Born in Birmingham and growing up in Fultondale, Sunny Brown studied dance and music at Birmingham-Southern College. After graduation, she performed with the Birmingham Stallions dance team, the Fillies. An international modeling career followed, and Brown eventually moved back to Birmingham and married photographer Billy Brown. Eventually, she found she had a talent for comedy, and she’s putting that on display with her other performing talents this weekend with her cabaret show at Homewood Theatre. That show, “An Invisible Woman,” is Saturday at 7:30 p.m., but before then, Sunny Brown answered some questions about her performing history and the cabaret.
What’s your first memory of being on stage?
As a Sweet Potato in my third-grade play.
You started in the arts as a dancer, correct? Can you tell me about that?
Yes. My parents enrolled me in dance classes as a young girl because they did not like that I had become such a tomboy running around in the woods with my brothers and boy cousins with tangles in my hair, skinned knees and no shirt. They threatened me every day of my life that they were sending me to “charm school.” I would run screaming. Instead, they enrolled me in ballet, jazz and tap. I loved it! But they still had to call me from outside to begrudgingly comb my hair and get ready for dance class. I ended up studying dance at Birmingham Southern College (RIP) under Mira Popovich and Ruth Ammons Henry. I still have the two sides of my personality fight with each other, lol! I am a true Gemini!
You also did some modeling?
Yes. I was a dancer in the Seventeen Magazine/Parisian Summer Fashion Shows that traveled all around the state and into Georgia for back-to-school and they started asking me to model as well. It just kind of grew from there. I ended up signing with an agency in Atlanta/Miami (L’Agence). I also signed with an agency and worked in Japan for a while. Until I came home and got married!
And when did the comedy come about?
Well, the actual writing and performing comedy came about very late and by accident. Even though I had acted in comedy plays I did not know that I could write comedy and perform my own material. I was 49 when I wrote my first comedic material. I had never written anything funny until then. It was all stimulated by facing the Empty Nest and asking myself what I wanted to do next. And “I” answered!
What was your first actual acting job?
My first role was a small part in “The Drawing Room Representative,” a play written by Randy Marsh and Dennis Covington, who were both in the play along with Carl Stewart, who directed it. It was also at TNT.
Can you tell me what you’ve been doing in recent years – including writing?
Well, I wrote a long running humor column for B-Metro Magazine which was so fun. I self-published a book of humor essays based on my column. I also wrote and performed in my first one-woman show, “Confessions of a Glamorous Mind,” based on my column. I had great fun being part of the all-female comedy variety group “Feminine Hyjinx” with Jan Hunter, Kristi Tingle Higginbotham and Kristin Staskowski. I co-created, with Kyle Bass at Homewood Theatre, the comedy variety show “A Night at the Cascade Lounge,” which we have performed several times and always have a ball! In addition to acting in some comedic plays. I also perform for different events such as Edie Hand’s “Women of True Grit” events, The Alice Awards Gala for The Nashville Women in Film and Television SWIFT Awards in Nashville, The High Heels Cabaret variety show in Nashville and other benefit events. I even got to take a dramatic turn and had the lead role in an independent film produced by the Nashville Women in Film and Television called “Alison’s List.” Unfortunately, last I heard it had some sound issues they were trying to resolve. They did send me a copy of the trailer. I should post that and share it on my social media. It was a terrific experience. I also love to write and create comedic videos that I post to my socials.
Tell me about the cabaret at Homewood Theatre. How did it come about?
Well, Jan Hunter, who is a cabaret expert, and who I am fortunate to have as my director, talked with Kyle Bass at Homewood Theatre about celebrating Cabaret Month during the month of March. I am thrilled to be asked to bring a comedy cabaret version of my one-woman show “An Invisible Woman – the disappearance and reinvention of a woman over 50!” to the stage on May 10th! (originally scheduled for March until I got sick with the flu!)
What can audiences expect, and what do you hope they take away from the cabaret?
Audiences can expect lots of laughs! My show is a comedy cabaret show with an emphasis on the comedy along with music and singing. And I am so lucky to have Debbie Mielke as my musical director and pianist. I like to deliver my comedy with a wink-and-a-nod, tongue-in-cheek brand of humor. This show is all about poking fun at society’s message that once a woman turns 50, she becomes “invisible” and irrelevant. We will have lots of laughs at all the ways, some subtle and some not so subtle, that we are given that message. While it is not political humor it is social commentary. It’s also just laughing about all the absurdities of trying not to get older. But still age.
What’s your favorite role you’ve played or show you’ve been in?
Outside of my own shows, my favorite shows are variety shows. I just love them, and they are my favorite shows to do! I enjoy collaborating with other creative people.
What’s a performance (on stage or screen) that sticks out to you as an audience member? There have been so many incredible performances here in Birmingham. We are so fortunate to have as many talented performers as we have here. I am always blown away and inspired after leaving any show I see here in town.
What is a role you wish you will or could have played?
I just enjoy acting in comedic roles whether that is on stage, television or film.
Any great advice you’ve been given by a director or anyone else about being on stage?
Carl Stewart gave me great advice about connecting to a character’s words. And Jan has been so knowledgeable and helpful about the art of storytelling.
Do you have any pre-performance rituals?
I always tell myself the main thing is to have fun and then the audience will have fun, too!
Tell me something people might be surprised to know about you.
I am a real introvert! My family says I am a hermit.
What kind of music do you listen to when you’re not performing?
Jazz. I listen to Jazz Hall Radio consistently. We are so lucky to have that here in Birmingham.
What’s the last book you read?
“I’ll Have What She’s Having” by Chelsea Handler.
What podcasts do you listen to?
I switch it up between podcasts that discuss things like metaphysics and then more lighthearted subjects. I like “Wiser than Me” by Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
What’s the last TV series you binged?
“Bosch” on Amazon.
What’s next for you?
I am excited about creating this show “An Invisible Woman – the disappearance and reinvention of a woman over 50!” and taking it to more audiences, more theaters, performing for more events and expanding the brand.
“An Invisible Woman – the disappearance and reinvention of a woman over 50!,” at Homewood Theatre May 10 at 7:30 p.m.
