STAGE VIEWS: Bedbugs!!! Star Brian Charles Rooney On Gentleman's Guide, Aaron Lazar, Chess and More | Playbill

News STAGE VIEWS: Bedbugs!!! Star Brian Charles Rooney On Gentleman's Guide, Aaron Lazar, Chess and More Playbill.com's series features actors commenting on their recent theatregoing experiences, what productions they're looking forward to and more.

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Brian Charles Rooney

Here, via email, we hear from singing actor Brian Charles Rooney, who is currently starring in the critically acclaimed musical comedy Bedbugs!!!, which recently extended its run at the ArcLight Theatre through Nov. 2.

What show recently impressed you? 
This is tough because three shows come to mind: A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical and Once. It took me a while to see Once, but I'm so grateful that I finally did. That multi-talented cast is superb and brutally honest. The show itself is fantastically directed and designed. The music is gorgeous and moving. In my humble opinion, if you are an artist of any sort, but especially a musician, you should see that musical.

What production are you most excited to see?
That's tough, as I have friends in a few different new or upcoming musicals. I'm excited to see fellow Duke University alum Aaron Lazar in The Last Ship, and Erin Davie, whom I've known for years, in Side Show. She's an incredible actress, with a powerfully emotive voice, and a good heart.

What play/musical would you most like to revive on Broadway, and which role would you want to play?
I could probably list several dozen roles and shows! I'd love to play Freddie in Chess, Molina in Kiss of the Spider Woman or Rutledge in 1776. I was lucky enough to play that role as part of the star-studded concert presentation of 1776 at 54 Below this past July. It was magical, and I think it's time for a revival. I know my choices might sound somewhat disparate, but as some have come to find, my voice has multiple personalities, and I'm a character-actor who relishes the chance to play diverse roles! It took some self-control to refrain from rattling off a few female roles!!

What are your current/upcoming projects? 
Right now, Bedbugs!!! is my main focus until we close on Nov. 2. On Nov. 9, at the NYMF Gala, I'll be performing a duet, with J. Robert Spencer, from Bayonets of Angst, one of the hits of this year's NYMF. We both had a blast working on that show! After that, I have some concert dates at 54 Below, including Aspects of Andrew: Lloyd Webber on Dec. 28.

 
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