A performer whose resume includes a Tony-winning Broadway musical and an Oscar-nominated film will present back-to-back shows in Athens and Crossville, Tenn., next week.
"Franc D'Ambro-sio's Broadway" stars the versatile tenor singer/actor who is best known for his portrayal of the Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Tony Award-winning musical. He was awarded the distinction as "World's Longest-Running Phantom" after 2,000 performances and retained the title for more than a decade.
He drew double duty in Francis Ford Coppola's seven-time Oscar-nominated film "The Godfather: Part III." He played Anthony Corleone and sang the film's Oscar-winning theme song, "Speak Softly Love."
That performance so impressed Luciano Pavarotti that he invited D'Ambrosio to study with him one summer at his home in Italy.
In 2000, Barry Manilow selected him to create and star as the male lead, Tony, in the pre-Broadway tour of "Copacabana." His performance earned a National Theatre Award nomination for Best Male Performer in a Musical.
He has toured extensively through 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," which debuted in 2004, and "Franc D'Ambrosio's Hollywood - Songs of the Silver Screen," which followed three years later.
He also has lent his voice to two ice-skating specials on television featuring Brian Boitano. Later he starred with Dorothy Hamill in "Broadway on Ice."
IF YOU GO - ATHENS
* What: "Franc D'Ambrosio's Broadway."
* When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
* Where: Athens Junior High School auditorium, 200 Keith Lane, Athens, Tenn.
* Phone: 423-745-8781.
* Website: www.athensartscouncil.org.
* Note: Tickets also available from The Arts Center, 320 N. White St.
IF YOU GO - CROSSVILLE
* What: "Franc D'Ambrosio's Broadway."
* When: 7:30 p.m. March 11.
* Where: Cumberland County Playhouse, 221 Tennessee Ave., Crossville, Tenn.
* Phone: 931-484-5000.
* Website: www.ccplayhouse.com.