News Archives:

5/21/2008: Primetime Debut on True Blood

Very exciting news! On May 1st I did my first shoot for Primetime television. I play a Forensics Tech on a new HBO show called True Blood. This is going to be a really interesting series. It stars Anna Paquin as a Louisiana barmaid named Sookie. It takes place two years after Vampires have "come out of the coffin" and have begun assimilating into mainstream society. The series chronicles one small town's reaction to these new figures in their midst. It seems to have all the elements of a huge hit: It's funny, sexy, violent, and suspenseful all at the same time.

Anyway, the series airs on HBO in September, and I'm in the 8th episode (so probably in November sometime). I'll post more information when I know the exact air date. It's a small part, but I can't even say how excited I am to have gotten my first Primetime role.

On a personal note, my mother's family has some property in the country outside Shreveport, LA, and It's being featured in some of the exterior shots in True Blood. How cool is that? It seems fitting that my first appearance as an actor on Television will be alongside the farm that I used to visit as a kid. Can't wait!

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3/26/2008: Anything Goes at the Fireside

Well, for the third time in history, my lovely wife Dana and I have been hired to do the same show! After meeting six years ago on a production of Chicago and working together Off-Broadway in the short-lived Kinsey comedy Dr. Sex, we now have the Fireside Theatre to thank for putting us together again. We just opened on March 12th as Billy and Bonnie in Anything Goes. After having understudied this role a few years ago, I've really wanted to get the chance to have it to myself, and I am having the time of my life doing it!

If you're not familiar with Anything Goes, the role of Billy is one of the few instances in Musical Theatre where the leading man gets to be a character actor at the same time. I'm running around in a myriad of different disguises, exhibiting my "proficiency" with about a dozen different accents, singing, dancing, and generally being a goof. It's a lot of fun. And if you'll permit a bit of gushing on my part, Dana has created about the funniest, cutest, and most sexy Bonnie I've ever seen. The rest of the cast, including Shorey Walker as Reno Sweeney, Don Stitt as Moonface Martin, and Allison Berry as Hope, is simply first rate. We're all just having a blast with this production!

So if you happen to find yourself in Wisconsin this spring, drop on by the Fireside and see us. We'll be here through May 18th.

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11/11/2007: Fiddler at The Fulton

I've always said that Fiddler on the Roof is a show that every self-respecting actor should do at least once in his career. Well, I've been lucky enough to get that opportunity. This week we began rehearsals for Fiddler at the Fulton Opera House in Lancaster, PA under the very able direction of Gary John LaRosa (www.garyjohnlarosa.com/), who has directed the show more times than I can count.

The Fulton is one of those theatre companies, like Stages St. Louis, that truly make their cast feel welcome, appreciated, and at home, and their reputation as such (along with Gary John's) has led to the assembly of a top-notch company of actors. I am EXTREMELY excited about this group. Of particular note is David Masters, who plays the Rabbi. David performed with the original Broadway company of Fiddler as well as the first revival and many other productions. It's really cool to have him in our company!

Yours truly will be playing Sasha, the Russian Tenor. So expect to see me drinking heavily and singing lots of high notes in "To Life." If you look carefully, you might also catch me hiding behind a fake beard and dancing with a bottle balanced on my head. Have I piqued your interest?

This is going to be a fantastic production, so I hope you'll have a chance to see it. The Fulton is a beautiful theatre in a beautiful historic town, so that alone might be worth your trip! We open November 29th and run through December 30th.

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8/27/2007: Astros' National Anthem

Going to be around Houston this Wednesday, August 29th? If so, grab a ticket to see the Astros play the St. Louis Cardinals, and come catch yours truly singing the National Anthem before the game. I've been hoping to get to do this in my home town for a very long time, and I'm extremely excited about it. So if you're nearby, don't miss it!

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6/8/2007: A Little Night Music

This past Wednesday night, June 6th, was the opening of A Little Night Music at Stages St. Louis, and already the critics are raving! Dennis Brown of the St. Louis Riverfront Times calls it "a jaw-dropping, pitch-perfect production."

I'm playing Henrick Egerman—a role I've been salivating over for years—an uptight, holier-than-thou seminary student struggling with his uncontrollable attraction to his new, young stepmother. This role takes me in a different direction, both as an actor and as a singer, than many of my recent productions, and I couldn't be having a better time.

Shameless self-congratulatory plug: Steve Allen of St. Louis' KFUO-FM says "Wonderful work is turned in by Brian Ogilvie as the shy son of Frederick." And Dennis Brown of The Riverfront Times says "Ogilvie rises to the challenge of playing a boorish character without boring the audience."

Good times! We'll be running through July 1st, so if you're in the St. Louis area, come see us. For tickets, visit Stages St. Louis online or call the Box Office at 314-821-2407.

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