Interview: GINO GAUDIO SINGS HIS POPULAR SET AT LA PUGLIA Of Santa Monica!
Dynamic entertainer, Gino Gaudio, answers TEN QUESTIONS IN TEN MINUTES with BWLA’s Gavin Glynn for your enjoyment.
Gino Gaudio began his distinguished career in musical theatre as the understudy to Howard Keel in the stage adaptation of "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers," performing alongside Jane Powell. He later appeared in the Broadway production of the same show starring Debby Boone. His additional credits as an understudy include supporting Howard Keel in "I Do, I Do!" with Jane Powell, and Robert Goulet in "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever" with Joanna Gleason.
Gino's extensive stage experience features roles in numerous acclaimed musicals, including "Camelot," "Carousel," "Guys and Dolls," "110 in the Shade," "Sweet Charity," "South Pacific," "The Music Man," "Man of La Mancha," "Godspell," and the New York Shakespeare Festival’s production of "The Pirates of Penzance." His work in non-musical plays includes "Hogan’s Goat" as Mattie Stanton, "A Month in the Country," "Plaza Suite," and "Star Spangled Girl." Notably, he also portrayed Francois Villon in the San Diego Civic Light Opera Association’s production of "The Vagabond King."
Beyond the stage, Gino has appeared on television in several well-known series, including "Highway to Heaven," "The Young and the Restless," "Murder, She Wrote," "The Fall Guy," and "General Hospital." He took TEN QUESTIONS IN TEN MINUTES for Broadway World readers to see the secret of coastal careers in both in New York and Los Angeles:
What is your astro sign and what kingdom proclaims your birth?
My star sign is Taurus with a big asterisk. I was born 2 months prematurely, so full term would’ve been July. I am on the cusp of Taurus and Gemini but I don’t really believe in astrology, which is so typical of a Taurus. My arrival was hailed in Burbank, California where my father pressed “R” for receiving in the elevator and wound up on the roof. After I was birthed, we lived in Hollywood until we went to Italy for a year.
Your clearest remembrance of the first live performance you attended and who caught your eye?
When I was in elementary school they had a program where we would be bussed downtown to see musical theatre. I don’t remember much about the plays but I do remember being there. We also got bussed to the Pantages to see “Judgement at Nuremberg”. It was a different time. I remember seeing my father perform in a play in Hollywood called “Pajama Tops” when I was in Junior High School.
Who is your most well known classmate from your school days?
We were not actually close buddies, but I did go to Junior High School (Walter Reed) with Cher who but is also my birthday buddy! I was also at the same school with Gorden MacRae’s daughter, Heather.
College or career first?
College first. It was the Vietnam War era and college (Whittier College) was the best alternative for me. Also, I was late coming to singing as a career because my father was professional opera singer and the “performer” in the family although Mom had played piano and sang at the Hotel El Cortez Hotel in the 1940’s. Even though I sang, I studied political science and started working in city government.
When were you first bitten by the live performance spider?
We were living in Newport Beach and I was working in City government when I asked my father to give me voice lessons. I was about 22. I auditioned for Nancy Ebsen, Buddy’s wife to play the Ogre in a children’s theatre play. Consider me bitten. After that I did summer stock in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho, then sang at Baxter’s Street in Newport Beach for two years which helped develop my voice, I did summer stock in Honesdale, PA and then auditioned for Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, the stage version. That all pretty much sealed the deal. That, and a year of acting school in London.
Did your parents fan the flames of your live performance dreams?
Yes, absolutely, especially when I began to sing seriously. I worked in City government for 10 years and then made the jump to showbiz when I was 30. During those years I studied voice with my father with my mother as my accompanist. It was a wonderful time to share music and performing with them.
What was your first paid gig? Where and how much?
My first paid gig was summer theater in Coeur D’Alene, ID and I think I got $15 a week and room and board. My first “big money” was with a touring production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. I don’t really remember how much it was but I also got per diem!
Baritone or Bass? Live orchestra or music tracks?
I am a baritone for sure. Live orchestra is the way to go if you can. There really is something special about the relationship between live music and performing. There is an exchange of energy that really completes the performance. Having said that, I would certainly perform to music tracks.
Your song set is considered the best of Broadway and Light Opera but how did you comprise these crowd pleasers through your personal taste or trials and tribulations?
My music set is really based around the theme of how musical theatre, opera and the classical Italian songs (Torna a Sorrento, O Sole Mio, etc.) treat the male leading role at different stages of a man’s life. The characteristics are drawn broadly but the emotions and challenges are legitimate. You have the bravado of Lancelot that softens when he falls in love and virtue changes to being a traitor to his mentor. There is Billy Bigelow in Carousel who ponders the very real question of fatherhood. The Italian traditional songs are unabashed and transparent in expressing the love and heartache in the romantic relationship between men and women. I wanted to put together a set that walks the audience through these stages of life ending with Don Quixote in summing up the whole adventure. In my own way, I have lived through all of these eras as a man and I enjoy reliving the journey musically.
Where is your favorite venue to perform in LA and what venues would you book today?
I love singing at the Vibrato Jazz Club as a guest artist with my dear friend, singer Marsha Bartenetti. I think it is one of the best rooms for performers and the audience. Another outstanding venue is The Velvet Martini Lounge upstairs at Vitello’s. Very intimate. I will say that I loved the Pantages and the Music Center where I was able to perform with shows.
Gino is the great nephew of Hollywood's most famous Warner Bros. Oscar winning cinematographer, Tony Gaudio, the subject of this year's feature documentary; THE LOST LEGACY OF TONY GAUDIO. Gino produces and narrates over one hundred polific cinematography achievements.
Gino will be performing his wildly popular song set at La Puglia of Santa Monica (****) which is a great pairing with La Puglia's magnifico Southern Italian cuisine on May 17, 2026 at 4pm. Valet and street parking availible.
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