Joe: Hi, Brian. Welcome to our interview for the audio book release of Drama Merry, Nicky and Noah mystery book 16. This is our sixth audio book collaboration!
Brian: Thanks, Joe. I have a sixth sense (pun intended) that we will have many more.
Joe: I sure hope so. As Nicky might say, “I’m happier than a priest teaching an altar boy to genuflect” at the terrific job you did performing the audio book of book 16 in this series.
Brian: As Nicky would also say, “I’m flattered! And you’re right (smile).”
Joe: As you know, in the 16th Nicky and Noah mystery novel cute and cozy couple (Try saying that three times fast with a tongue ring) Nicky and Noah produce their own wacky musical version of Robin Hood called Why the Merry Men Are So Merry.
Brian: And Nicky and Noah and their crew are certainly merry.
Joe: Are you a fan of the Robin Hood legend?
Brian: Of course!
Joe: What do you think it is about the Robin Hood story that has captivated people of all ages for so many years?
Brian: I think it’s because Robin Hood is a classic underdog story about looking out for the little guy.
Joe: As a little guy, I like that (smile). You are an incredibly talented actor, singer, and audio book performer. Your sense of comic timing is remarkable. What were some challenges that you faced in performing this audio book?
Brian: Thank you, Joe! I’m blushing. I think one of the challenges in this book was to find the right voices for each of the Merry Men in the chorus! They were quite the squad.
Joe: This is your sixth Nicky and Noah mystery audio book. Which audio book was the most difficult to perform?
Brian: That’s a great question! I’d say it was our first book together, Drama Christmas. That was where I learned the pacing and comedic timing of your writing. Now, every time I start a Nicky and Noah Mystery, it’s like putting on my favorite sweatshirt!
Joe: As you know, each of the Nicky and Noah mystery novels are loaded with humor, mystery, romance, clues, red herrings, and a shocking but happy ending (pun intended). How did you decide on the voices for each of the new characters in this novel, including the hysterically funny role-play characters?
Brian: As always, your writing makes it so easy to create the voices for each character! It’s all you, Joe!
Joe: I’m touched. I marveled at how you performed over twenty different and entertaining voices with such perfect comic timing. Which character in the story was your favorite to bring to life and why?
Brian: Well, I always love Martin. He’s so over the top and loveable!
Joe: Which character was the most difficult to voice and why?
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| Brian Cheney |
Brian: I had a tricky time with Pierce Falsetto. Just the name itself makes the imagination run wild with voice types!
Joe: Without giving away any spoilers, did you guess the twist whodunit ending before reading it?
Brian: NO! I really thought I knew, but you really got me on this one!
Joe: You really brought that shocking ending to life in the audio book! Why should audio book lovers buy Drama Merry?
Brian: Thank you! What I love about your series is that the listener grows along with Nicky and Noah’s family and friends. Not only is this story silly, hilarious, cozy, and mysterious, but it’s also really heartfelt and rooted in real feelings that we all grapple with. It was a beautiful balance.
Joe: I agree! How can audio book fans find out more about you?
Brian: Be sure to check out my website to see everything I am up to as a performing artist. Whether it’s opera, musical theater, film/tv, or audiobook narrations! www.BrianCheneyTenor.com
Joe: Thank you for sharing your time and talents, Brian. We make a great team. I hope we continue collaborating for more Nicky and Noah mystery audio books to come!
Drama Merry (the 16th Nicky and Noah mystery) audio book by Joe Cosentino, performed by Brian Cheney
Listen to a sample of the audio book at:
Cover Art: Jesús Da Silva
Praise for the Nicky and Noah mysteries:
“Joe Cosentino has a unique and fabulous gift. His writing is flawless, and his plot-lines will have you guessing until the very last page, which makes his books a joy to read. His books are worth their weight in gold, and if you haven't discovered them yet you are in for a rare treat.” Divine Magazine
Joe Cosentino was voted Favorite MM Mystery, Humorous, and Contemporary Author of the Year by the readers of Divine Magazine for Drama Queen, the first Nicky and Noah mystery novel. He is also the author of the remaining Nicky and Noah mysteries: Drama Muscle, Drama Cruise, Drama Luau, Drama Detective, Drama Fraternity, Drama Castle, Drama Dance, Drama Faerie, Drama Runway, Drama Christmas, Drama Pan, Drama TV, Drama Oz, Drama Prince, Drama Merry, Drama Daddy, Drama King; the Player Piano Mysteries: The Player and The Player’s Encore; the Jana Lane Mysteries: Paper Doll, Porcelain Doll, Satin Doll, China Doll, Rag Doll; the Cozzi Cove series: Cozzi Cove: Bouncing Back, Moving Forward, Stepping Out, New Beginnings, Happy Endings; the In My Heart Anthology: An Infatuation & A Shooting Star; the Tales from Fairyland Anthology: The Naked Prince and Other Tales from Fairyland and Holiday Tales from Fairyland; the Bobby and Paolo Holiday Stories Anthology: A Home for the Holidays, The Perfect Gift, The First Noel; and the Found At Last Anthology: Finding Giorgio and Finding Armando. His books have won numerous Book of the Month awards and Rainbow Award Honorable Mentions. As an actor, Joe appeared in principal roles in film, television, and theatre, opposite stars such as Bruce Willis, Rosie O’Donnell, Nathan Lane, Jason Robards, and Holland Taylor. He received his Master of Fine Arts degree from Goddard College, Master’s degree from SUNY New Paltz, and is a happily married emeritus theatre professor residing in New York State.
Website: joecosentino.weebly.com
Facebook: facebook.com/JoeCosentinoauthor
Twitter: twitter.com/JoeCosen
Goodreads: goodreads.com/author/show/4071647.Joe_Cosentino
Amazon: Author.to/JoeCosentino
Instagram: instagram.com/joecosentinoauthor
Brian Cheney, hailed by KUSC Los Angeles as the “next great tenor”, protégé of legendary tenor Jerry Hadley, has gained international acclaim for his portrayal of characters such as Radamés in Aida, Don José in Carmen, Mario Cavaradossi in Tosca, Rodolfo in La bohème, the Duke in Rigoletto, and Canio in Pagliacci. “It is tenor Brian Cheney as the brave painter Cavaradossi who really blew me away. Cheney has that terrific tenor sound: the power, richness, and vocal color of a high baritone combined with ringing, awe-inspiring high notes” (Stage and Cinema.) Highlights from last season include Mr. Cheney’s creation of the role of Victor Frankenstein in the world premiere performance of Gregg Kallor’s Frankenstein in New York to critical acclaim and his National Philharmonic debut as the tenor soloist in Leonard Bernstein’s Mass and West Side Story. “Cheney’s ringing tenor voice carried well in the stone catacombs, conveying the fear that the deep bass sound of the monster summoned. And as the section of the sketches went on, Cheney’s voice bloomed to match the action and threats of the creature.” (Operawire) Recent engagements include Radamés in Aida with Virginia Opera, Antonin Scalia in Derrick Wang’s Scalia/Ginsburg with Toledo Opera, and Salute to Vienna performances in Miami, West Palm Beach, Nashville, and New York City (Lincoln Center). In audio books, Mr. Cheney performed several Nicky and Noah Mystery novels, All the King’s Men by Scott Leddy, Swarm by Guy Morris, The Last Ark by Guy Morris, and Pressure by Barry Napier. www.briancheneytenor.com
Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors! A new episode went up last week.
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