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Comedian Basile in Austintown this weekend
By GUY D’ASTOLFO
Basile’s life is a juggling act.
The multitasking comedian currently has a film in the editing phase, another one preparing for shooting, a line of Greek food seasonings to promote and a stand-up comedy tour.
Always a hit in the Mahoning Valley, Basile will return this weekend for five shows at the Comedy Cellar at Mojo’s Pub in Austintown.
It’s his first time back since a run of shows he did in early 2014 at Ford Family Recital Hall in Youngstown, and he welcomes the more intimate setting.
“Ford theater is gorgeous, but an intimate place like Mojo’s is fun,” said Basile, calling from Vancouver. “I am used to audiences of a thousand or more in theaters, but in a comedy club, you can see every smirk on their faces.”
Regardless of the size of the venue, Basile connects with the audience through the shared memories of family.
As a Greek American, Basile Katsikis obviously strikes a funny bone in the Greek community. In addition to his regular show, he has a special Greek act – in which he toggles between the English and Greek languages – that cracks up the audience. He will do it Sunday evening at the Comedy Cellar.
But Basile’s humor translates with perfect clarity to just about every ethnic group.
“I remember growing up, we would have Thanksgiving dinner every year at my yia yia’s house,” he says. “We would have a roast lamb, spanakopita, pastitsio, kalamata olives ... just like the pilgrims.”
After his shows, the funnyman routinely hears from those who can share similar stories.
“When I was a kid, my nonna [grandmother] made my life a living hell,” is a frequent comment that Italian women share with him.
Basile has finished shooting on his film “The Athenian Affair,” which was made in Greece, but then problems arose.
“We are still editing it,” he said. “With Greece going bankrupt, two of the producers pulled out, so we got two more, then had to re-edit it and re-film some things. We’re hoping to get it out.
“While we’re doing that, I got involved in another film, that I didn’t write, as an actor. It’s called “Do You Know Who I Am,’ and it’s a historical piece, about a family that comes to the UK in 1948. You see how they are today and yesterday. After World War II, England was devastated and they were trying to get immigrants to help rebuild it.”
He plays an uncle of one such immigrant in the film, which is being directed by Sean Connery.
Basile was raised on Long Island, N.Y., went to Purdue University where he played baseball, then transferred to Cleveland State University, where he started his comedy career.
That’s when he began to tap his childhood for material.
“My mom was trying to figure out what to dress me as for Halloween one year,” he recalls. “So she covered me in this clear plastic. My friends were like, ‘What are you?’ And I said, ‘My grandma’s living room sofa.’”
The funnyman also keeps those memories alive with his line of cooking spices. In fact, those who attend his special Greek dinner-show on Sunday will get a taste of his products. Go to basilefoods.com to learn more or to purchase.