Once a year we watch the Tony's to be treated to a spectacular musical number representing a show many of us may never have the opportunity to see. As San Francisco is once again becoming a Broadway preview town, we may get a chance to see a hit before it becomes one or if not a hit, at least a star making performance or two. Ever wonder what these people are like in a small cabaret setting? I do.

So it was with great excitement that I caught Luba Mason's cabaret show Collage at the Exit Theatre, brought to SF by producer Kristopher McDowell, a singer of some renown himself who knows a set of pipes when he hears one. The audience, which included local cabaret luminaries Terese Genecco, Shawn Ryan and Donna Sachet, watched a true Broadway star share an intimate moment of herself, which in many ways can be much more satisfying than the grand spectacle of big, big theatre.

Luba sang three of her big numbers, "All That Jazz" from her recent turn in Chicago, "Love From A Heart Of Gold" from her days as Miss Hedy LaRue in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and a sensational, heart-rendering "Someone Like You" from Jekyll and Hyde. These numbers show off Luba's powerful voice and expressive emotional range. She rounded off the set with material chosen from her 'favorites'; Van Morrison's "Moondance," Cole Porter's "Get Out Of Town" and a Spanish version of "Look of Love" (with some lovely piano accompaniment by Jason Martineau), that positively reeked of sensuality. She included a delicate Slovakia"n folk song (Luba is first-generation American of Slovak decent) and a powerful The Calm Before the Storm," Lou Reed and Ruben Blade's anti-war statement that Luba first heard on 9/11. A delightful arrangement (done by Luba herself) of Johnny Nash's "I Can See Clearly Now" reinvented the song and made it uniquely her own. Her accapella rendition of "Skylark" was sexy and fun and new.

Luba Mason has it all going for her -- an amazing voice, impressive Broadway credentials, and stunning looks. She can now add cabaret artist and recording star. And the topper to this complete package? She’s really, really nice.

Steve Murray
Cabaret Scenes
June 21, 2007
www.cabaretscenes.org