Interview with Rockers on Broadway's Brier and Wilson

The annual Rockers On Broadway concert took place on July 10^th at The Cutting Room (19 West 24^th 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 Burgess, Donnie 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 10^th, 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.