It’s going to be hard to laugh when you have your face melted off. Yes, the Maumee Indoor is going to break on through to the other side with its 1st Annual “Stand Up and Rock for the Kids” comedy/rock charity event. City Paper staff writer (and featured stand-up act) Brandon Doriot sat down with the comedic mastermind, Joey Barone, to get the low down on the Show.
How did you get involved with this particular charity?
I used to be a freelance writer for Promedica Health a few years ago when I lived in Toledo. I loved that job because I got to visit people from multiple local charities, interview them and write articles in order to increase awareness for their causes. I had the chance to work with Toledo Children’s Hospital a few times. I just really enjoyed meeting the staff, so many good people.
I also worked at an event where I passed out toys to the children at Toledo Children’s with some of the UT football players at Christmas time. That was a really fun memorable experience. It was all these huge football players handing out toys, and then me. I think the kids were confused. I just told them I was
the kicker.
That’s great and even more impressive you’re flying in from the comedy scene in L.A. just to do this event.
It’s nice to be able to see my family and show them that I can use comedy for something other than disappointing them.
What do you miss about doing comedy around Toledo, or just Toledo in general?
I guess the most obvious would be the people, and my family of course. I went from seeing them every day to being able to see them once or twice a year. We are a big Italian family that likes to get together a lot, and I miss those times more than anything. It sounds stupid, but I miss eating at Rosie’s (the restaurant run by his uncle which showcases his grandma Rosie’s recipes), I have been going through Hot Mama Bread withdrawals. I will tell you this though—I sure as hell don’t miss working there! It’s nice to come home after work and not smell like a calzone.
Being the son of a prominent doctor (Frank Barone M.D.), how difficult was it to tell him that you wanted to pursue comedy?
Ha-ha I get asked that a lot. It wasn’t easy telling my Dad that I was moving out to LA to pursue stand-up, especially considering he was still trying to convince me to go to law school. He always said I was a great ‘excuse-maker,’ and that I was really good at arguing and blaming others, so he thought I was making a mistake not becoming a lawyer. I told him that it wasn’t my fault he wasn’t that good of an arguer. No, actually, he has been really supportive and cool about it. He has told me over and over to pursue what I am passionate about. I think he just wants me to be happy and successful doing something I enjoy. I think part of my dad is embarrassed about my career in comedy though, because when his friends ask him what I’m doing out in LA, he just tells them I’m in rehab.
The show will be held at The Maumee Indoor Theater (601 Conant St, Maumee, OH 43537)
Friday, December 27th at 7:30 P.M. General Admission: $20 VIP: $45 (includes 3 alcoholic/non-alcoholic drinks, snacks, and
premier seating). Tickets can be purchased by calling 419-897-8902 or at Rosie’s Italian Grille and The Maumee Indoor Theater
