Michael Paternostro is a 2008/2009 Ovation Nominee for Featured Actor in a Musical for his work in THE PRODUCERS at Musical Theatre West.
If you’d like to add a congratulatory message for Michael (or any other Nominee or Nominated Company), to the Ovation Awards commemorative poster (distributed to all nominees and all attendees at the Ceremony), click here!
As an Ovation Award Nominee, LA Stage asked Michael the following questions:
What was the moment that first inspired you to pursue working in the theatre?
I started playing shows at an all girls Catholic High School. A girl named Heidi Jensen started singing “Matchmaker” from FIDDLER. Her voice went right through me. I had to know more about these “musicals”. Then A CHORUS LINE came through New Orleans and I was completely hooked.
What do you feel made the production you were nominated for particularly successful, either overall or for you specifically?
It was beautifully creative and open environment, from top to bottom.
What project or projects are you currently working on?
I’m about to musical direct RENT at MTW, I just finished taping a musical skit on Jimmy Kimmel LIVE called “Phantom of the Oprah” where I spoof Tom Cruise and Dr. Oz, I am continuing composing on an original musical SCARY MUSICAL.
What do you love most about theatre in Los Angeles?
It’s an incredibly diverse community, truly something for everyone.
What’s your dream project?
I’d love to bring a new musical to the stage. I’d love to do a musical series on TV. I hope to perform a piano concerto with orchestra sometime before I die.
Biography: Michael Paternostro, a native of New Orleans, has a degree from NYU. Broadway: Guys and Dolls (Rusty Charlie/crapshoot dancer), Beauty and the Beast ( LA, Lumiere/LeFou), Saturday Night Fever (DJ Monty), and original Broadway companies of Fosse, Sweet Smell of Success, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and the 2006 Revival of A Chorus Line (Gregory Gardner). Touring: West Side Story (Action/Arab), and The Producers (Carmen Ghia) and SHOWBOAT (Frank Schultz) at the Hollywood Bowl. At Musical Theater West: Carmen Ghia in THE PRODUCERS, pianist/musical director of FORBIDDEN BROADWAY, and MD for the upcoming RENT. Musical Director: Havok Theatre Company’s Kiss of the Spider Woman and Thrill Me, and Breaking Up Is Hard To Do at Cabrillo Music Theater and in NYC, Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti, and Guare’s Landscape of the Body. As a piano playing actor, Sidney Cohn in On Your Toes and Oscar in 42nd Street both twice. He also assistant directed How the Grinch Stole Christmas at the Old Globe Theater in San Diego. Oh yeah, there was also a “Whoopi!” episode and a Carnegie Hall Sondheim Concert, and, composed music for SCARY MUSICAL a new musical. And, just for fun, on Jimmy Kimmel Live in “Phantom of the Oprah”.
For a full list of Ovation nominees, or for information about the Ovation Awards Ceremony on January 11th, click here!
