New focus: People in the Arts! Today: Pasqualino Beltempo

Keep an eye on this space! 

There will be more incredible people to be showcased!!

This actor is FABULOUS!! Currently can be seen at The Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre in Fort Myers, FL .. http://www.broadwaypalm.com/ 

First photo in makeup by Letizia Lamartire

Denim Shirt head shots by Giuditta Penna

My interview during my lunch with Pasqualino:

ME: When did your passion for the stage begin?

P: My passion for musical theatre has very early roots in my life, it was instilled by the movie selection that my parents watched with me during my childhood: the first movie my parents took me to see at the movie theatre in my town, Giovinazzo, in Southern Italy, was The Little Mermaid, and my family favorites are The Sound Of Music, Mary Poppins and Victor/Victoria. We would go on long trips and instead of using our car radio, we were our own soundtrack and sang all the time. My sisters and cousins and I used to put shows together for my family and I was the choreographer, director and main actor, tradition that kept going in school, where I asked my teachers permission to be in charge of the school play. Not to mention all the nativity plays in church in which I was constantly chosen to play Saint Joseph:

"No Greater Love"

ME: Why did you come to America instead of enjoying acting and dance in Italy?

P: In Italy musical theatre is not yet considered a course of study of its own, so I studied acting, music and dance separately from each other focusing on styles that don’t have much in common with traditional musical theatre. I attended the prestigious arts academy Unika in Bari, Italy. I had wonderful acting experiences early in my acting career having the chance to portray one of my favorite roles, Hamlet, and many others, mainly in the field of legit theatre. I did also some shorts and tv.

"le notti bianche"

P, Continues: After completing my university studies in geology I decided to spend six months in New York, fascinated by its musical theatre culture, and after researching a lot for the school that best fulfilled my needs I chose the world famous Broadway Dance Center, where I was the April 2011 recipient of the Outstanding Student Award. I had the chance to explore many new dance styles and fall in love with musical theatre even more.

The "Life of TCHAIKOVSKY"

During my first year in New York I had wonderful performing opportunities, I was in the cast of an original production of A Christmas Carol at the Players Theatre in the Greenwich village and had the honor of having Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban in the audience for one of our performances, then I was in a wonderful play dedicated to the life of Tchaikovsky as principal male dancer with choreography by the super talented choreographer Nancy Whyte. I went on and joined the St Malachy’s - The Actors’ Chapel choir with which I sang for two years, and finally I joined joined the Christian performing group: the Xavier Company, which performs around the Tristate area: I had the honor of playing the role of Jesus in their Easter musical “No Greater Love” and Joseph in their Christmas production “An Advent Carol”. And even though I travel from place to place the Broadway Palm is always my favorite place to perform is, cause it's my first american theatre love!

"A Christmas Carol"

By the dance photographer Kyle Breen.

Me: What was it like coming to America for you?

P: My day job in NYC was basically the one of “auditioner”, like any other actor I attended auditions everyday, all day, becoming an habitué of the holding rooms of the City. Finally my first job for Prather Entertainment Group came along, and since my first moments at the Broadway Palm I knew I would love both this incredible theatre family and the lovely Fort Myers. Not only is everyone who works for the company super talented but also very friendly, I truly feel home every time I am fortunate to work here. My first show at the Broadway Palm was “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” directed and choreographed by the amazing Amy McCleary!

From "Bye Bye Birdie"                                       and                                  "A Chorus Line"

Me: Do you enjoy The Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre as much as it looks like from the audience?

P:This season has been a dream so far, I performed in one of my dream roles “West Side Story” as of my dream roles, Bernardo, at the Arizona Broadway Theatre, I had the chance to work with Amy as director and choreographer again in “Sister Act” as Pablo and “James and the Giant Peach” as Earthworm and next I’m gonna be in West Side Story as Bernardo once again for Cortland Repertory Theatre upstate New York! Can’t wait to be back to the Broadway Palm for Evita and White Christmas!

From "Sister Act" (Broadway Palm)

"St. Malachy's Choir"

"Advent Carol"

Scenes with Pasqualino from the production of

Arizona Broadway Theatre's

WEST SIDE STORY

What a pleasure to have met and dined with this amazing actor. I'll keep up with him in hopes of adding more and more to this page that I've dedicated to him.. Fabulous work, Pasqualino.. Keep on keepin on!! ~ Bekki