“For the First Time”

[rating=5] Last week, I had the good fortune of interviewing Broadway legend ( at least in  my eyes) Ms Karen Mason, who grew up in our suburbs and has gone on to a fabulous career on stages of all sizes, doing music of all types. While Broadway has been where her recognition has been, her love of the Cabaret truly shines thru when she gets on the stage of one of the intimate spaces we know as Cabaret. Most Chicagoans are familiar with Davenport on Milwaukee Avenue and many recall the fabulous days at Drury Lane, Water Tower ( now the Broadway In Chicago Playhouse). Monday nights, when the Goodman does not have an opening, one can listen to the great Cabaret voices of Chicago at Petterino’s on Randolph and Dearborn. A great evening away from the maddening crowd and music that we all love.

While little spots pop up here and there, the name Drury Lane has come back to the forefront with a lovely space located in their facility in Oakbrook. Yes, the building where the famous Drury Lane Theater is housed has added an amazing space called  “The Cabaret Room at Drury Lane”. Just year’s away from the fabulous theater and their wonderful dining area, one will walk into a room where you will feel that time slip away. It IS the 1970’s and you might be in a supper club/Cabaret club anywhere USA.

The room has a beautiful white grand piano right as you enter and a special table that forms a U surrounding a small stage area ( between the piano and the patrons). The rest of the room is tables and booths, some tables being along the walls are what is called “high tops” where the audience members sit upon padded stools ( quite comfy as it turns out). Like most clubs, there is a drink minimum ( they do it by the dollar amount) in addition to the ticket price. While there are many who might say this is an expensive ticket, let me tell you that when it comes to being entertained, the price you pay , if the talent is great, is well worth it. Tonight, watching Karen Mason take the stage reminds us that there was a time when one might “kill for the chance to listen to her sultry voice hit notes of every type. What a night!!!

Her show is called “For the First Time” and as she explained to my radio listeners and to this audience, many of the songs in her show are based on her life events and the “firsts” in them. The mixture of music is not just Broadway, but in fact, some from movies and other music that has been part of her legacy and the inspiration for her to do what she does…and that is to make wonderful music and grab an audience and bring them to her heart and soul..

Along with her piano player/partner, Christopher Denny, we are brought 90 minutes of storytelling and music. Her opening begins with ” My Kind of Town”, but far from the Sinatra rendition, as since she IS from the area, she brings her live and memories into this number making it more realistic than “old Blue Eyes” ever could. In fact, the arrangements of many famous numbers as done by Denny are very Karen-“Look, out, Karen is back in town” ( Mac The Knife) She performs a great number of tunes from  musicals and talks about some of the people, and their music that have influenced her life.

Her final number ( before the encore, of course- every Cabaret show has an encore) is truly powerful as she does some music from “Cabaret”. How fitting is that? She then does an amazing rendition of “Look For The Silver Lining” to end the show and as the show ended, as most cabaret acts do, she greets and meets the partons in the lobby, selling and signing some f her fabulous CD’s.  “Right Here/Right Now” is filled with great music.

To learn more about Karen Mason, visit www.karenmason.com

By the way, the food on the limited menu in this new room is terrific. Jane and I enjoyed a Caesar Salad with shrimp, some crab cakes and a platter of wonderful “sliders” ( not the White Castle version- these were composed of pure beef). A marvelous experience in a great new space. Coming up, Ron Hawkins. Check out www.drurylanetheatre.com