D'Ambrosio Brings Hollywood to Harbor Springs

May 3, 2015

He was the world’s longest running Phantom in Broadway’s "The Phantom of the Opera," holding the title for more than a decade and portraying the renowned character in more than 2,600 performances of the Tony Award-winning Andrew Lloyd Webber musical.

You might also recognize him from his role as the opera-singing Anthony Vito Corleone in "The Godfather Part III."

These days, singer/actor Franc D’Ambrosio is compressing those bright lights and big screens into a more compact version of his talent, with a touring one-man show that takes him across the country.

OPERA TO COPA

Ten years of playing the Phantom – a demanding role both vocally and emotionally – was a remarkable experience for D’Ambrosio, but it also kept him on a strict and challenging timetable.

"It was eight shows in six days between the Broadway show and the national tour, so it was a very difficult schedule," he said, "but extremely rewarding."

His transition out of "Phantom" came via the lead in Barry Manilow’s big touring show, "Copacabana," in the early 2000s.

"Copacabana’s" storyline was very different from "Phantom’s" dark, foreboding narrative. It was a more flashy production that definitely put the show in showmanship.

"When I worked with Barry, he showed me how to be an entertainer, which is different than being an actor," D’Ambrosio explained.

BROADWAY HITS

The Manilow experience inspired D’Ambrosio to try a different type of onstage project, and he decided to work with director Abe Reybold to put together a piece that would showcase his solo talents and Broadway music as an American art form.

The show evolved and spun off sequels, and now D’Ambrosio tours with a range of themed productions all his own: Broadway, Hollywood, WWII, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Christmas programs. The songs are all familiar and they stay relevant no matter how many years pass.

"These shows are written, directed, choreographed and produced by a New York and Los Angeles team, so I don’t change them up very much," D’Ambrosio said. "They’re good shows, well written, and I’m happy to say that after 10 plus years, we still get standing ovations after each performance!"

HOLLYWOOD HISTORY

D’Ambrosio will bring his current touring show, "Hollywood: Songs of the Silver Screen," to Harbor Springs. Of course, you’ll hear songs from "Phantom," – more than 10 movie versions were made of this musical – but D’Ambrosio’s grasp of musical history goes much further than that.

"If you can imagine all of your favorite movie musicals, performers, and theme songs, all in one show, that’s it," he said. "’Showboat,’ "˜West Side Story,’ "˜Brigadoon’ – and I also sing the "˜Godfather’ theme, which I sang in the trilogy and that got the Academy Award for Best Song."

It’s a fitting theme for a man who says he’s always loved the songs of the screen, and loves performing them. D’Ambrosio is even giving a nod to local talent by inviting The Little Traverse Touring Ensemble to join him on stage for a number from "Les Miserables."

"The last time I was in Michigan was in the winter," he said. "It’s such a nice place, great people – but it was a little cold! So, I’m happy to be returning in the spring."

Franc D’Ambrosio will be in concert at the Harbor Springs Performing Arts Center on Saturday, May 9 at 7:30pm. For tickets, visit mynorthtickets.com or call 800-836-0717.