What can I say about “Johnny Boy's Graduation” other than it's INCREDIBLE! This show had to have been the BEST time I've ever had! The show, an interactive comedy by Mark Nassar, co-creator of “Tony 'n' Tina's Wedding,” and by Kevin Alexander, Denise Fennell and Justine Rossi, takes place at Boni Vino Restaurant on Van Buren Street in Chicago. From the moment you walk into this restaurant, you're family. Johnny's mom greeted me at the door, and the rest of the family started hugging me as I'm walking in. When you walk in, it looks like an Italian restaurant. Everyone was waiting in the lobby by the bar, as members of the family were walking up to people and making small talk. As everyone was talking, the wonderful Tiffany Turner, who plays Stella was singing songs until everyone went in the dining room. And man, can she sing! I was talking to a buddy of mine when sweet Little Mary came by, played by the funny and talented Sarah Bockel. She was telling us how she doesn't like to sing in front of crowds, then everyone forced her to sing. She sang Patsy Cline's “Crazy”, and WOW! One of the best versions I've heard. After Mary sang, we all entered into the dining room. Everyone was assigned to different tables. I was lucky enough to sit with the family. The main host for the evening was Dommie Spits, played brilliantly by creator Mark Nassar. He cracked me up all night. What I love about this show, is that everyone in the show interacts with the audience. The Chairman (George Hambach), assisted by The Saint (Johnny Rickert), went up to make speeches, along with Suds (Ron Cooper), Max Golden (Marty Shannon) and Willie Whacko (Bato Postran). The speeches leading up to Johnny Boy's arrival were hilarious, with the video screens showing Johnny Boy's release from prison. As we were waiting for Johnny Boy to arrive, we were the invited friends and family, throwing him a surprise party. Then, the arrival. Everyone went crazy, and the honoring began. The ever so funny Franny, played by the hilarious Jane Allyson, went up on behalf of her husband The Chairman to make a speech for Johnny. There were other members of the family too that were making speeches for Johnny. The ever so lovely Camille, played beautifully by Samantha Gold, and her husband Mickey Mouth, played by the brutus John Bellon. There was Little Mary, and her wise-ass/filmmaker husband Nicky Nerves, played by the hilarious Peter Parilli. The part where he brought his new “star,” played by Jan Godshaw, was hysterical. Along with filmmaker Dante (David Gigante), these two are a good team. But most importantly, we can't forget Johnny Boy's one true love Angie, played by the wonderful Jamie Brouillette.
As the getting-out-of jail-party commenced, all the family and friends are trying to figure out where the diamonds are. See, the reason Johnny Boy got thrown in the slammer for years, was for participating in a jewel heist. He was the only member of the gang that got caught and had to do time. But Johnny Boy is also the only one who knows where the diamonds are. Throughout the whole show, that's what's on everyone's minds. But, anyway, back to the party. Before we eat the elegant food that's served to us, Father Mike (James Grana) says a prayer for us with a plastic light up Jesus. The food was great. They were serving mostaccoli, ravioli, sausage and chicken. Don't complain about the food, or you'll get whacked. As the night goes on, there's more comedy, more fun, and more laughter. The party continues into the lobby room with dancing and singing. Father Mike was playing guitar, while everyone was partying it up. Throughout the evening we also had the smooth-voiced crooner, Mr. Bobby Boni (Joe Bonadonna). He entertained the crowds with sing-a-longs and a “Sinatra Battle.” Then, finally, by the end of the show, we have Det. Gus Tedakis, played by the brilliant Peter Buckley, raising all the commotion. As the show came to an end, we find out where the diamonds are, and a couple other surprises you have to see to check out! After the show, you can meet everyone out of character, and do karaoke.
Overall, this was the best theater experience I've ever had. And I HIGHLY, HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend everyone should see this show! You'll have a blast! If you've gone to “Tony 'n' Tina's Wedding,” you will love this! A wonderful interactive experience, where you'll leave never wanting it to end. I recently caught up with Creator and Producer Mark Nassar, who told me a little about how this show came to be, and about its origins. Thanks Mark for creating a FANTASTIC show!
7 pm on Saturdays Open-ended run, Boni Vino Ristorante, 111 W. Van Buren St., Chicago. $60, includes dinner except for drinks. Tickets are available on the website: www.johnnyboysgraduation.com If you enter the code BUZZ, you'll get $5 off tickets.
Buzz: I heard that there's a prison across the street from the restaurant. Does that have any significance to the show?
Mark: There is a prison on the corner about a half block away. The MCC. metropolitan correctional center. federal prison. mostly a hold for people waiting to go on trial. I was visiting a friend who had a stay there. walked down the street and there was Boni Vino's like a gift from heaven -perfect location. plus it gives us the opportunity to show a video of johnny getting out of jail and walking to the party in one shot. i don't think we'll ever find a better location. a guys getting out of jail and it's only a hundred yards away. plus the place didn't need any design or decoration. it was better than a designer could do.
Buzz: Where did you come up with the idea for this family?
Mark: In this case I created characters for actors I already new and wanted to use. mostly TNT vets in NY. the parts evolved from rewrites and they went from being mob to being a family of thieves. They are a little of both now.
Buzz: What prompted you to come up with Johnny Boy's Graduation?
Mark: I always wanted to do an interactive show about gangsters. then an opportunity arose when I needed money for a video project. I got together with some TNT vets (Kevin Alexander, Justine Rossi, Denise fennell) wrote a timeline with some characters. Kevin, also a writer of TNT came up with the idea a party for a guy getting out of jail. bingo! we threw up a very loose improv gangster party for only one night and it was a huge success. we raised a good amount of money. we did it again as a fundraiser for a theater company. Yonkers fireman played the gangsters. it was a riot. I thought it would be a success in chicago because of the gangster mythology there and with the success of TNT in Chicago, I thought it would be a no-brainer. I looked for for years for the right space here and finally found it in Boni Vino's. (of course when I found it I had no money but that's another story and a good one.)
Buzz: How is this show different from Tony and Tina's Wedding?
Mark: The basic difference of course, is that one is a wedding and the other is a gangster coming home party. The party itself is the most similar aspect of the two pieces. I think where they diverge is that "Johnny Boy's" is more scripted. It's still more event driven than lot driven because we want to avoid it being a murder mystery, but the actors have far more lines than they do in TnT.
Buzz: Will this show eventually go to New York?
Mark: The original producer of TnT has shown a lot of interest in bringing it to NY. I also have interest in Vegas. For now though, I am focusing on Chicago, solidifying it here, before I move it to another city.
Buzz: What made you want to write this show?
Mark: On the interactive side I have written, in addition to JB's and TnT, I wrote a show called "Birdy's Bachelorette Party", which is a spoof on "Chip n' Dales" and a big ole girl's night out. Ran for five years at the Culture Club in NY. As far as standard plays, I wrote a play called "The Mayor's Limo", about a guy who pisses on The Mayor's Limo and lands in a squad room. It had a successful off- broadway run, is published by Samuel French and was made into an Indie film called, "A Line in the Sand", which I also wrote. It won a good amount of awards on the festival circuit. (The film has won awards from: Bridge Fest (Audience Award), Santa Monica International Film Festival (Best Feature and Audience Award), Montana Independent Film Festival (Best Feature), Naperville Independent Film Festival (Best Actor - Jon Bernthal), Canada International Film Festival (Best Feature and Grand Jury Award), George Lindsey UNA Film Festival (Golden Lion Award). As a result of this success I have been hired to write about 4 screenplays in the last couple of years by various producers. I have a play, called "Shouting in the Wilderness", which had a workshop in Aiken South Carolina. www.shoutinginthewilderness.com
I would like to add the most important part of Johnny Boy's, I think is the casting. I was so lucky to get the types and talent that I did. I wanted authentic working class Chicago types. I have people with a ton of experience and some with little or none. This cast has gone above and beyond just acting. They have helped in all aspects of production and sold a ton of tickets to keep this thing floating in the beginning. With no money down this was surely a very trying, yet rewarding organic theater experience. Also people like Vic P, and dear friends in Chicagoland took care of me, helped me and allowed this thing to happen.
