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The Way of The Wiseguy
Based on the bestselling book
“The Way of the Wiseguy” by Joseph Pitone
Written by Bobby Moresco
Joseph Pistone & Leo Rossi
Directed by Bobby Moresco
At the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts
777 N. Green Street
Chicago, IL
Call 312-733-6000, tickets $39 - $55
Wednesdays & Thursdays at 7:30 PM
Fridays at 8 PM
Saturdays at 5 & 9 PM
Sundays at 3 PM
Limited Open Run
The Way of the Wiseguy unleashes a hilarious and chilling portrait of the mob
The fearless Joseph “Donnie Brasco” Pistone, the FBI deep cover plant into the Mafia, has penned several books about his six year stint as a member of the New York Bonanno Mafia family. This amazingly brave guy did more to disarm the mob in six years than the entire FBI did in its 60 year history. I wonder why Pistone is so public, so easily accessible even though the mob placed a $500,000 bounty on his head? Pistone has helped pen a new one man show, The Way of the Wiseguy, nicely delivered by veteran actor, Leo Rossi, himself perennially cast as a Mafia character in films.
With effective use of actual FBI surveillance photos and video clips from the movie Donnie Brasco, Wiseguy combines mob stereotypes, crude Italian-American vernacular and mob jargon to paint a vivid and scary portrait of the actual Mafia ‘wiseguy’ mentality. Rossi is polished and effective as he deftly plays Brasco as a cool, yet careful undercover agent who literally put his life on the line to bring down more than 175 mobs figures.
This 90 minute, one-act show is funny in parts, is insightful as a profile of particular mob figures. With segments showing ‘a day in the life of a gangster,’ the “dos and don’ts” of the Mafia code and the richly humorous mob lingo and slang proves colorful. While the show seems like a gangster movie, Rossi continues to remind us that, indeed, this is a realistic look at the mob. Rossi vividly explains the ritual of being called in to meet with head of the family and how you either get killed or emerge as a trusted compatriot. These chilling scene underscores the evil of these psycho killers. This show is honest as it outlines Pistone’s brilliant deception.
The Way of the Wiseguy is a treat for mob groupies and those enthralled by Mafia films and TV series such as The Sopranos. Leo Rossi is a smooth performer nicely at easy with the material. He knows how to land a laugh line as well as a poignant moment. This show contains both in a curious mixture. While this world premiere could use some tightening and some cuts, it is reasonably entertaining. Leo Rossi’s command of the sage makes the show hum.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed February 14, 2006
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