Corey Brunish
Corey Brunish is a singer, actor, director, and multiple Tony Award winning producer who divides his time between Portland, Oregon and New York City.
Background
Corey was born in Los Angeles, California. He attended Beverly Hills High School, where he first discovered his love of music listening to the soundtracks of Broadway shows. He received a BA in Theatre Arts from Occidental College cum laude.[1]
He moved to Oregon in 1981 and worked as a property developer while appearing in numerous shows, indie movies, TV and feature films. He also recorded over 500 songs.[1] He has released 9 Cd's featuring mostly covers of standards and show tunes. CD's featuring his voice include Broadway Records' studio concept recording of "Jekyll and Hyde," which was released in September 2012. His first foray into producing a cast recording was for Bonnie & Clyde. The show was nominated for 2 Tony Awards including Best Score and Best Actress (Laura Osnes) [2]
Under the name C. Frederick Brunish he authored the photo-essay book "Handbook for the New Millennium"
In February 2015, he appeared on the NBC series GRIMM as Lazslo Kurlon the fortune telling Fuchsbau (episode 4-12).
Brunish is a member of SDC (Society of Directors and Choreographers) and is also a member of the Broadway League, Actor's Equity and SAG/AFTRA.
Brunish is the grandson of Fred Brunish, an artist who worked for Walter Lantz on the Woody Woodpecker films.
Directorial Debut
Corey made his debut as director with "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." [3] He directed Stephen Sondheim's "Company" in 2009.[4]
Teaming up with Brisa Trinchero, with whom he had worked at Portland's Broadway Rose Theatre Company, Corey ventured into producing in 2011.[1] He came to New York as assistant director and producer of the Broadway show "Bonnie and Clyde".[5] After the show closed, he largely funded the recording the show's cast album.[6]
Amid his other projects, Corey directed Sherlock Holmes & the Case of The Jersey Lily and "Dracula" at the Temple Theatre in Sanford, NC. More recently, Corey directed It's A Wonderful Life and Shrek in Portland, Oregon.
Tony Awards
Of the numerous productions Brunish has been involved with as an investor, the shows have garnered 63 Tony Nominations and 16 Tony Awards. As a Producer, that number is 57 nominations and 22 wins, while personally Brunish has scooped up 7 consecutive nominations in just 5 seasons and has 2 personal Tony Awards to his name. He received a Tony as producer when "Porgy and Bess" won for Best Musical Revival in 2012.[7]
In 2013 Brunish received a second Tony Award as a producer of the revival of Pippin. He also was the recipient of the 2013 Drama Desk Award, Drama League Award and the Outer Critic's Circle Award for the same show..
Corey helped to produce the soundtrack for "Nice Work If you Can Get It. The CD was nominated for a Grammy Award."[1]
His most notable producing credit is Beautiful The Carole King Musical, one of the longest running shows on Broadway and for which the Cast CD won a Grammy Award.
Philanthropy
Brunish is a donor to Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids. He named a theatre in Portland, Oregon as a surprise for his mother's 75th birthday. He produced a CD called Portland Sings for Haiti, the proceeds from which went to aid the citizens of Haiti.
He is the founder and producer of the Portland Area Musical Theatre Awards (PAMTAS).
Film and TV Producing
He served as producer on Broadway: Beyond The Golden Age, and on the filming of the West End production of Gypsy with Imelda Staunton. He had two Emmy nominations (New York Region) as a producer on Due Process. Brunish also funded the taping of the TV special Women of Soul filmed at the White House and aired on Public TV.
Off-Broadway
Corey has served as a producer or investor on 39 Steps, I and You, and Standard Time.
Shows for the 2016-2017 Broadway Season
Currently Brunish is a producer on Come From Away and an investor in Dear Evan Hanson, Hello Dolly. On the West End he is an investor in Dreamgirls.
References
- 1 2 3 4 Portland Tribune and Community Newspapers. "Producing winning plays, LO man nominated for 34 Tony awards".
- ↑ Theater Mania. "Broadway Records to Release New Jekyll and Hyde Studio Concept Recording".
- ↑ Portland Tribune. "Lake Oswego?s Brunish feels at home in Broadway roles".
- ↑ Oregon Music News. "The Complete Corey Story".
- ↑ The New York Times (December 1, 2011). "Theater Reviews Armed and Amorous, Committing Cold-Blooded Musical".
- ↑ Playbill. "Broadway's Bonnie & Clyde Cast Album, Featuring Jeremy Jordan and Laura Osnes, Released April 24".
- ↑ Oregon Movie News (June 11, 2012). "Tony Awards luster shows reflections and connections in Portland". The Oregonian.