Manoel Felciano is an actor to keep an eye on.

We first noticed him in the 2005 revival of Sweeney Todd on Broadway in which he played the role of Tobias; of the many productions we've seen of this show, he was by far the most affecting in the role. (He also exudes a rare star presence). Currently, he's in the off-Broadway play Trumpery about Darwin and he's written a thoughtful essay on the ways in which the play has prompted his own meditations on evolution, religion, acting, and leaps of faith. Read it here.

Next week, he releases his first solo CD entitled "Moonshot." On it, a mix of songs by Felciano as well as covers. For those of us who love his gorgeous singing voice, it's an early Christmas present.