Evan Ruggiero began dancing at the age of five in his hometown studio and by age ten, he was accepted into the famed New Jersey Tap Ensemble. Upon entering his sophomore year at Montclair State University while pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre, Evan was suddenly diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer of the right leg. Enduring nine surgeries in a six-month period in an effort to save the leg, the cancer returned more aggressively than the original diagnosis. He was faced with the ultimate decision of amputation in order to stop the cancer and save his life, as well as undergoing chemotherapy for sixteen months.

Eighteen months after the amputation, and only two days after receiving his “peg-leg”, Evan was tap dancing again. In 2018 he received a Drama Desk Nomination for Best Actor in a Musical, a Chita Rivera Award Nomination for Best Dancer in a Musical, and was awarded a Clive Barnes Award in Theatre for his portrayal of Tom Jones in NYC’s off-broadway hit “Bastard Jones.”

Evan has been seen performing at Carnegie Hall and at the 90th Oscars as well, as performing for many notable individuals such as Ellen Degeneres, President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, Egypt’s sixth and current president, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and most recently performing alongside two-time Grammy winning artist, Jason Mraz. 

Theatre credits include: Camelot (Sir Dinadan, The Muny), Beauty and the Beast (Beast, Olney Theatre Center), The Wizard of Oz (Tin Man, Pittsburgh CLO), Toxic Avenger (Melvin/Toxie, Pittsburgh CLO), Shrek (Pied Piper, Pittsburgh CLO) Man of La Mancha (Manuel, Pittsburgh CLO) and Baby (Danny, NYC off-b’way).

You can follow Evan on Istagram @Lord_Pegleg