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Interview with Rockers on Broadway's Brier and Wilson

By: Jul. 27, 2006
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The annual Rockers On Broadway concert took place on July 10th at The Cutting Room (19 West 24th Street), right here in New York City.  Rockers was inspired by Pete Townshend, who wanted to give musical theatre performers the opportunity to experience the feeling of singing with a rock band in a concert venue.  This year's benefit featured Patrick Wilson, Kathy Brier, Des McAnuff, Tituss BurgessDonnie Kehr, Michael Cerveris, Micky Dolenz, Manfred Mann's Chris Thompson, and a special reunion performance with original cast members of The Who's Tommy. 

After the concert, I spoke with Kathy Brier and Patrick Wilson about their role in the benefit, which is proud to raise money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids. 

Nick Orlando: On Monday, July 10th, you were part of Rockers on Broadway.  Why did you decide to become involved? 

Kathy Brier: Yes!  I love this event.  It is one of my most favorite events to do.  Anytime Donnie Kehr, the producer, asks me to do it, I am there.  I did it the first time when I was playing Tracy, and he asked me to do it.  I sang "Piece of My Heart" by Janis Joplin.  I love this event because I started out singing rock-and-roll.  This event is so much fun to do because it kind of gets me back to my roots and to the kind of music I started out singing.  It also raises money for a great cause.

Patrick Wilson: I was backstage at Jersey Boys and I ran into Donnie Kehr who runs it and he asked me if I would be part of it.

 

Nick Orlando: Did you ever picture yourself a "rocker"? 

 Patrick Wilson: There is one term that I hate.  I have been watching "Rock Star Supernova."  I grew up with all of those bands.  I was a huge Motley Crue, Metallica, and Guns N' Roses.  If I hear these singers refer to themselves as "rockers" one more time, it's just…nothing could sound cheesier to me.  So, do I consider myself a "rocker?"  No!  That being said, I know much more about '80s heavy metal and hard rock than I do about musical theatre.

Nick Orlando: What did you sing at the benefit? 

Kathy Brier: I actually sang it, ["Piece of My Heart"], again this year because Donnie [Kehr] asked me to sing it.  I also sang one of the songs from my debut CD because I just put out a pop-rock CD.

Patrick Wilson: "Any Way You Want It" by Journey.

Nick Orlando: Who were you most looking forward to seeing? 

Kathy Brier: I was looking forward to seeing everybody.  The lineup was really cool.

 

Patrick Wilson: Oh gosh!  Well, we can finally get the lyrics right to "Blinded By The Light."  That was fun!  Chris Thompson from Manfred Mann sang.  I told my wife, "We finally learned the lyrics"!  It was such a blast.  It's a good excuse to get together and blow the doors off a little!

Rockers on Broadway raised a hefty $5,000 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids.  Visit www.rockersonbroadway.com to learn more - once on the website, you can join the mailing list to receive information on next year's benefit.




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