BURTON MAZZONE
Born in Bristol, Connecticut and named after great uncle Burton Wadsworth’s family – original settlers of New England, Bermuda and the United States. Burton’s parents are Artists & Set Designers.
With immediate passion for the Arts, Burton showed great skill as a Singer and Actor. His first professional work (at 8 yrs old) was in a New York cast production of GYPSY at the Thomaston Opera House, playing the ‘newsboy’ that Mama Rose selects to bring on her road to stardom. Lead roles followed in OLIVER, The SOUND of MUSIC and as Amahl in the Menotti Opera, AMAHL & The NIGHT VISITORS and also Tony in The BOYFRIEND.
Burton was from then on closely associated with the Landmark THEATRE-By-the SEA in Matunuck, RI and Producer Tommy Brent. He received a scholarship to attend the HARTT College of Music with a Musical Theatre and Voice major where he studied with reputed Opera Chairman, William Diard and also enjoyed great roles on their stages (Matt in The FANTASTICKS, THREE PENNY OPERA, GUYS & DOLLS) while working summers at the Matunuck Theatre playing such parts as Prince Charming in the Rogers & Hammerstein CINDERELLA and appearing in Kander & Ebb’s ZORBA! with All star casts.
Burton studied acting in NYC with Manhattan School of Music’s brilliant Nancy Rhodes. He returned to Theatre- by- the Sea years later under the new Fourquest Entertainment management production of MAN of La MANCHA and then playing The Duke/Dr. Carrasco, moved with another production of the same show to New Haven, CT. Other Equity shows include successful long runs of CAROUSEL and CABARET in Florida’s Royal Palm and Riverside theatres. In New York, Burton was cast in the largest production ever of PHANTOM where, authors Maury Yeston & Arthur Kopit assisted in the rehearsal process at Gateway and Candlewood Playhouse. Burton then played the Count Phillipe de Chandon role in PHANTOM at beautiful Long Beach Island’s Surflight theatre as well as Peter Kingsley in CITY of ANGELS and starred there as Sir Lancelot in CAMELOT. Off Broadway, Burton played The Pirate King in Gilbert & Sullivan’s PIRATES of PENZANCE at the Donnell Theatre W.53rd St.
Working for Yates Musical Theater, Burton has toured as the Tin Man in The WIZARD of OZ as well as playing the Prince in RAPUNZEL and many other Yates productions. Other Equity shows include EVITA and leading roles in an original musical version of A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Harland Meltzer’s Colonial Theatre. Burton has also worked as a Musical Director. In Newport, RI where he directed a COLE PORTER musical event in the same mansion where Porter lived & wrote “Night & Day”. In this improvisational environmental Theatre – The Astor’s Beechwood, Burton played principal characters, Ambassador James Roosevelt, Charles Dana Gibson, Vincent Astor and more – learning first hand professional Improv skills. Burton also was Assistant Musical Director for the LITTLE SHOP of HORRORS in Geneva, Switzerland at Simply Theatre where he held the staff position of Voice & Musical Theatre Instructor. In Bermuda, Burton has maintained a successful private voice studio through the Bermuda International Language & Arts Institute. In Bermuda he played Clive Paget/John Jasper in the MYSTERY Of EDWIN DROOD as well as the encompassing role of the immigrant/ ‘Tateh’ transformed to Hollywood success in RAGTIME Directed by Vivienne Elborne and West End Musical Directors Martin Lowe & Mark Dorrell who also directed Burton as Cinderella’s Prince in Stephen Sondheim’s INTO THE WOODS.
Burton has performed for corporate events Globally as well as in the well known Newport Jazz scene as the lead Singer weekly with the Matt Quinn trio at Thames Street’s ASTERISKS & OBELISKS. He has always sung as a professional soloist and Tenor section leader in Cathedral Choirs, most impressively the SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL BASILICA which performed for the U.S. President and the Pope.
As an active SAG Member, Burton held a Principal Singer’s Contract in THE EMPEROR’S CLUB alongside Patrick Dempsey playing a former student (and fellow ‘Pirate King’ !) to Kevin Kline. Marissa Tomei gave Burton a speaking role in the film HAPPY ACCIDENTS and under the Direction of Steven Speilberg Burton Mazzone was the Stand-In for Leonardo DiCaprio in CATCH ME IF YOU CAN. Always grateful and thankful for his fine track record and working relationships with NYC Casting Directors – Burton has speaking and featured appearances on SEX & THE CITY, THE SOPRANOS and was a ‘core member’ in the casts of TV pilots, MADIGAN MEN with Gabriel Byrne and in Ron Howard’s WONDERLAND. Presently in the brilliant & hilarious 30ROCK Burton enjoys playing a reoccurring Crew Character as well as being Stand-In for funny man – Jack McBrayer’s ‘Kenneth’ role.
Burton has always received enthusiastic, positive recognition and reviews for his performing with published notices in New York, throughout New England, Florida, and the Bermuda stage.
Riquette Bonne – Smith, Executive Director writes ” Mr. Mazzone is regarded as a top level singer, performer and voice instructor…produces consistently inspired and outstanding results.”
Director Vivienne Elborne says, “… Magnificent Voice, fine Actor – making his performances in dramatic or comedic scenes both sensitive and inspiring… A most giving performer, making the rehearsal process a positive experience… a huge benefit to any production lucky enough to include him in the cast. ”
This season Burton starred in LOVE LETTERS at the Colosseo Theatre aboard the luxury residence cruise ship The WORLD where he will be returning in 2012 to perform SAME TIME NEXT YEAR. He looks forward to more principal roles both on the New York stage and on Camera.