Cape May Stage Presents ‘Italian Songs of My Childhood’

CAPE MAY — Cape May Stage, South Jerseys premier Equity theater, is pleased to announce an evening with two-time Emmy nominee Dominic Chianese!
Part of Cape May Stages inaugural Second Stage Broadway Series, Mr. Chianese will present his one-man show, Italian Songs of My Childhood, on Monday, August 9 at the intimate Robert Shackleton Playhouse at the corner of Bank and Lafayette Streets in beautiful downtown Cape May.
While fans will remember Chianese from his role as Uncle Junior in HBOs critically acclaimed series The Sopranos, his career has spanned over fifty years, encompassing roles on stage, the small screen, and the silver screen.
Born and raised in the Bronx, Chianese first appeared onstage in the American Savoyards production of HMS Pinafore in 1952.
Since then, he’s had roles in such major blockbuster films as The Godfather: Part II, And Justice for All, and Dog Day Afternoon, frequently playing stereotypically Italian and Mafiosi roles. He has most recently been seen playing Stewart Zedeck in FXs new series Damages.
However, in his early years, Chianese found employment as a musician. Before getting the call for The Godfather: Part II, Chianese was working for the Drug Commission of New York as a worker in a rehab center, teaching guitar to women who were serving time for drug-related crimes.
His early years in show business were supplemented by playing the guitar and serenading audiences in nursing homes. Inspired by the songs his Neopolitan grandfather sang him as a boy, Chianese brings his first love to Cape May in Italian Songs of My Childhood. Singing such Italian classics as O Sole Mio, Core ngrato, and O Marenariello, he blends his commanding stage presence with an old-world charm that’s sure to delight patrons of Cape May Stage.
Tickets are $50, and include an after party at the Wine Bar at the Washington Inn, Cape Mays new hip, relaxing, contemporary meeting place at the corner of Washington and Jefferson Streets.
There, you’ll have a chance to mingle with Mr. Chianese, while enjoying delicious complimentary finger foods and a well-stocked cash bar. Call (609) 884-1341 for reservations and information or visit the theatres website, www.capemaystage.com .