His junior year of high school, David Burnham never would have guessed he would be where he is today – starring in a touring Broadway show, The Light in the Piazza. In fact, he ended up where he is almost by default.

“I didn’t know I could sing at all,” Burnham says. “I was trying to get into woodshop class, but it was full. The only other class that was open was choir. I reluctantly went there and when I opened my mouth, I could sing. The rest is history.”

After earning a scholarship to college and getting his degree, Burnham began work. He says he was drawn to Broadway because of the excitement of doing a live show. “You have that give and take with the audience that you don’t have in TV and movies. There is different energy flow and the instant gratification of having an audience. Also, anything can happen in live theater,” he says.

In 1995, Burnham landed his first role in a nationally-touring show, Jesus Christ Superstar, playing the part of Peter. In October 1996, he played the role that would put him on the map – the part of “Joseph” in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – a role he would repeat a few months later and then again on a national tour.

Burnham has landed many other impressive roles throughout his career, including his most recent, as Fabrizio Naccarelli in the Broadway Across America production of The Light in the Piazza, coming to Columbus’ Palace Theatre March 13-18.

The winner of six Tony® Awards in 2005, including Best Score, The Light in the Piazza is a romantic musical about Margaret Johnson (Christine Andreas), a protective Southern matron on vacation in the Tuscan countryside with her daughter, Clara (Elena Shaddow), and Clara’s encounter with a handsome Florentine named Fabrizio (Burnham).

Burnham originally appeared in the show on Broadway, going on stage 60 times during his tenure as an understudy to the part of Fabrizio. “I had a great time in New York (playing the part), so when I was asked to do the tour, I jumped at it,” he says. “It is one of those rare parts that shows off everything I can do. There is wonderful acting and the music is amazing for me to sing. It allows me to sing at the top of my range and at the bottom of my range. It really tests everything I can do.”

It also didn’t hurt that the character encompasses many of Burnham’s traits, as well. “He believes in love and I am a true believer in love,” Burnham says. “When he falls, he falls hard, and I am pretty much the same way.”

Burnham says it is easy to see why audiences and critics alike have been so responsive to The Light in the Piazza. “It is a beautiful set – like a postcard to Italy,” he says. “And it is about the different stages of love. Most people can see themselves in these characters. They show all aspects of what love is. And we all know or want to know about love.”

And Burnham knows about love – he is making a living doing what he loves. “I feel so blessed being an actor in theater,” he says. “It is rare to be able to do what I do.”

In addition to his dedication to the theater, Burnham is also in the process of releasing his first CD – due out in Barnes and Noble and Wal-mart March 15. Included on the CD are a song from The Light in the Piazza and a duet with Elena Shaddow.

To learn more about David Burnham, visit www.davidburnham.com. To order his CD, visit www.lmlmusic.com. To purchase tickets to The Light in the Piazza at the Palace Theatre March 13-18, visit www.broadwayacrossamerica.com.