Megan Mullally touches all musical bases at center

There’s nary a trace of Karen Walker in Megan Mullally’s concert in the Orange County Performing Arts Center’s cabaret series, but fans of her “Will and Grace” character will discover a new aspect of her talent.

Mullally, in case her TV viewers are unaware, is a dynamic singer whose somewhat offhanded rapport with her live audience is in sharp contrast to her Emmy-winning sitcom character. But she didn’t come to the center to chat ? she came to perform.

Backed by a six-piece band known as Supreme Music Program, Mullally runs the gamut of musical genres ? as evidenced by her opening number, the raucous “The Devil Leaves His Porch Light On” and the next number, a sensual rendition of “How Insensitive.”

Early on, her band dominates the stage, which is unfortunate since a good portion of her numbers are not that familiar (at least to these ancient ears). Her parents were part of the opening night audience, and were warned by her that the accompaniment may become a bit overwhelming.

Patrons may decide they can take or leave the first half of the program, highlighted by one terrific number, “The Water is Wide.” Her true musical chops become more evident in the second half, with a series of numbers crackling with verve and gusto.

The string of superior selections opens with a Ryan Adams number, “Lucy, My Gal,” which Mullally sells for all it’s worth. Following a soulful country piece, “Take Me To Your World,” she hits her stride again with a haunting “Annie Laurie” with only a two-instrument backing.

“You Took Advantage of Me,” accompanied by a fervent Doug Livingston on trumpet, shows Mullally at her best, and the pair follow up with a stirring “St. James Infirmary.” Her encore, the Irish classic “Danny Boy,” is pure enchantment.

Mullally doesn’t mention “Will and Grace,” which now is history, but she does take advantage of the opportunity to plug her TV talk show, scheduled to debut next fall.

With that project, I hope, we’ll get to know this talented entertainer better ? although she did confide to her audience that she spent a few years of her childhood in Costa Mesa.