Double the Fun: Talking with Identical Twin Singing Duo Will and Anthony Nunziata

If you are going to make it as a concert singer in New York City, and go from being relatively unknown out of college to singing in one of Michael Feinstein's Manhattan nightclubs just a few years later, and Carnegie Hall after that, then it helps to be good looking, incredibly talented, hilariously funny, charismatic, and skillful in the business of show. Even better if you come as a matched set of identical twins. If you are thinking I must be describing the Manhattan singing sensations, and young champions of the Great American Songbook Will and Anthony Nunziata, then you would be right.

The Brooklyn-born, Westchester-raised brothers were immersed in a musical household growing up, encouraged to sing by their parents, and singing as a duo since 3rd grade when Anthony played Linus to Will's Charlie Brown. Will insisted that their musical director Debbie Meyers arrange Charlie Brown's "The Kite Song" as a duet for Anthony and him. But their true professional career began right here in Boston, where they each attended Boston College in theater arts. When Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops were scheduled to perform at BC for their annual benefit concert, the BC choir director tapped Will and Anthony to be soloists in the program, thus beginning their career as a singing team, which has been on a rapidly rising trajectory ever since.

Though they perform regularly in New York, and in nightclubs and performing arts centers nationally and internationally, the brothers remain ever loyal to Boston and New England. In fact, just last year, they returned twice to Massachusetts, first in May to perform with the Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra at Memorial Hall in Plymouth, second to perform in the Fall at Church of the Presidents in Quincy. Those who enjoyed those concerts, as well as fans who missed them, will be thrilled to hear that they will be returning to perform a new show "Valentines on Broadway" for Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra's annual benefit on February 2nd at Memorial Hall in Plymouth.

"The response from our first time in Plymouth, with the Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra, was really spectacular," recalls Will. "We typically connect well with audiences all over the country, but we experienced something really special with the audience in Plymouth. We were so excited when we were told they were inviting back my brother Anthony and me to perform, celebrating Steven Karidoyanes' 25th season as conductor, as well as a benefit for the Phil, especially since we could help raise money for them."

Engagingly brassy professionalism

The Plymouth Philharmonic has latched on to some top tier talent by booking Will & Anthony. The New York Times shouts that "they display an engagingly brassy professionalism," the Chicago Tribune proclaims they are "a winning combo of beautiful tenor voices and comedic flair," and Entertainment Weekly calls them "amazing singers!" Such accolades don't come easy, and Will and Anthony have earned them through talent and hard work.

And while the brothers may be visually identical, it doesn't take long to see their individual distinctions come to the surface. Will is by far the more organic of the two, following in the footsteps of such idols as Judy Garland and Sammy Davis Jr., singing from the gut with unreserved passion. "Will is fearless," says Anthony, who is more of the organizer, and tends to take on the business aspects of their act. "on stage, I play the straight man to Will's zaniness. My humor is dryer. We play up those differences in the show."

Even their pre-show regimen is different, so much so that they prefer to have separate dressing rooms. "I like to rev myself up," says Will, who has a very high energy stage persona. "I might go for a run beforehand. I don't like to listen to music, but instead run the show through my head." Will might even peak out into the house just before the show starts to get a sense of the audience vibe, making subtle last-minute changes to the show based on what he sees or feels. Anthony is quite the opposite, very contemplative. "I usually have calming, meditative music playing, along with herbal tea," says Anthony, Twinings Ginger with Lemon with honey being his favorite. He too will run through the song order in his head and consider how current events or local culture might influence how they present the songs, or in what order they might perform them.

Like many of their shows, "Valentines on Broadway" will include songs from the Broadway Songbook, the American Standards Songbook, and songs from their latest recording, "Love Always," which contains all original songs they have written. "We are really excited about putting together this brand-new show specifically for this audience," announces Will. The show will feature a "South Pacific" pairing of "This Nearly Was Mine/Some Enchanted Evening,", some new takes on American classic standards like "When I Fall in Love" and Come Rain or Come Shine," and a mashup of the 1955 classic, later made famous by the Righteous Brothers, "Unchained Melody" with Adele's "Someone Like You." Anthony glibly adds, "And I will solo on 'O, Solo Mio."

Keeping things fresh

Anthony is particularly proud of their original song "The Gift is You," which will be in their show and is on "Love Always," a song with which they have a deep personal connection. "We wrote this song in honor of our mom, who was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago, and who is now happily cancer-free," explains Anthony. When they recorded the song for a video, the Susan G. Komen breast cancer charitable foundation saw it and picked it up to use as their theme song.

Another unique aspect to their show is that they will have their long-time musical director, Tedd Firth with them, leading a 5-piece band. Firth and the boys have been together for nearly 10 years. It is especially apropos that he accompanies them in Plymouth, given that he produced and arranged their recording "Love Always," songs from which will make up a good portion of the show's program. "He's a fantastic jazz pianist. He can play everything!" gushes Anthony. "He's our go-to arranger and to have him available is a real treat." Firth is one of New York's most sought-after musical directors, having accompanied such luminaries as Bernadette Peters, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Barbara Cook, Maureen McGovern, Michael Feinstein, and Marilyn Maye. "When he is free, we jump at the change to perform with him," adds Will.

On the horizon for the boys are two more Bay State appearances in 2019 at polar ends of the Commonwealth: Pittsfield in July and Provincetown in August. They will also be launching a show on which they have been working for some time, "Disney and the Boys," with a Fall 2019 premier in the works. "The Disney Theatrical Group has given us permission to do the material, primarily celebrating the work of the Sherman Brothers," recounts Anthony. "Half the songs are from the film 'Mary Poppins,' perhaps Disney's most beloved live-action film, so we take the time to explore the behind-the-scenes stories, and the creation of the film, as well as the relationship between Walt Disney and 'the boys.'" That they are brothers singing the work of brothers is not lost on Will and Anthony, deepening their connection with the music.

But presently, their focus is on Plymouth. "We hope our friends from the Boston area may come down, but we look forward to seeing the people who came to the first Plymouth concert, and may come back, and also those friends they may bring for the first time," chimes Anthony. "We work to keep things fresh. People have often said, even if they've seen a show of ours before, seeing it again, they feel like its new."

Will and Anthony Nunziata will perform "Valentines on Broadway" Saturday, February 2, at 7:30 PM in memorial Hall, 83 Court St., Plymouth. Tickets, $20-$100. For tickets, call 508.746.8008 or visit www.plymouthphil.org

Watch Will and Anthony Nunzia sing a medley from the musical "South Pacific."