Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
Local comedian proud to return to his roots
Published:Monday, June 9, 2008
By John Benson
The Brookfield native’s first love is acting.
After spending his first 18 years living in Northeast Ohio, national touring comedian/actor Mark Riccadonna has become the Youngstown area’s ambassador as its biggest supporter.
“It’s really easy to be negative on where you grew up, but I love Youngstown,” said Brookfield native Riccadonna, calling from Myrtle Beach, S.C. “I know where I came from, and I love the area. The people around are just one of a kind. I’m on the road now and anytime you say you’re from Ohio, people cheer. And then after, they come over and ask where I’m from and I say, ‘Youngstown.’
“I say it with pride, and a lot of times people are like, ‘Whoa, that must have been rough.’ And I’m like, ‘No, it was really nice. I love Youngstown.’ There’s this stigma in our hometown and it’s good to get the word out that it’s a town that could use a boost in the economic area, but I think it’s a great place. I’m really happy I grew up there.”
So happy to have lived in Northeast Ohio, the 27-year-old funnyman has been pitching a script around Hollywood called “Shakin’ Youngstown.”
While standup comedy has proved to be a successful venture for the talented performer, his first love is acting.
In fact, months after graduating from Brookfield High School in 1999, Riccadonna left Ohio for the Big Apple. Early on, he put together an impressive r sume, appearing on “The Jamie Kennedy Experiment” television show, as well as in national commercials and even an Indian feature film. As for standup comedy, it sort of found him.
“I was working at a comedy club in between acting and one of the comedians didn’t show up so they asked me to go up on stage,” Riccadonna said. “So I kind of fell into it. And after my first time, the owner of the club wanted to manage me. From then on, the manager of the club would give me spots and that got me good fast.”
Unlike most people’s standup debut, his 2002 leap into comedy wasn’t a miserable bombing experience.
“It actually went really well, but there was a long streak of bombing after that,” Riccadonna laughed.
Over the years, Riccadonna said his style has evolved from quintessential set-up and punch line comedian to more of an elaborate and detailed storyteller. The new side of the funnyman stems from his acting background.
“I guess I would call myself a storyteller,” Riccadonna said. “I’m living in the moment of stories, and I love to talk about my family and just life experiences. One of my friends is comedian Carl LaBove, who knew I was an actor. He was like, ‘You should do it onstage. It’s a special skill. You can act.’ So I do characters.
“And if I can get somebody more involved into a story, I’ll do whatever it takes.”
Currently, Riccadonna is busy getting audiences involved with his “Average White Guy Tour,” which comes through Youngstown Thursday through Saturday at the Funny Farm. James Oakes is also on the bill. The oddball-named tour began on a whim when Riccadonna mentioned on a radio program, “It’s not enough to be funny anymore. You have to have a hook.”
Riccadonna said he’s looking forward to returning to Youngstown for his fourth Funny Farm gigs.
“With everything going on with Kelly Pavlik, just try to support local talent and local people. It’s my base. It’s my hometown, and I’d love for people to come out and enjoy the show.”
- Youngstown Vindicator
Discography
Clubs In New York:
Carolines on Broadway
Stand Up New York
Gotham
Improv
Laugh Lounge
Laugh Factory
Comic Strip Live
Upright Citizens Brigade
New York Comedy Festival
New York Underground Festival
Clubs around the world:
Borgata Casino Atlantic City
Turning Stone casino syracuse
Rits Carlton Theatre Philly
Hilarities in Cleveland Ohio
Governors Comedy Cabaret
Comedy Works in Montreal
Trumbell Ct. Theatre
Rascals Comedy Club in
Monte Claire, Louisville
Nyak, Cherry Hill, West Orange
City Steam
Comedy Playhouse (Chain)
Catch a Rising Star
Brokerage in Long Island
Funny Farm Atlanta, Georgia
and Youngstown Ohio
Funny Bone, Dayton, Pitts, Columbus
Bananas Comedy Club
Go Bananas in Cincinnati Ohio
Circles in Staten Island
Seven Springs Resort
Comedy TN
Zanies (Chain)
Comedy at the Casaba
Wise Crackers (Chain)
International Films:
Alibi
Independant Films:
Drop Dead Twice
Extream Hangover
Man Hole Series
Desperate Comfort
Commercials:
Visa/NFL
NFL
McDonalds
History Channel
Speed Network
Citizens Bank
Wal-Mart
Pfizer/Geodon
Promotional spots:
Connecticut police- You Drink You Drive You Lose
SPEED Network
Maurey Povich- Stopping Serial Rapists
History Channel
NFL on NBC
Cargo magazine
Host of The Young Democrats of America Fundraiser
TV Credits:
ABC
FOX
NBC
Spike TV
Good Morning America
Guiding Light
All my Children
Jamie Kennedy Experiment
Photos
Bio
Mark is a native of Youngstown, Ohio, who moved to New York after high school to study at the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts, at the age of seventeen. He became one of the youngest graduate and was selected to represent his class in AADAs exclusive Theatre Company. Mark then continued his studies at The Upright Citizens Brigade, learning from Ian Roberts and Amy Poehler, while continuing his love of the art at The Peoples Improv Theatre and Neighborhood Playhouse.
Mark began standup comedy accidentally, as a struggling actor waiting tables at a comedy club in New York City. Why not watch comedy while you are waiting tables? he thought. One night a comic didnt show, so the host brought Mark on stage to repeat the stories he heard Mark tell earlier. Mark was a natural and a success, Mark continued performing on a nightly basis. The owner of the club saw Mark had an eye for talent and connections with some of the best comics working (Chris Rock, Robin Williams, Jerry Seinfeld Dave Attell, Jim Gaffigan and Dave Chappelle to name a few) and asked Mark to Book his club. Falling in love with everything from story telling to the craft and art of Stand up Mark gladly said yes. Mark split his time running one of the most successful clubs in New York City and working as a comic on the road for the 5 years. Marks Demand on the road and around the city became too much he had to leave the club.
Currently Mark has been touring across the country doing stand up comedy (with the Average White Guy Tour) and finding time to be: writing and acting in short films, working as a voice over artist and on camera talent (in several national commercials and appearances on Spike TV, Good morning America, Maury Povich, The History Channel and SPEED Network). Mark can be heard on Sirius and XM digital radio and is in an International film Alibi. He has acted, help produce and written and several Independent Films.
Armed with Witt, Talent, experience with the biggest names in the business and years in entertainment at such a young age Mark wants to share his views and storys to your school.
Links
