Cristina and Robert’s first collaboration was a Christmas pageant reenactment in their living room when they were four and three, respectively. Their parents thought it was an award winner. As they got older however, they decided to try their hands on a few more professional collaborations; their first being their cabaret, Family Album. Having written some original pieces for Family Album they decided to collaborate on a full length musical which eventually became On the Air. It was selected as one of 10 musicals to partake in The PiTCH as part of the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival at Merry Go Round Playhouse and was a finalist in The Santa Fe Musical Theatre Festival and The Rhinebeck Writer's Retreat. It was presented at The York Theatre Company as part of their developemental reading series, starring Nick Spangler and Farah Alvin and directed by Tony Nominee, Hunter Foster. Most recently it had a workshop production in Brooklyn, NY. Their second musical, The Store Under the Portico, is inspired by a real life story and takes place in Italy during WWII. They are currently working on their third musical, Beyond Beautiful, which tells the story of Hedy Lamarr.
Robert Farruggia (music, book and lyrics)
Robert Farruggia is a professional stage actor and member of Actor's Equity Association and was born in Mantova, Italy. He studies voice with his parents, Metropolitan Opera Tenor Michele Farruggia and Soprano Barbara de Deo. Robert has appeared in Les Miserables on Broadway as well as a number of regional and international credits. He was also a semifinalist in the 2015 Lotte Lenya Competition, an international vocal/acting competition run by the Kurt Weill Foundation. As a composer, Robert has co-written two musicals with his sister, Cristina Farruggia. The first, On the Air, had a fully staged production in Brooklyn as well as an Off Broadway reading directed by Tony Nominee Hunter Foster. His second musical, The Store Under the Portico, was a finalist for a number of festivals across the country. He is currently working on a third musical, Beyond Beautiful, about Hedy Lamarr. His work has been featured at 54 Below, The Green Room 42, and the Laurie Beechman Theatre. Robert also holds an M.F.A. in Children's Literature from Hollins University where he wrote a number of novels. www.robertfarruggia.com
Cristina Farruggia (book and lyrics)
Cristina Farruggia was born in Mantova, Italy and is no stranger to the stage. As the daughter of Metropolitan Opera Tenor Michele Farruggia and Soprano Barbara de Deo, with whom she studies voice, she was practically raised on the stage. Cristina is a member of Actors Equity Association and a graduate from Rider University where she was an honors student on a four-year, full tuition acting scholarship. She received her MA from King's College London where she studied Shakespeare in conjunction with the Globe Theatre in London. At sixteen, she appeared as Fantine in the final performance finale of Les Miserables at the Imperial Theater on Broadway. She was a featured soloist at a national memorial service for the victims of the World Trade Center at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Cristina also has a Cabaret Act she developed with her brother Robert called "Family Album". Her work has been seen at 54 Below, Green Room 42, and The Laurie Beechman Theatre. As a lyricist and librettist, Cristina co-wrote the book and lyrics to three new musicals On the Air, The Store Under the Portico, and Beyond Beautiful with her brother, Robert.