Called "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 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, 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'Amborsio as
Anthony Corleone, the opera singing son of Al Pacino in Coppola's seven
time Academy Award nominated film "Godfather III." Franc had the honor
of starring in the film and also sing the Academy Award winning theme
song, "Speak Softly Love" (Brucia la Terra) both in the film and on the
Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. This 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 at his home in Italy.
So began this varied and impressive career. After his note worthy run
as "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.
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 From The Great White Way", (debut 2004)
and "Franc D'Ambrosio's Hollywood - Songs of The Silver Screen"(debut
2007). D'Ambrosio is also a frequent guest artist with many major
American orchestras and symphonies (Pop Series).
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 to successfully crossover to solo
careers.
Recognized for his vibrant voice and legato singing, D'Ambrosio was
invited by the 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 De Garmo. D'Ambrosio also joined Boitano in his next TV
special, "The 2005 Tribute to Movies on Ice." Franc starred as Special
Musical Guest with Michael Bolton and "American Idol" Kimberly Locke.
His 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 "BroadwayOn Ice", produced by Bietak Productions, Inc.
D'Ambrosio rounded out the busy year (2008) starring with the Phoenix
Symphony Orchestra in a spectacular New Years Eve performance.
D'Ambrosio's next creation was "I'll Be Seeing YOUZ... A Bronx Boys
Musical Perspective of World War II". The show features more stories
from Franc's colorful family and popular war songs from 1939-1946. The
show debuted in April 2010.
D'Ambrosio's latest creation is "Christmas In New York". This show
shares colorful stories of the city in the Christmas season and is
filled with favorite Christmas tunes ranging from the silly - "I Saw
Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" - to the sublime - "Ave Maria". The show
debuts in December 2011.
Franc D'Ambrosio is also involved in teaching his craft to young
artists. In addition to spending summers in Italy, lecturing for the
University Of Cincinnati's College-ConservatoryOf Music (at their famed
Opera Theatre and Music Festival of Lucca, Italy) he also works with
the Cherubini Music Conservatory in Florence Italy and American
University in Washington DC.
Franc also participates in numerous lecture series for such prestigious
institutions as the New Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, and the
American Academy Of Dramatic Arts in New York City. While touring the
country, D'Ambrosio makes himself available to local school outreach
programs across the US and Europe. He offers both lecture and master
class formats.
