The People's Tenor Comes to Naples at TheatreZone in CHESS in March 2014

Internationally renowned tenor Michael Amante, affectionately known as "The People's Tenor," and one of the touring New York Tenors, will play the Freddie Trumper role as a lonely American chess wizard in TheatreZone's production of Chess - the Musical today announced artistic director Mark Danni. Tickets are available for 10 performances March 6 through March 16, 2014.

Danni, a professional drummer/percussionist, has performed throughout the state of Florida with Amante's solo show. According to Danni, Amante is an exciting performer with an amazing voice for which he says the role of The American requires some of the most dramatic and demanding singing in a musical.

Mr. Amante has been crowned the "Prince of High C's" for his remarkable ability to hit and sustain with ease, one of the highest notes of a tenor's voice.

"With Michael's long history of singing popular Rock and Gospel music, coupled with extensive classical Bel-Canto training, he is able to sing even higher with a strength and mastery rarely heard anywhere in the world," reports director Danni. "Being able to produce these notes consistently within the context of a moving line and in conjunction with a beautiful sound, requires not only talent, but skilled use of technique," he adds.

The most prolific tenor of all time, Luciano Pavarotti (the "King of High C's"), once described the feeling this way: "Excited and happy, but with a strong undercurrent of fear. The moment I actually hit the note, I almost lose consciousness. A physical, animal sensation seizes me. Then I regain control." Amante experiences this thrilling sensation as well.

Michael Amante's artistry drew his highest praise from none other than Luciano Pavarotti, who recognized his unique talent after he first experienced Michael's vocal prowess. Pavarotti suggested but one name to perform in his stead for an international audience: Michael Amante. Joining the ranks of high-class commentators was opera legend Franco Corelli, with whom Michael trained and who was lavish in his praise, saying that Michael was "one of the greatest voices I'd ever heard."

TheatreZone opens in January 2014 with Whistle Down the Wind, a musical gem by composer Andrew Lloyd Webber that follows the fortunes of a fugitive caught between the prejudice of adults and the innocence of the young. Whistle Down the Wind performs January 9 through January 19, 2014.

February brings a production of High Society, the musical with book by Arthur Kopit and music and lyrics by the legendary Cole Porter, based upon the play "The Philadelphia Story" by Phillip Barry. The 10-show production performs February 6 through February 16, 2014.

Season 9 concludes with the internationally performed musical Forever Plaid, an affectionate homage to the close-harmony male singers of the 1950s (The Four Aces, The Four Freshmen, the Four Lads). Forever Plaid runs May 1 - May 11, 2014.

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