INTERVIEW: Tina Marie Realmuto on “Tales of an Italian Millennial,” a Stand-Up Comedy Show Coming to Southampton

Tina Marie Realmuto is bringing her “Tales of an Italian Millennial: Stand-up Comedy Show” to the Southampton Cultural Center on Friday, November 21st, and Saturday, November 22nd, at 7:00 PM, with a final show on Sunday, November 23rd, at 4:00 PM.

This New York-based actor and comedian opened up to Hamptons.com about the show, her journey in the business, and more in this exclusive interview.

Could you please tell us about your history with the SCC?

My history with the Southampton Cultural Center has been a rewarding one. I was first involved with the SCC when I did a summer college internship there in 2011. Michael Disher was directing a production of Working: A Musical and graciously offered me the opportunity to act in the musical, along with stage managing the show and being his assistant as well. I absolutely loved working with him and the rest of the cast. It was a wonderful experience and I learned so much. Then, after graduating from Connecticut College with a BA in Theater and the Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University with an MFA in Acting, I was so happy to return to the SCC to perform in their production of Crimes of the Heart directed by Joan Lyons. I was so fortunate to play Babe and work yet again with such an incredible group of actors. Subsequently, in 2018, I was cast as Annie Sullivan in Boots on the Ground Theater’s production of The Miracle Worker at the SCC. Portraying Annie and working with a phenomenally talented cast was a true highlight of my career as an actress. My latest acting project at the SCC was in their 2019 production of the musical Mamma Mia!. That was another fantastic opportunity to learn, grow, and develop my craft. Now I am so proud to say that I am currently teaching acting classes at the SCC to both children and adults. I am so grateful to have returned yet again to the SCC in this new capacity. Therefore, my history with the SCC has been a complex and joyful one.

How did you put this show together?

My upcoming show, Tales of an Italian Millennial, a stand-up comedy show at the SCC, is an exciting new exploration for me as a performer. This is my professional stand-up comedy debut. With my background and training as an actress, along with my experience as a playwright and teacher, stand-up comedy always intrigued me. I have created and developed this show to stretch myself as an artist and to take on a new artistic challenge. I appreciate the Southampton Cultural Center so much for allowing me to explore this new creative platform at their distinguished establishment. This comedy show will include humorous stories from my Italian family and upbringing, my journey as an artist and performer, and my challenges dating as a Millennial. It will be a raw, honest, and truthful account of my life and experiences thus far. I realized that stand-up comedy was another avenue for me to explore and utilize as an additional creative outlet. I love that I am combining my passions for writing, acting, performing, and storytelling and interweaving them into an original one-woman show. The process has been very creatively fulfilling, and I can’t wait to share it with an audience!

Who are your mentors and influences?

I am so grateful for the many mentors and influences that have impacted my life as an actress so far. Specifically in terms of stand-up comedy, my personal mentors and influences are my maternal grandfather and my mother. Even though they were not professional comedians or performers in life, they were always so funny! My family always said that my mom and grandfather could have been comedians because they each had a vibrant personality and the wonderful ability to make people laugh with their stories and jokes. I aspire to be as funny as them, and I hope their memories and legacy live on through me with this comedy show.

Who is your favorite actor or comedian, and why?

My favorite actress and comedian is Bette Midler. She has been such a tremendous influence on me as a performer. I admired her versatility ever since I was a child. I was in awe of her many talents as an actress, singer, and comedian. I believe her multifaceted skills really resonated with me. Her example motivated me to challenge myself to try new skills and to not limit myself to one specific aspect of creating. Additionally, a major influence that truly inspired me to create and develop this stand-up comedy show was having the pleasure of meeting comedian Joy Behar this summer in the Hamptons. Joy and her friend, another extremely talented comedian, Angela LaGreca, hosted a comedy salon this past May at the Southampton Inn. I really loved Joy and Angela’s stand-up sets. They left an impression on me. Then later in the summer, I attended Joy’s play My First Ex-Husband at the Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor, and I was blown away by the material. I haven’t laughed that much in a really long time. For the next few weeks after seeing her show, I was constantly thinking of my own life and funny stories that I have experienced. I started writing down ideas and jokes, and as the weeks progressed, I realized that I could create a show from this material. So the early concept of my show began from there. I was fortunate to attend another salon event in September, and I told Joy and Angela how they helped inspire me to pursue stand-up comedy. They were so lovely and supportive, and they encouraged me to go for it. So I also want to express a heartfelt thank you to them as well, and I hope they come see the show!

What was your defining moment?

I am so grateful to say that the most defining moments on stage for me thus far have been portraying Anne Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank and Annie Sullivan in The Miracle Worker. Both roles have been instrumental in my career as an actress. I learned so much while playing those parts. I felt an increased sense of responsibility in my interpretation since I was portraying real people. Those parts taught me compassion, understanding, and the importance of authenticity. It was a true blessing and honor to play those roles.         

For tickets, click here.