A triple threat performer, Jeff started singing at six years old, giving feature performances at numerous churches and schools throughout his hometown in the Inland Valley of Southern California.  Fresh out of high school, he was accepted into the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Hollywood.  Into his first year of college studying in the Theatre Department at Cal State University San Bernardino, he was invited to perform at the American College Theatre Festival in Logan, Utah where he was offered to perform with various national tours (Kaiser Educational Theatre, Missoula Children’s Theater)

 

While studying acting as intended, Jeff finally found his passion of Musical Theatre.  Since then, he has performed in numerous productions throughout the Inland Empire and Orange County area.  His most memorable roles in classic musicals include Gaston in “Beauty and the Beast”; The Master of Ceremonies in “Cabaret”;  and Professor Harold Hill in “The Music Man”.  Soon enough he starred in the Broadway National Tours of South Pacific (Lt. Cable) and Fiddler on the Roof (Motel/Perchik).  Jeff is also a platinum award-winning singer showcasing his duo performance of “Jekyll & Hyde” at the Manhattan Hilton in New York.  He has had the privilege of singing for the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation in Santa Monica.  Jeff has even taken his voice to the open seas, performing aboard the luxury cruise ships of Holland America Line, singing multiple styles of music all over the world including Italy, Hawaii, Australia, Tahiti, Canada, Spain and New Zealand.  Mr. Ricca has also performed the casino circuit, headlining in solo and group entertainment all across the country, including the Harrah's Resort in Las Vegas, Reno, Tahoe, and Atlantic City.  He has collaborated and worked with notable celebrities such as Lorna Luft, Doris Roberts, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

 

Besides performing on stage, Jeff is even more thrilled to be on the directing side of the tunnel.  He ran a performing arts academy in Riverside, CA for six years, putting together annual children’s musical theatre productions affiliated with the Community Education.  He was the resident acting coach, teaching weekly classes for children of all ages including scene study and improvisation, and also taught private instruction in acting and voice.  Jeff is an award-winning competition coach directing numerous Elite production teams taking them to Gold in national competitions from Las Vegas to New York.  He has taken his students to noble lengths performing for various charity events including the Montefiore Children’s Hospital in the Bronx and Lincoln Medical Center in Brooklyn; the March Air Force Base, as well as thirteen years at Knotts Berry Farm.  Mr. Ricca’s students have performed internationally at sea with Royal Caribbean Cruise line performing as a guest artist for the last ten years.  His directing credits include a contemporary pop/rock adaptation of the boy who refused to grow up, "Rock Out Peter Pan".  He has also conducted and musically arranged the tradition "Fiddler on the Roof" as well as musically directed fully scaled Broadway productions such as "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown", "Beauty and the Beast", "Annie", and "The Full Monty".