Mason, according to the actress' official website, will play Mama Rose in the forthcoming production at the Muny, which is the nation's oldest and largest outdoor theatre. The award-winning Arthur Laurents-Jule Styne-Stephen Sondheim musical will run July 17-23.
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 seven-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 “The Sweetest of Nights,” "When the Sun Comes Out," "Better Days," "Not So Simply Broadway" and "Christmas! Christmas! Christmas!" Her most recent CD is titled "The Sweetest of Nights."
Gypsy features a score by Jule Styne (music) and Stephen Sondheim (lyrics) and a book by Arthur Laurents. The musical bowed on Broadway in May 1959 at the Broadway Theatre, playing 702 performances before closing at the Imperial Theatre, where it later transferred, on March 25, 1961.
Season tickets for the Muny's 2006 summer season are now on sale by calling (314) 361-1900, ext. 550. For more information visit www.muny.org.
* The St. Louis Muny has announced its 2006 summer season, which will include a host of classic musicals as well as Elton John's Aida.
The season will kick off June 19 with Rodgers and Hammerstein's The King and I. The famed musical about the relationship between an English teacher and the King of Siam will play through June 25.
Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida, the Disney musical that played a lengthy run at Broadway's Palace Theatre, will follow. Featuring such tunes as "A Step Too Far," "Written in the Stars" and "I Know the Truth," Aida will be presented June 26-July 2.
A stage production of The Wizard of Oz will follow. Muny audiences will enjoy the tale of Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion, the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodsman from July 6-16.
The award-winning Arthur Laurents-Jule Styne-Stephen Sondheim musical Gypsy will run July 17-23. The musical about the stage mother of all stage mothers features such tunes as "Everything's Coming Up Roses," "Rose's Turn," "Some People" and "Let Me Entertain You."
From July 24-30, audiences at the Muny will be entertained by Irving Berlin's White Christmas. Inspired by the holiday film classic of the same name, the stage production about two singing sisters boasts such Berlin classics as "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep" and, of course, "White Christmas."
Lionel Bart's Oliver! will follow, scheduled for a July 31-Aug. 6 run. The family-friendly musical about the world's most famous orphan, Oliver Twist, features such tunes as "Consider Yourself," "Where Is Love?" and "As Long As He Needs Me."
The Muny season will conclude with Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. The musical set in Oregon Territory will play Aug. 7-13.
