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Gregorio Patrick Galligano “Stats”
by Vinko Rožić
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Email this article It was one of those typical midweek days
when a colleague of mine dropped me a note about a show in a local club. “A
friend of mine, Stats, is performing stand-up comedy,” he said. Nice!
Before I knew it, Saturday rolled in and, by the evening, I was on my way to
the Gotham Comedy Club - one of Manhattan’s premier clubs for up and coming
performers, surely, but also a tried and tested favorite venue of many stars
of the show biz. Think: Seinfeld and company.
I negotiated a corner and started down the 22nd street. I was there in a
hop.
As soon as I walked into Gotham's anteroom, somewhat surprisingly, I was
immediately drawn into the depth and breadth of the place. The photos
covering and coloring the walls of the anteroom, though leaving a bit to be
desired (in terms of aesthetics), spoke volumes of Gotham’s zeitgeist, and I
felt a certain, albeit as yet undefined, connectedness to the club. Yeah,
you might be right to call it a transcendent experience of sorts.
Through a heavy, dark curtain, I got escorted to my table in the main
performance hall filled with guests. There was a well-lighted stage elevated
to just above the tables. This ensured an unobstructed visual joy to its
patrons.
“Yeah, you bet ya,” I responded to the waitress’ suggestion to bring me some
drink or another as I sunk in the comfy semi-rounded booth awaiting Stats to
climb the stage and do the show. . .
It was a success!
“When you’re on stage…
It’s like being in a boxing match”
Funny enough
¾ and contrary to what the
mesmerized audience would surely claim ¾
Stats would tell you he could do better. He says precisely this in the
anteroom just minutes after his performance and then adds, “I was all right,
but just didn’t feel the audience as I did the last show.”
CP: What do you
mean, “feel the audience"?
S:
Well, when you’re on stage… it’s like being in a boxing
match. You dance and you throw punch(line)es and you wanna elicit a certain
rhythm from the audience. You wanna draw them into your game.
CP: That’s quite
curious, the boxing analogy. Do you, then, sort of, mold your performance,
shift it and adjust it right there on the spot, or how does that work?
S: Actually, the whole
material is prepared and practiced beforehand.
CP: Every detail?
S:
To the T. But, if there is that ‘moment’ where both, the
audience and me are on the ‘level’
¾
I mean, I recognize that we have established a special connection
¾
I will throw in some new material
¾
Improv (improvise) just off the top of my head. In one of my acting classes
Angel David teaches us the art of Improv.
CP: Everybody would
agree that doing comedy is a risky business since it’s rather difficult to
anticipate people’s responses ahead of time. How do you deal with that, are
you prepared for the unexpected turns?
S:
Sure. Usually, though, you’re guided by the gut feeling … you
just feel it; you feel that special connection with the audience.
CP:
¾
Kind of like when a basketball player knows the ball is going in the
basket though it’s still in the air?
S:
Yup,
just like that. You can just feel it. But, if you don’t
¾
the whole show comes down to the routine. Basically, you do with the
material you prepped and hope for the best.
Nicknamed
‘Stats’:
By three different groups of people
At three different times in his life
For three different reasons
CP: Your real name is Gregorio Patrick
Galligano. How did “Stats” come about?
S:
That’s quite a funny story that I use a lot during my comedy
acts. I actually got this nickname from three different groups of people at
three different times in my life for three different reasons. First, in High
School, I dated a girl that was a bit younger than me. Though we were both
underage, my buddies started calling me Stats
¾
the shortened version of Statutory. Then, while I was on the hockey team in
college, I kept track of a bunch of stats and earned a nickname Stats for
it. Finally, I was being called Stats because of my place of birth
¾
New York City’s borough of Staten Island.
CP: Whatdayaknow! Let’s go back to the
first steps for a moment. How did you get into comedy, what prompted you to
want to even consider doing stand up?
S:
It was all unplanned, really. Namely, my brother bought me a
ticket to Tucson, Arizona, and I went to visit some friends. I recently
graduated college with a marketing degree and was still in the process of
exploring what I wanted to do with my life. While just hanging out with my
friends, you know, relaxing, I got just slightly under the influence of,
well, … some toxins, and decided to tell a story.
CP: Like a bard in them olden times?
S:
Yes,
that sounds pretty much right.
CP: So, the crowd gathered and listened…
S:
Yeah, some 50 people gathered and I got them rolling in
laughter, and that’s when a buddy of mine suggested I give comedy a shot in
a more, for the lack of the better word, serious manner.
CP: Would you say that a defining moment for you?
S:
In
terms of a turn that my life took since, certainly.
Stand up serves
a higher purpose. . .
CP: What does doing stand up mean for you
today?
S:
Well, I really want to become an actor. Stand up, although
enjoyable in itself, serves the higher purpose
¾
gets me closer to my goal.
CP: Do you think approaching comedy in
this way gives you a whole different perspective than, say,
someone dedicated solely to comedy might have?
S:
Probably. For me doing comedy is a learning process and I do
not necessarily define nor express all my talents through it. In fact, I
would say I am a better storyteller than I am a joke teller.
CP: Could you give us a brief rundown of
what precedes your show?
S:
Sure. I wake up around 10am and since the moment I open my
eyes I stay positive. Ordinarily, I practice my routine about five times
before lunch. During the afternoon, I simply retain the positive outlook and
generally stay in a very good mood. I also find it important to really relax
the night before, get a good night’s sleep.
CP: Let’s get back to you as an actor… Are
you going for auditions, are you schooling yourself in the art, what are you
doing in this respect?
S:
I’m actually taking acting classes at TVI Studios in Times
Square. From my teachers’ feedback, I gather I’m doing very well. I am also
searching for an agent to keep me informed of auditions, as well as getting
a headshot (the entertainment version of a resume), professionally done.
Then, I ought to go to an audition and impress them.
CP: Doesn’t sound like that would be too hard for someone
with your education and stage experience…
S:
That
might sound simple and easy, but it is actually far from it.
American of Irish-Italian descent
CP: How about
giving us a look behind the scenes even further? How about a few words about
yourself?
S: Sure. I am an American of Irish-Italian descent. Every so often my father
jokingly tells me he couldn’t find an Italian woman that special night some
23 years ago. I was born in Staten Island, NY, in the most heavily Italian
section of Staten Island, the South Shore.
CP: Irish-Italian ancestry, interesting…
S: My maternal grandfather, John Donoghue, served as a general under Michael
Collins of the Irish Republican Army, while my paternal grandfather, Alfred
Galligano, chose a career of a postal worker. His story is very tragic, but
also very motivating to me. Alfred was a very smart man who dreamed of
becoming a pharmacist. Once he received a full scholarship to go to New York
University achieving his dream seemed more possible than ever. But then, it
was suddenly shattered when his father, my great grandfather, committed
suicide. Alfred was forced to support his siblings and mother so he dropped
out of college and become a postal worker.
CP: They sure
sound tough, your grandfathers…
S: Both of my
grandfathers were very tough guys who strived to do the right thing. I most
admire them for living their principles.
CP: How about your parents?
S: My mother Ellen
Galligano, is a teacher at local High School on Staten Island, and my father
is a Certified Public Accountant. He also owns an accounting business. Both
my parents are very humble and hard working people and I respect them a
great deal.
CP: And
siblings? You did mention a brother got you the plane ticket to Arizona. . .
S: Yes, I have a younger
brother, and also an older sister. My sister Ellieanne is 28 years old. She
is an artist. We are not as close as we should be, but I still respect her a
great deal because she is so independent -- moved out on her own when she
was 19. Within the family I am the closest to my brother Ryan,. He is 18
years old, and attends St. Francis College in Brooklyn. He is a great
brother and friend.
CP: Quite a family
background and a fine legacy to follow and build on…
S: All true. Although, I could think of an anecdote or two where the gene
pool I inherited may have influenced my choices in life in not quiet the
best of ways.
Fama per urbes:
Stats is with a prostitute…
Stats was robbed. . . .
CP: Care to share?
S:
It happened some two years ago while I was (for the third
time) interning at one the financial powerhouses on Wall Street. The House
was hosting an (open bar) end-of-the-year event. As the ‘real’ interns were
sipping martinis and talking stocks, we - the ‘outcasts’ interns - were
getting smashed off our face with Jack-and-Cokes, and doing shots upon
shots… Later in the night, we hooked up with some girls and were gonna
continue partying in their apartment.
Due to quite a consumption
of assortment of beverages the details here run a bit hazy on me but,
essentially, we waived a cab down and I decided to jump on top of the car
and start dancing. The cab driver didn’t take well to my self-expression
and started swinging his Billy Club at me. One of my buddies then engaged
the cabby in a bit of fight. Shortly after, I got arrested and spend a night
in Central Bookings (holding cell where all arrest are brought to in NYC)
¾ the scariest place
in the world to me.
CP: Any noteworthy details?
S:
Nah. Let me just say that having to sleep on the floor was
the least of my discomforts there.
CP: How long did you remain locked up?
S:
Well, I was gonna get out in the morning and head to
work like nothing happened, but there was a shooting at City Hall and no one
was being let out. Consequently, I spent another 28 hours in that cell
without anyone, except my ‘outcast’ intern friends, knowing where I was. And
they never ratted me out. Instead, they made up some cover story of me
shacking up with some girl.
CP: Fama per urbes reigning
supreme, likely…
S:
Sure. As you can imagine, rumors quickly spread… Stats is
with a prostitute… Stats was robbed, all sorts of stuff. Anyhow, it
turns out that three out of five interns didn’t show up to work the next day
and got fired. I lucked out
¾
partly due to my uncle being an executive at the investment bank I interned
in.
CP: Did you take anything away from this
incident?
S: Yes, I learned a valuable
lesson or two from this incident. First of all I realized one event can
change your whole life. I mean what would’ve happened if I hurt someone or
hurt myself by being that drunk and not realizing what I did? All my dreams
and aspirations would be washed away. Needless to say, I will never be
involved in something like that again.
CP: Lucked out’s right, Stats. Let’s talk
about something else. What keeps you going?
S:
I am actually a very religious person, a firm believer.
However, from the practical standpoint, The Contender (boxing show run by
Sylvester Stallone) inspires me a lot. In fact, I just came from Vegas where
I actually met most of the boxers from the show, and many celebs. I even met
Stallone, shook his hand. If you think The Contender was motivating to me
before, now fougetaboutit.
You know, besides the sheer notion of my personal dreams
coming true, a part of me wants to be able to provide my parents with
anything they might desire and to succeed for all my relatives who did not
get to fulfill their dreams. Ultimately,
I just want to be the best person I can possibly be and try to help and
inspire as many people as I possibly can.
“It is better
in life to attempt great things,
And come up short,
Then to conquer something
You already know you can beat”
CP: We heard you keep a certain book of
inspirational quotes with you…
S:
Yeah, I actually do. In fact, it’s full of quotes I wrote
down. I recite them back to myself occasionally.
CP: Could you recite one or two to us now?
S:
Sure, I’ll recite my two favorite ones: “The most absurd and
reckless aspirations have sometimes led to extraordinary success,” by
Vauvenargues and, “Knowledge of what is possible is the beginning of
happiness,” by George Santayana.
CP: Deep. Yet, simply stated and true. In
your own words, what would your advice be to the new comers, comedians or
actors?
S:
Times will get tough but never give up. Find your dreams and
have the courage to persevere and realize those dreams.
CP: You
know, many of us can get a normal 9-5 job, earn a nice salary and move up in
the company. But how many would dare and go after their dreams?
S:
“It is better in life to attempt great things, and come up
short, then to conquer something you already know you can beat,” from the
NBC Boxing show The Contender. I love this quote! I do subscribe to
that philosophy. In fact, I am currently living my dream and all I do
supports my search for the best possible life for me, where I can immerse
myself in a job that I love and passionately want to do…
I
know there is a chance I might come up short but, at least deep down inside
my heart I will know I gave it my all.
CP: Where can people see your shows?
S:
Besides performing at various open mics on weeknights, I
perform regularly at Gotham Comedy Club on Friday or Saturday nights (at
6:30 pm), and at New York Comedy Club on Thursday nights (at 9:00 pm). These
times are subject to change so I advise calling and confirming
details beforehand.
The man with
the plan. . .
CP: What’s in store for you in near future?
S:
First, I am aiming at a full-time position with a marketing
firm, so I can better finance my acting and comedy career. I plan to
continue the acting school, perhaps even increase the number of classes per
semester. I
am now in the process of getting my headshot prepared and searching for an
acting and commercial agent to help me get the auditions. Once that’s done,
I will be ready to take the NYC entertainment business by storm.
CP: Sounds like you’re
really going all out on this one?
S: You bet! “It is better in life to attempt great
things, and come up short, then to conquer something you already know you
can beat”. And that’s not all. . . I will enter and try to win the New York
City Comedy Underground Competition, one of the biggest competitions in the
world for up and coming comedians. It takes place in October. Just to give
you a clue of how competitive it is
¾
over 1,000 aspiring comedians apply for this event, and only 8 get chosen. I
am also throwing the idea out of saving money and moving to Hollywood next
summer, so I can be closer to the acting/film business.
CP: Stats,
guess we could argue about much but not the fact that you’re the man
with the plan. Where can people learn more about you and/or contact you?
S:
Over the next couple of months, I
plan on developing my own personal website. It’ll provide an easy access to
details about my up-coming shows, future plans, etc. If anyone would like to
email me with feedback or questions about the business, feel free to do so
at:
ggalligano@yahoo.com .
CP: Stats it was a pleasure meeting you. We tremendously
enjoyed your show. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with our readers and
much luck in your future endeavors!
S:
Thank
you Cavtatportal.
Tvi Studios
Gotham Comedy Club
New York Comedy
Club
Borough of Staten
Island
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