Tony Ponella
Described as a performer with “rare talent and showmanship…with a beautifully toned voice and perfect pitch” Tony Ponella has already gained recognition both as a singer and actor in his young career.
Following his first runner-up finish in the 2012 Michael Feinstein Great American Songbook Vocal Competition, he moved to New York where he performs regularly. Recent appearances were with star performers Michael Feinstein and Marilyn Maye during the run of their show, Swingin’ the Night Away at Feinstein’s at Loews Regency. Just prior to that performance, he recorded “Different” from Honk! for Carnegie Hall Musical Exchange, produced by Scott Lehrer and Leslie Stifleman, artistic direction by Roger Rees and Jeff Saver.
Originally from Indiana, he recently performed with Sylvia McNair during her holiday performances with the Carmel Symphony Orchestra.
Tony was recently cast in the New York run of Judy, a Tribute; workshop performances of a new musical entitled Lost Boy as “Kamp”; Articulate Theatre Company’s performance of Dragon as “Boy”; and will participate in a reading of the new work, The Dancing Princess.
As a boy he sang the role of Amahl in Menotti's Amahl and the Night Visitors several times, including performances with Opera Kansas. His performance as Cobweb in Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream with the internationally renowned Indiana University Opera Theater was noted in the February 2006 edition of Opera News Online in which Charles H. Parsons wrote, "The child fairies were a competent band, led by a strong-voiced Cobweb (Tony Ponella)." During this period, Ponella also gave several recitals, and made two recordings, to raise money for local food cupboards.
His education includes Indiana University, Broadway Dance Center Training Program, Broadway Artists Alliance Work Study Program, The Performing Option and One on One NYC.
Tony also enjoys working with kids and has worked as both a teacher and director of youth musicals in his hometown of Bloomington, Indiana.
Following his first runner-up finish in the 2012 Michael Feinstein Great American Songbook Vocal Competition, he moved to New York where he performs regularly. Recent appearances were with star performers Michael Feinstein and Marilyn Maye during the run of their show, Swingin’ the Night Away at Feinstein’s at Loews Regency. Just prior to that performance, he recorded “Different” from Honk! for Carnegie Hall Musical Exchange, produced by Scott Lehrer and Leslie Stifleman, artistic direction by Roger Rees and Jeff Saver.
Originally from Indiana, he recently performed with Sylvia McNair during her holiday performances with the Carmel Symphony Orchestra.
Tony was recently cast in the New York run of Judy, a Tribute; workshop performances of a new musical entitled Lost Boy as “Kamp”; Articulate Theatre Company’s performance of Dragon as “Boy”; and will participate in a reading of the new work, The Dancing Princess.
As a boy he sang the role of Amahl in Menotti's Amahl and the Night Visitors several times, including performances with Opera Kansas. His performance as Cobweb in Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream with the internationally renowned Indiana University Opera Theater was noted in the February 2006 edition of Opera News Online in which Charles H. Parsons wrote, "The child fairies were a competent band, led by a strong-voiced Cobweb (Tony Ponella)." During this period, Ponella also gave several recitals, and made two recordings, to raise money for local food cupboards.
His education includes Indiana University, Broadway Dance Center Training Program, Broadway Artists Alliance Work Study Program, The Performing Option and One on One NYC.
Tony also enjoys working with kids and has worked as both a teacher and director of youth musicals in his hometown of Bloomington, Indiana.
Resume |
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Hair: Brown
Eyes: Brown
Height: 6’2”
NEW YORK THEATER
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Dragon
The Dancing Princess Judy: A Tribute Lost Boy My Son Pinocchio Bye Bye Birdie |
Boy
Marco Young Man Kamp Geppetto Albert Peterson |
Articulate Theatre Company
New York Reading Jan Hus Playhouse, Off-Broadway New York Reading iTheatrics/MTI Workshop iTheatrics/Tams-Witmark Workshop |
CABARET/REGIONAL
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"Michael and Friends"
A Tribute to Lyricist Sammy Cahn Michael Feinstein and Marilyn Maye: Holidays with Sylvia McNair Honk! A Brown County Christmas Seussical The Sound of Music Midsummer Night's Dream Amahl & the Night Visitors |
featuring Michael Feinstein and Liza Minnelli
Guest Soloist "Swingin' the Night Away" Guest Soloist Ugly Young Ebenezer (originated) Horton Friedrich Cobweb Amahl |
Indiana Roof Ballroom, Indianapolis, IN
The Iridium, NY Feinstein's at Loews Regency, NY The Palladium, Carmel, IN Stages Bloomington Coachlight Musical Theater Stages Bloomington Cardinal Stage Company Indiana University Opera Theatre Opera Kansas |
Education/Training
Vocal Training: Laura Bergquist, NYC; Dr. Brian Horne, Voice Faculty, Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University
Acting: One on One NYC; Lane Napper, Holly-Anne Ruggiero-NYC
Keyboard and Music Theory: Kim Carballo, Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University
Dance: Broadway Dance Center Training Program, NYC; Sherilyn Foley, Indiana University
Broadway Artists Alliance: Workstudy Program
Masterclasses: Pat Goodwin, Bob Cline, Celeste Simone, Justin Huff, Cesar Rocha, Karyn Casl, Tiffany Little Canfield, Jennifer Johns, Tyrick Wiltez Jones, Michael Feinstein, Marilyn Maye, Sandi Patty, Lane Napper, John Gallagher, Jim Caruso, La Tanya Hall, Sylvia McNair, Vince di Mura, Bridget Berger, Alexander Gemingnani, Christopher Jackson.
Acting: One on One NYC; Lane Napper, Holly-Anne Ruggiero-NYC
Keyboard and Music Theory: Kim Carballo, Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University
Dance: Broadway Dance Center Training Program, NYC; Sherilyn Foley, Indiana University
Broadway Artists Alliance: Workstudy Program
Masterclasses: Pat Goodwin, Bob Cline, Celeste Simone, Justin Huff, Cesar Rocha, Karyn Casl, Tiffany Little Canfield, Jennifer Johns, Tyrick Wiltez Jones, Michael Feinstein, Marilyn Maye, Sandi Patty, Lane Napper, John Gallagher, Jim Caruso, La Tanya Hall, Sylvia McNair, Vince di Mura, Bridget Berger, Alexander Gemingnani, Christopher Jackson.
Special Skills
Ability to read music, Keyboard skills, Opera, Classical, Scatting, Beatboxing, Tap, Puppetry, Set construction/painting, Computer fluency, Mickey Mouse impression, Work with young children.
Recently recorded "Different" from Honk! for Carnegie Hall Musical Exchange produced my Scott Lehrer and Leslie Stifleman, artistic direction by Roger Rees and Jeff Saver.
