November 2010 - Newsletter Website

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Community Profile:
Sal Mistretta
by: Jan Howell
Did you want to be on stage, in the movies or on television when you were a
kid? Our Four Seasons neighbor Sal Mistretta did and he is one of the few who actually
fulfilled that dream. From early childhood he saw the bright lights showing him his
path. Did his parents have any idea that he cut class to see matinees on Broadway? Did he
have any idea when he received his BFA in Theatre and a BS in Radio/ TV from Ithaca College
how much excitement awaited him? Probably not!
During a career that began before he was 20, Sal has played
opposite some major stars: Lauren Bacall, Dyan Cannon, Glenn
Close, Mareitte Hartley, George Hearn, Madeline Kahn, Kevin Kline, Mandy Patinkin. Angela Lansbury
, Patti LuPone, Audra Macdonald, Mary Louise Parker, Stephanie Powers, Faith Prince and
many others. He has also managed to perform in just about every acting medium possible from
television commercials and guest shots to regional theater on and off Broadway, and national
tours. He has picked up a few honors and Awards along the way for his performances in CATS, THE FIX and PHANTOM
OF THE OPERA.
It is difficult for Sal to say which medium he prefers but he does love the energy of live stage musicals and the
instant audience feedback. However, the fact that you can communicate so much more subtly
on television is a huge plus. He enjoys playing a good role with some humor and singing.
“Acting informs the singing”; is essential to making the singing accepted and understood.
He credited Glenn Close with saying that she is not the one singing; it is the character
who is singing.
Coworkers are an important part of any job and Sal feels that one of the best things
about being an actor is the amazing people with whom you work. The Prima Donna is rare;
most people are in the business because they love it. They want to be professional and enjoy themselves at the same
time. When you love your work, you easily enjoy it. Sal also has a lot of respect and praise for those who design, construct
and maintain sets and costumes.
Although Sal absolutely loves acting, he says that it is not all “glitter and glitz”. If you are doing Broadway, you
have no opportunity to have dinner with friends and go out and see
OTHER shows! Scheduling your life around your work is frequently offputting.
You are constantly auditioning and have to live with the disappointments
of not getting all of the roles that you would like. Then
there are the frustrations of last minute script changes, wardrobe issues,
the pesky travel hassles and constantly being told what to do by those
directors!
Sal plans to use his acting skills and experience here in the Palm
Springs area helping others to improve their craft, working with aspiring
actors and perhaps he can find time to present a Lecture/Master Class
series similar to his acclaimed program at Ithaca College. Want to know
more about Sal? Check out his website: www.Salmistretta.com.