David Pittsinger to Star in Riverside Theatre's SOUTH PACIFIC, 2/18-3/9

Riverside Theatre is proud to announce the casting of Opera star David Pittsinger as Emile de Becque in Riverside production of South Pacific. South Pacific performs on the Stark Stage from February 18 - March 9, 2014 and is sponsored by our Patron Producers.

American bass-baritone David Pittsinger is renowned as a stage performer of the greatest distinction. He garnered critical praise for playing the role of Emile de Becque in the Lincoln Center revival of South Pacific in 2008.

Having appeared on the world's leading opera and concert stages in Vienna, Salzburg, Brussels, Paris, Tanglewood, Pesaro, New York, Santa Fe, Cincinnati, Los Angeles and San Francisco, he is equally at home in baroque through contemporary operas, as well as musical theater. His vocal range and color are exceptionally wide-ranging, enabling him to perform a variety of repertoire and styles.

Performing in four Live HD broadcasts from the Metropolitan Opera, Mr. Pittsinger appeared as Comte des Grieux in Manon with Anna Netrebko, Le Spectre in Hamlet, Angelotti in Tosca and The Speaker in the Julie Taymor production of The Magic Flute, as well as the roles of Colline, Truelove and Achilla.

Recent role debuts include Roy Disney in Philip Glass' world premiere of The Perfect American at Madrid's Teatro Real; upcoming debuts include King Arthur in Camelot at Glimmerglass Festival, Jochanaan in Salome by Strauss at Portland Opera and Marquis in Les Dialogues des Carmelites by Poulenc at the Metropolitan Opera.

Signature roles include the title role in Boito's Mefistofele, Mephistopheles in Gounod's Faust, The Villains in Les Contes D'Hoffmann, the title role in Massenet's Don Quichotte, the title role in Don Giovanni, the roles of Figaro and Count Almaviva in Le Nozze di Figaro, Nick Shadow in The Rake's Progress, Scarpia in Tosca and Escamillo in Carmen.

Recent career highlights include creating the role of Eugene O'Neill in the world premiere of Jeanine Tessori and Tony Kushner's A Blizzard On Marblehead Neck at Glimmerglass Festival; making history by performing in The Met's Hamlet and on Broadway in Lincoln Center Theater's production of South Pacific in the same day; receiving the Helen Hayes nomination for "Best Leading Actor" as Emile de Becque in South Pacific (LCT National Tour | Kennedy Center); and appearing before the Supreme Court in a musicale for the Supreme Court Justices.

Mr. Pittsinger can be heard in recording on Charles Ives Songs (Volumes 1-6, Naxos), Carlisle Floyd's Susanna (Virgin Records), and Verdi's Simon Boccanegra (Ricercar), as well as the upcoming release of Rodgers & Hammerstein At The Movies (EMI).

South Pacific is directed by Allen D. Cornell, Producing Artistic Director of Riverside Theatre. Complete casting will be announced shortly.

South Pacific performs February 18 - March 9, 2014 on the Stark Stage at Riverside Theatre. Tickets are $45 - $70. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 772-231-6990 or online at www.riversidetheatre.com. Performances are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 7:30pm; Opening Night (the first Tuesday performance), Fridays, and Saturdays at 8pm; with matinees on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm.