Simply Sondheim will be presented at 8 PM at The Center for the Performing Arts at DeBaun Auditorium in Hoboken, NJ. The two actresses will lead a cast that also includes Nick Cearley, Brandon Cutrell, Barbara Fasano, Ray Fellman, Robert Intile, Jen Jurek, Marina MacNeal, Marisa Merrigan, Reagan Miller, Phyllis Pastore, Lisa Pierce, Julie Reyburn, Ric Ryder, Saundrea Sanburn, Courter Simmons and Gabrielle Stravelli. Phil Geoffrey Bond directs.
Bond, who is the artistic director of The Storefront Theatre and the Duplex's director of programming, said, "I'm thrilled to bring the music of Stephen Sondheim to Hoboken. He changed the way so many of us thought about musical theatre, with his inspired melodies, his dark and often funny lyrics, his minor-key harmonies and his unique musical perspective."
A star of the musical theatre and cabaret stage, Karen Mason has appeared on Broadway in Mamma Mia!, Sunset Boulevard, Jerome Robbins' Broadway and Torch Song Trilogy. Her Off-Broadway credits include And the World Goes 'Round and Carnival, and she has also been seen on the small screen in "Law & Order" and "As the World Turns." A six-time MAC Award-winning performer, Mason has charmed audiences at Carnegie Hall, Rainbow & Stars, Davenport's and L.A.'s The Cinegrill. Her solo recordings include "When the Sun Comes Out," "Not So Simply Broadway" and "Christmas! Christmas! Christmas!"
Jana Robbins stoodby for both Valerie Harper and Michele Lee in Charles Busch’s The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife; she also co-starred in the play's national tour. Her other theatrical credits include roles in Good News, Romance/Romance, Crimes of the Heart, Gypsy, Footloose, Man of La Mancha, Zorba, Bye Bye Birdie and Cat On a Hot Tin Roof. Robbins was also recently seen on an episode of NBC-TV's "Law & Order."
Composer-lyricist Stephen Sondheim has written a plethora of musicals, including A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Company, A Little Night Music, Into the Woods, Merrily We Roll Along, Sweeney Todd, Sunday in the Park with George and Passion. He also contributed lyrics to West Side Story and Gypsy, and his new musical, Bounce, recently played Chicago and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Sondheim was also celebrated at the Kennedy Center with all-star stagings of six of his musicals — Company, Sweeney, Merrily, Night Music, Sunday and Passion. Sondheim is currently represented on Broadway with the revised version of The Frogs, starring Nathan Lane. The DeBaun Auditorium is located at 5th and Hudson Streets in Hoboken, NJ. Tickets, priced $10-$15, are available by calling (201) 216-8937. Visit www.debauntickets.org for more information.
