Brian Hilbrand

First Show

I saw the National Tour of Oliver! freshman year of High School with Braodway Grand Rapids. This also was the first community theatre show I was in 8th grade the year before.

Favorite Show

Well Oliver! is always going to hold a special place with me, for the reasons I stated, Sound of Music is the musical I grew up watching, and have been blessed to see in multiple theaters, and versions since then, it was also the first show I saw my community theatre do the year before Oliver!, and gave the initial interest. Since then I have seen so many great shows Lion King is definitely on the top list of Tours along with SOM (Sound of Music), Phantom, and Oliver! will always stick out.

Favorite Stories

• Interview: Brodie Donougher A REAL LIFE BILLY ELLIOT STORY! - So there are MULTIPLE reasons this will forever be a favorite of mine! I have been involved in the past few years in our local Professional Opera Company's productions. Opera Grand Rapids presented Aida and brought in Company dancers from Grand Rapids Ballet. I had name recognition of one of their dancers, and figured it was from my general knowledge of Broadway or work with the industry. I did my research and found it to be that individual Brodie was a former West End Billy Elliot, and the last boy to play the role of Billy 36. So my wheels were spinning, and I knew there was a story! When I had the opportunity to do this, it was a HUGE opportunity to interview a former West End actor and ballet phenomenon. Brodie has quite a fan base, and I was so happy and lucky when this story was able to be cross-posted to everywhere he's performed, and actually, the BWW UK site hosts the article! Which was exciting as I got coverage in the BWW West End! He also became a really good friend in that short amount of time! UPDATE to the article that didn't see this happening, but he went back to the UK and was back on the West End in "The Snowman", and currently on tour in Austria in "Das Phantom," an International tour of Phantom of the Opera in German!
• Interview: Sandi Patty Brings Her CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS Tour to Grand Rapids along with Grand Rapids Symphony! - This was another special interview, since I grew up with the music of Sandy Patty in church and on local radio WFUR.
• BWW Interview: Jeff Foxworthy at LaughFest. You Don't Need To Be A Red Neck To Enjoy This Comedic Show! - Jeff Foxworthy is another national-level interviewee, and someone whom I've known of for a long time. I was lucky to book a studio through my friends at Muskegon Radio and have a Live Recording to accompany the interview.
• Josh Groban Stage, Screen, and Symphony Tour - Josh Groban Stage, Screen, and Symphony Tour was another one of those unique BWW opportunities, since I have started concert coverage this summer at our newest and hottest local venue, Acrisure Amphitheater, for BWW Michigan and BWW Music. It gave the chance to cover a legend of the Screen and Stage performing with my good friends our local Grand Rapids Symphony!
• BWW Review: New Musical THE GÜT LIFE! Promises A Simple But Güt Time at Blue Gate Theatre! -