Brian Potter of Chatsworth is a multifaceted entertainment talent.
The English native, who carved out a successful career as a songwriter and record producer, is one of the performers in Poe in the Dark, a special one-night-only, Halloween-themed production to be presented Oct. 29 by the nonprofit group Spotlight the Arts, at Calabasas City Library’s Founders Hall.
“I became involved in the Poe show through my association with my good friend Peter Brothers, with whom I participated in Twelve Angry Men,” Potter said. "I admire him very much both as an actor and writer, and although I had never read one word of [Edgar Allan] Poe's work, I welcomed the opportunity to work with him. Again.”
Of a preference for music or theater, Potter said, "I have none.” He said, “I launched my career as a songwriter/record producer in England in the early '60s.” With longtime writing partner Dennis Lambert, Potter penned and produced several chart-topping hits including "Ain't No Woman" by the Four Tops, "One Tin Soldier" by Coven and "Don't Pull Your Love" by Hamilton, Joe Frank and Reynolds. Also, Potter produced Glen Campbell's Rhinestone Cowboy album.
“I achieved pretty much all my goals in the next 25 years,” he recalled.
Writing songs dominated Potter’s life, and after 10 years of retirement, boredom descended, and he needed something else to do.
“Theater, which I had always loved as an audience member, seemed like it might
be an exciting challenge, so I found a theater and showed up.”
The result was three years of performing in at Chatsworth’s as Mr. Fezziwig. Earlier this year, Potter played a juror in Twelve Angry Men at Conejo Players Theatre in Thousand Oaks. The successful run’s cast also included his friend Brothers.
Potter still keeps his hand in music, he said. “Needless to say, I still write the occasional song. Other than this, napping and yelling at my dog constitutes a large percentage of my activities.”
The Potter clan lives in Chatsworth because they found the home they wanted there a few years ago.
"It enables my wife to be at work without a long convoluted drive, it's out of the way and is close to Ventura County where I seem to be spending more time,” Potter said. And Potter’s daughter Courtney acted most recently in the Conejo Players production of The Rocky Horror Show.
Potter said he “has yet to have a show on Broadway, but there is still time for that to happen.” Meanwhile, he will join a high-caliber cast in Brothers’ production of Poe’s “greatest hits.”
For more visit information, visit spotlightthearts.org.
