Martin Vidnovic
Encyclopedia
Martin Vidnovic is an American
actor
and singer.
Born in Falls Church, Virginia
, Vidnovic made his Broadway debut
in the ill-fated Home Sweet Homer
(1976) which, following a one-year tour, closed on opening night. He fared better with his next three projects, revivals of The King and I
(1977), Oklahoma!
(1979), and Brigadoon (1980).
Vidnovic's performance in Baby
(1983) won him the Drama Desk Award
for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical. Additional Broadway credits include Guys and Dolls (1992), A Grand Night for Singing
(1993), and King David
(1997). He was cast in the 1998 stage adaptation of Footloose
but was replaced during previews.
Off-Broadway
, Vidnovic was cast as El Gallo late in the run of the original production of The Fantasticks
and appeared in the 2006 revival as Bellomy. Additional off-Broadway credits include Lies and Legends: The Musical Stories of Harry Chapin
(1985), Olympus on My Mind (1986), and the 2003 Jerry Herman
revue
Showtune
.
. He is also the uncle of former Minor Threat bassist Steve Hansgen.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
and singer.
Born in Falls Church, Virginia
Falls Church, Virginia
The City of Falls Church is an independent city in Virginia, United States, in the Washington Metropolitan Area. The city population was 12,332 in 2010, up from 10,377 in 2000. Taking its name from The Falls Church, an 18th-century Anglican parish, Falls Church gained township status within...
, Vidnovic made his Broadway debut
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
in the ill-fated Home Sweet Homer
Home Sweet Homer (musical)
Home Sweet Homer is a musical with a book by Roland Kibbee and Albert Marre, lyrics by Charles Burr and Forman Brown, and music by Mitch Leigh.Originally called Odyssey, it is one of the most notorious flops in Broadway theatre history...
(1976) which, following a one-year tour, closed on opening night. He fared better with his next three projects, revivals of The King and I
The King and I
The King and I is a stage musical, the fifth by the team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. The work is based on the 1944 novel Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon and derives from the memoirs of Anna Leonowens, who became governess to the children of King Mongkut of Siam in...
(1977), Oklahoma!
Oklahoma!
Oklahoma! is the first musical written by composer Richard Rodgers and librettist Oscar Hammerstein II. The musical is based on Lynn Riggs' 1931 play, Green Grow the Lilacs. Set in Oklahoma Territory outside the town of Claremore in 1906, it tells the story of cowboy Curly McLain and his romance...
(1979), and Brigadoon (1980).
Vidnovic's performance in Baby
Baby (musical)
Baby is a musical with a book by Sybille Pearson, based on a story developed with Susan Yankowitz, music by David Shire, and lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr.. It concerns the reactions of three couples each expecting a child. The musical first ran on Broadway from 1983 to 1984.-Synopsis:Three...
(1983) won him the Drama Desk Award
Drama Desk Award
The Drama Desk Awards, which are given annually in a number of categories, are the only major New York theater honors for which productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway compete against each other in the same category...
for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical. Additional Broadway credits include Guys and Dolls (1992), A Grand Night for Singing
A Grand Night for Singing
A Grand Night for Singing is a musical revue showcasing the music of Richard Rodgers and the lyrics of Oscar Hammerstein II.Featuring songs from such lesser-known works as Allegro, Me and Juliet, State Fair, and Pipe Dream, modest successes like Flower Drum Song and hits like Carousel, Oklahoma!,...
(1993), and King David
King David (musical)
King David is a musical, sometimes described as a modern oratorio, with a book and lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Alan Menken. The musical is based on Biblical tales from the Books of Samuel and 1 Chronicles, as well as text from David's Psalms....
(1997). He was cast in the 1998 stage adaptation of Footloose
Footloose (musical)
Footloose is a 1998 musical based on the 1984 film of the same name. The music is by Tom Snow , the lyrics by Dean Pitchford , and the book by Pitchford and Walter Bobbie.-Act 1:...
but was replaced during previews.
Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway theater is a term for a professional venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, and for a specific production of a play, musical or revue that appears in such a venue, and which adheres to related trade union and other contracts...
, Vidnovic was cast as El Gallo late in the run of the original production of The Fantasticks
The Fantasticks
The Fantasticks is a 1960 musical with music by Harvey Schmidt and lyrics by Tom Jones. It was produced by Lore Noto. It tells an allegorical story, loosely based on the play "The Romancers" by Edmond Rostand, concerning two neighboring fathers who trick their children, Luisa and Matt, into...
and appeared in the 2006 revival as Bellomy. Additional off-Broadway credits include Lies and Legends: The Musical Stories of Harry Chapin
Harry Chapin
Harry Forster Chapin was an American singer-songwriter best known in particular for his folk rock songs including "Taxi", "W*O*L*D", and the number-one hit "Cat's in the Cradle". Chapin was also a dedicated humanitarian who fought to end world hunger; he was a key player in the creation of the...
(1985), Olympus on My Mind (1986), and the 2003 Jerry Herman
Jerry Herman
Jerry Herman is an American composer and lyricist, known for his work in Broadway musical theater. He composed the scores for the hit Broadway musicals Hello, Dolly!, Mame, and La Cage aux Folles. He has been nominated for the Tony Award five times, and won twice, for Hello, Dolly! and La Cage...
revue
Revue
A revue is a type of multi-act popular theatrical entertainment that combines music, dance and sketches. The revue has its roots in 19th century American popular entertainment and melodrama but grew into a substantial cultural presence of its own during its golden years from 1916 to 1932...
Showtune
Showtune (musical)
Showtune is an internationally popular Off Broadway musical revue celebrating the words and music of Broadway composer Jerry Herman. Its title was inspired by Herman's autobiography of the same name....
.
Family
Vidnovic is the father of actress Laura BenantiLaura Benanti
Laura Benanti is an American actress of television, film and Broadway theatre noted for her award winning performance as Louise in the 2008 production of Gypsy.-Early years:...
. He is also the uncle of former Minor Threat bassist Steve Hansgen.
Additional nominations
- 1981 Tony AwardTony AwardThe Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
for Best Actor in a Musical (Brigadoon) - 1981 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Brigadoon)
- 1980 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical (Oklahoma!)