Rose Guccione
Ancestry: Sicilian
Birthplace: Chicago (Little Village)
Revues: My Big Fat Quinceañera, ¡Veracruz! (Writer/Composer), Sofrito, The Piñata Strikes Back, and Little Sweatshop of Horrors.
Rose Guccione, a La Villita native, made her Salsation debut in My Big Fat Quinceañera. Since 2002, she has written, composed and performed with Salsation in several shows. She recently directed fellow ensemble members Beatriz Jamaica and Michael Villarreal in their monologues for Salsation’s Azúcar and Spice; and co-wrote and directed Salsation alumna Sonia Astacio’s one-woman show for Teatro Luna. She is proud to have performed with Salsation in The 6th Annual Austin Latino Comedy Fiesta in Texas hosted by Latino Comedy Project.
Rose was recently heard on the stage of Lyric Opera of Chicago as Isabel Bayrakdarian’s “scream double” in Poulenc’s Dialogues of the Carmelites. She was the 2005 “Viking Queen” of the Chicago Auto Show press event. This latter appearance was featured on the cover page of the Chicago’s Daily Southtown, twice in the Chicago Tribune, and on television, including WTTW’s Chicago Tonight. Other appearances have included Miracle on 34th Street directed by David Cromer, the role of Mireya (a prostitute!) in Cesar Guifarro’s De Niño a Hombre, “Viking Soprano” on ESPN‘s Off Course; and on the “Can opera singers shatter glass with their high notes?” segment of A&E‘s pilot The Straight Dope.
Rose completed “Comedic Songwriting” with Mike Descoteaux, Improv Intensives with Bina Martin and Writing Intensives with Ed Ferrara at The Second City Training Center. While at SCTC, she performed in Running Wild! – the musical improv show directed by Joe Latessa at Donny’s Skybox Theatre. Rose is a graduate of Josephine Forsberg’s Players Workshop Original Improv Program and Acting Academy for Improvisors. She took dance lessons at Latin Street Dancing and re-connected with her inner Latina (a “Who’s Sexy?” to Lisa!).
Rose stays involved with Salsation while continuing her operatic career: debuting in Carnegie Hall (NYC) and Rome just weeks after My Big Fat Quinceañera closed. She is owner of OperaGram.com – operatic greetings for any occasion. Rose’s current singing schedule may be viewed at RoseGuccione.com.
Famous Salsation Characters: In My Big Fat Quinceañera: Singing abuelita Doña Lisa; anger management therapist Rachel Lieberman; and mourning mother Sra. Gonzales. In 2004 Chicago SketchFest: Sabor de Mexico partner Myrtle Ochoa Weinberg; president of the board room meeting; Rachel Anderson taking a Humboldt Park tour; and Carlito’s churro stick fighting angel, Chimmy Changa. The Piñata Strikes Back: Chica Ocho, love song singer Rosa.
Trivia: “Dora the Explorer” in The Piñata Strikes Back was written by Rose, and was based on her trips to help Ramon when he was treated for a knee injury at Cook County Hospital.
