Anthony Crivello | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | (1955-08-02)August 2, 1955 (age 70) Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, singer |
| Known for | The Phantom of the Opera Kiss of the Spider Woman Evita Les Misérables |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
Anthony Crivello (born August 2, 1955) is an American actor, known for his performances on both stage and screen. He appeared in the original cast of several Broadway shows, including playingGrantaire andInspector Javert inLes Misérables, Valentin inKiss of the Spider Woman, Eddie Fuseli inGolden Boy, Dante Keyes inMarie Christine, and the Killer inThe News. He also originated thetitle role inThe Phantom of the Opera: The Las Vegas Spectacular and stayed with the cast through its closing six years later. He played the Mysterious Man in the star-studded production ofInto the Woods at theHollywood Bowl and starred as Che in the closing cast of the original Broadway production ofEvita. In 1993, he won theTony Award forBest Featured Actor in a Musical for his performance as Valentin inKiss of the Spider Woman.
Crivello was born inMilwaukee,Wisconsin, the son of Josephine (née Mussomeli) and Vincent J. Crivello.[1] He graduated fromSaint Rita's Grade School on Milwaukee's East Side, and thenSaint Thomas More High School in 1973. He was inducted into the Saint Thomas More Alumni Hall of Fame in 1995. Early in his career, he appeared in 12 community theatre productions, including three at Sunset Playhouse, directed byAlan Furlan andMary H. Strong.[2] He married actress/commercial talent agent Dori Rosenthal on May 14, 2005, and they have two children together.
He is a lifetime member of theActors Studio (NYC/LA). His former acting teachers include: Tony Greco,Estelle Parsons,Harvey Keitel,Barbara Bain,Martin Landau as well asMichael Howard,Terry Schreiber and Mary H. Strong. His vocal coach for over thirty years is Anne Perillo/DePaul University. He studied comic improv withDel Close atThe Second City in Chicago.
Crivello is an Honored Member of Marquette University's Century of Scholarship. He was the recipient of Marquette University's College of Speech & Communications 2003 Communicator of the Year Award. He is listed inWho's Who in America, and is a member of the Saint Thomas More High School Alumni Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the Marquette University Hall of Fame with his image displayed in Johnston Hall in theDiederich College of Communication on the campus ofMarquette University.
In 2008, Crivello was the host of his own radio show on FOX SPORTS/ 920 AM Las Vegas calledTony Crivello and The Sicilians.[3] Mr. Crivello has also moonlighted as a ring announcer & commentator forESPN2's Kickboxing Championships, and owns stock with the NFL'sGreen Bay Packers.
Crivello got hisEquity Card at age 19, playing Conrad Birdie in a production ofBye Bye Birdie by Milwaukee's Melody Top Theatre. He broke into the Chicago theater scene in 1979, originating the role of "Felix 'The Filth Fiend' Linder" in the original cast ofJohn R. Powers'Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up? at Chicago'sForum Theatre. Shortly thereafter, in 1980, he was cast in a national touring company ofEvita by director Harold Prince, where he played "Che". Prince eventually cast Crivello replacingMandy Patinkin in the original Broadway production ofEvita in 1981; it was Crivello's Broadway debut .[4]
After completing his “Evita” run, he appeared off-Broadway inWendy Kesselman'sThe Juniper Tree as well asThe Lincoln Center production of Shakespeare'sMeasure For Measure directed byMark Lamos.
He appeared in the musicalThe News starring as “The Killer”, first in Jupiter, Florida receiving aCarbonelle Award for “Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actor.” He performed that same role at Westport Country Playhouse, and then on Broadway at the Helen Hayes Theatre. He was an original Broadway cast member ofAlain Boublil andClaude-Michel Schonberg'sLes Misérables for directorsTrevor Nunn andJohn Caird and producerCameron Mackintosh, first asGrantaire, and ten months later taking over the leading role ofJavert. (He would later play Grantaire once again in a special tenth-anniversary concert at the Royal Albert Hall, London in “The Dream Cast/10th Anniversary Production ofLes Miserables in Concert.)
He starred on Broadway as "Valentin" in theKander and EbbTerrence McNally musicalKiss of the Spider Woman in 1993 directed by the incomparableHarold Prince. For his performance, he was nominated for aDora Mavor Moore Award while in try-outs in Toronto. He then originated the same role in London's West End Production of “Kiss” prior to its Broadway engagement. For his portrayal, Crivello won Broadway's 1993Tony Award as "Best Featured Actor in a Musical." In 1999, he starred inMichael John LaChiusa'sMarie Christine directed byGraciela Daniele atThe Lincoln Center'sVivian Beaumont Theatre on Broadway oppositeAudra McDonald andMary Testa. Two years later, he received a Los AngelesOvation Award nomination, a Garland Award nomination, a Robby Award nomination, and aLos Angeles Drama Critics Award nomination for "Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actor in a Musical" forDo I Hear a Waltz? at thePasadena Playhouse directed byDavid Lee.
Crivello starred in theGoodman Theater of Chicago production ofThe House Of Martin Guerre for which he received Chicago'sJoseph Jefferson Award for his portrayal ofMartin Guerre. In August 2005, he appeared at theLa Jolla Playhouse inSan Diego, California in a workshop production ofZhivago, a musicalisation of theBoris Pasternak novel byMarsha Norman andLucy Simon, and directed byDes McAnuff. He starred in theSteve Martin adaptation ofThe Underpants atthe Geffen Playhouse, directed byJohn Rando, as well asDavid Ives' adaptation ofA Flea in Her Ear for theChicago Shakespeare Theatre directed byGary Griffin for which he received his secondJoseph Jefferson Award nomination. He starred in theJohn Caird andPaul Gordon musicalJane Eyre, first in 1994 while in development in Wichita, KS and then in the 1996 Toronto staging of “Jane Eyre.” Mr. Crivello received a secondDora Mavor Moore nomination in Canada for his portrayal ofEdward Fairfax Rochester with that production.
In 2006, he was cast by directorHal Prince as one of two actors rotating in the title role in theLas Vegas production ofThe Phantom of the Opera. Subsequently, he was cast as “The Phantom", and by September 2012, he appeared in over 2,400 performances.
He appeared in the Lincoln Center 75th Anniversary revival of Clifford Odets'Golden Boy at theBelasco Theatre in New York City, produced byLincoln Center Theatre in 2012–2013, acting alongsideTony Shalhoub,Seth Numrich, andYvonne Strahovski,Michael Aronov and directed byBartlett Sher. In 2014, he appeared in theKevin Murphy /Laurence O'KeefeHeathers Off-Broadway in New York City at New World Stages, and directed byAndy Fickman.
In 2015 and 2016, Crivello starred in producerHershey Felder's production ofLouis and Keely Live at the Sahara directed byTaylor Hackford, and written by Hackford,Vanessa Claire Stewart and Jake Broder. The musical was performed at the Royal George Theatre in Chicago, as well asthe Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles. Stewart played the role ofKeely Smith to Crivello's 'Las Vegas Lounge Legend'Louis Prima and Crivello received this third Joseph Jefferson Award nomination for his work.
In 2017, Crivello portrayed theMarquette University Naismith Basketball Hall Of Fame 1977 NCAA basketball championship coach /NBC broadcasterAl McGuire in theMilwaukee Repertory Theatre one man playMcGuire, written by HOF broadcasterDick Enberg. Crivello received critical praise for his work in the show and won the 2017 Wisconsin Footlights Award for Outstanding Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play.[5] An eight-minute presentation ofMcGuire was presented at the 2017 Wisconsin Sports Awards on May 20, 2017, at the University of Wisconsin Field House. Crivello reprised his award-winning performance inMcGuire in a relaunched new touring production in 2022 at Milwaukee's Next Act Theatre, produced by Bob Rech and Rech Entertainment, and directed by Edward Morgan.[6][7]
In 2019, Crivello portrayed "The Old Man" Santiago inErnest Hemingway'sThe Old Man and the Sea, adapted for the stage byA. E. Hotchner and Tim Hotchner, presented at thePittsburgh Playhouse on the campus ofPoint Park University, directed byRonald Allan-Lindblom and produced by RWS Entertainment Group of New York City/Long Island City, receiving critical praise for his work.[8][9]
In July 2019, Crivello made hisHollywood Bowl debut as "The Mysterious Man" inStephen Sondheim'sInto the Woods directed byRobert Longbottom.[10][11][12]
He has also performed comic improv Off-Broadway and is a resident company alumni ofChicago City Limits in New York City.
As a producer, he has co-produced the playsHear What's In The Heart andMcguire at theNext Act Theatre, as well asPlease Leave with Rob Sedgwick at The Theatre Center in New York City. He produced readings of his screenplays and playsScouting Patti Style,The Great Stupid,Allegoria,Lucrece, andThe Chicken Brothers and screenplays by Charles D. Zicari. He served as executive producer on Bobby Sheehan's documentary filmsMr. Prince andThe Talent Collector.[citation needed]
Crivello started his feature film work co-starring in two films:Crocodile Dundee II oppositePaul Hogan in 1988, andShakedown oppositeSam Elliot. He then starred in directorJanet Greek'sMGM filmSpellbinder withKelly Preston andTim Daly. He was featured in directorJames Ivory's comedySlaves of New York in 1989 oppositeBernadette Peters.
Crivello co-starred in theJim Abrahams film comedyMafia! (1998),Texas Rangers (2001),Material Girls (2006),Independence Day, andTrade (2007). In 1992, Crivello starred in the short filmThe Bet for directorTed Demme. Crivello has also starred in the independent short filmsPetal Of A Rose,Henry Toy for director Anthony Engelken in 2014, and portrayed "Boonie" in director Taryn Kosviner's NYShorts Festival'sThe Mark in 2016.
In 2016, he starred in the Hallmark Television movieEmma's Chance. DirectorJohn Gray had him starring in his television movieThe Lost Capone. In 1995 he starred in theRoger Corman producedDillinger and Capone, oppositeMartin Sheen andMonster Mash: The Movie. He also appeared inDominic Dunne's919 Fifth Avenue. In 1996 he followed withAlien Avengers. In 2000, he was featured in theWonderful World Of Disney made-for-television musicalGeppetto. In 1988, Crivello guest starred as Miguel Carrera inMiami Vice directed byDon Johnson.
Crivello has guest starred on the science fiction television seriesStar Trek: Voyager,Team Knight Rider, andBabylon 5. He also co-starred in director Ron Krauss'sSci-Fi Channel/SONY filmAlien Hunter oppositeJames Spader. He has appeared in numerous sitcoms, includingSeinfeld,Frasier,In-Laws andNormal, Ohio, and TV police procedurals, includingCSI: New York andLaw & Order.
In 2013, he appeared in theLiberace biopicBehind the Candelabra, directed bySteven Soderbergh. Crivello appeared as British film directorDavid Lean in director/producerRyan Murphy's 2017 FOX miniseriesFeud oppositeJessica Lange.
In 2021, he appeared inBlack Easter.
In 2022, Crivello completed principal photography, starring as "Joe" in the independent feature filmChildren of God. In 2023, he recurred as a comedic officious butler “Sebastian” at “Snickering Mansion” in Disney's comedic anthologyPretty Freekin Scary. Additionally in 2024, he starred as Police Chief D. W. Johnson in the independent filmThe Omro Heist and also served as executive producer. And in 2025, he is set to be heard as "Franco Bertinelli” in the animated filmBatman: Knightfall Part One for Warner Brothers Animation.
He starred in theABC Daytime seriesOne Life to Live as mobsterJohnny Dee Hesser from 1990 to 1991. He has also appeared on the daytime seriesThe Bold and The Beautiful andThe Guiding Light.
| Year(s) | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Bye Bye Birdie | Conrad Birdie | Regional |
| 1979–1980 | Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up? | Felix Lindor | |
| 1980 | Evita | Person of Argentina u/s Che | US Tour |
| 1980–1981 | Che | ||
| 1981–1983 | Broadway | ||
| 1985 | The News | The Killer | |
| 1987 | Les Misérables | Grantaire / Bamatabois / Chain Gang | |
| 1987–1988 | Inspector Javert | ||
| 1989 | Measure for Measure | Father Thomas / Barnardine | |
| 1992 | Kiss of the Spider Woman | Valentin | Canada |
| 1992–1993 | West End | ||
| 1993–1995 | Broadway | ||
| 1995 | Camila | Father Ladislao Gutierrez | NYC |
| Les Misérables: The Dream Cast in Concert | Grantaire | Royal Albert Hall | |
| 1996 | The House of Martin Guerre | Arnaud | Regional |
| Jane Eyre | Edward Fairfax Rochester | Canada | |
| 1999-2000 | Marie Christine | Dante Keyes | Broadway |
| 2000 | Expecting Isabel | Nick | Regional |
| 2001 | Do I Hear a Waltz? | Renato Di Rossi | |
| 2003 | Romantique | Eugene Delacroix | |
| Assassins | Giuseppe Zangara | Concert | |
| 2004 | Kismet | The Caliph | Regional |
| The Underpants | Frank Versati | ||
| 2005 | Doctor Zhivago | Victor Komarovsky | Workshop |
| 2006–2012 | The Phantom of the Opera | The Phantom of the Opera | Las Vegas Spectacular |
| 2012–2013 | Golden Boy | Eddie Fuseli | Lincoln Center |
| 2014 | Heathers: The Musical | Bill Sweeney / Big Bud Dean / Coach Ripper | Off-Broadway |
| 2015 | Louis and Keely Live at the Sahara | Louis Prima | Regional |
| 2016 | Geffen Playhouse | ||
| Evita | Juan Perón | Regional | |
| 2017 | McGuire | Al McGuire | |
| 2019 | The Old Man and the Sea | The Old Man | |
| Into the Woods | The Mysterious Man | Hollywood Bowl | |
| 2022 | McGuire | Al McGuire | Regional |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Artists | |
| Other | |