Tony Vincent

Tony Vincent , born Anthony Vincent Strascina , is an American singer and actor born in Albuquerque, New Mexico (July 25, 1973) and based out of New York City, New York. He took the stage name Tony Vincent (after his grandfather Vincent) when he was preparing to release his first EP in 1993. His given name is sometimes listed as Anthony Vincent Strascina, but this is incorrect.

Early career

His professional singing career began while attending Belmont University in Nashville,TN. Using the school's recording studio he recorded what became his first single, "Love Falling Down". It was originally released only to his hometown radio station, KLYT in Albuquerque. The song proved popular. When it hit #1 on that station's charts, he and a college friend hastily organized a campaign to release the single nationally. The single was released nationwide in May 1993 and appeared for one week on the national Christian radio charts in July 1993. It was the first independently released single ever to do so.

After signing a recording contract with Star Song Records, he spent three more years doing Christian music in Nashville, during this time his song "One Deed" from the album of the same name was featured in a United Way of America campaign.

Musical Theatre

Rent

In 1997, he took a chance and moved to New York where he landed a role in the American touring production of Rent . He later returned to Broadway and was again cast in Rent , appearing in the roles of Roger and Mark.

Jesus Christ Superstar

Taking another chance, he auditioned for the 2000 video remake of Jesus Christ Superstar in London and won the role of Simon Zealotes. He was the only American to be cast in the film . This new and fresh production revived the show on Broadway, but in a last minute change just three and a half weeks before opening night, Tony was moved up to the lead role of Judas. His performance in the role won him a nomination for an Outer Critics award for "Best Featured Actor."

Impressed with Vincent's performance, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber picked him to travel through China introducing his music in a cultural exchange production in 2001.

We Will Rock You

Returning to his adopted home in New York City, Vincent began focusing on his own music once more, having left it behind to pursue the stage. Having a hard time focusing, and a creative block Vincent moved to London for what was meant to be a temporary stint of 9 months. While living in London, Vincent won the lead role of Galileo Figaro in Queen's musical, We Will Rock You . He performed in that role 8 shows a week from May 2002 until November 2003. He also performed on stage with Queen in place of Freddie Mercury for the band's June 2002 appearance at Party at the Palace, a celebration of Queen Elizabeth's 50th anniversary as monarch, this was the first time Queen's most famous song Bohemian Rhapsody was ever performed live in its entirety.

The physical and vocal demands of the musical took a toll on Vincent, and he was forced to take a long vacation in which he underwent preventive surgery on his vocal cords. In the two months after the surgery, Vincent returned to New York City where he held sessions with a speech therapist to learn how to simply speak without placing strain on his voice. Whether or not Vincent's singing voice would return in full strength was of great concern. Vincent attributes his full recovery to God and the prayers of his family, friends and fans.

We Will Rock You : Las Vegas

When We Will Rock You was launched in Las Vegas, Tony was persuaded to again star in the production alongside with his future wife, Aspen Miller (now Aspen Vincent) as Scaramouche. This production was shortened, with certain musical numbers omitted or changed for a more "American audience." To allow for a large amount of performances without the risk of further vocal strain on Vincent, two sets of leads alternated between performances.

Vincent had his last performance in the show on July 24, 2005 and is back in New York, once again working to re-establish his solo career. Tony returned to Hong Kong,China in October 2005 for a show called "Musical Moments," and performed at "SAS Live" in the United Kingdom in December 2005, as well as the Matthew Shepard EMBRACE! Benefit in February, 2006.

Dirty Dancing

Vincent is now preparing to do a national tour of the musical rendition of Dirty Dancing alongside his wife.

American Idiot

Vincent originated the role of St. Jimmy in American Idiot, the stage musical based on Green Day's award-winning album. It premiered at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre in September 2009, and is expected to come to Broadway in 2010.

Solo career

More recently, Vincent had decided to forgo any theatre opportunities and focus on his music once again without any distractions. Over the last year he has worked with producer Adam Anders and songwriter Nate Campany on his latest project, taking his music in a more secular direction with a band called Mercer.

Side Projects

Vincent is featured as the voice for the Fisher-Price "I Can Play Guitar" interactive game. Took part in "Queen-The Doors Of Time" musicle In Tartu, spring 2009.

Albums

His four albums are: Love Falling Down (1993), Tony Vincent (1995), One Deed (1997), and "A Better Way" (2007).

Love Falling Down

Tracklist

Love Falling Down
All That I Feel
I Still Believe
Living A Lie
Love Falling Down (Preacher Mix)

Tony Vincent

Tracklist

Must Be The Season
Out Of My Hands
Holiday
Whole New Spin
Far Cry
High
Simple Things
Be A Man
Shake The Money Tree
Beyond All Words

One Deed

Tracklist

Reach Out
One Deed
Do You Really
Fighting Over Love Songs
Polly's Eyes
Hey World
Live By The Lord
Can't Have One Without The Other
Open Your Window
Closer To Your Dreams

A Better Way - EP

Tracklist

Anything But Me
Winter
Tonite
Everything We Can Be
A Better Way

Filmography

Stage Work

• Rent (national tour) - Chorus (1998)
• Rent (Broadway) - Roger (1999)
• Rent (Broadway) - Mark (1999)
• Jesus Christ Superstar (Broadway) - Judas Iscariot (2000)
• We Will Rock You (London) - Galileo Figaro (2002-2004)
• We Will Rock You (Las Vegas) - Galileo Figaro (2005)
• American Idiot - St. Jimmy (2009)

References

1. ^ http://www.tonyvincentworld.com/jesuschristsuperstar.htm
2. ^ http://www.tonyvincentworld.com/jesuschristsuperstar.htm

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