L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 www.italoamericano.org 13 L'Italo-Americano Food and Laughter: Two of Life's Best Medicines and he truly changed my life." Jango happened to be really into physical comedy. Stefano started working with him on a variety show that performed every weekend. "It was more about improv, theatrics, and physicality," he says. "I loved it and felt like final- ly I get to play with the audien- ce! I really enjoyed this. By the w a y , t h i s i s n o t s t a n d u p comedy," he adds. "It's very dif- ferent from what people have seen. It's physical theater." He spent the next 10 years in Barcelona working for theater companies, acting in movies and commercials, and participating i n s t r e e t f e s t i v a l s a r o u n d Europe. He also started his own sketch comedy cabaret while studying stage-theater and film acting, as well as teaching work- shops at the Nouveau Clown Institute in Barcelona. At one of Stefano's shows for Gourmet Comedy you can expect not only entertainment but also appetizers, desserts, and wine. And the performances can take place in a living room, restaurant, or even at a festival. Stefano professes, "As long as I have an audience, I can perform anywhere." While not all of his skits are Italian themed, one specific cha- racter Stefano plays is an Italian super hero called Super Bello Man. Super Bello Man is extre- mely handsome and he saves t h e w o r l d b y m a k i n g s u r e everyone's pizza is of the cor- rect thickness, and that we all u s e e n o u g h b a s i l i n o u r cooking! A s i d e f r o m p e r f o r m i n g , Stefano also facilitates work- s h o p s . H e o f f e r s N o u v e a u Clown workshops, lessons in acting, juggling, improv, and physical theater while sharing his passion for Laugh Therapy. "Laughing is very impor- t a n t , " s t a t e s S t e f a n o , " O n e minute of laughter is equal to thirty minutes of relaxation, and Laugh Therapy is a way to take life in a different perspective; laughter is a great medicine. We can get to know ourselves a lit- tle bit better through laughter. T h e r e a r e m a n y m e n t a l a n d emotional benefits." Those who are interested in hosting a show have a choice of entertainment options: Choose an 11am-1pm light brunch and performance or a 4-6pm tapas a n d p e r f o r m a n c e f o r w h a t S t e f a n o c a l l s " t h e f u n n i e s t happy hour." Another choice is the 8-10pm dessert and perfor- mance. T h e r e a r e o n l y f o u r s t e p s involved in hosting a Gourmet Comedy performance: deciding to host, contacting Gourmet Comedy, picking a date and t h e n i n v i t i n g y o u r f r i e n d s . Stefano takes it from there, sen- ding you everything you need to promote your event. "Hosting a show is truly a 'choose your own adventure' event. It will be different every time. We're adventurous and c r e a t i v e , " s a y S t e f a n o a n d Deanna. "We will come over to your house in the days before the event to see your space, and remember, for the performance we will provide all the food, drinks, glassware and plates. Let us transform your living room into a theater for an unfor- gettable experience." Stefano and Deanna share their Portland home with their three-year-old daughter who hopes to perform one day in a show with her Papà. Stefano Iaboni is fairly new to the Portland area, having only been living here for about a year and a half, but his unique talents a l l o w h i m t o f i t r i g h t i n t o P o r t l a n d ' s e c l e c t i c m i x o f performing artists, while also setting him apart. Along with his wife Deanna, S t e f a n o o w n s a p e r f o r m i n g c o m p a n y c a l l e d G o u r m e t Comedy. Gourmet Comedy is a perfor- mance experience that allows you and your family and friends to indulge on small bites and sip y o u r f a v o r i t e w i n e s w h i l e enjoying a theater-style perfor- mance in the comfort of your o w n h o m e . S i m p l y p u t , G o u r m e t C o m e d y c o m b i n e s humor with delicious food and drink. "It is a combination that sati- s f i e s b o t h t h e b e l l y a n d t h e soul," says Stefano. Stefano is an international actor, clown, performer and tea- cher. He was born in Rome, Italy and was raised there until about the age of 15 when his family moved to a small village just north of Rome called Frasso Sabino. "As a child, I was always fascinated with juggling," says Stefano, "And when I hit my twenties, I started traveling and eventually found my way to a circus school in the Netherlands. My goal was to become a jug- gler – but it was just too cold for me in the Netherlands." S t e f a n o t h e n t o o k o f f f o r Barcelona, where the weather w a s m u c h w a r m e r a n d h i s career really started to take off. " S o m e t h i n g h a p p e n e d i n Barcelona," says Stefano. "I was doing a lot of acrobatics and juggling, and found I really enjoyed interacting with the audience. Then I met a Master Clown named Jango Edwards, TONYA RUSSO HAMILTON International actor, clown, performer and teacher, Stefano Iaboni's characters are hilarious and entertaining Stefano Iaboni performs as Italian superhero, Super Bello Man

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