Acts and Answered: Brian Brooks

October 2, 10:09 AMDenver Theater ExaminerDeb Flomberg

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Presenting Brian Brooks

His is a face that any theatre goer is sure to recognize. He's worked with some of the biggest directors in town, and in just about every theatre. He's a very talented actor and a really great person. I've had the opportunity to be on stage with him, and it was a wonderful experience. He is a very commited and giving actor, and he is just the type of person you want to work with again and again. He also had some very interesting responses for today's column. I hope you enjoy Acts and Answered with Brian Brooks.

Q. What is your favorite theatre to visit as a patron and why?
A. I like visiting any theatre doing a play I'm fond of.  Not sure I have one favorite.  I do enjoy Spotlight productions.  I frequent the Denver Center and Curious Theatre too.  And because I do alot of work with them, I also attend The Denver Victorian Playhouse.

Q. What type of shows do you enjoy watching?
A. I love comedies, I mean who doesn't.  There's enough depressing real-life tragedies going on, and laughter is the cure.  But, I do like dark thought-provoking stories as well.  I'm naturally drawn to them.  Basically, if it entertains me, it was money well spent!

Q. What makes a “good” show?
A. I believe when a director picks the actors who can do justice to the writing, then you'll have a great play.  Co-operation and teamwork is vital as well.  A cast and crew will help the show if they help eachother.

Brooks with Laura Lounge, Leighann Gould, & Sean Mellot in Mr. Marmalade

Q. What makes a “bad” show?
A. Indecision & lack of creativity can ruin a play.  Sometimes we (as artists) have to work with lousy writing .  It's unavoidable.  But bad writing or not, if there is no direction and everyone is working against eachother, then you have a big problem.

Q. How can we get more people excited about live, local theatre?
A. I think special deals, like 2 for 1, or pay-what-you-can nights, are always benefitial.  But advertising is the biggest requirement.  If more theatres would get their names heard via radio, TV, internet, etc. I think they would do better.  The type of show being produced can be an advantage too.  If people are intrigued by the story, they'll say..."oooo, let's see that."

Q. What is your favorite play or musical?
A. Favorite play, for now, is The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh.  My favorite musical?  It's gotta be The Producers by Mel Brooks.  (sadly, no relation)

Q. What does the average theatre patron not know about live theatre?
A. The amount of people that actually work on the show.  It's not just the actors...it's the stage crew, the lighting operators, producers, ushers, etc.  So many things must take place in order for a show to reach opening night.  So to all you patrons, next time you attend live theatre, really take a look at the program and see all the names that made the show possible.

Q. What have been your favorite roles?
A. Even though it wasn't my age range, I really enjoyed Earl Delacroix in Dead Man Walking which was done at The Denver Vic.  I also had fun in A Murder is Announced as Edmund, at Spotlight Theatre.  More recently I did a benefit performance, for the Barth Hotel, in Hot L Baltimore, playing Paul Granger.  

Brooks with Janet Noble, Deb Flomberg, and Annie Reiplinger in A Murder is Announced

Q. What’s one movie can you recite line for line?
A. Oh boy...I am one of those geeks who can recite almost any movie I've seen, but the 2 most common ones would be Animal House & Spaceballs