From Syracuse to Broadway. The national tour of CATS is visiting the Landmark Theatre this week, but one cat in particular is already familiar with Salina Street.
The Landmark’s showing of CATS is a full circle moment for Dominic Fortunato. Before he landed his big break as Pouncival in the traveling production, he was a child performer right here in Central New York.
“We would perform at the New York State Fair, perform at the Festa Italiana downtown. We would perform at nursing homes and do all this stuff.”
Fortunato’s grandmother instilled in him a love of music. She trained him, his siblings and his cousins from the time they could walk. They became known as the Lyra Performers, named after the former store, Lyra Music Company that his grandfather owned on North Salina Street.
“A lot of what we would do was sing Italian songs, everyone was taught piano right from when we were little, little kids, so we all learned how to read music, and we got into performing through her."
But Fortunato’s path to becoming a triple threat musician performing in CATS was not a simple one. He'd often question if he’d ever find success.
“Because it’s so overwhelming to just think about all the things that you want to do, but it’s like how do you do them? And especially growing up in Syracuse or like smaller communities in upstate New York when you are so removed from NYC, to get your foot into it, is kind of scary at first.”
While CATS is in town, he's visiting his former high school, Westhill High this week to give back to his hometown and remind students their dreams are attainable. He says those looking to follow in his footsteps should focus on working hard, being kind and drowning out the negativity.
“If you really enjoy what you are doing, keep doing it.”
Fortunato will also be delivering an audition-style master class to Syracuse University theatre students. He’ll be performing as Pouncival on the Landmark stage throughout the weekend.