Franc D'Ambrosio's I'll Be Seeing YOUZ... January 12, 2011

Join the Bakersfield Community Concert Association for Franc D'Ambrosio's
I'll Be Seeing YOUZ...
A Bronx Boy's Music Perspective of World War II


Franc's playful new show features the lovely and lively tunes made popular during WWII.

Franc gives you a humorous snap shot of "The Greatest Generation" with nostalgic stories from his Bronx, Italian relatives...filtered through the eyes of an impressionable young boy, who
while listening, fell in love with both the time and the music.

BCCA members will remember Franc from his last Bakersfield concert in “Franc D’Ambrosio’s Broadway”. Franc was the World’s Longest Running Phantom of the Opera until 2008, playing more than 2,500 performances. He also portrayed Anthony Corleone, Al Pacino’s opera-singing son in “Godfather III”.

More facts on Franc: 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 Phantom's "The Iron Man of The Mask," Franc D'Ambrosio was awarded the distinction as the "World’s Longest Running Phantom." This accomplishment was immortalized in a cemented hand imprint ceremony and Franc retained this title for over a decade.

D'Ambrosio's resume also includes an Academy Award nominated film, an Emmy Award nominated television show, a four-time Tony nominated Broadway show, two Grammy considerations, and a National Theatre Award nomination.

Early in D'Ambrosio's career, Paramount Pictures sent five talent scouts on an exhausting two year international search. That search ended when they discovered D'Ambrosio in the chorus of his first Broadway show. Francis Ford Coppola immediately cast D'Ambrosio as Anthony Corleone, the opera singing son of Al Pacino’s Michael Corleone in Coppola's seven-time Academy Award nominated film The Godfather III. Franc not only had the honor of being featured in the film, he also sang the Academy Award-winning theme song, "Speak Softly Love" (Brucia la Terra) - both in the film and on the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.

His performance of the award-winning song 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 a summer at his home in Italy.

After his impressive run in The Phantom Of The Opera, D'Ambrosio caught the eye of Barry Manilow. Manilow 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. His performance earned D'Ambrosio his National Theatre Award nomination for Best Male Performer in a Musical.

Franc D'Ambrosio has toured extensively throughout the United States, Europe and South America with his critically acclaimed one man shows: Franc D'Ambrosio’s Broadway Songs of The Great White Way (debut 2004), and Franc D'Ambrosio’s Hollywood Songs of The Silver Screen (debut 2007).

Mr. D'Ambrosio is also a frequent guest artist with many major American orchestras and symphonies. With the success of his national and international tours, D'Ambrosio has joined the ranks of the famed Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman as only a handful of Phantom alumni crossing over to successful solo careers.

Recognized for his vibrant voice and legato singing, D'Ambrosio was invited by Olympic Champion Brian Boitano to perform as a Special Musical Guest in the skater's NBC special, Brian Boitano's Skating Spectacular. The TV special starred D'Ambrosio and American Idol runner-up Diana DeGarmo. D'Ambrosio also joined Boitano in his next TV special, The 2005 Tribute to Movies on Ice. He starred as Special Musical Guest with Michael Bolton and American Idol star Kimberly Locke. Franc's performance of "Music of the Night," skated to by Boitano, received the evening's only standing ovation.

While continuously touring with his popular one man shows, D'Ambrosio found time in 2008 to co-star with Dorothy Hamill in the critically acclaimed Broadway On Ice, produced by Bietak Productions, Inc. D'Ambrosio rounded out the busy year (2008) starring with the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra in a spectacular New Year’s Eve performance.

Welcome to the Rabobank Theater Franc D'Ambrosio's "I'll Be Seeing YOUZ..." for a memorable evening of WWII era music performed by an outstanding tenor.

Call (661) 205-8522 for information.

Official Website: http://www.bakersfieldcca.org