At Cultural Arts Playhouse, every production begins with a team of passionate artists, educators, designers, technicians, and theater-makers who believe in the power of storytelling. From the first rehearsal to opening night, our team works together to create memorable experiences both onstage and behind the scenes.

Bruce is so proud of the accomplishments of the Cultural Arts Playhouse over the last two decades. As owner and artistic director since its inception in 1995, Bruce and his staff have been bringing joy and laughter to Long Island families and audiences for twenty years and counting!! Bruce started his career as a performer, which allowed him to understand the needs of actors on stage and how to get the most out of them. But even at an early age, and while getting his Bachelors and masters from Stony Brook University in theater and education, he always had a desire to direct. During his college days , he produced a production of Hair which was voted the show of the decade by Newsday! Bruce has a wealth of performing credits in commercials and film and tours. Some of his credits include the European tours of West Side Story and Jesus Christ Superstar and  the national tour of the Emmy award winning None for the Road, a show preaching the evils of drinking and driving. As a performer, he has been received favorably by Long Island audiences and Newsday as Julian Marsh in 42nd Street and Josh Baskin in Big. Other credits include Daddy Warbucks in Annie, Father in Ragtime, Pseudolus in Forum and Captain Walker in Tommy to name a few. Bruce is pleased to have produced and or directed Long Island premieres of Big, Parade, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Carrie, Assassins, Altar Boyz and Spring Awakening to name a few. Cap has always been known for doing shows that  are cutting edge and that other theaters  don't do. Bruce has been featured on the nationally syndicated Twilight Zone radio series starring Jim Caviesel and Jason Alexander to name a few of the actors in the series.  Bruce has taught at the collegiate and high school level over the years and currently is on staff at several elementary schools and high schools on Long Island.  But for all of these accomplishments, Bruce is most proud of his children! Not just his daughter Brooke and son Jared, both flourishing at Universities and who grew up at the playhouse and made countless friends and memories, but the thousands of kids he has come into direct contact with as a director and teacher and mentor. To see the pride on a kids face as they excel in front of Cap audiences and the joy it brings to parents and family! There is nothing more rewarding than that.  Growing the confidence and self esteem of a child is what Cap stands for! We also take pride in  training our students for professional careers. Over 30 of Bruce's students and actors have made it to Broadway and film and tours and commercials. Some of the Cap alumni include Jamie Lynn Sigler of Soprano and Beauty and the Beast fame, Marissa McGowan as Eponine in Les MIs on Broadway . Bonnie and Clyde and A Little Night Music with Katherine Zeta Jones, Dan Domenech in Rock of Ages, Al Calderone in 13 and Law  and Order, Brian D'addario from Les Mis and Little Mermaid and Danny Quadrino from Bye Bye Birdie and Newsies to name just a few!!! No theater can boast as many success stories! Twenty years and counting!! We must be doing something right!

Tony Frangipane serves as the Artistic and Managing Director at the Cultural Arts Playhouse (CAP), where he has helmed numerous acclaimed productions. Tony’s CAP credits include the Long Island premieres of SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical, Miss Saigon, Aida, Side Show, Debbie Does Dallas: The Musical, A New Brain, and the regional premiere of the cult classic Carrie. His versatile directing portfolio also includes audience favorites like The Addams Family, Bye Bye Birdie, The Sound of Music, Ragtime, Falsettos, Honk, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Next to Normal, Les Misérables, and Chess. Most recently, he directed the hit productions of Something Rotten and Avenue Q, and is currently looking forward to bringing the thrilling and heartfelt Ride the Cyclone to life.

As both a director and performer, Tony has worked alongside esteemed industry legends, including Charles Strouse (Annie), Casey Nicholaw, Nathan Lane, Colleen Dewhurst, Kathleen Turner, Treat Williams, and Boyd Gaines.

Tony’s acting career has spanned numerous prestigious venues, including Theater Works USA, American Family Theater, Dallas Musical Theater Workshop, The Shubert Theater New Haven, The Yale Rep, and Long Wharf Theater. His Off-Broadway credits include Valley of the Dolls and Boyfriend for the Holidays, in addition to appearances in national tours and regional productions across the country.

In leadership roles, Tony founded FARCE INC, serving as Artistic Director for six successful seasons, and directed celebrated productions with Summer Stage of Leonia, The Players Guild of Leonia, and Hills on Stage. His standout works include Peter Pan, Honk, The Wizard of Oz, Free to Be You and Me, and Cinderella.

Above all, Tony cherishes his work with children and young performers through the Musical Acting Academy at CAP, inspiring the next generation of artists while creating magical theatrical experiences for audiences.