New York's Capital District clearly remembers Brittny Kissinger's abrupt rise to fame when she was plucked from the "orphanage" in 1997 to take on the starring role of ANNIE in "Broadway's 20th Anniversary Production of ANNIE." Taking her place alongside fellow stars Conrad John Schuck and the late Nell Carter at a mere 8 years of age, she became original Annie director/lyricist, Martin Charnin's, youngest, smallest and most recent Annie to grace the Broadway stage. She still remains the last Annie to perform the coveted role on a The Great White Way.
As Broadway's Annie number six, Brittny truly enjoyed her bask in the limelight and found herself as a featured performer at the nationally televised 1997 Tony Awards taped live at Radio City Music Hall in June of 1997. Having performed live on numerous national radio as well as television shows such as Rosie O'Donnell, The Today Show, CBS This Morning, Joan Rivers Show, Geraldo, and The Gayle King Show, Brittny was thrilled to be invited to Los Angeles for a live performance on Jerry Lewis' MDA Telethon. She was equally delighted to stay on with the show after its Broadway closing in October of 1997 for a highly successful subsequent national tour. Even while touring and doing the usual weekly press events at local TV stations, she still managed to obtain national television exposure through such tapings of Fox Healthy Kids in which she takes viewers backstage on location at The Wang Theatre in Boston and a performance on The Howie Mandel Show while in Los Angeles. Brit toured for over 2 years performing with Broadway stars Conrad John Schuck as Daddy Warbucks and Sally Struthers taking over as Miss Hannigan.
The toured ended in Detroit, MI in March 1999 and Brittny returned to her home in upstate NY. She quickly busied herself with personal appearances, lending her voice to a number of charitable events such as the Saratoga Dressage Festival held at Saratoga Race Track where she headlined and hosted her own 3 hour talent showcase, Times Union's All About Kids Show (a benefit for Parson's Children's Home in Albany), Missing Person's Day at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, NY, The CP Telethon which is a televised a benefit for Albany's Center for the Disabled, Proctor's Holiday Showcase (a yearly fundraising event for downtown Schenectady's historic theatre), and the NYS Special Olympics. She has also performed at the Albany Tulip Festival, Albany First Night, The Alabama Stakes at Saratoga Racetrack as well as NYRA's Open House, Saratoga Polo Club, Uncle Sam Festival in Troy and this summer as part of Albany's Summer Entertainment Series at Ten Eyck Plaza in downtown Albany where she was accompanied by her brother Zac on acoustic guitar.
Summer of 2003 proved to be full of excitement. As the winner of a contest entitled "Search for a Superstar" hosted by the number one radio station in New York's Capital District, WGNA 107.7FM, Brittny found herself center stage at Countryfest 2003, the largest country music event held in the Northeast. She was in good company that day opening on the main stage for the likes of Lonestar, Steve Azar, Charlie Daniels Band, Mark Wills, and Sara Evans before a crowd in excess of 20,000.
Graced with brilliant musicality marked by agile vocals that sustain both angelic delicacy and dynamic power, Brittny is able to transcend generations with a versatility to be savored by all ages. Continuous collaborations with her singer/songwriter brother, Zac, a recent graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston, are perhaps her most generous and ongoing blessing.
Pooling her vocal talents with Zac's songwriting skills, the team collectively produced Brittny's CD "Whispers" which was originally released regionally in the Albany area. The title song, written by Zac Kissinger, is a dedication to their missing friend Suzanne Lyall whose sudden disappearance from the SUNY campus in Albany, NY on March 2, 1998 leaves an intolerable emotional void. "Whispers" has since established itself as a successful fundraising tool for The Center for Hope, the nonprofit foundation set up by the Lyall family of Ballston Spa, NY. www.hope4themissing.org
At 16, Brittny has blossomed into a brilliant songstress worthy of the intense, soul searching music her brother, Zac, composes. Together they exemplify an artistic mesh of acoustic talent and superb vocals. They have been performing as an acoustic duo throughout the Capital District and are currently working on a new CD of all original material. Their timeless music is meant to be experienced by those who value heartfelt musicianship.
Watch for more from these talented sibs whose sights are set far beyond that of becoming just another pop sensation! Check them out at www.tentaclesheavenward.com
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