PLATTSBURGH — The Rev. Robert E. Svenson asked, and Broadway star Karen Mason said "Yes" to a second benefit concert, "Show Time-The Music of Broadway," for the Peru Community Church Youth Group.
Proceeds from Saturday's concert at the West Side Ballroom will assist the Youth Group to once again volunteer in homeless shelters and soup kitchens in Washington, D.C., this spring.
"The Youth Group is an amazing way for the kids to experience something outside of their own lives, their own world," said Mason, who starred in "Mama Mia," "Hairspray" and "Sunset Boulevard."
"It's really important to see how other people cope with the world."
Mason had her own trials and tribulations when last year's Broadway production of "Wonderland" closed prematurely. She portrayed the "Queen of Hearts."
"It was a shock," she said. "I thought I had employment for a while.
"I got cast in a touring company of the first production of 'A Christmas Story,' written by two friends of mine (Ben Pasek, lyricist, and Justin Paul, composer). They did a musical of that movie. I didn't really know how many people adored that movie."
The role of "Miss Shields" allowed Mason, a Chicago native, to visit her family while on tour. Pasek and Paul wrote a song, "You'll Shoot Your Eye Out," just for her.
"That's one of the lines echoed throughout," Mason said. "Ralphie wants a BB gun. The teacher appears very briefly as the witch from Oz. They (Pasek and Paul) incorporated the song. It's supposed to scare Ralphie. I loved doing it."
Pasek and Paul, young and talented, are at the beginning of their journey, in Mason's estimation.
"It's exciting to be working with them. It was a great group of people."
Next up for Mason are rehearsals for "Rebecca," which has a spring release. The 2006 musical, written by Michael Kunze and composed by Sylvester Levay, premiered in Vienna, Austria.
"It's based on the Daphne du Maurier book and movie by Hitchcock," Mason said. "It's been in Austria and Germany and been a big hit there."
Mason portrays Mrs. Danvers.
"I go from perky in 'A Christmas Story' to playing really dark," she said.
Before she starts "Rebecca" rehearsals on Feb. 6, Mason will do "Show Time" at the West Side Ballroom.
"I get to come up in Plattsburgh and sing for a sold-out crowd. You can't ever oversell this. If people want to give money for the Peru Youth Group, I know they can use all the cash people are throwing their way. It costs a lot to get a large group to Washington. It would be really nice to have extra money."
Mason's musical director, Christopher Denny, will accompany her. Their catalog includes songs from "Wonderland" that were written for her.
"Every singer wants to be able to say that. As crazy as the year has been, it's been a great year," Mason said.
Denny and Mason have worked together for two decades.
"We just know each other. He was playing for someone else when I met him. My musical director (the late Brian Lasser) of many years was unable to play a job. I asked Chris," she said.
Mason has called NYC home for 30 years.
"I really had no idea what New York was going to be like. I knew I wanted to be here," she said.
She left the suburbs of Chicago for another planet.
"New York has taught me survival and enjoyment. I'm very lucky. You get to meet the best of the best in New York. They all come here in show business. They come to New York to prove, succeed and try. What New York has taught me is to keep trying, no matter what. As my father always said, 'As long as you're a moving target, they can't hit you.'"
Show business is the end-all for her.
"I had no other desire to do anything else," Mason said. "I have no other marketable skills."
Email Robin Caudell at: rcaudell@pressrepublican.com
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