Al Sapienza, Ernest Mingione, et al. Star in MITF's WHATTA YA NUTS! 7/19

Gennaro Productions in association with The Midtown InterNational Theatre Festival present Vincent Gorliormella's new outrageous comedy WHATTA YA NUTS! directed by Charles Messina, choreographed by Tricia Brouk, with musical Direction by Ray Naccari and songs by Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler, John Fogerty, Johnny Mercer, Henry Mancini, Wham!, Tom Jones, Les Reed, Geoff Stephens, and Neil Diamond.  The show stars Al Sapienza, Ernest Mingione, Alex Ishkanian, Gina Ferranti, Autumn Ready Potter, Steven LaChioma and Valerie Smaldone.  WHATTA YA NUTS! plays July 19 - August 5 at the June Havoc Theatre (312 West 36 Street – between Eighth & Ninth Avenues).

They all live in New York. Their names are Lou "The Big Cheese" Locatelli, Vincent "The Veal Chop" Voldastana, Mikie "Mussels" Marinara, Frankie Formaggio, Sallie Saltimboca, Petey "Pecks" Pecorino, Bobby "Balls" Bustamonti, Mikie "Minghia" Miccoli and Georgie "The Genitals" Gargano.

Their girlfriends are called Dawn Marie Frantangelo and Holly Wood.  They spend their nights book making, loan sharking, contract rigging and their days in waste management.  They've got the world on a string until Mr. "Big Cheese" Locatelli decides he has met the woman of his dreams and must retire from the mob in order to pursue her in the honest realms of society.

For reasons far too complicated to explain here, they all simultaneously arrive in the waiting room of Dr. Stew Epstein, an Upper East Side therapist, who is not even remotely qualified to deal with his suddenly swollen patient roster. He's got his own problems.

We can tell you that Mr. "Big Cheese" Locatelli is there to bully Dr. Epstein into declaring him "unfit" for Mob rule.

WHATTA YA NUTS! will feature the following songs: "I've Got the World on a String" (Harold Arlen & Ted Koehler), "Bad Moon Rising" (John Fogerty), "Moon River" (Johnny Mercer & Henry Mancini), "Last Christmas" (WHAM!), "Delilah" (Tom Jones), "Love Me Tonight" (Mason, Mario, Pilat, Lorenzo), "There's A Kind of Hush" (Les Reed & Geoff Stephens) and "Sweet Caroline" (Neil Diamond).

Mr. Gogliormella first writing attempt delivered the 2001 Off-Broadway hit "Six Goumbas and a Wannabe" which garnered wonderful reviews. Lawrence Van Gelder of the New York Times said, Take a little 'Godfather,' mix with a soupçon of 'Sopranos,' add a mug of 'The Three Stooges' and a few drops of 'Diner,' and the result will resemble the agreeable new comedy 'Six Goumbas and a Wannabe.' Mr. Gogliormella also understudied the role of Don Sonny Rigatoni and appeared in several performances of the 9 1/2 month long running show." "Six Goumbas and a Wannabe" got it's start through the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences reading series which was first produced at HBO Studios. Mr. Gogliormella's second project was a screenplay titled "Twas the Night before a Brooklyn Christmas." After several re-writes he partnered with his friend, Charles Messina. Together, they co-wrote the latest version that delivered a star studded reading in 2008. Michael Rispoli, Mario Cantone and Robert Cuccioli handled the heavy lifting in this reading and gave extradionary performances. One critic in attendance said, Mario Cantone and an all star cast have a winner with 'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE A BROOKLYN CHRISTMAS!" "This hilarious comedy, is the Italian's version of A Christmas Story. Anyone who loved the Soprano's, The Godfather and loves to laugh, will love this soon to be film." This project was recently optioned by an independent producer. Mr. Gogliormella credits his love for the theatre and film industry to his uncle, legendary actor, Vincent Gardenia.

Charles Messina is one of the strongest voices on the downtown theater scene. His plays present a world that is wholly New York and wholly unique. They entertain and enlighten as they engage the audience in tales that are at once humorous and provocative. Best known for his deconstructive take on biographical subjects, Mr. Messina is currently working with rock & roll legend Dion DiMucci, writing a musical about the singer's life entitled "The Wanderer." The project was recently featured in the Sunday New York Times. His play "A Room of My Own," about an Italian American family living in Greenwich Village in the 1970s, was just optioned for stage and screen by producer Ted Kurdyla with actors Ralph Macchio and Mario Cantone attached in the lead roles. Mr. Messina's "Mercury: The Afterlife and Times of a Rock God" about the life of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury has also received across-the-board critical acclaim.

WHATTA YA NUTS! plays Thursday, July 19 at 8:45pm, Friday, July 20 at 8:45pm, Monday, July 23 at 6:45pm, Saturday, July 28 at 6:30pm, Saturday, August 4 at 7:00pm, and Sunday, August 5 at 2:30pm.

For tickets and more information, visit:  midtownfestival.org or web.ovationtix.com/trs/cal/27845

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