Mangia! Candice Guardino Writes & Stars in Off-Broadway’s Italian Bred

What would growing up Italian in Staten Island be without the food?! In her new off-Broadway comedy, Italian Bred, writer and star Candice Guardino combines live music and a loud, outspoken family to take audiences on journey through her childhood. Directed by Donna Drake, the 80-minute show officially opens at the St. Luke's Theatre on April 30. Each week the comedy will welcome a new celebrity guest performer. Joining Guardino for opening night is Soprano’s star Vincent Pastore.

In Italian Bred, Guardino slips in and out of characters as she cooks up a full meal of growing up Italian on Staten Island. Having written down everything her loving and outspoken grandmother ever uttered, she combines this unfiltered wisdom with her family’s very Italian and definitive personalities and a generous helping of her own experiences. David Dabbon (Sondheim on Sondheim) will conduct a live three-piece band to accompany Guardino and her colorful stories.

Guardino wrote and starred in the outrageous and revealing one-woman show, S.O.S. at Stage 72 (formerly The Triad) and The Laurie Beechman Theatre. She has worked with the comedy groups Upright Citizens Brigade, The Pit, Cult Comedy and Second City. Her other credits include That Other Woman’s Child, Worlds Away, All My Children, Guiding Light and Law & Order.

Pastore is best know for his role as mobster “Big Pussy” in the Emmy-winning series The Sopranos. He has appeared on stage in Chicago, Guys and Dolls and Golden Boy. His screen credits include Mickey Blue Eyes, Gotti, Riding in Cars with Boys, Blue Bloods, Celebrity Fit Club, Celebrity Apprentice and the upcoming movie Once Upon a Time in Brooklyn.