The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Presents Tom Rocco June 5

Pittsburgh-bred, NYC-based actor and singer, Tom Rocco, will be coming home to the Cabaret at Theater Square on Sunday, June 5th to celebrate the release of his new, live-recording CD, "My Big, Fat, Proposition 8 Wedding."

In the past several years Rocco has added cabaret artist to his resume, culminating in his winning of a 2010 MAC Award, cabaret's highest honor (presented by the Manhattan Association
of Cabarets & Clubs), for his show, "My Big, Fat, Proposition 8 Wedding." This show had its debut in Pittsburgh at the Cabaret at Theater Square where, in fact, the soon to be released live-recording took place. "I have such deep respect for my Pittsburgh musicians and such a love of performing in front of a Pittsburgh crowd that it was a no-brainer to debut the show here," Rocco says, citing pianist Deana Muro, bassist Paul Thompson and drummer R.J. Heid. The show then went on to have a successful run in New York City at The Metropolitan Room and Rocco even flew Muro to NYC for those gigs to continue her role as Musical Director.

Rocco grew up on Pittsburgh's Northside and attended Oliver High School. He received a BFA in Musical Theatre Performance from Point Park University. He cut his teeth with the usual suspects of the Pittsburgh theater scene...from Don Brockett Productions to the Pittsburgh Playhouse to Pittsburgh Musical Theatre to CLO and has been seen onstage at the Byham, Heinz Hall and the Benedum. His credits over the past two decades also include playing Uncle Ernie in the Broadway production of "The Who's Tommy" as well as stints off-Broadway and in national tours. Yet he always welcomes the chance for warmly-received trips home to the stages of Pittsburgh.

The show celebrating the CD release will be on Sunday, June 5th, 2011 at the Cabaret at Theater Square at 5:30pm. Tickets will be $18 with $10 student tickets available.

"It's wonderful to come full circle, in a way," says Rocco, "and do the show in Pittsburgh again to celebrate the CD release."

Additionally in June, Rocco will be taking on the role of Felix Ungar in Neil Simon's "The Odd Couple" at the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center in Midland, PA. His friend and colleague, Gavan Pamer, serves as Artistic Director of LPPAC and Rocco is delighted to experience their state-of-the-art facilities. "It's the kind of theater that actors dream of working in," Rocco says. Plus, it gives him a chance to be in the Pittsburgh area catching up with friends and family. Performances of "The Odd Couple" will be 6/17-6/19 and 6/24-6/26.

For more information on Rocco, or to be directed to his clips on YouTube, please visit www.tomrocco.com.