Franc D'Ambrosio -"The Call For Christine"

The Phantom has been unmasked and is revealed to be a terrifically gifted singer with a range far beyond what he exhibited onstage at the Curran Theatre for four years.

Franc D'Ambrosio, the second guy to play the title role during the five-year run of "Phantom of the Opera," says he actually got the part by auditioning for "Miss Saigon" years ago. He tells the story between numbers in "Franc D'Ambrosio's Broadway," his knockout solo show that opened its three-week run Sunday at the New Conservatory Theatre Center.

Those who heard D'Ambrosio during his "Phantom" run know he's a great singer, as do those who have heard his CD, which forms the core of his show. But the reality is that being good onstage doesn't always translate well to more intimate settings -- especially when your song list includes such fortissimo stage hits as "If My Friends Could See Me Now," "The Impossible Dream," "Hello, Dolly!" "Razzle Dazzle" and "Almost Like Being in Love."

D'Ambrosio not only has a voice as comfortable in lower octaves as it is in high, sweetly spun tenor notes, it's also a big voice. Although the Decker Theatre at New Conservatory is considerably more intimate than the Curran, D'Ambrosio doesn't pull any vocal punches. At the same time, at a preview performance last week, he was able to weave delicate nuance throughout the music.

Accompanied by Chuck Larkin on piano, D'Ambrosio spent nearly two hours celebrating Broadway and telling the audience about his own life and his early love for music. A handsome galoot with a chiseled jaw, close-cropped blond hair and mischievous blue eyes, D'Ambrosio tells the audience that he was born to a very traditional Italian family in the Bronx. He later studied with Pavarotti in Italy, made his Broadway debut in "Sweeney Todd" and played the role of Anthony Vito Corleone in "The Godfather: Part III," where his charming Tony Curtis-like Bronx accent served him well.

Although he's been doing his show for more than two years, D'Ambrosio manages to make it seem entirely fresh. Each song is delivered with infectious energy and the between-number patter, while scripted, feels like a conversation with an old friend. D'Ambrosio wisely keeps the emphasis on the songs and the chat to a minimum. From very old classics such as "A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody" from "The Ziegfeld Follies of 1919," to "Bring Him Home" from "Les Miserables," D'Ambrosio makes his audience believe he's just discovered each song and can't wait to sing them for you. He even manages to convince us, with "This Is the Moment," that perhaps "Jekyll and Hyde" shouldn't be entirely damned to showbiz hell for all eternity.

Inevitably, the show's climax is the medley from "The Phantom," and despite the fact that he won the title of the world's longest-running Phantom by donning that mask and cape more than 2,600 times, D'Ambrosio sends chills with "Music of the Night," proving that he could probably go on playing the Phantom forever. But isn't it nice that he's got so much more he can do? - San Francisco Chronicle

Before singer Franc D'Ambrosio could finish the song "Music of the Night," an audience of about 300 people were cheering.

D'Ambrosio had already performed one of the best shows brought to Goldsboro in the past 19 years.

Most famous for playing the role of the Phantom in "Phantom of the Opera" more times than any other actor, it should have come as no surprise that his performance of "The Phantom of the Opera," "Past the Point of No Return" and "Music of the Night" would be good.

But the performance went beyond that. There was so much power and passion in his delivery that it caused one to feel chills.

Occasionally, there are cheers at a concert, but this one was the first performance this reviewer has seen where so many people joined in.

A standing ovation followed, as did an encore: "This is the Moment" from "Jekyll and Hyde."

Before performing the song, D'Ambrosio said the local performance, which was held at Wayne Community College Saturday night, was the first time his brother had seen or heard him perform. Shortly after beginning "This is the Moment," D'Ambrosio became a little choked up and had to pause for a couple of seconds, then continued with polish and style.

The evening was one of Broadway tunes, and D'Ambrosio was accompanied by the talented pianist and music director Chuck Larkin.

D'Ambrosio wrapped stories of his childhood, his love for Broadway and his career around the songs in a entertaining fashion.

He gave his regards to Broadway with selections from the Ziegfeld Follies, "The Three Penny Opera," "Les Miserables," "42nd Street" and many more. He saluted artists Bob Fosse and George M. Cohan. He also sang the theme song from the "Godfather" series of films, one of which--"Godfather III"--he appeared in.

He incorporated some choreography, but mostly it was his talent and passion that made the show shine.

D'Ambrosio's concert was the third in the Wayne Community Concerts 2004-2005 season. - Goldsboro News-Argus

From the moment the Ponca City Concert Series President, Gary Hughes, said we were in
for a rare treat, I was primed to enjoy the second concert of the season, by Franco D'Ambrosio. How much I would enjoy it, however, would be a foregone conclusion, once this talented and charismatic performer stepped on the stage and took command. Opening with songs from one of my all time Lerner and Loewe favorite musicals, "Brigadoon". Franc set the mood for a fully packed show of show tunes from famous musicals through the years.

The concert was on Monday evening, January 24, in Hutchins Memorial Auditorium where a most appreciative audience listened with rapt attention, and showed their approval throughout the evening, and especially at the end after hearing the anticipated section from Franc's most well known role as the lead in "The Phantom of the Opera". Knowing the reputation he had gained by being dubbed "The World's Longest Running Phantom" (from his over 2,600 performances), we would have been very disappointed had he not shared this role with us.
Even though it had to be old hat with him, it was as fresh when he performed it as if he were just beginning his run. He poured out his heart and soul into the lyrics of the title song as well
as the equally famous 'Music of the Night". Even the times when his voice was almost a whisper, he enunciated each word to perfection, and the clarity and control of his voice as he smoothly made the transition into high "A's" was amazing.

In addition to singing more songs than I recall ever being in one single concert, Franc talked about the numbers and gave the audience insight into a little history of each musical, which added to the enjoyment, I am sure, for those who were not familiar with all of his selections.
He seemed equally comfortable with music of the Fifties, such as those from "Pajama Game"
(for example, "Steam Hot" was really HOT!) to Andrew Lloyd Webber's music of today.

I was most impressed that he was also a fine Impressionist, mimicking with perfection the gravel-like voice of Louis Armstrong in his rendition of "Mack the Knife", as well as James Cagney playing George M. Cohan in "Yankee Doodle Dandy". He also moved very well on
stage, as is usually a requirement and asset to those starring in Broadway roles. This was
evidenced in a rhythmic soft shoe rendition accompanying his "Razzle Dazzle" number from "Chicago".

Another number, which he could not have escaped including in his program, was the theme
to the movie, "The Godfather III", "Speak Softly Love". He not only sang this title song for the movie, but also acted in the Academy Award winning movie. This number was particularly moving and pleasing to the ear of this reviewer, who was constantly awed by the breath
control and phrasing of the artist. Many of the audience members commented later that they could understand his every word, which is a high compliment for any artist.

Assisting Mr. D'Ambrosio as the music conductor, announcer, and accompanist, was Chuck Larkin. - PONCA CITY NEWS

I had a call the other day from Franc D'Ambrosio, who played the title role in "Phantom of the Opera" here for most of its five years at the Curran and who's just released his premiere CD, "Franc D'Ambrosio's Broadway." A number of friends had faxed him my review of that CD from the previous Sunday Datebook and Franc was calling to say thanks. "I hope I'm not breaking some kind of protocol," he said. Is this guy real or what? Well, it shows in his work.

As evidence of how much clout I have around this place, my review was cut in half (oh, the humanity!) so I am taking this opportunity to tell anyone who came in late: Buy this CD. I'd received the record at the office before a recent at-home vacation and, as I told D'Ambrosio, once I put it on the Bose, "I couldn't stop playing it." I'm not a big Lloyd Webber fan, but I have to say, I'd go anywhere to hear D'Ambrosio and Lisa Vroman do "Phantom." D'Ambrosio is on tour right now, to places like Goldsboro, N.C.; Great Bend, Kan.; and Ponca City, Okla. He took a break from touring to sing in the "Tribute to Movies on Ice" show at the Staples Center in Los Angeles last Friday, leaving the actual skating, one assumes, to Bay Area pals Brian Boitano and Kristi Yamaguchi. The show was taped by NBC for broadcast on Oscar day, Sunday. - San Francisco Chronicle

Singing to a spellbound audience the incomparable Franc D'Ambrosio came to Elko and astounded everyone fortunate enough to secure a ticket for his one-night-only engagement.

The amazing vocalist was sponsored by The Elko Community Concerts Association Patron
Of The Arts program for 2004-2005.

D'Ambrosio is younger, much younger than he appears in the press photos from his six years
of performing as the longest running "Phantom" from Andrew Lloyd Webber's Tony Award winning musical "The Phantom Of The Opera".

He is also an anomaly, a gifted superstar who is unpretentious and freely acknowledged other artists throughout his performance in Elko. For his 36 magical musical numbers he astounded everyone with his range, vitality, dancing and animated change of pace.

He commanded the stage and filled the Elko Convention Center with his voice and his presence every moment of his engagement. He could hold a note, strike a pose and evoke a mood with
his mercurial artistry. Franc D'Ambrosio couldn't have been simply a singer, or an actor, he could only have been a superstar.

As the evening commenced he was an opera singer, a jazz singer, a Ziegfield Follies star and always the Italian boy who grew up in New York City believing "Broadway theaters were the temples of music." In his music he cajoled, he prayed, he lamented, he hoped, he aspired, he strutted, he teased, he bragged , he loved, he wept, all with his voice.

There wasn't an emotion he didn't encompass in his eclectic performance. By evening's end
the audience was on its feet begging for an encore. D'Ambrosio didn't disappoint.

As the audience filed out, not wanting the evening to end, D'Ambrosio and his gifted pianist, Chuck Larkin, went into the lobby and signed autographs for everyone who waited patiently. One attendee remarked, "I wish I'd had the foresight to buy a bouquet of flowers to throw on the stage."

His current tour will encompass 76 cities, then in June he will return to Tuscany, Italy. Following his stay there he will return to his homes in New York and San Francisco. - Elko Independant Review