High Notes: Brian Charles Rooney's Bloggings

Much as of late...

2009-01-28T11:43:00.000-08:00

hello, everyone

Happy New Year (belated)!

So much change in the air... but is it really change? I won't start in on politics, but if you have a chance, read this well-written article about where the money from the first stimulus package is supposed to go, and what the banks are doing with it: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28880095/

I have been doing a lot of projects lately, and many of you have been out to support me. I am grateful for that, as I couldn't do any of these things without an audience. I won the "Outstanding Individual Actor" award for my performance as 'Dionne Salon' in BEDBUGS!!!. I recently worked on a new musical called ALLIES, which uses the songs of the rock group Heart to tell a story. The first reading was January 26th, 2009 - in concert at BLVD (199 Bowery). There were so many people there, and it was thrilling to say the least!

I am sad to report that The Zipper Factory Theatre, the venue where I did my first two solo concerts in 2007, shuttered this past month. It is a great loss to the theater community, because that theater was an excellent space for readings, concerts, benefits, etc. Please, PLEASE support the cabaret, concert, and off-Broadway play circuit, if you can afford it!

INFESTED!!!!

2008-09-18T11:50:00.000-07:00

Well, "Bedbugs!!!" opened as part of the NYMF (New York Musical Theater Festival) on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2008. It was a HUGE success. We were told that of the shows in the festival, we were in the best shape tech-wise (which is a huge compliment considering our only day IN the theater to do a run-through WITH lights, sound, and set was the earlier part of the opening day)!

The audience reaction has been incredible. The performances are uniformly excellent, if I do say so myself. EVERYONE in this show is intelligent, skillful, and giving as an actor. The singing is probably the best you will hear from leads in a musical in town. I'm not kidding (and those of you, who know me well, know how critical I can be of myself and others).

We have only 6 more performances left. 2 of those were added as extensions because the rest are sold out. Go to the homepage of my website, and follow the link to buy tickets - NOW.

The show has legs. People have sent me emails after seeing the show saying things like, "I haven't laughed that hard since I saw Urinetown," & "that show made me happier than anything I have seen in years." It goes on... but it goes without saying that the show will move... and I will have to resign myself to being the heir-apparent to Charles Busch... at least in part ;) I ain't giving up my man-side that easily!! lol

It's been a while...

2008-08-18T17:10:00.000-07:00

So, it's been a while since I've posted a Blog entry. I am often more a man of action than words, so it doesn't surprise me LOL.

I start rehearsal for the new pop/rock musical "Bedbugs!!!" this week. I am excited, as it's a brilliant show. However, I think this will be the last time I do this kind of role... (unless this show goes to Broadway, or a lucrative Off-Broadway run, which will probably happen... as that would make total sense ;). When you see the show, you'll know what I mean. Unfortunately, in NYC's theater community, the more versatile you are, the more you are indirectly penalized. It seems that, perhaps because there are so many actors in NYC, those who cast plays & musicals must categorize each actor... it's natural, I suppose, because it helps these casting directors organize their vast log of actors' resumes.

I also believe that many people in the business don't want to have to think too critically... so if you can do many things well, these people are more concerned with what the general perception of you is at that moment, and what aspect of your talent is most easily recognized as a result... It makes it hard to escape stereotyping.

I should exclaim that I do NOT think I have been the victim of stereotyping... but it's possible that I could become so, if I am not careful.

As always, the reason I perform is the ultimate motivating factor in my choosing roles. That reason is to tell an audience a story. I have turned down some roles because I've felt as though I wouldn't serve the story as well as another actor might. Many actors do this. They maintain an awareness that allows them to discern whether or not they can relate to a role or a story. They do not go after anything and everything. Some are the opposite... the public perception that they are working all the time, whether or not their work is good, is the most important priority. Unfortunately, the latter mode of pursuing a career is the mode most people perceive as being the more common... maybe it is. However, finding a healthy balance between either extreme is the trick.

So, long story short, come see "Bedbugs!!!" I'm pretty good in it (as are the other cast members... as a whole, it's a GREAT group of voices, and actors who know how to do comedy WELL)!

Politics, Passion, and Parts...

2008-02-20T02:26:00.000-08:00

POLITICS:

So, if you haven't been living in a cave under the sea, you know that Primary Caucus season is in progress. For once, the Republicans have done it "nicer." Why is it that the Democratic party holds OPEN Caucus races and OPEN Primaries? That means that anyone from any party can vote for the Democratic candidates in the Democratic Nomination process... that means that people who hate a certain candidate, can make a protest vote count against that candidate, because they already know who is going to be nominated in their party. Now, supporters of the candidate benefitting from such protest votes will claim that he has the power to bring people together. Horse PUCKY! Protest votes, people, from voters who WILL vote Republican in a general election.... not swing over to the most liberal candidate on the stage. Ugh... the Democratic party is a mess :( Here we go again, another term of "learning on the job." That is, if the newbie wins... and I believe I am wise enough to know, even at my less than ripe old age, that he won't win in a general election.

Fine. We continue to live in a misogynistic country, whose population has a serious addiction to spin, rhetoric, and mediocrity (relative mediocrity... none of the candidates is a mediocre person by any means). We, as Americans, are threatened by each other... we want the American Dream... we don't want anyone else to have it first... and if they DO achieve it before we've had a chance, then they'd better be, at most, on our level of sophistication, so that we might overtake them... someday... in our dreams. Look at American Idol: a celebration of mediocre talent, the likes of which is not driven by artistry at all. America's addicted to it...

Now, just remember Patrick Henry's famous statement, "I may not agree with what you have to say, but I will defend your right to say it, to the death”

Respect each other, and try to understand each other's differences...

PASSION:

Passion for me lately has been politics, and fighting for a woman whose achievements I admire... achievements we can ALL admire... such as writing, and helping to pass into law, a bill that would guarantee health care for ALL veterans returing from war, or already back home. Before this bill, vets had to go to a VA hospital... some vets don't live anywhere near one... and by that I mean maybe a day or two of travel... sometimes more. Ridiculous. Vets have lain their lives down for our protection, and until Senator Clinton rallied support for this bill, we couldn't provide them with anything other than a "thanks, and the VA hospital is that-a-way."

Passion for me is also that which I feel for work, and my loved ones, and my dog... who has been in the hospital. She had a tumor removed on 02/13/08, and was sent home a day and a half later.. now this was a tumor which shared the proportions of a small apple. The wound was large. Well, apparently, because of the rush to get her home, and the lack of, perhaps, enough sterile protection, the wound became infected... and when your skin starts to die, it causes a neurological response: SHUT DOWN. There you have a classic Catch-22.. can't heal because you're shutting down. So, my pup had a second surgery on 02/19/08 to remove the dead skin, and the infection. Are we out of the woods? We shall see.

PARTS:

Ah, yes... parts... roles... WHO KNOWS?! LOL... well, I do know a few upcoming ones for sure, but I can't announce them yet, and/or I don't have scheduling info or ticket info yet... so send me good thoughts as I meet with a few agents this week, and finish my list of auditions.

STAY HEALTHY, Everyone!

Holidays are coming...

2007-11-18T03:16:00.000-08:00

Hello, everyone :)

I have been REALLY busy, and thus somewhat fatigued... fatigued enough to cause my blog to suffer some neglect! It's been a fun and crazy few weeks though.

Recently, I have been doing a lot of workshops/readings of new show, which is always fun, and a great challenge. I think it's particularly good for an actor to be involved in these type of projects, because it calls upon the artist to bring MANY ideas to the table. I thrive on that. Some actors work differently, in that they like to be told exactly what to do, and then they interpret ther instructions in their own way. I like doing that, don't get me wrong, but it's a luxury to be part of a new show, and to develop a character that no one has seen performed before. It's just exciting, and I love it. Often, I work with tons of great people on these projects, and that's one of the perks of being in the theater... you meet so many interesting people :)

I hope you will continue to check out my website for updates on shows. Thank you to those of you who were able to make it to the "Broadway Sings the Phonebook Benefit" that I was a part of for The Make A Wish Foundation. It was a blast and the producers of the Benefit were able to raise a lot of money for the charity.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, travel safely (if you are traveling), and eat sufficiently ;)
If you can spare the money this year (and I know MANY of us are less wealthy than we may have been last year... that seems to be a running theme in NYC and beyond), please check out the charities I have posted on the home page of my website. They can always use, and will definitely appreciate, your help!

To those artists and technicians on, or affected by, the strike, stay strong. The other side will HAVE to come back to the table at some point. They can walk away as many times as they like, but it will hurt their investors the most, and when the source of a producer's money is unhappy, the producer may get nervous. I happen to like, know, and respect many many producers, but there are some who are seemingly unwilling to negotiate, or to become aware of exactly why the unions are balking at their requests. Stay strong, and healthy.

Updates! Musings...

2007-10-31T17:42:00.000-07:00

Well, if you're here, that means you've already seen the homepage of www.briancharlesrooney.com & you've read the updates. I am pretty busy, which is good, as the busier I am, the more productive I am :)

I have been watching most of the pre-primary debates (Democrat & Republican). I think it's hilarious how the Democratic candidates are jumping all over Senator Clinton... it's not working.. because she's never going to buckle. She's been under scrutiny for YEARS. This kind of pressure is nothing new for her. Plus, the more they focus on attacking her, the more she is able to talk about her positions on issues, and her own plans. The other candidates, aside from Kucinich (who is ALWAYS clear about his positions and plans), aren't able to talk about their OWN platforms, because they are too busy accusing Clinton of things she either hasn't done, or that ALL the candidates are guilty of. Silliness.

As for the Republicans, I don't think that Giuliani is going to be their nominee. I think that Romney is going to be. He's the best looking one, and THAT is what matters in the U.S.!! UGH.

Enough politics - as if you wanted to hear my ramblings on that subject anyway LOL!

I love the Autumn, or Fall, whichever you like :) It's such a great time of year. Plus, it means that Halloween is here (literally, today is the 31st), and that is one of the most fun days of the year!! I hope you all have a great Halloween, stay safe, and eat a lot of candy!!!

Auditions... weather... politics...

2007-10-08T20:52:00.000-07:00

Hello, everyone!

Are you enjoying the summer... I mean autumn? WHY is it so warm out? I happen to enjoy autumn weather and we've had maybe 3 days of it... sort of. LOL

Anyway, I have a pretty cool audition this coming Wednesday for a pretty cool show. I won't say any more, because I don't want to jinx it, but I wanted to let you know in case your good wishes & thoughts might have a positive effect on the outcome of said audition :) I don't believe in praying for jobs like this, because there is always someone else praying and/or hoping for the same job. What would make MY prayer any more valid or potent than another person's? Nothing. I can only hope and pray that I do my best. "Doing my best" means having fun, and in this case, that shouldn't be difficult ;)

We have primaries coming up. Political primaries, that is. They are coming in about a month, which is pretty close. I BEG you all to register to vote if you are not already registered. Vote however you see fit, but vote. I know that many of us suspect that the voting system is corrupt, but we still are obligated to vote.

GO. Vote. DO IT!

FIRE, FIRE, Everywhere?!

2007-09-21T01:37:00.000-07:00

Ok, so today I am on my way to one of several appointments, and I am sitting in a taxi, riding north on Eighth Avenue in Manhattan. I am minding my own business, and playing "Bejeweled" on my cel phone. All of a sudden I get this feeling that something is wrong. I think, literally, "Something is happening." I hear the cab driver say, "I take 26th to 7th avenue." I say, "Yes, that's right." He repeats his statement. Strange, but not really because cab drivers can never hear you through the plastic divider that separates you from them. I say, "Yes, that should be fine," thinking, "that's where I am going anyway."

I put my game on 'pause,' look up, and realize that the cab driver isn't speaking to me. He is speaking to the cab driver in the next taxi... My driver then says, "Look, there's a fire, it's good we aren't going THAT way!" I look up and see black smoke filling up the entire valley that is eighth avenue up near Times Square. The smoke was so high and so thick, you couldn't see past Times Square (and normally you can). It was frightening.

I arrived at my destination, and asked if anyone had heard anything about an explosion or an accident. It was a HUGE amount of smoke, people. This was not small. No one had heard a thing. Strange. Wait, it gets a little more creepy.

I came home and ate and then got online to check email, and do some work. I thought I would see if there were anything reported on CNN.com about the fire, or explosion, or whatever it was. NOTHING. It took me a good 5-10 minutes to find something, and that was on newsday.com... NY1.com didn't even report it. Why?

I find that a cab "caught on fire" in front of Port Authority, one of the most annoyingly busy and confusing areas of the city. The cab driver would only identify himself as "Z. Rahman," and didn't file a report with the police... uh huh. Here, read the article... and look at the pictures.. http://www.newsday.com/news/local/newyork/am-taxi0922,0,3451557.story?coll=ny_home_rail_headlines

NOTICE (in that article), that two days before this 'incident,' a cab "exploded" in front of NBC Studios at Rockefeller Center... literally RIGHT IN FRONT of the studio's main entrance. Coincidence? Here check that one out too: http://www.wnbc.com/news/14141860/detail.html
They sure went into some SUPER detail on that report, right??

Here's a pic: http://www.wnbc.com/slideshow/news/14141806/detail.html

It just makes me even MORE suspicious of the cab drivers in this town who didn't want the GPS systems in their cars. I know, it's expensive, and they have to pay for it... but not if they rent their cabs for the day, and more than half of the cab drivers in this city do that. The fleet owners would have to pay for GPS in those taxis. You see, that whole strike was, in my opinion, an excuse to rip us off. It's supposed to happen again. The drivers say the GPS thing is a violation of their privacy. I say, if you are a cab driver, living and working here, in Manhattan, and you can't deal with GPS in your taxi because you think it's an invasion of your privacy, then WHAT are you doing that is so private? Where are you planning to clandestinely go? The fact is, that drivers go where the CLIENT tells them. So in reality, it's the clients who are being tracked. That is, if the cab driver isn't doing something wrong.

We live in a city that was victimized by foreign gangsters (terrorists)... if we want to put GPS systems in the cabs to make things a bit easier to track, so be it. I have news for the taxi drivers: they already see you, everywhere... the traffic intersections of this city are ALL armed with cameras... primarily to keep track, and to ticket, drivers who run red lights (a friend recently received a ticket like this in the mail, but it looks like an error, because all three cars in the photo look like they've run the light... it was strange). So there!! LOL

Oh well...

2007-09-13T19:05:00.000-07:00

I just watched the president's speech on television. He looks tired. I wish he were just a farmer somewhere; that way he would be happy, perhaps successful, and harmless. I don't think he is an evil man, just misguided. At least, I HOPE he isn't evil. I do think, however, that there are some evil people around him, giving him ideas, and opportunities.

He will never admit any of his mistakes, and that is unforgivable. When will we have a leader who speaks frankly and honestly? I don't think we will ever see that until there are major changes in our country, and in our world. The problem for the governmental powers-that-be is that the modern means of communication (such as email, websites, blogs, etc.) make it difficult to hide shady behavior... people, hopefully, are becoming more educated about the government and its actions... yet we see no change. We have no influence upon our own representatives, let alone control over our so-caled federalist system.

Welcome to ancient Rome...

The benefit that I performed in for The Red Fern Theatre Company was a rousing success. Everyone sang beautifully, and it was an incredibly interesting roster of entertainers. Thank you to all those who came out in support! I appreciate it, as does the board of the theatre company!

More to come... I am in work-mode now ;)

-brian

LIFT OFF!!!!

2007-09-09T23:20:00.000-07:00

Greetings!

This is my first Blog... well, not my FIRST, after all, I do have a myspace account, and I have blogged there. However, this is the first posting of this new blog space - a new one for all of us. We don't need any myspace interference!

I just returned from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where I sang at the wedding of a very close college friend. I was honored that she asked me, and what made it even more special was that almost all of my closest friends from Duke were there (yes, I graduated from Duke University, and no, I don't think I knew any lacrosse players... if you don't get that, don't worry). The service was beautiful, the reception was beautiful, even the orchestra was beautiful... and yes, there WAS an orchestra... ok, well, not an ORCHESTRA, but a jazz combo... which is just as amazing! I have to tell you, that area of the country is rich in history and the people of Portsmouth have done a wonderful job of maintaining and celebrating that history in the architecture, the art, and even the food. It was a sweet and romantic weekend. I am grateful for my friends and the love we all have for each other. I am also grateful that my friend, the bride, has found a true gentleman to share her life with. This man is a winner!

On Monday, September 10th, I will be singing in a benefit for The Red Fern Theatre Company in NYC at the Triad Theatre. I won't bother with the details here, because there is a blurb about it on the front page of my website. PLEASE come out and support this company. They do some incredibly important work, and there is not enough of this kind of theater in NYC, or in the world, for that matter.

I have some other news, but I can't post it yet, so keep watching... love to you all!
-Brian