Franc D’Ambrosio (PHOTO SUPPLIED)
Park Forest, IL-(ENEWSPF)- On Tuesday, November 3 at 11 a.m., Franc D’Ambrosio will bring his world renowned singing voice to Freedom Hall in a tribute to Veterans titled “I’ll Be Seeing YOUZ.” This show features the lovely and lively tunes made popular during WWII. Franc takes his audience on a nostalgic walk through the popular music of WWII with his rich tenor voice and a patter that is utterly natural and charming.
Franc D’Ambrosio is best known as the "Phantom" in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Tony Award winning Musical, “The Phantom of the Opera." Affectionately known as "The Iron Man of The Mask," Franc was awarded the distinction as the “World’s Longest Running Phantom,” with over 2,300 performances of the lead role, a title he held for nearly a decade. This accomplishment was immortalized in a cemented hand ceremony. He also portrayed Al Pacino’s opera singing son, Anthony Corleone, in The Godfather Part III.
Mr. D’Ambrosio is a welcomed and frequent guest artist with many major symphonies in America and Europe (Pop Series). With the success of D’Ambrosio’s national and international tours, he has joined the ranks of the famed Michael Crawfordand Sarah Brightmanas only a handful of Phantom alumni to successfully crossover to solo careers
D’Ambrosio’s resume also includes an Academy Award Nominated film, an Emmy Award Nominated television show, four time Tony nominated Broadway show, Two Grammy Considerations, and a National Theatre Award Nomination.
Early in D’Ambrosio’s career, Paramount Pictures talent scouts discovered him in the chorus of his first Broadway show. This ended an exhaustive two year international search and D’Ambrosio was awarded the role as the opera singing son of Al Pacino in Coppola’s seven time Academy Award nominated film "Godfather III." Franc had the honor of singing the Academy Award winning theme song, “Speak Softly Love” (Brucia la Terra) both in the film and on the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. D’Ambrosio’s performances of the theme song have garnered over one million hits on YouTube.
D’Ambrosio’s performance so impressed the late Luciano Pavarotti that it led to an invitation -which was quickly accepted -for him to study with the legendary tenor, for the summer, at his home in Italy. So began this varied and amazing career.
After his impressive run as “The Phantom Of The Opera,” D’Ambrosio caught the eye of Barry Manilow, who personally selected him to create and star as the male lead, "Tony", in the pre-Broadway tour of “Copacabana”. The show enjoyed a successful year long tour. This performance earned D’Ambrosio his National Theatre Award nomination for Best Male Performer in a Musical. D’Ambrosio currently tours extensively -throughout the United States, Europe and South America -with his critically acclaimed one man shows.
Recognized for his vibrant voice and legato singing, D’Ambrosio was invited by Olympic Champion Brian Boitanoto perform as a Special Musical Guest in the skater’s NBC special “Brian Boitano’s Skating Spectacular”. D’Ambrosio also joined Boitanoin his next TV special, “The 2005 Tribute to Movies on Ice,” starring as Special Musical Guest with multi Grammy Award winning vocalist Michael Bolton. His performance of “Music of the Night” skated to by Boitano, received the evening’s only standing ovation.
In the middle of his full schedule of solo concerts, D’Ambrosio has co-starred with Dorothy Hamill in the critically acclaimed “Broadway On Ice.” D’Ambrosio also starred in the Louisiana Lyric Opera’s successful production of “Miss Saigon.” The National Italian American Foundation featured D’Ambrosio as their the special guest artist for the prestigious 2011 Spring Gala –an event co-hosted by Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinse.
In July of 2011 D’Ambrosio was pleased to accept the invitation to co-star in the production “Love Changes Everything” -a celebration of the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber. This production boasted an all star cast, which also featured Tony Award nominee Liz Callaway, Kevin Kern and Laurie Gayle Stephenson. They played to packed houses and received rave reviews. “Most impressive is D’Ambrosio who played the title role in "The Phantom of the Opera"for six years and delivers an exquisite version of "The Music of the Night."Alice T. Carter/Pittsburgh Tribune.
In February, 2013 D’Ambrosio brought his popular BROADWAY program to the Hard Rock Live stage in Hollywood, Florida. Over 1,800 audience members gave D’Ambrosio three standing ovations.
D’Ambrosio’s show “CHRISTMAS IN NEW YORK” has become a holiday standard, joyously celebrating the magic of the holiday season with favorite holiday standards from the American Songbook. The show debuted in November 2011 and played to sold out audiences at the famed Rrazz Room in San Francisco in December 2011, to critical acclaim. D’Ambrosio will enter the recording studio in September, 2015 to record his 4th CD, “Franc D’Ambrosio’s Christmas in New York”.
In November, 2014 Franc was pleased to be part of “Superstars of Skating” programs in Brazil featuring Gold and other Figure Skating medalists which was broadcast live on Brazil TV. Franc was also part of a Christmas program that aired on Brazil TV’s morning show. In December, 2014, Franc was part of the cast of “Broadway on Ice” which enjoyed a 16 show run in Mexico. Franc will be part of a return engagement of “Superstars of Skating” in Brazil during November, 2015.
Tickets for Franc D’Ambrosio’s “I’ll Be Seein’ YOUZ” are$20and can be purchased at Freedom Hall or by the phone at 708/747-0580. Freedom Hall is located at 410 Lakewood Boulevard in Park Forest, IL.
If you would like more information about the Freedom Hall Series, please call Chuck Sabey at 708/503-8258 or e-mail Chuck at [email protected]
