Artistic Director/Executive Producer of Hofstra Ent. Dons His Performer’s Hat

Bob Spiotto - known to thousands of theater professionals and tri-state audiences as the very creative Executive Producer of Hofstra Entertainment (Hofstra University) - will change hats this July as he takes to the Metropolitan Room stage with his new show, "Shades of Grey: A Tribute to Joel Grey." Spiotto is a prolific writer/performer, who has created and appeared in many musicals and original productions. His Courting the Jester: A Salute to Danny Kaye, which he recently performed to great acclaim for The New York Sheet Music Society, premiered at Hofstra in 2001 and was presented at Lincoln Center in 2003 in an updated version. Stephen C. Pagano will serve as Musical Director/accompanist for "Shades of Grey." Shows are scheduled July 31 at 7pm and August 1 at 9:30pm.

Spiotto gives credit for his latest one-man show, in part, to the countless theatergoers who have told him, "I loved you as Joel Grey in Cabaret!" since he played the edgy Master of Ceremonies in a 1998 production by Hofstra Entertainment (formerly Hofstra USA Productions). In fact, Spiotto has played the role since high school, and has followed in Grey's theatrical footsteps over the years, having been exposed at an early age to the music from The Grand Tour; portraying George M. Cohan, and also appearing regionally to great acclaim as John Adams in 1776 (just as Joel Grey did). Spiotto couldn't be happier with the timing of the tribute, which coincides with Grey's first residency on Broadway (in Anything Goes) since 2003. Spiotto's enthusiasm for the Grey show (which he had considered for several years) was fully ignited when he discovered a 1954 TV film clip recently.

"Imagine my delight," said Spiotto, "when I saw one of my favorite performers, Eddie Cantor, introducing a young Joel Grey as ‘the Danny Kaye of tomorrow'. I kind of knew it was meant to be."

"The entire experience was a great one for all concerned...a consummate professional."

- Alina Bloomgarden, Lincoln Center

The Kaye show remains very popular, and tours locally. Other Spiotto endeavors have explored the lives and works of Sholom Aleichem, Giuseppe Garibaldi, Alexander Pushkin, Primo Levi, Michelangelo, P.T. Barnum and composer Harry Warren. He is already planning a new show for 2012 celebrating another favorite icon, Dick Van Dyke.

An alumnus of Hofstra, Spiotto has been associated professionally with the University for over 20 years. Hofstra University is known as a tireless champion of the performing arts, each year presenting an extraordinary variety of theatrical and musical programming attended by not only students and faculty, but audiences from the surrounding tri-state area as well. Spiotto's University titles include: Artistic Director of Community Arts Programs; Producer of Special Events for the Hofstra Cultural Center, and Executive Producer for Hofstra Entertainment, among others. He has personally directed hundreds of Hofstra productions over the years.

Bob Spiotto was appointed by former New York Governor George Pataki to serve on the board of directors of the New York State Theater Institute, and locally he serves on the Long Island Arts Council Advisory Board. He is the recipient of the Dante Award from the American Association of Teachers of Italian for his contributions to Italian-American culture and has been honored by the New York State Commission for Social Justice. Spiotto received the George M. Estabrook Distinguished Service Award from the Hofstra University Alumni Association and was recognized as a "winner" in Newsday's community section. He often serves as master of ceremonies and keynote speaker for community events throughout Long Island, and was recently honored by the Long Island Breakfast Club at their "Evening in Tuscany" event.

Shows are scheduled July 31 at 7pm and August 1 at 9:30pm. The cover charge is a bargain at $15.00, plus a two-drink minimum. The Metropolitan Room is located at 34 West 22nd Street in NYC. Reservations can be made by dialing: 212.206.0440 or visiting: http://www.metropolitanromm.com