During a break in “Evita,” Alex Santoriello – who played the character of Che — was asked what motivates his performance on stage.
“Two things,” he quickly replied. “Fear and adrenalin.”
Such sarcasm is typical for Santoriello, who came to The Villages about four years ago with his wife Karen to help take care of his father, Monty. In that time, he has brought a dynamic sense of stage professionalism and elevated the performances of many in local theater.
Santoriello — a veteran of the Broadway stage, movies and television – has directed and performed in three of the most successful local productions over the past three years: “Man of La Mancha,” “Jesus Christ Superstar” and in March, “Evita.”
All played six sold out performances at Savannah Center and each drew around 5,000 people over three days. But Santoriello isn’t just interested in putting people in the seats.
“The reason I do this, is I want to do theater that makes a difference and touches people,” he said.
Santoriello’s Don Quixote in “Man of La Mancha” was an inspired performance. The play has always been my favorite musical and I was lucky enough to have seen it with Richard Kiley, who originated the role on Broadway.
Santoriello, who once worked with Kiley, more than did justice to Quixote. I wrote of his performance:
“Watching Santoriello, is a rare opportunity to see a true Broadway professional on the Savannah Center stage. His movements, expressions, conversational voice and singing vocals are a wonder to behold.
“Santoriello has captured Quixote’s crazy character to near perfection….when Santoriello sings “The Impossible Dream,” near the end of the first act, he displays a wounded resolve to try and make a better world. The song is a standard, but Santoriello makes it fresh with a kind of noble pathos that transcends the stage. I kept watching his eyes during the song, and Santoriello’s Quixote seemed to be gazing into his soul.”
Having read Santoriello’s resume, I wasn’t surprised. He was in the original Broadway production of “Les Miserables” in 1987. He also performed on Broadway in “Chess” and “The 3 Penny Opera.” He produced a stage production of “A Tale of Two Cities” and has appeared in movies (“Far From Heaven”) and television (“All My Children”).
The guy’s a pro, with a track record to prove it.
But that isn’t what makes Santoriello so special in The Villages. At heart, he’s a teacher. I’ve watched him at rehearsals: he cajoles, he demands and he motivates – but he never demeans.
It would be easy for the Big Bopper from Broadway to lord it over those in a local play. But that’s not what Santoriello is about. What matters to him is a cast giving its best performance.
And that’s why “La Mancha,” “Superstar” and “Evita” have been successful and outstanding productions.
One of Santoriello’s prize pupils is Dawn DiNome. She played the “whore” Aldonza in “La Mancha.” She was Mary Magdalene “Superstar” and had the title role in “Evita.”
In the past three years, DiNome has blossomed on stage.
Sure, it’s talent, but Santoriello has played a part by mentoring DiNome.
“Alex has taught me so much about acting technique,” DiNome once told me. “Listen, Alex can be a pain, but I’ve learned so much working with him. He is an awesome teacher and an awesome talent. He wants (every performance) to be something special.”
Villager Bob Petrucelli has appeared in Santoriello’s productions and says “Alex deserves a lot of credit. He can be tough, because he wants you to extend yourself. When push comes to shove, Alex makes you feel you can get it done.”
Mary Jo Vitale alternated with DiNome as “Evita” and she credits Santoriello with helping to bring out the best in her performance.
It’s all part of Santoriello’s philosophy, whether on Broadway or in Savannah Center.
“No matter where you are, you have to give 100 percent of who you are to what you do,” he said. “There’s so much talent in The Villages. I have been so lucky to work with great casts and great people.”
Santoriello has played many roles in his life. But Don Quixote – and the author who created him, Cervantes — is the character that I think resembles him most. Like Quixote, Santoriello’s tough, a little crazy, a lot of fun, and has a big heart.
“I feel a kinship to Cervantes,” Santoriello once told me. “I’m a tough guy, but I’m an idealist at heart. I think we can all make the world a much better place. We’re too greedy. We need to give more to help others and accept others, instead of turning them away. We have so much to give.”
Tony Violanti covers entertainment for Villages-News.com
