Long Island natives Stevie GB and Talia Reese will be performing on Saturday, Oct. 3, at 8 p.m. at the Landmark on Main Street’s Jeanne Rimsky Theatre along with stand-up comedian and actress Caroline Rhea. Comedian Goumba Johnny will also be performing.
Reese is a comedian, mother and lawyer from Great Neck. “I grew up in Great Neck and studied as an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania,” said Reese. “At Penn, I became the director of an all-female musical comedy troupe and the bug to perform comedy never left me. I moved back to Long Island after my first child was born and was writing romance novels during the diaper years to keep me sane. I started doing stand-up comedy shortly after because I needed to get out more.”
Reese continued, “I went to as many open mic nights as I could and after a few months, I started getting work in local restaurants and pubs. Once I felt I was ready, I auditioned at the Comic Strip Live in Manhattan. When the legendary owner Richard Tienken told me I was funny enough to perform at his club I thought, well maybe I have a future in this, and I have been building my act ever since.”
Reese has performed all over Long Island at many different venues. “Some of my favorite shows have been here on Long Island,” said Reese. “A firehouse show I performed in for the Greenlawn Fire Department was a highlight, as well as featuring at the Bellmore Theater. Gateway Comedy Club in Ronkonkoma is a great room, too. I am so excited to be opening for Caroline Rhea along with Goumba Johnny and Stevie GB at the Landmark Theater in Port Washington. This will be my biggest show yet.”
In addition to comedy, Reese is a writer. She recently wrote a novel, Conflict of Interest, under the pen name Gilian Reese.
Another Long Islander, Stevie GB (Steven Gianturco) grew up in Brooklyn and moved to East Islip at the age of 14 in 1972. He now lives in Holbrook with his wife of 33 years, Margie. He has one daughter who is married and lives in Florida. “I have been a stand-up comedian for over 20 years,” said Gianturco. “I have won awards in comedy, acting and playwriting. I have written three one-man shows, one about my move to Long Island from Brooklyn called Welcome To Lawn Guyland. I also have a one-man show that is a tribute to the iconic comedian, Groucho Marx.”
Gianturco continued, “I recently formed a company with radio personality Goumba Johnny called Gbj Productions. I’ve opened for comedy legends such as Dennis Miller, Louie Anderson, Rob Schneider and many more.”
Rhea is best known for her role on Sabrina The Teenage Witch and The Biggest Loser, together with other shows and numerous movie roles.
Goumba Johnny, national touring comedian and radio personality for over 20 years, is also in the show.
Landmark on Main Street’s Jeanne Rimsky Theatre is at 232 Main St. Tickets are $55, $45 and $35 in advance at www.landmarkonmainstreet.org and www.gbj.eventbrite.com.