A town that loves Sinatra is about to host perhaps the greatest Sinatra (and Springsteen, Letterman) impersonator in history, as SNL comedy legend Joe Piscopo is set to perform at the Historic Suffolk Theater on June 20.
Dubbed by Frank Sinatra himself as “Vice Chairman of the Board,” Piscopo is known not only for his iconic impression of the legendary crooner. His impressions of Bruce Springsteen, Marv Albert, David Letterman, David Hartman of Good Morning America, and others helped to reignite Saturday Night Live in 1980 (along with cast members Eddie Murphy, Gilbert Gottfried, and others) in the overwhelmingly difficult season that saw the retirement of the original cast that included John Belushi, Bill Murray, and Gilda Radner. In a year when the nation wondered if the show could survive without the “Not-Ready-for-Primetime Players,” Piscopo’s ingenious characters that included Doug & Wendy Whiner, The Guy from Jersey, and others helped to reignite the show for a new generation!
Joe has since proved to be one of comedy’s most enduring voices, appearing in movies Wise Guys with Danny DeVito, Johnny Dangerously with Michael Keaton, and most recently the SNL 40th Anniversary episode with a reprisal of his legendary Sinatra. Other film credits include Dead Heat, Sidekicks and the independent feature films Two Bits & Pepper, Roger Corman’s Demolition Day and a dramatic, critically acclaimed performance in Jonathan Parker’s Bartleby.
In January 1996, Joe conquered yet another performance realm by starring on Broadway as disc jockey Vince Fontaine in Grease! (Ever the trouper, Joe insisted on performing opening night, despite conditions created by one of the worst blizzards in NYC history). And indeed, history was made as Grease! was the only Broadway show to open that night!
Today, Joe continues to be one of the great voices of TV, film, and live entertainment. Beyond show business, Piscopo has received the Volunteer of the Year Award from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mercer County, NJ and was the keynote speaker at the Big Brothers Big Sisters National Conference in Chicago. In addition, Piscopo has received Community Service Awards from Boys and Girls Clubs in New Jersey and Broward Co., Fla. and is especially proud to have been recognized by Boy’s Town of Italy in Rome. As a result of this work, Piscopo started his own foundation called “The Positive Impact Foundation”, creating positive media for at-risk youth including the syndicated television show for teens, “Positive Impact TV”. This groundbreaking series mixes education and entertainment to reinforce positive behavior and lifestyles among at-risk youth from both urban and suburban backgrounds. And just this year, Joe has merged his foundation with the Boy’s and Girl’s Clubs of New Jersey and is their
statewide spokesman
Source: Suffolk Theater press release dated April 29, 2015.
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