Franc D’Ambrosio, “Iron Man of the Mask,” is bringing his Christmas concert, Christmas in New York, to the Kent State University at Tuscarawas Performing Arts Center Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m. This will be his third performance at Kent State Tuscarawas. This family show is co-sponsored by Mix 94.1 Radio and Carpenter Heating and Cooling.
Tickets for Franc D’Ambrosio Christmas in New York range in price from $18 to $43 and can be purchased at the Performing Arts Center box office, online at www.kent.edu/tusc/pac or by calling 330-308-6400. The box office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free parking is available for all shows.
“Christmas in New York, joyously celebrates the magic of the holiday season with favorite holiday standards from the American Songbook. The show debuted in November 2011 and played to sold out audiences at the famed Rrazz Room in San Francisco in December 2011, to critical acclaim.
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 "The Iron Man of The Mask," D’Ambrosio was awarded the distinction as the “World’s Longest Running Phantom,” with more than 2,300 performances of the lead role, a title he held for a decade. This accomplishment was immortalized in a cemented hand ceremony.
D'Ambrosio is a welcomed and frequent guest artist with many major symphonies in America and Europe (Pop Series). With the success of D’Ambrosio’s national and international tours, he 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. He celebrates 10 years of continuous touring. In addition to this Christmas show, his critically acclaimed one man shows include: “Franc D’Ambrosio’s Broadway - Songs of The Great White Way” (debut 2004); “Franc D’Ambrosio’s Hollywood - Songs of The Silver Screen”(debut 2007); and “I’ll Be Seein’ Youz - A Bronx Boy’s Musical Perspective of World War II (debut 2010).” His 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.
Touring with D’Ambrosio will be Scott Besser, who made his concert debut at the age of 17 as a piano concerto soloist with the Lancaster Symphony. He holds a Bachelor of Music in piano with an emphasis in music industry from James Madison University and has completed graduate coursework from East Stroudsburg University. Teachers and coaches include Patricia Brady, Daniel Fletcher, Chuck Fisher, Barbara Nissman, Debra Ronning and Rhoda Schademann.
Besser’s work as a musical director includes not only touring with D’Ambrosio, but also operas and recitals in concert venues across the U.S. Besser also composes commercial jingles currently playing on radio and television. In addition, he has acted a judge for composition competitions at the regional and national levels for the National Federation of Music Clubs.
Besser currently divides his time between teaching privately in Stroudsburg, PA, in the Pocono Mountains and touring with D'Ambrosio.