'Carney' Family Goes From New York to Studio City to Broadway

10 years ago, or so, I was always running in to this local kid. I eventually asked him to help me out in my real estate business and he would occasionally hand out flyers and help with mailings.

He was an interesting kid. In many ways he was a typical kid for the Studio City/NoHo/Toluca Lake area. He had done some acting, played guitar, and was into music and singing. 

I have to admit that from day one, I know Reeve was a little bit different, and a little bit special. He was more respectful then most kids his age, dressed completely differently then anyone I knew, and was always positive and happy. He told me that he played music, his brother and sister also played, and I should come and listen at a coffee house on Riverside Drive.

Well, it turns out that the whole family is the same way ... beautiful, talented, spiritual, friendly and humble. 

I kept running into Reeve Carney all over Studio City, Sherman Oaks, and North Hollywood, cause we both like to walk around town. Over the years I have watched this amazing family from around the corner in Studio City slowly conquer the world. 

The family left New York and relocated here because of work at the CBS Studio Lot in the late 90s.

There is probably some magic in the water in the San Fernando Valley cause there has been nothing but great things coming out of their Studio City house. The three siblings may have inherited their talent from a strong lineage that includes their great uncle, Art Carney. Art, of course, is the Tony-nominated Emmy and Oscar-winning comedian/actor, best known for his role as Ed Norton on the Jackie Gleason Show and in The Honeymooners.

Maybe success is coming their way because the musically talented mother has worked so hard to keep them focused, rehearsed, and humble? All I know is that something has worked.

Reeve's mother. Marti Heil, who I originally knew as a fellow realtor, has a background in fashion, costume design, and music. She is trained as a silversmith and has launched a custom jewelry line. She is the designer and founder of the Fables Line. Fables was started in New York, now operates out of Los Angeles, is spreading over the United State and making its way round the world.

Reeve's sister, Paris Carney, is a very talented singer/songwriter. She is also an actress and doing voice-over work. Aol recently featured her nationally as an up-and-coming artist. Paris has performed at various well-known Los Angeles venues. Her debut solo CD "Carried Away" (produced by her brothers) is impressive.

Zane Carney, her brother, who first gained national attention as a regular on the CBS series Dave's World,  is an incredible guitarist and performer. The brothers, along with two other very talented friends, are part of a rock, blues, band called Carney.

Carney has their own CD. They have played in Hollywood and New York. Opened for U2 ... Oh ... then there is the Broadway thing.

Reeve, who just appeared in the feature film The Tempest, is now staring as Spider-Man/Peter Parker, in Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark. Zane and the band are also on stage as an integral part of the show. This is a musical adaptation of the famous comic book, and movie superhero character.

The musical is directed by Julie Taymor and is written by Bono and the Edge from the band U2. The show is about to officially open on Broadway for what may be one of the most controversial and certainly most expensive Broadway musical ever.

The musical has been in previews for a very long time and the official opening has been postponed several times, but the official night is just around the corner. Ticket sales and attendance for the previews have been very, very strong.

Reeve has been appearing on TV shows with the band and is becoming quite the cover boy in magazines, having just been photographed by Bruce Weber for Vanity Fair.

This is the news from one house in our area. It should provide incentive for local kids (and their parents) taking music lessons, or acting classes. There is hope. 

If you are in an arts program, taking private lessons, attending a music school, or playing with a garage band ... keep smiling and keep practicing. And keep drinking the water.