I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Maryann “Boom Boom” Maisano, the very busy “Italian Chick,” whose two-hour casino style show also stars fellow chicks; Mary Dimino, Carolann Valentino and Gina Scarda. They have three shows lined up in New Jersey next month—one at City Lights Grill in Belleville on May 8^th, and then on May 21^st and May 22^nd, at the Hyatt Regency in Princeton.

JOHNNY DECARLO: What is your favorite thing about “The Italian Chicks”? Is there one part of the show that you just can’t wait to do on stage?

MARYANN MAISANO: Yes! I love it when we are on stage at the end of the set, and we do these crazy song parodies!

JD: “The Italian Chicks” is two years in the making now, what is it in particular about the show that has gotten all this attention and huge fan base of sell-out shows?

MM: Ah, great question. I think it’s because we really all do love each other and support each other...be it in the show, or in our individual endeavors. It’s funny that no matter how many shows we do, we watch each others’ sets and laugh like it’s the first time we saw the show. I think the audience senses that honesty and love…and it become infectious. We do have a big Italian fan base and I think they all can relate to the stories about our families. But we also have all ethnic backgrounds, you don’t have to be Italian, you just have to have a family!

JD: My all-time favorite performer is Dean Martin, he was a rare star who excelled at every aspect of the entertainment industry, which you really don’t see now. Of course, besides comedy, you are a singer and songwriter, to name just a few of your talents. If you had the choice, would you ultimately like to focus on one thing like music or comedy or acting, or do you want to do it all?

MM: Ha, that’s interesting…I am a singer/songwriter, musician, comic and actor. So, I prefer to say that I’m an entertainer…Just like Dean, or Bette Midler. They both had the ability to do it all…banter with the folks, sing, act and more. 

JD: Funny how Dino started off in various jobs from a blackjack dealer to a boxer, before he made it big. Before you become an “Italian Chick,” you were a very successful corporate woman in the banking and finance world. As someone trying to make it in the entertainment business, I often joke that if I don’t reach fame and fortune soon, I’m going to throw in the towel and get a job as a bank teller. Only problem is, I’m terrible with numbers. What inspired you to risk everything and leave the business world for show business? And what advice would you give someone like me?

MM: For years I had been trying to exit my corporate position, which was so hard to do on many levels (from the prestige of being a VP, to the six figures that came along with it). As a sales coach for a bank, it was one of my responsibilities to conduct seminars on how to sell, and then see if the folks there could make that transition. It was sad in a way, because many people had been at the bank since high school, and then the game changed. They were never hired to be salespeople, but now they had to be. So, I conducted my seminars more on a comedic and spiritual level. I used the book, “The Alchemest,” (by Paulo Coelhoit) about finding your personal legend. During this time, my creativity suffered. I was unable to write music—nada. Between the job and the politics, I was drained. Then, one day while getting folks to drink the Kool-Aid—I had my moment! What am I doing??? Look, the last thing I wanted to do was end up singing “Misty” in the Poconos in a sequined dress! But, I knew that was it. I walked into the CEO’s office and said thank you, but I can no longer do this. Was I scared? Yes! I lived off of my 401k, but what was funny was that all of my colleagues were using theirs in the crash, so we were even. Then, I used my skills set as a sales coach and as a branding and strategic development person and said, okay, now you need a plan! Each morning, I set the alarm and got up to follow my plan. What’s funny was after I left, I wrote six songs in less than two months. I realized you can plan to come home and do your laundry, but you can’t plan your creativity! After I recorded my CD, Danny Aiello called me, after my sister saw him at a wedding and gave him my CD. He then asked to record, “City of Light,” my song! WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW! For a songwriter, that’s a dream!!! The plan continued…create an all-female all-Italian show! Done! Next…write my own one-woman show—“The Agita Monologues”—done! Risk-adverse, I am not! Crazy, I am! I believe that if you stay in a place of comfort, you have nothing to move you! That is where the book came in—it was my inspiration. I would recommend reading that book and then know that if this is your path, you can’t lose. Act as if….and you will be...

JD: I definitely gotta pick up that book! Now, you grew up in a traditional Italian-American household, and you obviously take a lot of pride in that. As we know, traditions and practices certainly differ from the region of Italy that one’s family hails from, most often with our food. I think all these variations and interpretations make our culture so rich and interesting. Is there any ritual from your childhood that you hold closest to your heart?

MM: Yes, my dad was born in Reggio, Calabria. Sooooooo….for me, it was ALL about food. The food that Grandma sent from Italy—WOW! The cheese and the tuna, and even the candy! For me, it’s the food. Just the smell can take you back. We eat when we are happy, sad or pissed!

JD: Salud to that! I’m from Pal Park, you were born and raised in Fort Lee. I’ve discussed my take on “Jersey Shore” at the Calandra Institute and in various blogs. I personally think that “Shore” only showcases one side of the whole “Guido” subculture, which is very exaggerated and only focuses on the craziest and most superficial elements. But some Italian organizations hate that word in general, and categorize all Guidos across the board as harmful for Italian-Americans. As a Jersey girl, what do you think of shows like “Jersey Shore” and “Jerseylicious” from the female perspective?

MM: The word “Guido” was a badge of honor in Italy. People in Italy are even named Guido! “Guido” in Italian, meant: someone that cared about their appearance, their job, their home, etc. The word has since been bastardized. I think “Jersey Shore” is a joke, and “Jerseylicious” will most likely follow its lead. But why do these organizations give attention to the negative? It just gives these shows more power! No! Why don’t they support positive shows, such as “The Italian Chicks” or Frank Ingrasciotta’s “Blood Type: Ragu”? Shows that talk about family and how it was, and make people remember good things? I would like to ask them that!

JD: I totally agree, especially with that last point. To me, those shows are riding the wave of “Jersey Boys,” which really started it all, and what sets Frankie’s story apart is TALENT. Another paisan that is super talented is Carmine Famiglietti, hopefully his movies start to get more recognition. Do you think that these anti-defamation organizations do enough to appeal to the working-class Italian-Americans—and the younger demographic in specific? While they do a lot of good, I also feel that, at times, in an attempt to get themselves so distanced from the over-the-top behavior we see highlited on cable TV, they tend to go too far to the other side with overly-sophisticated material that often widens our culture gap. I’ve said it before as a young, Italian-American from New Jersey, I’m not a buffoon, but I’m not high-brow either. They should be promoting the things we mentioned, instead of constantly protesting “Snookie” & co. Is there enough of a perspective for the regular Joe of our community? 

MM: No, I don’t think there is enough to appeal to the regular Joes and Josephines. In this country, we are stuck on labels…Either you are a mook, or are high-brow. Those that think that life is an opera will never see the soft sides of the regular people! And those that support the over-the-top are just looking for quick money!

JD: No doubt. I would say that we both agree that sometimes in movies and TV shows, certain negative stereotypes are taken too far—especially if they are not portrayed accurately. But also, there’s a lot of stereotypes which are very true about Italian-Americans, especially us East Coast Italian-Americans. Like “Tony Manero” for example, he was a very true portrayal of the young cugine of the disco era, granted he was also flawed, but he was a character that had redeeming values. Self-deprecation is something that’s a part of your shows and it’s something I also incorporate into my writing, and I try to explain those true stereotypes in a light-hearted manner to people that may not understand them—which I can personally do because a lot of them are just part of my life. And you are obviously the real deal, Maryann! Do you think there just needs to be more of that understanding within our heritage so that there’s more harmony and less animosity, or do you think that no matter what, all stereotypes are bad and overall Italian-American actors get manipulated because of them?

MM: Yes, I agree with you. First, we have to realize the difference between fact versus fiction. Was there a Mafia? Yes. There is good and bad in all cultures. But a movie is for entertainment, not a protest. Get over it. However, if people can see the other side depicted, they might get a clue. Or, maybe they might have to buy a vowel…

JD: The judgments should definitely be based on the quality of the production. Chazz Palminteri’s “Bronx Tale” play is a work of art in my eyes, but then you get these clueless Scorsese wannabes out there who put out subpar projects just to capitalize on the mob thing and it gives his work a bad name. Is there anything that your audience should know about as far as what’s in the hopper for 2010, either with “The Italian Chicks” or any possible side ventures for yourself?

MM: We are working on deals with AC and Reno, and our road work at the moment. I will also be pre-viewing my own one-woman show, “The Agita Monologues” in October (Italian Heritage Month), in Hoboken. And we have a few surprises…you cook me dinner, and I will tell ya!

JD: You got a deal! Ok, on that note, I’m going to go back to food for our last question here. There’s that age-old debate on what we should call the red stuff that goes on macaroni. So Maryann, I’d like to ask you, is it GRAVY or SAUCE???

MM: Ahhhh…I answer that in one of our song parodies. But, if you have meat in it, it’s gravy—not “meat sauce.”

Maryann Maisano is “The Head Chick” and headliner of “The Italian Chicks”—the newest, hottest comedy tour on the scene today! Born and raised in Fort Lee, New Jersey, Maryann is a comedian, singer/songwriter, musician, actress and producer. “The Italian Chicks” is part meatball, part cannoli. These women are sure to leave you wanting more…And we’re not just talking about meatballs! You’ll laugh harder than if you were drunk at an Italian opera. A passionate comedy…with a little drama!