“The Finellis Musical” World Premiere at Wonderville
Based on the multiple award winning comedy*, The Finellis Movie, described as ‘hilarious’ and ‘a masterpiece’ by Los Angeles Film Awards, a brand new musical comedy – The Finellis Musical- will be hitting Wonderville in London’s West End on June 5th, 2024 at 6:30pm.
Actor, singer and writer Mark Janicello has poured his heart, soul and life savings into The Finellis. The story is a fictionalized version of Janicello’s life story, taking his incredible real-life involvement with Scientology, which wrecked his showbiz career, resulted in arrests, death threats and physical assaults and left him blacklisted, in debt and suicidal and turning it first into an award-winning comedy – and now a musical.
“The Finellis gave me a way to rewrite my own history,” says Mark. “It enabled me to take the tragedies of my life and find a way to laugh about it. Great comedy often comes through great pain or loss. Tony Finelli gave me the mask to hide behind, so I could find a way to process my horrific experience with Scientology. I lost everything. ”
Caught between the Scientology Organization and the German Government, Mark was targeted by anti-Scientology government protesters and was trapped in a 16-year hate campaign that saw him blacklisted, arrested and bankrupted. “I asked Scientology for help, but they turned their backs and left me to die,” says Mark.
SYNOPSIS: The musical tells the story of eternal optimist Tony Finelli, a New York Italian-American whose journey goes from stardom to jail…and back again. It’s like Mrs. Doubtfire meets Goodfellas. American singer Tony Finelli spends 15 years in a Berlin prison to save his family from being killed by Mafia boss, Mr. Big. The musical begins on the day Tony is released. He returns home to find that his children hardly remember him, his wife has divorced him, and his mansion is now a Bed and Breakfast. To win back his family and rebuild his career, Tony, the proud peacock, swallows his pride and takes over the janitor’s job setting the scene for comedic chaos, with award-winning songs such as “Here I Am Again,” “Zombie Heart,” the new Trans anthem “The Woman In The Mirror.” and “Love Will Never Die” bringing home the power of family and love. Audiences will find comfort and hope in The Finellis Musical which takes on racism, ageism, sexism and LGBTQIA+ rights all the while remaining family-friendly entertainment.
The musical cast includes Mark Janicello reprising his film role as Tony Finelli, with Jake Pollicino playing him as a younger man. Lisa Gorgin is his Russian wife Tina, with Anna María and Pippa Juliet as their daughters Lola and Lena. Michael Christopher takes on the double role of Finelli Patriarch Pete Finelli, as well as Mafia Kingpin Mr. Big. Colette Kelly is Tony’s mother Bea, who together and his grandmother Nonna, played by Chiara de Palo, make up the four generations of the Finelli family who live under one roof. Making a welcome return to the West End after his legendary run (over 1000 performances) in the title role of Phantom of the Opera is Mike Sterling as Tony’s bumbling manager, Juergen Drahtseil.
The show’s run is strictly limited to 3-16 June 2024, tickets (£15-£26.50) from feverup.com.
Wonderville, at 57-60 Haymarket, St James’s, London SW1Y 4QX, is the West End’s magical new destination, celebrating the best of the capital’s cabaret, comedy, music and magic.
