Mike Guccione started as a model in the 70’s, moved to movies and tv- appearing in dozens of TV shows as well as National Lampoons Movie Madness, independent films, and several national commercials and was the spokesman for Brogan Cadillac in NJ for seven years. First moved behind the scenes with the Broadway production of The Lyons and was a producer of the NY premiere of Shear Madness. Guccione produced, Home for the Holidays with Danny Aeillo at the August Wilson Theatre, Fiercely Independent at the Soho Playhouse, and Mom Squad, for TV.
George Bugatti, the author of many musical reviews presented at scores of Performing Arts Centers across America, has also performed in many of those productions - as a singer and pianist. His works include The Wonderful Wizard of Song: The Music of Harold Arlen, Over the Rainbow, A Symphonic Celebration produced with Todd Gershwin, and recently Trial on the Potomac: The Impeachment of Richard Nixon, his first play. George's career followed an irregular route to off-Broadway. A classical pianist and graduate of LaGuardia H.S. of Performing Arts in NYC, he was accepted into the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City—but an accident to his right hand interrupted his budding career.
Following years of physical therapy, George regained mobility, but he would never be good enough to compete as a classical pianist. By then, however, he had moved on to learning the American songbook, and after earning his BFA from NYU and moving to California, he discovered his singing voice. Crooning at nightclubs, George drew the attention of The Tonight Show creator and comedian Steve Allen, who befriended the promising singer and produced his first CD. Inviting George to perform with him on stage, Allen became George's mentor, and, as George quickly discovered, his mentor was not only a legendary comedian but a songwriter, actor, author, playwright, and musician. Allen kindled in George an important part of his talent: his versatility. George would go on to produce Seinfeld's John O'Hurley's one-man show, open for Brad Garrett and Don Rickles, perform with Tony Bennet at The Thousand Oaks Civic auditorium, duet with Michel Legrand at the MGM Grand Arena - Las Vegas, headline his Big Band show in the famed Copa Room of the Sands, Atlantic City, and record a CD produced by Nigel Wright, Executive Music Producer of America Idol. He would also open at Bellagio Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, where he performed with his jazz trio for years. And now, George can add playwright to his many achievements. 'Thank you, Steverino!'
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Alkahest Artists, Sheila and Dick Allen, Shea Arender, Mike Bement, B. Harlan Boll, Lieutenant Governor Lorraine Hunt- Bono, Dennis Bono, Elizabeth Bridges, Mike Campagno, Jeri Fischer, Mike Guccione, Kathleen Johnson, Frank Luntz, Ron Mancuso, Sandy Mcguire, Barry Morgenstein, Phillip Moye, Judge Andrew Napolitano, Richard M. Nixon Presidential Library, Liana Plic (Makeup Artist), Cheryl and Alan Priven, Steve Rawlins, Lisa Regina, Lorraine and Nelson Sardelli, Steve Schrippa, Geoff Shepard, Jeff Swartz, John Tantillo, Stan Zupancic and, my out-law family -- especially Evelyn and Jan - for all the love and Support.
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