Musical Theater
Rob began accompanying for musical theater shows when he was in high school, and by the time he turned 20 he was vocal directing, music directing and/or accompanying between six and ten shows a year. He spent two summers as one of two pianists playing in rep at the Sacramento Music Circus where he played four shows each summer, working with directors and choreographers from Broadway and a union orchestra. He was fortunate to work on several National tours, as the rehearsal accompanist for Leader of the Pack - starring Sha Na Na, and touring as the Assistant Conductor/Keyboard 1 with Evita- starring Valerie Perri.
The musicals at University High School have received numerous awards during his tenure. In 2022, The SpongeBob Musical was awarded "Best Contemporary Musical" and "Orchestra of the Year" by the MACY Organization. In 2023, Urinetown was awarded "Top Orchestra" by the Orange County Cappies, and "Best Small Ensemble" and "The Childress Award" by the MACY Awards. In 2024, Evita was named "Small Orchestra of the Year" by the MACY Organization.
To date, Rob has worked in a leadership capacity for well-over 300 productions for children's theaters, high schools, colleges & universities, dinner theaters, community theaters, and professional theater organizations all over Southern California. He is known for his ability to coach and inspire singers to excellence and for his professionalism.
The musicals at University High School have received numerous awards during his tenure. In 2022, The SpongeBob Musical was awarded "Best Contemporary Musical" and "Orchestra of the Year" by the MACY Organization. In 2023, Urinetown was awarded "Top Orchestra" by the Orange County Cappies, and "Best Small Ensemble" and "The Childress Award" by the MACY Awards. In 2024, Evita was named "Small Orchestra of the Year" by the MACY Organization.
To date, Rob has worked in a leadership capacity for well-over 300 productions for children's theaters, high schools, colleges & universities, dinner theaters, community theaters, and professional theater organizations all over Southern California. He is known for his ability to coach and inspire singers to excellence and for his professionalism.
Reviews
"Even the buoyant ensemble has a dynamic energy, and Rob Blaney’s musical direction is exciting, infusing Webber’s pseudo-rock score with gutsy brawn." - Jesus Christ Superstar : Los Angeles Times - T.H. McCulloh
"Musical director Rob Blaney and his band are tight and lively, without overpowering the voices onstage."
- Magdalene : OC Weekly - Dave Barton
"Musical director Rob Blaney’s confident band (highlighted by the fine keyboard work of Blaney) sounds taped, even though it’s live and offstage." - A Chorus Line : Los Angeles Times - Robert Koehler
"A fabulous trio backs them up ... Rob Blaney directs from the piano, Kyle Cahill plays a mean guitar, and Jerry Motto underscores the beat on bass." - The Last 5 Years : Backstage - Shirle Gottlieb
"Musical director Rob Blaney and his band are tight and lively, without overpowering the voices onstage."
- Magdalene : OC Weekly - Dave Barton
"Musical director Rob Blaney’s confident band (highlighted by the fine keyboard work of Blaney) sounds taped, even though it’s live and offstage." - A Chorus Line : Los Angeles Times - Robert Koehler
"A fabulous trio backs them up ... Rob Blaney directs from the piano, Kyle Cahill plays a mean guitar, and Jerry Motto underscores the beat on bass." - The Last 5 Years : Backstage - Shirle Gottlieb
Testimonials
"Rob Blaney is an incredible music director, performer, collaborator and artist. His deep knowledge of music paired with his ability to connect with artists creates a safe and thriving environment for all. Mr. Blaney is an artist of intelligence, sensitivity, and fearless creativity. I firmly believe his talent and passion for storytelling makes him a great addition to any theatrical project or production team."
- Oanh Nguyen, Executive Artistic Director, The Chance Theater
- Oanh Nguyen, Executive Artistic Director, The Chance Theater
“Not every great pianist is a great accompanist...Rob Blaney is both. His instincts as an accompanist are spot-on and he can play anything in any style. I feel very secure performing with Rob at the piano.”
- Ivan Rutherford, Broadway Star
- Ivan Rutherford, Broadway Star
"Rob Blaney is an extraordinarily talented musical director; he is also a very gifted musician and performer. Rob has served as the conductor and musical director for five musicals that I've directed, ranging from West Side Story to Songs for a New World. He did an excellent job preparing the casts of those shows, and his work conducting and leading the pit orchestras from the keyboard was fantastic! As a musician, Rob always strives for excellence; he plays and sings with both great expression and technical skill. He is also an inspiring and effective teacher and leader, who makes performers want to give their best and keep improving themselves throughout the rehearsal and performance process. Finally, Rob's deep personal Christian faith informs everything he does. He holds himself to a high ethical standard, and his love for students and colleagues drives his passion for artistic excellence and continual growth -- in the rehearsal hall, in meetings and collaborations, in one-on-one interactions with students and performers. Rob is a joy to work with, and I would jump at the chance to work with him again!"
- Dr. Peter Senkbeil, Professor of Theatre,
Concordia University Irvine
- Dr. Peter Senkbeil, Professor of Theatre,
Concordia University Irvine
List of Major Musicals (Music Director, Vocal Director, and/or accompanist)
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42nd Street (3x) Aida Annie (5x) Annie Get Your Gun Anything Goes (2x) Babes In Arms Beauty and the Beast (3x) Big River The Boy in the Bathroom The Boyfriend Brigadoon Bye Bye Birdie (3x) Cabaret (2x) Camelot Can-Can Carousel Celebrate Life Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Children of Eden A Chorus Line A Christmas Carol City of Angels Cotton Patch Gospel (2x) Crazy for You Dames at Sea Damn Yankees Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Evita (National tour) Fame Fiddler on the Roof Footloose A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Godspell (5x) Good News The Goodbye Girl |
Grease (3x)
Guys and Dolls (3x) Gypsy Hello Dolly Here.I.Am I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change Into the Woods (4x) Jane Eyre Jekyll & Hyde Jesus Christ Superstar (4x) Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (8x) The King and I Kiss Me, Kate The Last 5 Years (2x) Leader of the Pack (National tour reh.) Little Shop of Horrors (6x) Little Women Lost and Found (2x) Magdalene Mame Man of La Mancha Me and My Girl Les Miserables (2x) The Music Man (4x) My Fair Lady Narnia (3x) No, No, Nanette Nunsense (2x) Oklahoma! (2x) Oliver! (2x) On the Town Once on This Island (2x) Once Upon a Mattress The Pajama Game |
Peter Pan
Pippin The Pirates of Penzance Ragtime Ruthless! Scrooge The Secret Garden Seussical (3x) Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Side by Side by Sondheim (2x) Side Show Smile Snoopy! Songs for a New World (2x) The Sound of Music (3x) South Pacific The SpongeBob Musical Sweeney Todd Sweet Charity The Threepenny Opera Urinetown West Side Story The Who’s Tommy The Will Rogers Follies The Wind in the Willows The Wiz (2x) The Wizard of Oz (2x) Wonderful Town Working (2x) A Year with Frog and Toad You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (2x) |
