Dante Melucci is an actor, singer, and musician who originated the role of Freddy Hamilton in Andrew Lloyd Webber's production of the 4-time Tony Award nominee "School of Rock: The Musical" on Broadway. Melucci played the role from December 6, 2015 to May 8, 2016. In April 2016, he banged the drums for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Stevie Nicks in a surprise appearance, following a "School of Rock: The Musical" performance at the Winter Garden Theatre. Melucci also appeared in the 70th Annual Tony Awards, as well as the television series "Gotham" on FOX, where he played the role of Laughing Boy in the memorable ending scene of the Season 2 episode, "Rise of the Villains: The Last Laugh", in which Jerome dies and leaves behind the legacy of Joker.
"School of Rock: The Musical" is a rock musical with music by Webber, lyrics by Glenn Slater, and a book by Julian Fellowes. Based on the 2003 film of the same name, written by Mike White, the musical follows Dewey Finn, an out-of-work rock singer and guitarist who pretends to be a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. After identifying the musical talent in his students, Finn forms a band of fifth-graders, in an attempt to win the upcoming Battle of the Bands contest.
During October 2015, Melucci and the rest of the original cast of "School of Rock: The Musical" went into Avatar Studios in New York City, to record the score of the musical with Webber, Slater, Ethan Popp, and Green Day producer Rob Cavallo. What came out was an album of heart-pumping, show-stopping tracks that will live on in Broadway infamy.
On June 20, 2016, Broadway Sings for Pride premiered its 6th anniversary benefit concert "Ovation" in New York City, at Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan. This milestone event was filled with singing (from pop to Broadway), stories, special celebrity guests, and more. The show honored Tyler Clementi Foundation and AIDS pioneer and activist Ruth Coker Burks. Broadway Sings for Pride is a multiple award-winning, non-for-profit organization that brings together Broadway talent, activists, and celebrities, to educate the public, raise awareness of the needs of LGBTQ+ youth, and support these young people, so that they may reach their full potential.
Melucci performed the song "American Idiot" during the benefit concert, where Shefik served as Videographer. "American Idiot" is a protest song by rock band Green Day. It is the title track from their seventh studio album of the same name and released as the first single from it. The song received positive reviews by critics and was nominated for four 2005 Grammy Awards: Record of the Year, Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, Best Rock Song, and Best Music Video. It is considered one of the band's signature songs.
Credits
- Videographer: Shefik
Last Updated: April 30, 2023
