If you’re not going to be in New York City this weekend then get there.  This weekend during the 15th Annual New York International Fringe Festival [3] will be your one and probably only time to come face to face with an angel.  Starting at 5pm this Friday, August 12th the late great actor Telly Savalas [4] makes his encore at the Bowery Poetry Club [5], 308 Bowery, New York, NY 10012.  The title of his show is “Who Loves You, Baby?” [6]  his trademark line from the hit ABC New York cop drama, "Kojak. [7]"  Savalas is here not here to just entertain us he’s on a mission, “I’m working for the Big Guy in the Sky now.”  Apparently, Telly has been given the opportunity to come down from the heavens to give us all the paternal kick in the pants God feels we need.

 

Get you tickets now because Telly Savalas has been granted a limited time during the New York International Fringe Festival to spread his message.  He doesn’t just point out what's amiss in today's world, he gives us the tips on how we can set things right.  Unfortunately, because, as he puts it, "I don't have the pull I used to."  The only venue he could nail down was a mere forty minutes at the Bowery Poetry Club.  This doesn’t seem to discourage Mr. Savalas, "I could make forty minutes purr."  He’s prepared to enlighten, entertain and most importantly school us in the art of love, passion, and first-class no-nonsense masculinity.


"Telly's back. So be good for teacher." as Mr. Savalas puts it so aptly.

 “Who Loves You, Baby?” [6] Stars Tom DiMenna as Telly Savalas and is directed by Taylor Negron (Fast Times At Ridgemont High, The Last Boyscout).  I rarely write theatre reviews but when I do it’s because I had such a great time I want to make sure all my friends don’t miss out.  This is one of those shows.  I happened to see this show during the Hollywood Fringe Festival this past June and it was immediately after the performance that I met actor Tom DiMenna for the very first time.  He’s a lot taller then expected and extremely humble.

Actor Tom DiMenna's mom, Lynn DiMenna [8], is a New York Cabaret singer and his grandfather, Victor Del Guercio, was roommates with the legendary American football coach Vince Lombardi [9] while they were both at Fordham University [10].  Vince Lombardi later brought Victor with him to the New York Giants [11] where Tom’s mom, Lynn, was invited to sing the, “Star-Spangled Banner” at the opening of several games.  As for Tom, torn between acting and athletics he went on to play American Football while at the University of Pennsyvania and then, believe it or not, on to Italy where he was Quaterback for Italy's American football team the “Bologna Warriors [12]” in 2003.  In his bio it says; Tom went on to play pro-ball for the Italian-American League in Bologna where they served tea and cigarettes at half time; a quaint reminder of those cabaret cookies of his youth. And while the Italians smashed against each other holding the line, the wayward expat Quarterback was occasioned to daydream of velvet curtains parting before him. He decided to hang up the helmet, but hung onto the kneepads, for a career in acting.”  In a recent conversation with Tom he spoke of his screenplay, “The Bologna Warrior” a sports comedy he hopes to be shooting in Italy in the near future.  As for now he’s focusing on having the time of his life this weekend doing what he does best live on stage.

Go see “Who Loves You, Baby?,” at the Bowery Poetry Club, 308 Bowery, New York, NY 10012. a salute to a time gone by, starring Tom DiMenna as Telly Savalas.  Limited performances start this Friday, August 12 at 5pm, followed by Saturday, August 13 at 1pm, Sunday, August 14 at 7pm, Friday, August 19 at 10pm and Sunday, August 28 at 4:15pm.  To buy tickets click here and then under “Show Schedule Page” click “W” for “Who Loves You, Baby?” [13]  A must see!

In a nutshell, the iconic, “Kojak,” has come back from the grave to give the hipsters of today a good kick in the pants, reminding them of the lessons of love their fathers forgot to teach them. Tom DiMenna transforms into a pitch-perfect impression of that iconic symbol of unflinching 70’s masculinity. Directed by Taylor Negron. [14]Starring Tom DiMenna [15]. Written by Hunter Nelson.  www.TellySavalasLive.com


   

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