Tony-nominated John Tartaglia (b. February 16, 1978) originated the roles of Princeton and Rod in Avenue Q, off- and on-Broadway, and in the short-lived Las Vegas production; he recently played Pinocchio and the Magic Mirror in Shrek on Broadway and previously played Lumiere in the Broadway production of Beauty and the Beast. He began on Sesame Street at the age of 16. He performed background characters and recorded vocals for "Brothers and Sisters" with Stephanie D'Abruzzo (EKA: Episode 4056). Season 35 was the last time John puppeteered for the series, but he briefly returned in Season 39.
Official bio
- from sesameworkshop.org:
Muppet Credits
- Sesame Street: (11 years) Alfred Duck, Phoebe, Pipe Organ, Trey, Yip Yip Martians, various characters
- The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss: Bird, Delivery Man
- Animal Jam: DJ 2
- Play With Me Sesame: Ernie (season 2)
- Play With Me Sesame: Ernie (select parts)
- Sesame English: Tingo
- Music Works Wonders: Hoots the Owl (puppet only)
- Peter and the Wolf: Cameo
- Dog City: Additional Puppeteer
- Bear in the Big Blue House: Additional Puppeteer
- A Is for Asthma: Additional Puppeteer
- CinderElmo
- Three Bears and a New Baby: Additional Puppeteer
- Elmo's World: Wild Wild West!
- Elmopalooza: Additional Puppeteer
- Elmo's World: Computer Graphic Puppeteer
- Carnival: Carrot Top, Renardo the Fox, and Horrible Henry The Walrus (Puppeteering only. Off-broadway concert)
Non-Muppet projects
- Between the Lions: Puppeteer
- The Book of Pooh: Puppeteer
- Johnny and the Sprites: Johnny (himself), Sage, Fuzzies (Occasional puppeteering for the Fuzzies)
- Avenue Q: Princeton and Rod (Original Broadway Cast)
- Shrek The Musical: Pinocchio (Original Broadway Cast) (Replaced by Robb Sapp)
Trivia
- According to The MuppetCast episode #41, Tartaglia's biggest inspiration in performing was Richard Hunt.
- Tartaglia says Ernie is his favorite Sesame character. "I was really honored to do Ernie for one season of Play with Me Sesame. Jim Henson was my hero, and the reason I am here now. So to actually have his character and to work with it and that voice and to make that relationship happen with Bert, I was just really honored. You feel like you are a part of history."[1]
- On November 21, 2006, Tartaglia assumed the role of Lumiere in the Broadway stage version of Disney's Beauty and the Beast.
- Tartaglia's Disney Channel series, Johnny and the Sprites, premieres as a full half-hour show with thirteen episodes on January 13, 2007. Tartaglia states that lately when people chase him down for an autograph on the Strip in Vegas, it's because of his role as "Johnny." [cite]
- In 1990, TV series MMC had a contest to meet Jim Henson and the other Muppet*Vision 3D puppeteers while they were filming. Producers say John lost to Joe Apel, due to the fact Apel was close to Los Angeles. [cite]
External links
- "Johnny and the Sprites" on Disney Channel
- Stephanie D'Abruzzo and John Tartaglia Downstage Center interview at American Theatre Wing
- John Tartaglia interview at Mouse Clubhouse
- Internet Broadway Database
- IMDb