CABARET REVIEW : Mason Fascinates at Cinegrill

At its best, a good cabaret performance is testimony to the enduring theatrical values of mature emotions, thoughtful ideas and satirical humor. Add the more subtle but no less rewarding elements of soaring melodies and piquant harmonies, and it’s not hard to understand why the appearances of singers like Karen Mason are so fascinating.

Making her Los Angeles debut Thursday night at the Hollywood Roosevelt’s Cinegrill, the Chicago-born, New York-based singer had all the parts in most of the right places. Tall, with good cheekbones, a versatile voice, a fine sense of humor and an intelligent intuition for drama, Mason easily accomplished the ultimate cabaret goal of transforming each work into a lyrical mini-drama.

In her first group of songs, most of which were standards, she was particularly intriguing on ballads--especially a richly textured medley of “Isn’t It a Pity” and “Long Before I Knew You.”

The latter part of the program, with a large collection of pieces composed by her accompanist, Brian Lasser, was more uneven. While one can understand Mason’s allegiance to her longtime musical associate, the inclusion of seven Lasser-penned songs (nearly half her set) made for an out-of-balance performance.

Four of the Lasser works--the love ballad “Just to Look at Him,” a poignant “Becoming My Mother,” the delightfully whimsical “I Eat” and a quirky “Forward March”--were exceptionally fine special material. But the others were notable more for Mason’s sympathetic readings than for their unique qualities as songs.

At her best, Mason was easily as convincing as any of the world-class cabaret performers who have worked the Cinegrill in the last few years. But she needs to build a program of songs that matches the dynamic effectiveness of her individual interpretations.

Mason continues at the Cinegrill through Saturday night.