Robert Cuccioli

Robert Cuccioli (born May 3 1958) is an American actor and singer born in Hempstead, New York. He is best known for his role as the lead in "Jekyll and Hyde", for which he received a Tony Award nomination and won the Joseph Jefferson Award, the Outer Critics Circle Award, the Drama Desk Award, and the Fany Award.

Life and career

Cuccioli attended St. Mary's High School in Manhasset, New York and college at St. John's University in Jamaica, New York. Cuccioli has been in a relationship with actress Laila Robins since 2000.

Broadway and national tours

Cuccioli starred as Lancelot de Lac in a National Tour of "Camelot" in 1985. He first appeared on Broadway as Javert in "Les Misérables" in the late 1980s and continued to appear in the musical as a replacement as late as 2003. In 1996, Cuccioli received a Tony Award nomination for his performance in the musical "Jekyll and Hyde", as well as winning the Joseph Jefferson Award, the Outer Critics Circle Award, the Drama Desk Award, and the Fany Award. On September 26 2005, he starred in the special benefit performance of "On the Twentieth Century" at the New Amsterdam Theatre as Dr. Johnson.

Off-Broadway and regional theatre

Early in his career, Cuccioli spent several years learning the ropes off-Broadway at the Light Opera of Manhattan, starting out in the chorus, moving up to smaller featured roles and eventually playing leading roles, such as Count Danilo in "The Merry Widow", the Pirate King in "The Pirates of Penzance", and Captain Corcoran in "H.M.S. Pinafore". His other notable off-Broadway appearances include Nathan in "The Rothschilds" (1990); the highly successful 1991 Kander and Ebb revue, "And The World Goes 'Round", which garnered him the Outer Critics Circle Award in 1991; and he played the title role of in the Maury Yeston and Arthur Kopit musical, "Phantom", at the Westchester Broadway Theater in 1992-93.

Cuccioli also appeared in "Temporary Help" (2002), "The Sound of Music" (2003), and "Guys and Dolls" (2004). He has starred in numerous shows at the Paper Mill Playhouse and The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. He also has been seen at the Goodspeed Opera House, New York's Equity Library Theatre and in regional theatres around the United States.

His recent theatrical credits include "Lorenzaccio", "Julius Caesar" (as Brutus), "The Sound of Music" (as Capt. von Trapp), and "Mirette" (a new musical) (all in 2005), and in the off-Broadway revue, "Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris" in 2006. In June and July 2007, Cuccioli played Claudius in "Hamlet" at The Lansburgh Theatre in Washington, D.C. with the Shakespeare Theatre Company. In September and October 2007, he appeared in pre-Broadway tryouts of "Lone Star Love" in Seattle, starring Randy Quaid, but the Broadway run was cancelled. He then played the title character in "Man of La Mancha" at the White Plains, New York Performing Arts Center until December 2007.

Cuccioli is currently reprising the title role of the Maury Yeston and Arthur Kopit musical, "Phantom", at the Westchester Broadway Theater from December 27, 2007 through February 9, 2008. He also is heard on a concept album for a new musical, "The New Picasso", which was released in January 2008. [ [http://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=23165 BroadwayWorld.com article about "The New Picasso" album, dated November 20, 2007] ]

Television

Cuccioili's television appearances include "Sliders" (1999) and "Baywatch Hawaii" (1997). Cuccioli has been seen on screen in "Celebrity" (1998) and "Operation Delta Force 3: Clear Target" (1999). He played Chief Franklin on "The Guiding Light".

Directing

Cuccioli directed "The Glass Menagerie" in 2003 at the Shakespeare Theater. He has also directed productions of "Jekyll & Hyde".

Notes

References

* [http://www.rjprod.com/robert_cuccioli-bio.htm Biography of Cuccioli]
* [http://www.robertcuccioli.com/ Robert Cuccioli Official Website]

External links

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* [http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Story.aspx?ci=534408 Profile of and interview with Cuccioli]
* [http://nytimes.theatredirect.com/gen/Buzz_Star_File.aspx?ci=533431 Information and listing of Cuccioli credits]
* [http://www.broadway.com/gen/buzz_story.aspx?CI=534408 Extensive interview with Cuccioli during the run of "Jacques Brel" in 2006]