Twin singers celebrate holidays with a Broadway flair
By Jay Handelman , Herald-Tribune
/ Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Will and Anthony Nunziata are combining some of their favorite things for their "A Broadway Holiday" Artist Series Concerts program this weekend.
Anthony Nunziata, left, and Will Nunziata, present their concert "A Broadway Holiday" at the Historic Asolo Theater Dec. 20-21 for the Artist Series Concerts. Photo by Christina Sees/Art House Interactive
The twins, who made their Sarasota debut nearly four years ago, will perform a mix of holiday favorites, standards and Broadway show tunes as they share the stage with Gloria Musicae and mezzo-soprano Amy Connours.
"This is a new holiday show for us and Sarasota is going to be our theater debut with it," Anthony Nunziata said. The Sarasota performances follow two concerts with symphony orchestras.
"I've always believed, even when we were very young, that at some point, Anthony and I would be singing a concert with Broadway classics and holiday favorites," Will Nunziata said.
The program will include such songs as "We Need a Little Christmas," "Joy to the World," "I'll be Home for Christmas," and their own version of "O Sole Mio."
The twins have been performing together for years and started building a professional career about a half dozen years ago, appearing with orchestras and in cabaret shows, combining favorite songs and brotherly banter.
Their goal with the Sarasota performances is to create some of the musical fun they had at home with their family at Christmas time.
"Broadway and holiday music was always playing. It's kind of what the holidays were for us as a family," Will Nunziata said.
His brother said that they have been working long distance with Joseph Holt, artistic director of Gloria Musicae, about "some really fun surprises" they plan with the choir.
The twins will be accompanied by their long-time collaborator and friend Alvin Hough, Jr., who spends most of his time as a Broadway musical director of such shows as "Memphis" and "Dreamgirls."
"He's become one of our closest friends, and we have a good time making music," Anthony Nunziata said. "
And he's a fantastic player. It's like he breathes with us."
CONCERT PREVIEW
Will and Anthony Nunziata perform "A Broadway Holiday" for Artist Series Concerts with mezzo-soprano Amy Connours and Gloria Musicae at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20 and 2 and 7;30 p.m. Dec. 21 in the Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota. Tickets are $25-$45. For more information: 360-7399; artistseriesconcerts.org
Will and Anthony Nunziata perform "A Broadway Holiday" for Artist Series Concerts with mezzo-soprano Amy Connours and Gloria Musicae at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 and 7;30 p.m. Sunday in the Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota. Tickets are $25-$45. For more information: 360-7399; artistseriesconcerts.org
Jay Handelman
Jay Handelman is the theater and television critic for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, where he has worked since 1984. He also is President of the Foundation of the American Theatre Critics Association and a two-time past chairman of the association's executive committee. He can be reached by email or call (941) 361-4931. Follow him at @jayhandelman on Twitter. Make sure to "Like" Arts Sarasota on Facebook for news and reviews of the arts.