paul McCartney, John Lennon/Stephen Sondheim), with the former sung as a story song, was so astonishing in its arc and depth as to easily qualify as a tour de force.
Part of Mason’s theatrical legacy is the musical Wonderland, which premiered on Broadway at the Marquis Theatre on April 17, 2011, with Mason cast as The Queen of Hearts. Reviews were poor and the show closed a month later on May 15, 2011. Her introduction to the beautiful song from the show, “Finding Wonderland” (Frank Wildhorn, Jack Murphy) was laced with delicious comedy, especially naming the New York Times reviewer who wielded the strongest critical axe of them all. Mason has a wonderful innate talent for the comedic, ad-libbed or in song. The 
parody number written for her by Kleinbort on the occasion of that theatrical flop, “Show Queen” (Frederick Loewe, parody lyrics by Barry Kleinbort) was laugh-out-loud hilarious.
Mason had been gifted in another way before the opening of Wonderland by her husband, songwriter-record producer, Paul Rolnick. “Talkin to the Moon” (Paul Rolnick, Jane R. Snyder), sung with heartfelt pride, was a tender and amusing response to her long absences from home during the out-of-town development of the musical.
30…and Counting was a testament to friendship, collaboration, camaraderie and creative talent. During the encore, “Our Love Is Here to Stay” (George Gershwin/Ira Gershwin), Denny, who had borne a seraphical smile throughout at the piano, broke into song. The duet was charming and uplifting. It not only spoke to the relationship of Mason and Denny, but was a shining example of why creatives make art and the power of art to lift us all up, whether in “good times and bum times.” Please keep counting Karen Mason, Christopher Denny and Barry Kleinbort.
Enjoy more images of 30…and Counting with photos by Maryann Lopinto:
