On a recent Thursday, the upstairs of the restaurant Tutta Pasta – which is named Danny’s Upstairs – was packed for Hoboken resident and Howard Stern Show regular Artie Lange.
The weekly comedy show, which was created by renowned actor Danny Aiello last summer, has been drawing locals and New Yorkers alike. Every Thursday, the upstairs of the popular eatery is transformed into a swanky comedy club, where guests can dine on fine cuisine while enjoying the show that starts at 9 p.m.
The show has developed quite a buzz, yet perhaps none so much as when Lange appeared. The crowd showed their appreciation for the funny man by chanting “Artie” when the headliner made his way to the stage.
Local celebs
In addition to Lange, several well-known local stars came out including actor Alex Corrado (Hannibal, Beer League, Dinner Rush), and filmmaker Robert Capelli Jr. (Mail Order Bride, Waltzing Anna).
Capelli’s latest movie, with a working title of Order of Redemption, stars Tom Berenger and Busta Rhymes. It is scheduled to be released this spring. Capelli is an executive producer for the film and also plays Detective Howard.
In addition, award-winning actress Linda Fiorentino, who is probably best known for her portrayal of Bridget Gregory/Wendy Kroy in the 1994 film The Last Seduction, was in the audience.
Crowd favorite
There were plenty of Stern fans in the audience who cheered when Lange made jokes about certain A-list stars, including Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes.
Yet Lange doesn’t mind poking fun at himself too.
During the show, Lange said, “I’ve let people think I was a different celebrity to get sex. Back in the ’90s, I used to let people think I was Newman from Seinfeld.”
He said that he’s the “only guy who’s ever gotten fat from cocaine.”
“I had a guy say to me, ‘What are you blowing that on – a cheeseburger?’ ”
Lange said that the problem with most women is that they always want “to do something.”
“My old girlfriend Dana used to say, ‘we never go hiking.’ I said, ‘let me ask you something – when we first met, did I ever give off the vibe that I would ever go hiking?’ ”
Kill or be killed
Joseph Anthony, a New Yorker who now lives in Monmouth County, opened for Lange.
According to Anthony, he’s worked shows with Lange before and performed at Tutta Pasta in November.
Anthony has performed on the circuit for 18 years, performing in well-known places like Catch a Rising Star, the now-defunct Rascals, and others.
Anthony said he met Lange through a contest on the Howard Stern show.
Anthony won the stand-up contest: “Kill or be Killed,” which was run on the Sirius Satellite Radio show in the fall of 2006. Anthony eventually won after surviving the heckle round and the surprise topic round.
“I tried to milk it for all it was worth,” said Anthony. “I kept saying to Howard, ‘Where’s my prize, where’s my prize.’ I got to meet Artie. That wasn’t a bad thing.”
Anthony said that Lange has helped him out on numerous occasions.
“[Lange] is one of the most genuine, greatest guys in this really phony business. He is really great with trying to help out guys that are trying to work in this business,” he said. “He’s a funny guy. And his appeal to the public is that he’s a star, but you feel like you know him. If he can help you out, whether it is getting you a job or putting the word out, he will. And that’s rare in this business.”
Anthony said that the best part about comedy is making people laugh.
“As an art form, when you enjoy it for what it is – you are making people’s night,” he said. “You sometimes get people that say, ‘I just lost my job, and you made me forget about it for 45 minutes.’ In short, it’s great to make people laugh.”
Anthony added that the high after a good show is great also.
“[Tutta Pasta] is a great room to work,” said Anthony. “Hanging out with a major film name like Aiello – who’s a gent – and sitting around after the shows listening to stories and sharing banter, is both surreal and reminiscent of the comedy business I knew when I started!”
More to come
According to Laura Nikifortchuk, the host of the comedy show, there are even more exciting celebrities and comedians scheduled to perform.
In addition, Mr. Aiello plans to expand the comedy nights at Tutta Pasta to include Friday and Saturday night from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m., with a musical act on those nights.
According to Aiello, the comedy will always be a priority, but the music will add another element to the shows on the weekend.
“We hope to draw Broadway performers after their show to perform at Danny’s,” said Aiello. “This was how we did it at the Improv in New York years ago. Our customers will have an option to stay in Hoboken and see great comedians and Broadway stars without having to go to New York.”
Aiello said that the feedback “has been outstanding.”
They have had nationally known comedians perform at Danny’s Upstairs including: Jerry Stiller, Jackie Mason, Joe Piscopo, Artie Lange and others.
Tutta Pasta is located at 200 Washington Street in Hoboken. The comedy show is every Thursday night beginning at 9 p.m. Reservations are recommended. For more information, call (201) 792-9603.
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