Episode 342 - Gianmarco Soresi
Summary
Tom Papa discusses his transition from musical theater to stand-up, crediting his acting background for his structured joke writing. He addresses misconceptions about his social media success, emphasizing the hard work behind his viral content. The conversation covers his family dynamics, including his father’s will and his wife’s comedy career, as well as his evolving views on religion and marriage.
Topics discussed
Crowd work vs. scripted comedy and LA vs. NY scenes
Transition from musical theater to stand-up comedy
Auditioning for Little Shop of Horrors and high school pranks
College theater days and performing Equus
Writing jokes in Word docs and TikTok strategy
Social media criticism and older comics adapting
Parenting, relationships, and deciding to have kids
Talking about family in comedy and boundaries
Censoring drug content and wife's reactions
Father's hypochondria and hospital visit
Father's new girlfriend and estate planning
Wife's comedy background and their dogs
Sponsors: ASPCA Pet Insurance and Monarch
Jewish and Italian heritage and identity
Shabbat, Orthodox Judaism, and dating experiences
Weddings, funerals, and performing at events
Grandma's funeral singing and Dan Dosimo
Breaking Bread special and Joe Rogan jokes
Comedy gatekeeping and honesty in the industry
Peer respect, success, and social media filters
Crowd work reputation and Comedy Works hour
Future shows for theater kids and closing remarks
Listen ad-free on Castria