Peter Kapetan

Peter Kapetan

Peter Kapetan
Photo: Priscilla Martel
Born October 21, 1956
Died June 4, 2008(2008-06-04) (aged 51)
New York City
Cause of death Cancer
Nationality American
Education Andover
Alma mater Northwestern
Occupation Actor, singer,
dancer
Years active 1979–2008

Peter Murray Kapetan was an American Broadway actor, singer and dancer notable for playing numerous roles during a thirty year career. He was notable for performing in the musical The Wedding Singer as a Ronald Reagan impersonator.[1] He appeared in Titanic, Sunset Boulevard, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Got Tu Go Disco. [2] He appeared in many national tours and off–Broadway productions.[3] He choreographed numerous shows and mentored young performers and was active in alumni events for his alma mater, Northwestern University.[3] He died of cancer on June 4, 2008.[3]

Contents

Early life

Mr. Kapetan was a graduate of Phillips Academy in Andover and was part of the school's first co–educational class. His Andover classmates included authors Nate Lee, Heather Mac Donald, Sara Nelson, Chris Agee and Karl Kirchwey; jazz pianist Bill Cunliffe, painter Julian Hatton and sculptor Gar Waterman; and business executive Peter Currie. In 1974, he played the lead role of the French planter Emile in the school's production of the musical South Pacific, playing opposite classmate Dana Delany. He was close friends with restaurateur Priscilla Martel. He attended Northwestern University and graduated in 1978.

Career

Mr. Kapetan played the role of Oliver Webb in the production of On the Twentieth Century.[4] He played one of the brothers in the original cast of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.[5][6] He played a leading role in the off-Broadway production of Camelot with Richard Burton.[6] He had leading roles in The Wedding Singer and Aida.[6] He appeared in the movie Farm Girl in New York in 2008 and also in the Disney production of Confessions of a Shopaholic.[6][7] He played the role of Sam Himmelsteen in The Wild Party.[8] He was in the show The Scarlet Pimpernel.[9]

References

  1. ^ Matthew Murray (April 27, 2006). "The Wedding Singer". Talkin' Broadway's Broadway Reviews. http://www.talkinbroadway.com/world/WeddingSinger.html. Retrieved 2010-11-22. "Cast: Stephen Lynch, Laura Benanti, Richard H. Blake, Kevin Cahoon, Felicia Finley, Tina Maddigan, Matthew Saldivar, Amy Spanger, and Rita Gardner; Adinah Alexander, Matt Allen, Tracee Beazer, Cara Cooper, Ashley Amber Haase, Nicolette Hart, Angelique Ilo, David Josefsberg, Peter Kapetan," 
  2. ^ "Peter Kapetan". Internet Broadway Database IBDB. 2010-11-22. http://www.ibdb.com/person.php?id=74728. Retrieved 2010-11-22. 
  3. ^ a b c "In Memoriam". Northwestern University. Winter 2008. http://www.northwestern.edu/magazine/winter2008/alumninews/inmemoriam.html. Retrieved 2010-11-22. "Peter Kapetan (C78), 51, New York City, June 4. An actor, singer and dancer, Mr. Kapetan enjoyed a theater career that spanned almost three decades. He most recently appeared on Broadway in The Wedding Singer as a Ronald Reagan impersonator and ensemble member. Mr. Kapetan got his start on Broadway in the 1979 production of Got Tu Go Disco and later worked on Sunset Boulevard and Titanic. He also appeared in many national tours and off-Broadway productions. Mr. Kapetan devoted many volunteer hours to NU Club of New York alumni events, including its "Ultimate Christmas Parties" in the 1970s, '80s and '90s. He often choreographed the shows and mentored young performers. He is survived by his parents, Peter and Helen; two sisters, Melissa and Christine; and a brother, Nicholas." 
  4. ^ "On the Twentieth Century -- The Internet Theater Magazine of Reviews, Features, Annotated Listings". Curtain Up. 2001. http://www.curtainup.com/onthe20thcentury.html. Retrieved 2010-11-22. "His 16-hour effort is abetted by his weary but loyal sidekicks Oliver Webb (Peter Kapetan) and Owen O'Malley (John Dewar)." 
  5. ^ "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat". Broadway Musical Home. Jan 27, 1982. http://www.broadwaymusicalhome.com/shows/joseph.htm. Retrieved 2010-11-22. "Original Cast: Bill Hutton, Laurie Beechman, Gordon Stanley, Tom Carder, Robert Hyman, Kenneth Bryan, Steve McNaughton, Charlie Serrano, Peter Kapetan, ... 1982 Tony Award Nominations Best Musical Best Book of a Musical" 
  6. ^ a b c d "Life In Legacy". Life In Legacy. June 7, 2008. http://www.lifeinlegacy.com/display.php?weekof=2008-06-07. Retrieved 2010-11-22. "Peter Kapetan (51) actor, singer, and dancer who played one of the brothers in the original cast of the Broadway musical Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Kapetan had also appeared on national tours and in numerous off-Broadway productions, including leading roles in Camelot (with Richard Burton), Titanic, Sunset Boulevard, The Wedding Singer, and Aïda and most recently had movie roles in the independent film Farm Girl in New York (2008) and the upcoming Disney production Confessions of a Shopaholic. He died of cancer in New York City on June 4, 2008." 
  7. ^ "Peter Kapetan (1956–2008)". Internet Movie Database. 2010-11-22. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2567277/. Retrieved 2010-11-22. "Confessions of a Shopaholic -- Gin and Tonic Guy 2007; Farm Girl in New York -- Steve" 
  8. ^ BEN BRANTLEY (February 25, 2000). "HE WILD PARTY". The New York Times. http://theater.nytimes.com/mem/theater/treview.html?res=940CE7D81130F936A15751C0A9669C8B63. Retrieved 2010-11-22. "WITH: ... Peter Kapetan (Sam Himmelsteen)," 
  9. ^ Laura Deni (October 8, 2000). "THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL". Broadway To Vegas. http://www.broadwaytovegas.com/October8,2000.html. Retrieved 2010-11-22. "The cast includes: ... Peter Kapetan," 

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