Five Questions With: Karen Mason

It’s rare for Broadway actress-singer, recording star and cabaret great KAREN MASON to come to the UK – the last time she sang in London was in 2013. Here Jeremy Chapman catches up prior to the performer’s Kander and Ebb show And All That Jazz! at London’s Crazy Coqs on 24 and 28 April 2025, as part of Musical Theatre Review’s interview series Five Questions With…

It’s time you were coming to London for two shows at the Crazy Coqs. We see plenty of top American cabaret artists like the Callaway sisters, Melissa Errico, Amanda McBroom, Jeff Harnar and Steve Ross but a lot less of you. Most will know you only from your albums. So can you tell us about how you got into showbiz and about your previous visit?

Thank you, Jeremy! This will be my second time at Crazy Coqs. Too many years in between visits, I know. I don’t know what has kept me away so long. Life, I guess. Just happy to be coming back.

I always knew I wanted to be a singer. It all began when I met a music director in Chicago at a restaurant called The Lawrence of Oregano, where they had singing waiters and waitresses. I auditioned, got hired, and started working with Brian Lasser. We did concerts in Chicago and decided to move to NYC. Both of our dreams!

We did a lot of cabarets and concerts, and Brian wrote musicals, which I starred in. And we just grew from there. I have been lucky to do eight Broadway shows, sing at concert halls around the world, make eight albums, and, like most people in showbiz, explore what comes my way.

My last visit to London, singing at Crazy Coqs, was during perhaps the worst month: August I really thought no one would show up – but they did! So much has happened since… I am just happy that I get to sing and make music at a beautiful room in a great city. And of course, with the fabulous Simon Beck.

Who were your greatest influences? Tell us about the show you are bringing over, And All That Jazz!

Growing up, I was a Barbra Streisand and Judy Garland fanatic. Probably because these ladies sang in my vocal range… and I could sing along. Also, Frank Sinatra. My mom played Ol’ Blue Eyes a lot. Most theatrical music when I was a kid was written for sopranos… which I am not. So when I first heard Liza Minnelli and the music of John Kander and Fred Ebb, I was over the moon. Because I could sing along with this music. It made me so happy, as the loud, middle-child, to have music that felt like mine. So the show I am doing here is my album release show celebrating the music of Kander and Ebb.

You have quite a history with Kander and Ebb. I believe you starred in their revue And The World Goes ’Round. Where and when was that?

The year was 1991, and I was so happy to be cast in this Off-Broadway revue of their music. I was actually going to get to meet my heroes. The show consisted of five talented people who had to do all kinds of tricks: sing, dance, play banjo, roller skate. It was strenuous, to say the least. And I got to work with John and Fred who were always so kind to me. I still have a few notes they sent me over the years. They mean a lot to me. In fact, John wrote the liner notes for my newest album, And All That Jazz! How lucky can you get?

The transfer of Sunset Boulevard to Broadway after its brilliant success here must have brought back so many memories after playing Norma Desmond yourself in LA and on Broadway on so many occasions. When was that and have you any Lloyd Webber anecdotes?

From 1993-1995 I was with the show. I was the standby for the role of Norma Desmond, so I covered the fabulous Glenn Close, the amazing Betty Buckley and your own brilliant Elaine Paige. I did the role about 250 times over the two and a half years. And yes, I loved doing that show. I also got to watch these amazing stars create their own Norma while creating my own, within the parameters of the story. And all the fabulous jewellery and costumes – heaven!

Anecdotes about Andrew Lloyd Webber? Perhaps…

Have you seen Nicole Scherzinger in Jamie Lloyd’s reimagined version and, if so, what did you think of her and the production? It totally knocked us out in London.

I did get to see it. I applaud a new take on a show. But it is always hard for anyone who was in the original to not miss all that was in their production, isn’t it? I was fascinated by all the changes and insights, and certainly, the wonderful performances. But I did miss the jewellery and costumes and sets. Hey, I am a girl who likes all of that!