Pastore and Aiello to Star in Revival of 'Lamppost Reunion' at Arclight

After starring on the Broadway stage in mega-hit Chicago , Vincent Pastore  (The Sopranos), continues to shine as the lead, “Biggie,” in the 1976 Tony Award-winning revival of Lamppost Reunion.  The play, set to open on November 7, 2008  at the Arclight Theater, will also star Ricky Aiello, whose father Danny originated the award-winning part of “Biggie” on Broadway.

Other cast members include Frank Pellegrino (The Sopranos, GoodFellas), Robert Funaro (Sopranos, American Gangster), and Anthony Ribustello (The Sopranos, Law and Order). The play is directed by Frank Licato, (director of the Off-Broadway productions of “Requiem for a Heavyweight” and “Golden Boy”), and produced by Vincent Pastore and Paul Borghese, (who CO-produced “Beyond Wiseguys” with John Turturro). 

After twenty years, a world famous singer brings his right hand man with him to his old barroom hangout in Hoboken, New Jersey following one of his many one man shows. This one, at Madison Square Garden. His friends from the past, Biggie the owner/bartender, Mac the local Irish cynic and Tommy the local fun loving bookie drink the night away with this famed singer and his sidekick as if it was just yesterday that they were boyhood friends.

Too much booze however, mixed with memories, some painful ones, and unsettled scores between the men that date way back, expose the tragic yet often humorous truths about their lives.

You usually hear the expression "from stage to screen", but in this case it's from "screen to stage"! Yep, some of the Soprano's regulars are making the leap from the back of the Bada Bing to the Back Stage of the Arclight Theatre in New York City beginning November 7th for a revival of the Tony Nominated play Lamppost Reunion. Written by the late Louis LaRusso who when alive gave the producers his blessing to do a revival of his work one day; Danny Aiello made his mark in the role of 'Biggie' the Bar owner in his 1976 performance when the play was TONY nominated for both Best Play and Best Featured Actor.

In the role of 'Biggie' for this run will be Vincent Pastore just off his Broadway run starring in the mega-hit Chicago, so Pastore is no stranger to the stage! He is also producing this play with his actor/filmmaker pal Paul Borghese. Sweet bliss for Aiello, as he will get to see his son Ricky Aiello in the role of Mac. Says Danny, "I'm so glad these guys are doing the play again. I can't wait to see it!" Other Sopranos regulars in the cast will be Frank Pellegrino, Robert Funaro, and Anthony Ribustello. The play is being directed by Frank Licato who directed the Off-Broadway productions of "Requiem for a Heavyweight" and "Golden Boy". "A bold and very challenging endeavor for most of the cast", says Borghese, "but this will prove that these actors, are the REAL thing!"

The play received rave notices in 1976, and was nominated for the following awards, including: Tony Award® Best Play, Tony Award® Best Featured Actor in a Play, Theatre World Award, Drama Desk Award Outstanding New Play, Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actor in a Play, Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actor in a Play, Drama Desk Award Outstanding Director of a Play, and Drama Desk Award Outstanding Set Design.

Performances will begin on November 7, 2008 at the Arclight Theater, located at 152 West 71st St in New York City.

For more information please visit www.lamppostreunion.com

Photo Credit Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.

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