The week before the 2007 Emmy Awards, Kathy Brier (Marcie, OLTL) was on mini-whirlwind tour of the U.S. First stop, Nashville, where she and some other ABC soap stars participated in the Country Music Awards. From there she headed to San Diego and finally a drive up the magnificent California coast to Los Angeles. Two big events awaited her, the Emmy's -- natch -- and a little something she cooked up on her own -- a club date at The Derby, the night before the award's show. Brier wanted to do something special for her fans and asked two of her One Life costars, Kassie De Paiva (Blair) and Renee Goldsberry (ex-Evangeline) to join her, do it up just like an old M-G-M musical, but without the costumes and sets, just a small band, a mic, and the music they loved best.
Brier's time in Nashville was really a brand new experience. "I got to introduce a whole bunch of country acts and learn a lot about country music, which I’m not really 100% familiar with, although, I do enjoy it." Before she got there, Brier freely admits she knew zero names, but found herself transformed, and like everyone else became one more fan. Unlike most fans, however, she got a chance to get up close and personal with singers she was learning to admire. She had a blast.
"After that I went to San Diego, went to visit my boyfriend’s parents." It wasn't her first trip to the city she describes as “beautiful!” An ex-boyfriend of hers is also a native San Diegan. Staten Island born and bred, Brier seems to have a thing for California men! Then she and her boyfriend, who shall remain nameless, but he’s quite a hunk, headed to LA.
Conceived expressly for West Coast fans, the concert was also an opportunity to show off their amazing vocal talents “We thought it would be a good idea to get things kickin’! We’ve become the guinea pigs for the West Coast events." Brier got down with the kind of rock 'n' roll she loves, her own versions of 1980's songs, and struck pay dirt with songs from her powerhouse CD, Heartbreakers.
The musical comedy star is putting her talents to good use on One Life to Live, as part of Prom Night: The Musical. She makes it all look so easy, but it was anything but! “Our schedule is so crazy anyway, and then to add music and dance on top of it, it was just nuts, but lots of fun!" It was a combination of movie musical and Broadway and movie musical, done in record television soap time.
“I actually did have fun shooting the musical because the kids that I’m working with," she can't help but laugh at the notion, “And I call them kids because they are half my age!" Then, with a smile and a laugh, she corrected herself, “They’re like young adults.” Brandon Buddy (Cole) is a little bit older, but he looks young. "They are so talented and passionate, and such good actors. It really did remind me of why I went into the business. They love pulling things apart. They have a fresh way of approaching things."
In the beginning she wasn’t keen on working with kids who are 15, 16, 17 years old. Then, something magical happened at the first rehearsal. "It instilled a new passion in me for what I’m doing." The work became a gift she never expected to receive.
No stranger to hard work, Brier pulled double duty when she was originally cast in One Life to Live. Every night for a year she shared a stage with that legendary Broadway diva, Harvey Fierstein in Hairspray. It's been a few years since she put on her tap shoes and musical comedy coat.
“Together, we had one day of rehearsal.” Her only number, Chemistry, a solo of sorts, she performed with six big muscle-bound boys! “And, we never finished choreographing the number. I wasn't worried, these were Broadway dancers. We made it up as we went along." In addition to re-discovering her passion, Brier got to work with an old college friend, choreographer, Jim Horvath, a former Fosse dancer. The old friendship really took the edge off the limited rehearsal time.
Even though she can belt 'em with Broadway's best, Brier's fans know her as Marcie Walsh McBain. They love the woman who looks like no other soap star. Some interesting story developments are in the works for Marcie and her beloved, Michael. “They each have a secret and Marcie’s been keeping hers under wraps. Pretty soon she’s going to confess to Michael.” It’s an interesting twist to a story-line most fans assume. Forget it! The writers are tossing out a real curve ball. Expect the unexpected! Brier isn’t sure of the air-date, but watch out, it will have huge repercussions!!! “They are really good scenes between me and Nathaniel. I’m really proud of them. When Soapdom told Brier her hunky costar sounded raspy on the SOAPnet red carpet, she cracked up, “His voice always sounds like that. He might have just woken up.”
Brier isn’t planning on going back to Broadway anytime soon. "It’s almost impossible to do two such demanding jobs. Besides, she has that big story-line coming up. “I’d like to enjoy one job at a time, quite frankly." That's what she says. What she does, that's another story. She’s the voice of Rosamund in a new animated series, Nate The Great. “She’s this goth chick and she’s totally cool and I’m looking forward to it.” The show will premiere in the fall of 2008 on PBS. Brier’s one of four main characters, “I’m so excited about it.” A lot of the moms who watch One Life tell me that their babies go up to the screen when they see me and react to my voice and my eyes, and my hair. You know, I’m so animated. To be able to do something for kids, when they already react to me on One Life to just great!”
A lot of fans don’t realize that her CD, Heartbreaker is still out. All original music, it’s a combination of pop and rock. Marcie and Michael’s wedding song, written by Diane Warren, is just one of the musical highlights. “There’s a secret track on the CD, which I think the fans will love because it’s an ode to my fan base.” You can pick it up at kathybrier.com or amazon.com.
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