Michael Robert Brennan

Michael Robert Brennan, 47, of Las Vegas, passed away Wednesday, January 12, 2022.

He was born March 28, 1974, in Topeka, Kansas, the son of Robert and Dana (Clemmer) Brennan. He graduated from Washburn Rural High School in 1992 then attended K State and KU

Michael had started his career as a dancer. He grew into a renowned vocal coach, musician and composer. Early on he was a musical director for Broadway tours Victor/Victoria, Cinderella and Disney's The Lion King at The Pantages Theater in Los Angeles.

He was Universally admired and respected in the Las Vegas Vegas entertainment community, Brennan worked on "Starlight Express" at Las Vegas Hilton, "Mamma Mia!" at Mandalay Bay, "Avenue Q" and "Steve Wynn's Showstoppers," at the Wynn and the aquatic spectacle "Le Reve" at the Wynn which won "Best Show in Las Vegas" for 9 consecutive years. While at Le Reve he was a musical director for world renowned composers Benoit Jutras of Cirque Du Soliel and 8 time Oscar winner Alan Menken.

Michael and his friend and fellow composer-musician Keith Thompson co-founded one of the city's endearing art institutions The Composers Showcase of Las Vegas in May 2006. The show started as a loose gathering of Vegas composers at a piano bar where composers and musicians could share new works, today it has grown into a monthly production at The Smith Center.

Michael's beautiful original scores were enjoyed by millions around the world in lavish International stage spectacles in Las Vegas, Japan, China, London and Dubai for world renowned director friends such as Franco Dragone, Brian Burke, Amy Tinkham, Christopher Childers, Allegra Libonati and John Rando.

He became a composer of Las Vegas shows "One Night for One Drop" for Cirque Du Soliel and "Celestia" at The Stet which won "Best New Show" in 2019 and was featured on Americas Got Talent.

Brennan's original musical "Citizen Ruth" won Best Musical at the New York International Fringe Festival. He was also a composer for animation. Two of his animated short films with Nicolas Villarelal, "Meta" and "Pasteurized," premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. "Nieta" has already won 80 international film awards and counting. Their latest work "ON/OFF" was on the short list for Oscar consideration this year.

He was incredibly passionate about his original shows and had countless projects in development with his award winning writing partner friends John Masse, Mark Leydorf, Richard Thomas and AnnMarie, Milazzo. He was represented in the entertainment business by his long time agent and friend Michael Moore.

Most importantly he was adored by his family, colleagues and close friends around the world as the most generous, kind, thoughtful and hilarious person you would ever have the honor of knowing.

Survivors include his father, Robert "Bob" Brennan; sisters, Marcy (Darin) Dalrymple and Mandy (Dylan) Buchanan; maternal grandmother, Melba Clemmer; nieces, Teghan Beam and Ashley Stricker; nephew, Brennan Dalrymple as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. They were all very close with him and all live here in Topeka. He was preceded in death by his mother, Dana Brennan; maternal grandfather, Paul Clemmer and paternal grandparents, Robert A. Brennan and Barbara Brennan-Crites and Donald C. Crites.

A Celebration of his Life will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 14, 2022 at Mount Hope Cemetery & Funeral Chapel, 4700 SW 17th, Topeka, KS 66604. Private burial will take place at Mount Hope Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in his honor to the Washburn University Foundation; A Legacy Michael Robert Brennan will give to a theater student yearly or to Helping Hands Humane Society 5720 SW 21st, Topeka, KS 66604-3720.

To leave a message for his family online, please visit the guestbook below.