Tony Vincent, born Anthony Peter Strascina, is an American actor, singer and songwriter born in Albuquerque, New Mexico (July 25, 1973) and based out of New York City, New York. He took the stage name Tony Vincent when he was preparing to release his first EP in 1993 .Early careerVincent's professional career began while attending Belmont University in Nashville, TN. Using the school's recording studio, he recorded what became his first single, Love Falling Down. It was originally released only to his hometown radio station, KLYT in Albuquerque. The song proved popular. When it hit #1 on that station's charts, he and a college friend hastily organized a campaign to release the single nationally. The single was released nationwide in May 1993 and appeared for one week on the national CCM radio charts in July 1993, becoming the first independently released single ever to do so. After signing a recording contract with Star Song Records / EMI, Vincent spent six more years recording in Nashville. During that time, Vincent had six #1 songs on Billboard's radio charts and his song One Deed, from the album of the same name, was featured in a United Way of America campaign.RentIn 1998, Vincent moved to New York, and by March 1998 had landed a role in the American touring production of Rent. In January 1999, Vincent returned to New York and made his Broadway debut in the cast of Rent - appearing first in the role of Roger, and then later as Mark - at the Nederlander Theatre.[edit]Jesus Christ SuperstarIn 2000, Vincent was cast in the role of Simon Zealotes in the film remake of Jesus Christ Superstar in London; he was the only American to be cast in the film. This new production brought about a revival of the show on Broadway, and Vincent and several of his castmates from the film were asked to star in it. Vincent was again cast as Simon, understudying the lead roles of Jesus and Judas, but in a change just three and a half weeks before opening night, Jason Pebworth - who was originally cast as Judas - left the show, and composer Andrew Lloyd Webber moved Vincent into the leading role. Vincent's performance as Judas won him a nomination for an Outer Critics award for "Best Featured Actor".Impressed with his Broadway performances, Webber selected Vincent to travel through China in 2001, introducing the composer's music in a cultural exchange production later released on DVD as Andrew Lloyd Webber-Masterpiece (Live in Beijing).[edit]We Will Rock YouIn 2001, Vincent landed the lead role of Galileo Figaro in Queen's musical, We Will Rock You on London's West End. He performed the role from May 2002 through November 2003. Vincent also performed Bohemian Rhapsody with Queen for the band's June 2002 appearance at Party at the Palace, a celebration of Queen Elizabeth's 50th anniversary as monarch.The North American premiere of We Will Rock You opened in Las Vegas in 2004. Vincent again starred in the production, where he met his future wife, Aspen Miller (now Aspen Vincent), who played his love interest Scaramouche. Vincent remained with the show until July 2005, when he returned to New York City to resume work on his solo music career.[edit]American IdiotVincent originated the role of St. Jimmy in American Idiot, the Tony award-winning stage musical based on Green Day's award-winning album of the same name. The production premiered at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre in September 2009 and, after being extended twice, became Berkeley Rep's most popular and highest grossing production.When American Idiot opened on Broadway at the St. James Theatre (opening April 20, 2010) Tony Vincent received considerable praise for his portrayal of St. Jimmy. Charles Isherwood of the New York Times praised the show as "performed with galvanizing intensity by a terrific cast, ... a pulsating portrait of wasted youth that invokes all the standard genre conventions ... only to transcend them through the power of its music and the artistry of its execution," and describing performance as having "mesmerizing vitality and piercing vocalism."Peter Travers from Rolling Stone, in his review of American Idiot, wrote "the standout is vocal powerhouse Tony Vincent as St. Jimmy, Johnny’s dealer and toxic id.... American Idiot...cuts its own path to the heart. You won’t know what hit you. American Idiot knows no limits — it's a global knockout."In April 2010, Vincent, along with co-star John Gallagher, Jr., received a 2010 Drama League Award nomination for the Distinguished Performance Award.Tony Vincent played his final performance as "St. Jimmy" on December 30, 2010, and was succeeded by Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong. The show closed on Broadway on April 24, 2011.