For more than fifteen years, David Colacci has recorded audiobooks around his busy schedule in regional theater as both actor and director. His move to New York City in 2003 allowed him to take the plunge into more full-time recording, with his theater fix coming mostly from his continuing role as the Artistic Director of Hope Summer Repertory theater in Holland, Michigan. David has recorded more than 60 audiobooks, which include mystery and suspense, science fiction and fantasy, and literary works. "With every book I read, I think I become a better reader," David says. "It's like working out—you become stronger." From book to book, he encounters and creates voices, then builds a stock of characters because "you can suddenly find yourself in a room with ten New York cops!" David has mastered the NYPD as well as voices of Victorian London in Anne Perry's William Monk series (DARK ASSASSIN) and Venice's carabinieri in Donna Leon's Guido Brunetti series (BLOOD FROM A STONE).

Director/producer Susan Mackewich of Gizmo Studios says, "When we're working in the studio with David, one word describes him—masterful. His ability to interpret, represent, and bring 'the fresh approach' fascinates and surprises us. David's stage experience as an actor and director serves his narration. His love of the classics and language imbues his work. His characters emerge well formed and believable." Two recent recordings—Mark Helprin's A SOLDIER OF THE GREAT WAR and Henry Adams's autobiography, THE EDUCATION OF HENRY ADAMS—gave David the opportunity to tackle more literary work. His narration of Michael Chabon's THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF KAVALIER AND CLAY is also a favorite.

Many listeners have encountered David's performances of John Lescroart's thrillers. He's recorded six of them, and the newest, BETRAYAL, is due out at the end of February. HARD EVIDENCE is celebrated here, THE MOTIVE was a 2006 Audies finalist, and THE SUSPECT was one of AudioFile's Best Audiobooks of 2007. Sci-fi and fantasy genres give David additional opportunities. David loved the bold and mythical characters of R.A. Salvatore's fantasy—ROAD OF THE PATRIARCH. David notes his approach with a musical analogy. "When a character starts speaking, I tune into what the rhythm of the scene is—what the character does in the scene." In Kevin J. Anderson's OF FIRE AND NIGHT from the Saga of the Seven Suns, he delighted listeners with his engagement with the story.

Listeners can hear David and his wife, Susan Ericksen, share narration duties in Nadine Gordimer's upcoming BEETHOVEN WAS ONE-SIXTEENTH BLACK AND OTHER STORIES.—Robin F. Whitten

Add science fiction from Kevin J. Anderson (OF FIRE AND NIGHT) and fantasy by R.A. Salavatore (ROAD OF THE PATRIARCH) to his success with John Lescroart’s detective fiction: DEAD IRISH and SUSPECT. —2007 Narrator Yearbook

Narrator David Colacci, responding to the same “what is the allure?” question told us, “It’s the opportunity to totally live in the world of the story.” David has lived inside a lot of stories. Recently it seems he’s been in Venice bringing listeners into Donna Leon’s appealing mysteries BLOOD FROM A STONE, DOCTORED EVIDENCE, and UNIFORM JUSTICE. David also has a convincing way with the gritty thriller—see Jonathan King’s A KILLING NIGHT or Gene Riehl’s SLEEPER. We can also recommend Michael Chabon’s Pulitzer Prize-winning THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF KAVALIER & CLAY. David is active in regional theater throughout the year, although every one of the last 20 summers has found him at the Hope Summer Repertory Theater in Hope, Michigan, where he’s currently the Artistic Director.

David Colacci