The Merry Widow
Dec 19 - 31, 2014 - Light Opera Works, Evanston, IL
Reviews
"The acting star of the evening is Brian Rooney. Rooney’s Njegus took me by surprise in his big number in the last act. It was as close as any of the principals came to capturing an actual character, and he held my attention from first to last by his subtlety, energy and wit.”
Bill Sweetland – NewCity Stage
“Rooney’s third act vaudeville performance keeps the show fun even as it approaches its third hour.”
Jacob Davis – ChicagoCritic
“And, a welcome addition to this company’s stable of comic musical character actors, Brian Rooney makes a very funny, memorable Njegus, the Embassy Secretary and Baron Zeta’s right-hand man.”
Colin Douglas – Chicago Theatre Review
“Stand-out among the various comic characters at the embassy is a nebbish-like clerk named Njegus, brought to hilarious life by Brian Rooney. His number in the final act lights up the stage.”
Dorothy Andries – Evanston Review
“Brian Rooney’s switch from the Baron’s timorous clerk to the razzle-dazzle MC at Maxim’s was memorable.”
Wynne Delacoma – Chicago Classical Review
"The acting star of the evening is Brian Rooney. Rooney’s Njegus took me by surprise in his big number in the last act. It was as close as any of the principals came to capturing an actual character, and he held my attention from first to last by his subtlety, energy and wit.”
Bill Sweetland – NewCity Stage
“Rooney’s third act vaudeville performance keeps the show fun even as it approaches its third hour.”
Jacob Davis – ChicagoCritic
“And, a welcome addition to this company’s stable of comic musical character actors, Brian Rooney makes a very funny, memorable Njegus, the Embassy Secretary and Baron Zeta’s right-hand man.”
Colin Douglas – Chicago Theatre Review
“Stand-out among the various comic characters at the embassy is a nebbish-like clerk named Njegus, brought to hilarious life by Brian Rooney. His number in the final act lights up the stage.”
Dorothy Andries – Evanston Review
“Brian Rooney’s switch from the Baron’s timorous clerk to the razzle-dazzle MC at Maxim’s was memorable.”
Wynne Delacoma – Chicago Classical Review
Sweet Smell of Success
(Click Photo for a Video Promo Clip)
Brian Rooney as JJ Hunsecker clowns around with Bobo on his Pennies For Peace Telethon
Jan 11- Feb 2, 2014 - Kokandy Productions at Theatre Wit, Chicago
Reviews
"with powerhouse Brian Rooney capturing every essence of what the role of JJ Hunsecker should be (and far better than nice-guy Lithgow's turn a decade earlier). Rooney is convincing as a not-to-be trusted newspaper wag who believes his outreach to 60 million readers everyday gives him the right to control everything and anyone within his reach."
Philip Potempa - NWI Times
"Brian Rooney is pure evil and contempt as JJ Hunsecker and a powerful,
impenetrable nemesis to . . . Sidney."
Colin Douglas - Chicago Theatre Review
"The cast includes some very large voices—especially lead(s) . . . Brian Rooney as J.J. Hunsecker"
Amy Munice - Splash Magazine
" . . . well-presented by a first-rate cast, led by the outstanding . . . Brian Rooney as the uncompromising Hunsecker."
"Rooney might be slight in stature, but damn if he doesn’t make you quake in your shoes."
Bob Bullen - Chicago Theatre Addict
". . . J.J. Hunsecker . . . played with reptilian menace by Brian Rooney"
Hugh Iglarsh - NewCity
"with powerhouse Brian Rooney capturing every essence of what the role of JJ Hunsecker should be (and far better than nice-guy Lithgow's turn a decade earlier). Rooney is convincing as a not-to-be trusted newspaper wag who believes his outreach to 60 million readers everyday gives him the right to control everything and anyone within his reach."
Philip Potempa - NWI Times
"Brian Rooney is pure evil and contempt as JJ Hunsecker and a powerful,
impenetrable nemesis to . . . Sidney."
Colin Douglas - Chicago Theatre Review
"The cast includes some very large voices—especially lead(s) . . . Brian Rooney as J.J. Hunsecker"
Amy Munice - Splash Magazine
" . . . well-presented by a first-rate cast, led by the outstanding . . . Brian Rooney as the uncompromising Hunsecker."
"Rooney might be slight in stature, but damn if he doesn’t make you quake in your shoes."
Bob Bullen - Chicago Theatre Addict
". . . J.J. Hunsecker . . . played with reptilian menace by Brian Rooney"
Hugh Iglarsh - NewCity