Tony Vincent

Tony Vincent
New York City, 2002
Background information
Birth name	Anthony Peter Strascina
Born	(1973-07-25) 25 July 1973 Albuquerque, New Mexico
Occupation(s)	Singer/Songwriter, Producer and Actor.
Years active	1993–present
Website	tonyvincent.com

Tony Vincent, born Anthony Peter Strascina, is an American actor, singer and songwriter born in Albuquerque, New Mexico (July 25, 1973) and based out of New York City, New York. He took the stage name Tony Vincent when he was preparing to release his first EP in 1993.

Early career

Vincent's professional 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 No. 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 CCM radio charts in July 1993, becoming the first independently released single ever to do so. After signing a recording contract with Star Song Records / EMI, Vincent spent six more years recording in Nashville. During that time, Vincent had six No. 1 songs on Billboard's radio charts and his song, "One Deed", from the album of the same name, was featured in a United Way of America campaign.

Musical Theatre

Rent

In 1998, Vincent moved to New York, and by March 1998 had landed a role in the American touring production of Rent. In January 1999, Vincent returned to New York and made his Broadway debut in the cast of Rent - appearing first in the role of Roger, and then later as Mark - at the Nederlander Theatre.

Jesus Christ Superstar

In 2000, Vincent was cast in the role of Simon Zealotes in the film remake of Jesus Christ Superstar in London; he was one of three Americans to be cast in the film (along with Frederick B. Owens and Cavin Cornwall). This new production brought about a revival of the show on Broadway, and Vincent and several of his castmates from the film were asked to star in it. Vincent was again cast as Simon, understudying the lead roles of Jesus and Judas, but in a change just three and a half weeks before opening night, Jason Pebworth - who was originally cast as Judas - left the show, and composer Andrew Lloyd Webber moved Vincent into the leading role. Vincent's performance as Judas won him a nomination for an Outer Critics award for "Best Featured Actor".^[1] Impressed with his Broadway performances, Webber selected Vincent to travel through China in 2001, introducing the composer's music in a cultural exchange production later released on DVD as Andrew Lloyd Webber-Masterpiece (Live in Beijing).

We Will Rock You

In 2001, Vincent landed the lead role of Galileo Figaro in Queen's musical, We Will Rock You on London's West End. He performed the role from May 2002 through November 2003. Vincent also performed "Bohemian Rhapsody" with Queen for the band's June 2002 appearance at Party at the Palace, a celebration of Queen Elizabeth's 50th anniversary as monarch.

The North American premiere of We Will Rock You opened in Las Vegas in 2004. Vincent again starred in the production, where he met his future wife, Aspen Miller, who played his love interest Scaramouche. Vincent remained with the show until July 2005, when he returned to New York City to resume work on his solo music career.

American Idiot

Vincent originated the role of St. Jimmy in American Idiot, the Tony award-winning stage musical based on Green Day's award-winning album of the same name. The production premiered at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre in September 2009 and, after being extended twice, became Berkeley Rep's most popular and highest grossing production.^[2]

When American Idiot opened on Broadway at the St. James Theatre on April 20, 2010, Tony Vincent received considerable praise for his portrayal of St. Jimmy. Charles Isherwood of the New York Times praised the show as "performed with galvanizing intensity by a terrific cast, ... a pulsating portrait of wasted youth that invokes all the standard genre conventions ... only to transcend them through the power of its music and the artistry of its execution," and describing performance as having "mesmerizing vitality and piercing vocalism."^[3] Peter Travers of Rolling Stone, in his review of American Idiot, wrote "the standout is vocal powerhouse Tony Vincent as St. Jimmy, Johnny's dealer and toxic id.... American Idiot...cuts its own path to the heart. You won't know what hit you. American Idiot knows no limits – it's a global knockout."^[4]

In April 2010, Vincent, along with co-star John Gallagher, Jr., received a 2010 Drama League Award nomination for the Distinguished Performance Award.

Vincent played his final performance as "St. Jimmy" on December 30, 2010, and was succeeded by Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong. The show closed on Broadway on April 24, 2011, but continues to tour globally with tour-exclusive casts.

Music career

Vincent released three solo albums during the 90's - Love Falling Down (1993), Tony Vincent (1995) and One Deed (1997).

In 2007 Vincent released a five-song EP entitled A Better Way, a collaboration with platinum-selling producer Adam Anders and songwriter Nate Campany, and in 2012, he released his highly anticipated studio project, In My Head, which he co-produced with Swedish artist Ulf Dernevik.

Side projects

In 2005, the multi-platinum vocal group Il Divo included the song, Hoy Que Ya No Estas Aqui (As Far As Any Man Can See), co-written by Vincent and Jorgen Elofsson (translation by Rudy Perez), on their self-titled debut album.

Tony has been successful in the voice over world, and, to date, has done voice over work for Pepperidge Farm, Mrs Fields and for the Fisher-Price interactive game, I Can Play Guitar.

Vincent has been a guest artist with The SAS Band for several live concerts in the UK. He is also a recurring guest artist at the Vanemuine Theater in Tartu, Estonia.

Vincent supports the work of the Broadway Dreams Foundation and regularly participates in their intensive theatre training courses as a faculty member and guest instructor.

The Voice

Vincent was a contestant on the second season of the hit reality talent show The Voice. Cee Lo Green was so impressed by Vincent's powerful (blind audition) performance of We Are The Champions that he snatched him up for his Team (TeamCeeLo) and commented that Freddie Mercury would have been proud. Vincent won his Battle Round against teammate Justin Hopkins singing Journey's "Faithfully".

During the Live round, Vincent sang Tears for Fears' "Everybody Wants to Rule the World", but received mixed reviews from the judges, who felt the song held back his true voice dynamic. Vincent ended up in the Sing-Off of the Last Chance Performances, singing Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams", but was eliminated from the competition.

Personal life

Vincent met his wife, Aspen Miller, when they played co-lead roles in We Will Rock You (Las Vegas) in 2004. They married on January 5, 2008 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Aspen gave birth to their first child, Sadie Day on April 3, 2012.

Discography

Filmography

Stage Work

Television

References

External links

• Official Site
• Official Fan Site
• Tony Vincent at the Internet Broadway Database