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Comedian Stephen Sorrentino has brought audiences to hysterics with his quick-witted humor, incredible singing voice, and spot-on mimicry throughout his career. Sorrentino is a true showman known as a comedian, singer, and impressionist, all rolled into one. Hailed by Variety for his “hilarious, show-stealing gusto,” Sorrentino has shared the stage with superstars such as Patti LaBelle, Dennis Miller, Dana Carvey, and the legendary Debbie Reynolds. However, as a 3rd generation show business professional, this Long Island native always knew that he wanted to pursue a career in music and theatre, learning to play piano, sax, flute, and guitar at a young age. Stephen first stepped on stage at 5 and has not looked back since.
VENTS caught up with the Las Vegas “Male Entertainer of the Year” winner as he settled in for a chat with Mellanie Brando for the top-ranked podcast, This Blonde Can Talk About Anything.
VENTS: Tell our readers about your new film, Amends of the Father.
Sorrentino: I wrote Amends almost as an autobiography. The character of “Tony K” is largely myself with variations of my reality. Each character in the movie is a part of my subconscious and touches on the roles that I have played in my life. I believe we change our character and the role that we play depending on our situation or the personalities of the people around us. We are all chameleons and our environment dictates what color we become. All the characters in the film are part of my struggle with crippling self-doubt, booze, drug use, and the feeling of loss and despair about those moments that I wish I could have back to rewrite my actions. There are also the parts of me that are nurturing, compassionate, and caring. All these traits are colors and characters in this film.
The lead character, after years of obscurity in the haze of booze and drugs, finally gets his act together and looks at the wreckage of his past. He tries to make it right. Tony wants to still be a rockstar but looking in the mirror is painful. Maybe he could start over and heal all of the wounds that his actions have caused over 30 some-odd years. Can he be forgiven? Can he truly forgive himself?
VENTS: You give a riveting, powerhouse performance in Amends — how did you prepare for this lead role?
Sorrentino: Ha… LIFE is my best preparation. I lived it. Around 2008 I realized that I had burned so many bridges in my life and career because of my attitude that seems like ego. This was crippling self-doubt, Low self-esteem, and the leftovers of being told that I‘d never amount to anything by a certain family member. With those words echoing in my head, I began to believe them. I sabotaged myself through the excuse of alcohol, drugs, and bad choices. I turned incredible opportunities into bad scenes to cover my bases to make an excuse “just in case I failed”. The fear of failure is the greatest detour around success.
I am no longer afraid to turn myself inside out and let anyone examine what makes me tick. My faults & shortcomings, my strengths, and all the colors that make me who I am. Working with The Second City in the mid-’90s as an improvisational actor and comedian opened my eyes and my heart to being fearless and carrying the mantra… “your opinion of me is none of my business”. It has made me bulletproof, and with this character of Tony K… You see all of his dirty laundry. I decided to show the cracks in this film. So I used archival footage and images of me from the eighties to show how far down the slope Tony has gone both in appearance and life. All of the music in the movie was written by myself and recorded during the same period. The soundtrack features “Albee,” an original song that was written for the film. He was ready to be the next rock ‘n’ roll icon, and within three years he was known and stayed there for 35 years. Looking at myself in those posters and footage along with hearing myself from the 80’s stirred up real emotion and regret that I didn’t take better care of myself, that I didn’t take those opportunities and turn them into positive experiences. My tears in this movie are real.
VENTS: What inspired you to write this film?
Sorrentino: As a vocal, impressionist, and tribute artist, I play so many different characters and use so many voices. Recently, I realized that every single character I have ever played, every voice Or improvisational work all comes from who I am. I wanted to show improvisational work all comes from who I am. I wanted to show as an actor, but I could do it by going as dark and as light as possible in the same film. The duality of who we are is frightening when you take a look at it. I wanted to take a really deep dive into looking at how many people we are, and what we will do to be accepted or to fit in. There’s also another theme in this film that I have noticed from the TikTok, Instant fame world that we live in. What will people do to be famous?
VENTS: Amends is sweeping film festival awards categories on every continent — where do you put them all?
Sorrentino: At my ranch in Virginia where I have an extensive rock history and Hollywood memorabilia collection. My awards are in those rooms alongside articles of clothing from Hollywood icons, gold records, and memorabilia from The Who, The Beatles, and Elton John, among others. I acquired those memorabilia pieces because I always wanted to have a piece of fame and believed that I would never achieve it.
VENTS: What’s next for Las Vegas’ “Male Entertainer of the Year?”
Sorrentino: It’s funny, Las Vegas doesn’t do it for me anymore. It went from being a cool place to play and be part of the show business infrastructure to being a pay-for-play corporate spreadsheet. My dream is to develop Amends into a series and direct more films because I love being a storyteller. Also, a series regular role in a comedy will fulfill my purpose of making people laugh.
Follow Stephen Sorrentino on Instagram: @newyorkactor.
