Take Ten with Santino Tomasetti
BECKIE FAIRCHILD TGC PHOTOGRAPHY
Near the end of his pre-show on one of the more popular dinner show boats in Branson, Mo., Santino Tomasetti asked where members of the audience were from. “How many are from Missouri,” he asked? “Illinois? Indiana? Anyone from Pennsylvania?” Spotting my son’s raised hand, he said, “Where in Pennsylvania? My dad still lives off of West McMurray Road!”
“Here we go again,” I thought. “Another performer from Canonsburg.”
1. How long have you been performing in Branson?
I moved to Branson last May and opened in “Country on the Lake” (last year’s noon show on the Branson Belle) at the end of that month.
2. Why Branson?
Branson kind of came into my life with perfect timing. I was in Los Angeles, finally starting to establish myself as a performer. I was just getting out of a relationship and probably looking for an excuse to leave. I then submitted to be a singer replacement for a dinner cruise on an online casting website and was contacted less than two weeks later. I had to pack up and move in three days to Missouri. I had honestly never heard of Branson before, although I had friends who spoke highly of it!
3. When did you decide on a career as a performer?
I think my family would confirm that I’ve never not been a performer. I was definitely an attention-craving child, and music has always been one of the most important things in my life. On the other hand, I contemplated being a psychologist for a while. I love getting into the mind of someone and figuring out what makes them tick (which I get as an actor), and I feel most satisfied when I can use my time and energy to listen, console people and make them smile. Performance and theater give me that same ability with an audience to connect and relieve people of stress from the daily grind.
4. In addition to the main showboat performance, you also give a “pre-show” on one of the decks, and sometimes perform more than one main show per day on the showboat. Is that a year-round schedule, and does it get to be grueling?
The schedule does fluctuate based on the height of tourism and weather, but my cast usually does two shows a day more often than not. It can get grueling at times, but this cast is my family down here. I couldn’t be luckier, and I love sharing the stage with such kind-hearted and talented people.
5. Other than performing on the Branson Belle showboat, do you perform anywhere else?
The best part of Branson for me is how busy I am. I play music at restaurants, bars, hotels, corporate events and private boats all over town. Last year, I had six shows at the showboat a week and somewhere between four and eight night gigs a week!
6. What are the various entertainment elements of your showboat performance?
Our show is a modern take on a variety show. We have a comedian-magician who serves as our MC, a four-piece band of multi-talented musicians who also can sing, three tap dancers who also excel in other dance genres during the show and five primary singers. We sing all types of genres including gospel, pop, musical theatre, classic rock, blues and rockabilly.
Daryl Jim Diaz
7. How much, if any, input did you have in the show and how often does the show change?
We were able to alter the current show slightly, but it was essentially arranged and composed by the time we came in. We have the most input in the dinner set and top deck music we perform every cruise. This is a new production, and although we’ll have a different show for November and December, I have a feeling this show will be back and won’t go anywhere for awhile. I do think we will be very involved in the Christmas show development.
8. How do you spend your free time in Branson? The town has more than 100 shows – how many have you seen?
After doing 11 shows a week, going to the gym, playing gigs on my days off, cooking, cleaning and recording my original music, I enjoy sleeping and appreciate its value in my life.
But the performer community in this town is very strong. We all go out to see each other in our respective shows when we can. I’ve seen at least 20 various shows in town; there’s so much talent around me!
9. Do you have an ultimate goal as a performer?
Happiness, fulfillment, traveling and staying as busy as possible.
10. The Branson Belle dock is very close to the area where the duck vehicle tragedy occurred. Where you on the showboat at the time?
I walked into work right as the rescue was taking place, so I dropped my bags and just started running anywhere that someone needed help. I wasn’t thinking, I was asking “What can I do to now?” I ran as fast as I could barefoot (my shoes fell off) and got what I could. I was grabbing wheelchairs, warm clothes and food and giving hugs. It was like a movie and a nightmare and I’m still not sure how I’m doing. It’s a tragedy. My co-workers and I are taking it day by day and living in the aftermath as best as is possible. We are still trying to do everything we can do, donating time and money to the cause.
BONUS QUESTION: What do you miss most about Western Pennsylvania?
I miss the wonderful blend of humble, hardworking, sweet locals that are surrounded by a city that’s rich with culture, theater, music, art and food that reflects our ever-changing landscape. Guitar Gallery is still my favorite shop in the country. I’ve known those guys at that shop since I was 11 or 12. I bought my first guitar amp there, and I still take my guitars to get a tune up there whenever I’m home. They are some true music guys; that shop is like out of a comic book.
Oh, and Sheetz. I really miss Sheetz!
Santino Tomasetti was born and raised in Western Pennsylvania and moved to Manhattan at 19 to attend school at AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts and finished his bachelor’s degree in performing arts at the Los Angeles campus in 2015. He released his first album in 2012 independently with his old band, TT and The Racers. Santino’s father still lives in North Strabane.