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. 

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. 
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    

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
“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
"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
List of Major Musicals ​(Music Director, Vocal Director, and/or accompanist)
​13               
42nd Street (3x)
Aida
Annie (4x)
Annie Get Your Gun
Anything Goes (2x)
Babes In Arms
Beauty and the Beast (2x)
Big River
​The Boy in the Bathroom
The Boyfriend
Brigadoon
Bye Bye Birdie (2x)
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 (tour)
Fame
Fiddler on the Roof
Footloose
A Funny Thing Happened on the
       Way to the Forum
Godspell (4x)
Good News
​The Goodbye Girl
Grease (2x)
Guys and Dolls (2x)
Gypsy
Hello Dolly
Here.I.Am
Into the Woods (4x)
​Jane Eyre
Jekyll & Hyde
Jesus Christ Superstar (4x)
Joseph and the Amazing          
​       Technicolor Dreamcoat (4x)
The King and I
Kiss Me, Kate
The Last 5 Years (2x)
Leader of the Pack (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
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
The Sound of Music (3x)
South Pacific
Sweeney Todd
Sweet Charity
The Threepenny Opera
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)