Stand-up comedy spotlight:
Anthony Marsalisi
Anthony Marsalisi
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Published by Sareth Ney on Aug. 1, 2017 at 7:44 a.m.
Updated on Aug. 1, 2017 at 8:11 a.m. |
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Photo credit: Anthony Marsalisi's Facebook page.
Sareth Ney: What inspired you to perform stand-up comedy?
Anthony Marsalisi: I was inspired by many, many funny people. Actors like Alan Alda in “M.A.S.H.”, the original “Saturday Night Live” (“SNL”) stars (John Belushi, etc.) and comics (Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy, Bill Cosby, George Carlin and Rodney Dangerfield). It wasn't until my wife and daughter believed in me that I started to believe that I could do it too.
What was the feeling like, when you first performed stand-up comedy?
My first performance was scary. I made typical rookie mistakes such as looking down under the lights and I did not touch the mic. I did have some (some I say) good jokes that got good, hard laughs. It was enough encouragement to keep going.
What are your favorite comedy specials and record albums?
I go back to Don Rickles, Jonathan Winters and Soupy Sales. Also, current comics such as Sebastian Maniscalco and Kevin Hart.
What are your favorite sketch shows, sitcoms and comedy films?
My favorite sketch goes to “In Living Color” and the original “SNL” crew. “M.A.S.H.”, “The Honeymooners”, “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and Everybody Loves Raymond” are my favorite sitcoms. My favorite comedy films are “My cousin Vinny”, “Arthur” (1981) and “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”.
If you could go on tour with any comedian, which one would you choose?
Being Italian, I would love to tour with Maniscalco.
If you could get roasted by five comedians (past or present), which ones would you choose?
Carlin, Murphy, Robin Williams, Maniscalco and Rickles
Which other forms of comedy would you like to venture off into?
I would love to venture into sketch comedy. I love doing characters. I think I use about ten or eleven different voices.
What experience would you like for your audience to take with them, after a set is over?
Like most comics, I want them to love me for making them laugh.
Where do you see your comedy career, in the next five years?
Five years from now, I plan on having been asked to headline. Hopefully, it will be sooner than five.
Where can the readers find you online and on social media?
I can be found on Facebook, under my name Anthony Marsalisi.
Editor's note: This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.
Anthony Marsalisi: I was inspired by many, many funny people. Actors like Alan Alda in “M.A.S.H.”, the original “Saturday Night Live” (“SNL”) stars (John Belushi, etc.) and comics (Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy, Bill Cosby, George Carlin and Rodney Dangerfield). It wasn't until my wife and daughter believed in me that I started to believe that I could do it too.
What was the feeling like, when you first performed stand-up comedy?
My first performance was scary. I made typical rookie mistakes such as looking down under the lights and I did not touch the mic. I did have some (some I say) good jokes that got good, hard laughs. It was enough encouragement to keep going.
What are your favorite comedy specials and record albums?
I go back to Don Rickles, Jonathan Winters and Soupy Sales. Also, current comics such as Sebastian Maniscalco and Kevin Hart.
What are your favorite sketch shows, sitcoms and comedy films?
My favorite sketch goes to “In Living Color” and the original “SNL” crew. “M.A.S.H.”, “The Honeymooners”, “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and Everybody Loves Raymond” are my favorite sitcoms. My favorite comedy films are “My cousin Vinny”, “Arthur” (1981) and “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”.
If you could go on tour with any comedian, which one would you choose?
Being Italian, I would love to tour with Maniscalco.
If you could get roasted by five comedians (past or present), which ones would you choose?
Carlin, Murphy, Robin Williams, Maniscalco and Rickles
Which other forms of comedy would you like to venture off into?
I would love to venture into sketch comedy. I love doing characters. I think I use about ten or eleven different voices.
What experience would you like for your audience to take with them, after a set is over?
Like most comics, I want them to love me for making them laugh.
Where do you see your comedy career, in the next five years?
Five years from now, I plan on having been asked to headline. Hopefully, it will be sooner than five.
Where can the readers find you online and on social media?
I can be found on Facebook, under my name Anthony Marsalisi.
Editor's note: This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sareth Ney is the journalist for A Quarter and Dream Pictures. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications and Center for New Media from Colorado State University-Pueblo. He is a former apprentice to master of horror, Clive Barker. He is a Wu-Tang Clan inspired superhero, Wu-Man Chu. He is an award-winning short filmmaker; his goal is to write 150 articles in select time zones, inducts every article into his hall of fame, is a stand-up comedian, motivational speaker, founder and co-host of Pueblo's Independent Multimedia Podcast and is the festival director at Sareth-Fest Music and Comedy Festival.
