Martin Vidnovic

Martin Vidnovic (born January 4, 1948) is an American actor and singer.

Biography

He is of Serbian descent.[1] Born in Falls Church, Virginia, Vidnovic graduated from the College-Conservatory of Music (part of the University of Cincinnati) with a Bachelor of Fine Arts.[2]

Vidnovic made his Broadway debut in the ill-fated Home Sweet Homer (1976) which, following a one-year tour, closed on opening night.[3] He fared better with his next three projects, revivals of The King and I (1977) as Lun Tha, Oklahoma! (1979) as Jud Fry,[4] and Brigadoon (1980) as Tommy Albright.[5] Vidnovic's performance in Baby (1983) won him the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical. Additional Broadway credits include A Grand Night for Singing (1993), and Saul in King David (1997).[6]

He was a replacement in the lead role of Sky Masterson in the second Broadway revival of Guys and Dolls.[6]

He was cast in the 1998 stage adaptation of Footloose but was replaced during previews.

Off-Broadway, Vidnovic was cast as El Gallo late in the run of the original production of The Fantasticks[7] and appeared in the 2006 revival as Bellomy.[8] Additional off-Broadway credits include Lies and Legends: The Musical Stories of Harry Chapin (1985), Olympus on My Mind (1986),[9] and the 2003 Jerry Herman revue Showtune.[10]

Most recently in 2011, he played the principal role of Mal Beineke in the first US national tour of The Addams Family.[11]

Family

Vidnovic was briefly married in the late 1970s to voice teacher Linda Wonneberger, with whom he has a daughter, the actress Laura Benanti.[12][13][14][2]

Vidnovic is also the uncle of former Minor Threat bassist Steve Hansgen.

Additional nominations

  • 1981 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical (Brigadoon)
  • 1981 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Brigadoon)
  • 1980 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical (Oklahoma!)

References

  1. ^ Markovic, Kristina (July 13, 2023). "Glumice za koje niste imali pojma da su srpskog porekla". Zadovoljna (in Serbian). Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Lovendusky, Eugene. "Martin Vidnovic: What Matters to Him" broadwayworld.com, July 15, 2007
  3. ^ "'Home Sweet Homer' Listing" ibdb.com. Retrieved March 29, 2016
  4. ^ "'Oklahoma' Listing" ibdb.com. Retrieved March 29, 2016
  5. ^ "'Brigadoon Broadway" Playbill (vault). Retrieved March 29, 2016
  6. ^ a b "Vidnovic Broadway" Playbill (vault). Retrieved March 29, 2016
  7. ^ "'The Fantasticks' Listing" lotel.org. Retrieved March 29, 2016
  8. ^ Gans, Andrew. "Burmester, Dixon and Vidnovic to Star in Fantasticks Revival" Playbill, June 28, 2006
  9. ^ "'Olympus on My Mind' Listing" lortel.org. Retrieved March 29, 2016
  10. ^ Finkle, David. "Review" theatermania.com, February 28, 2003
  11. ^ IBDB
  12. ^ McGee, Celia. "Sing Out, Laura. It's Your Turn." The New York Times, March 23, 2008
  13. ^ Sokol, Robert. "Cabaret singer Laura Benanti has Broadway in her blood" sfexaminer.com, May 8, 012
  14. ^ Lefkowitz, David. "PLAYBILL ON-LINE'S BRIEF ENCOUNTER with Laura Benanti" Playbill, May 11, 1999