Fr. Vito and Friends: Live at Crooners!
Oct 29 | 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
An Evening of Comedy and Music!
Fr. Vito Incognido is back for Halloween season, with friends Laura Hlavac on piano and vocals, Mrs. Bunnyman (Mary Esch) giving announcements and a special appearance by Frank Fuggadeli from Boston (Sid Smaka). Expect irreverent, mostly clean comedy. Inspirational, sometimes-singalong music and a lot of laughs. Oh, and be ready to make a confession for your sins.
Tom Esch has done comedy as Fr. Vito Incognido since 2017 at venues such as the Bryant Lake Bowl, The Temple of Fashion (St. Paul) and Solomon’s Porch (Minneapolis). He is an actual former Roman Catholic priest.
Singer/songwriter Laura Hlavac got her music chops in church. She has performed with many rock bands in the Twin Cities as well as jazz pianist Larry McDonough. She currently fronts the band, Funkin’Right.
Mary Esch has been active in the theater and arts community for decades. She played a role in Krista Walsh’s 2003 “Windmills and Mirrors”, Intermedia Arts, Mpls. She choreographed and danced in Josie Winship’s 2004, “Don’t Conceal, Reveal!, Fringe Festival, Mpls. The character Mrs. Bunnyman was born in 2018 for The Father Vito Incognido show. God help her
Sid Smaka studied music, dance and theater in high school and at the University of Minnesota. Musical performance at The Caboose in Minneapolis. His comedic intuitions were honed at home, which we all know is the toughest audience anywhere.
“If there is a message I want people to get behind the comedy, it is that God forgives you but you must hold yourself accountable,” Esch said. “And if you can’t hold yourself accountable, the community will …” Father Vito, I absolve you of your quips. For your atonement, say two Hail Marys and three Rodney Dangerfields.”
Ruben Rosario – St Paul Pioneer Press