BENNINGTON, VT – Guitarist Brian Haner filled Madison Square Garden during his storied musical career.
He toured with Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs when he was just 15 years old and played guitar on “Car Wash,” the title song of the movie by the same name, as well as “Which Way is Up,” starring Richard Pryor. He’s done stand-up at the Improv in Los Angeles, composed the score for “Z Nation” on the Syfy Channel, and can be heard on the soundtrack of golden oldies in “Animal House.” And much more.
Perhaps best known as the virtuosic “Guitar Guy,” who performed with ventriloquist Jeff Dunham at the Garden and on Comedy Central for four years, Brian’s newest collaboration is with Bennington’s own Monument Arts & Cultural Center.
He appeared alongside his wife Suzy Haner in the MAC Center’s recent production of “Annie,” where he did a bang-up rendition of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his famous accent.
And beginning February 7, Brian will be among the stellar cast of the musical comedy “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” at the MAC Center for five shows. He is also musical director for the comedy, which skewers romantic relationships, from the first date through marriage, parenthood, in-laws, and geriatric pickup lines.
Tickets are available at https://www.monumentcentervt.org/iloveyou.
As a husband and father of three, Brian was drawn to “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” not only because it’s scathingly witty, but because it says so much about life.
“Everyone has these shared experiences,” Brian says, “whether it’s dating, marriage, children, and ultimately growing old together. The play is extremely funny and very well written, but it also has gravitas in the last few scenes. The best theatre always takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions. You’re crying one moment and laughing through your tears the next. That’s what I love about this show.”
Suzy Haner also wears multiple hats in “I Love You.” She performs alongside veteran local performers Ingrid Madelayne, Michelle Marrocco, Garrett Currier, Danny Lee Townsend, Lauren Biasi, Tess McHugh, and Evan Pringle, and is also associate producer for the musical with the Center’s Executive Director, Kristine Lewis.
Suzy had a lengthy career in Los Angeles as a comedic hypnotist and rock singer before moving to Bennington with Brian in 2020. Musical prowess runs in the family. Brian Haner Jr. is the lead guitarist with the acclaimed metal band Avenged Sevenfold.
Brian and Suzy perform as a duo together in Bennington, where they live with their two dogs and 20 chickens.
“When we moved here, I had no idea of the talent in Bennington – the actors, the musicians, the singers,” Brian says. “I’m having a blast working on ‘I Love You.’ I hope the audience loves this show as much as we all do.”
