Dominic Fortuna

[Gypsee]

Dominic Fortuna also spoke with TMO/TTHC a while back :_)

Dominic has played Vince Fontaine in "Grease" on and off Broadway 2 years until it closed. Recently, he revived his role as Vince for limited engagement off Broadway. Dominic has had vast experience in the entertainment world and organizes his own dinner show at the Williamsburg Theatre, in Traverse City, Michigan. He has also played with some greats like Barry Manilow and others. He is known throughout the state and other states as a top entertainer and all round super nice guy!

Find out more about Dominic at Dominic Entertainment
http://www.dominicentertainment.com/

Here is what Dominic had to say

TMO/TTHC....How did you get your start performing? Have you always performed in theatre, or have you performed in other genres?

Dominic....I started when I was in elementary school doing talent shows and things like that. I got my first professional gig at age thirteen at a dinner theater near my house called Brownwood. I played at my dad's restaurant as the host and had a band there. Really, my forte is dinner theater. I have one in Williamsburg, Michigan, near Traverse City, and it's a musical review. I also have a few bands, and we do lots of different things. I've done musical theater before, but I actually do other things more often.


TMO/TTHC: How did you get the role of Vince in Grease? It seems to be the perfect fit. Did you audition specifically for that role or just to be in the play itself?

Dominic....I was on the TV show, "Grease: You're the One That I Want," and everything kind of took off from there. When I didn't get Danny, I just thought that was that, and it was a great experience. But a few months later, I got a call from Jim Jacobs, creator of Grease, who asked me to fly out and audition for the part of Vince Fontaine. I jumped at the shot, and we added the warm-up.


TMO/TTHC...Taylor's portrayal of Teen Angel is so unique and obviously his own. What were your thoughts when you found out Taylor Hicks was cast as Teen Angel?

Dominic....I worked with Taylor on Broadway for a couple weeks before we both joined the tour. We actually shared a dressing room on Broadway. So, he actually had the role before I joined the cast. I was excited. I loved his voice on Idol, and I thought it was a great idea to have the Teen Angel be a cameo and so unique.


TMO/TTHC...How has it been working with Taylor in Grease?

Dominic....Taylor's just "one of the guys" in Grease. We have a blast!


TMO/TTHC...We have seen you at a few of Taylor's shadow shows. What were your impressions seeing him in that type of performance, rather than on the "Grease" stage?

Dominic....Taylor has been nice enough to invite me to some of his events outside of Grease and I always love it! I remember the first one I went to one. I was just blown away.


TMO/TTHC....What are your hobbies when you aren't "DJing" for "Grease?" How do you like to relax?

Dominic....I have a home and family in Michigan, and I love to just hang out with them. When you're away for so long, you really cherish the times when you just sit around and do nothing! I am a hunter and fisher, so if we're ever in a city on the water, I always take a fishing trip. I go out to eat a lot...it's kind of hard to relax on tour!


TMO/TTHC...Do you have entertainment mentors or favorites? Who are your legends or heroes?

Dominic....I got the chance once to work with Dean Martin and that experience has stuck out in my mind for years! He was so relaxed on stage and off. He just had a cool way of portraying himself as a host, even at just a regular concert, and I've always drawn from that. Other influences are Elvis, Frank Sinatra. Some mentors who I've worked with and become friends with would be Drew Abbot from Bob Segar's Silver Bullet Band and Joe Piscopo.


TMO/TTHC.....Do you get to select the songs for the warm up routine, or are they chosen for you? Either way, they are great fun!

Dominic....Thanks! I chose the songs. When I started on Broadway, I got the unique opportunity to kind of just write and direct the warm-up myself. It was one of those, if we don't like it, we'll fix it. Evidently, they liked it!


TMO/TTHC....What would be your dream role if you could have any role in theatre?

Dominic....This might sound funny, but it really is Vince Fontaine and doing the warm-up and everything! I can't imagine anything fitting me so well! I'm living the dream!


TMO/TTHC....Do you know what you will do after "Grease," or is that too far off to begin auditioning and planning for? How can fans keep up with you when "Grease" ends?

Dominic....As of now, I plan to go back to Michigan and keep my dinner theater and bands going. Anything can happen, though, and I'm always open to a change in plans! You can keep up with me on my website: www.dominicentertainment.com.


We want to thank Dominic for taking the time to answer our questions.

[Gypsee]

Here is a little sample of Dom's fantastic dinner shows in Northern Michigan. If you ever get a chance to get up that way, don't miss him!