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Joe Gatto didn’t recount his High School experience all too fondly during his first solo show at the Beacon Theatre in New York City.
“I was the white kid who loved math and bowled… so… unf***able,” he joked.
Clearly, the 47-year-old comic forgot to mention he also had his wild sense of humor going for him. But, the fast-talking, crazy-eyed, Staten Island-Native’s humility was certainly intact as he reflected on his boyhood.
So, how did this former mathlete/bowler make it to the Beacon?
Well, as you may recall, from 2011-21, Gatto starred on the wildly popular hidden-camera series “Impractical Jokers” alongside his three best friends from High School — Brian “Q” Quinn, James “Murr” Murray, and Sal Vulcano.
When Gatto wasn’t rolling strikes at the bowling alley or buried in a textbook, he and his pals dared each other to perform absurd stunts in public which led to improv and sketch comedy careers, ultimately earning them their own TruTv show — a dream come true for a gaggle of silly teenagers.
Gatto left the show in 2021, after nine seasons, to focus on his family. But, it wasn’t long before his itch to perform led him back to the stage.
Last year, he announced ‘Joe Gatto’s Night of Comedy Tour’, which is just what it sounds like: an epic one-man-show traversing some of the most iconic theaters across the nation including The Beacon.
“I’ve been touring for a while but I haven’t done stand-up in New York City yet,” he told the New York Post back in October. “The Beacon will be the third jewel in the crown for me. I played Madison Square Garden and Radio City with The Tenderloins, and now the Beaconis perfect for my first (NYC) solo show.”
If you had the chance to see Joe at the Beacon this Saturday, you’d have thought he played there every weekend.
The sold-out crowd, much of which consisted of longtime “Impractical Jokers” fans, was warmed up with a solid performance by the opener.
Mark Jigrarjian, better known as “Jiggy” shed a few tales from his dating life in New York City — always easy money.
Now-married, “Jiggy” admitted that he dated a vegan for a while, and after they parted ways he found out she had switched sides, and now dates women.
“Guess, she really didn’t like meat,” he shrugged off as the audience erupted in laughter.
After a few more emphatic rumbles from the crowd, Gatto took the stage.
The master comic leapt out from behind the curtains with clairvoyant confidence and waving hands — his comfort on stage more than apparent.
It didn’t take long before Gatto began imparting wisdom in a show he compared to his jab at a Ted Talk.
“You never know when lights will turn out, so you might as well have fun, laugh, and live your happiest every day,” he relayed with a sincere grin.
Those opening lines were fitting, considering that much of the native Staten Islander’s set was dedicated to the woes of hurtling towards mid-life — like frequent dentist and doctor visits.
At one point, Gatto became so frustrated with booking an appointment with his cardiologist during the pandemic, that he spat out “I don’t know if you know this, but I’m Joe Gatto.”
To which, the secretary responded: “Great. Joe Gatto, we will see you in two months.”
Over the course of the set, the comic leaned into embarrassing anecdotes from his illustrious career and adventurous personal life.
At one point, he recalled receiving an impromptu massage on a six-foot, folding Costco table from a woman who he described as “someone who will come to your hotel room to rub you.”
He managed to escape unscathed, other than his airways nearly closing from the pungent odor of the flatulence she expelled whilst kneading his shoulders. Clearly, Gatto enjoys proving that nobody is too old for a dose of bodily humor.
There was also no shortage of stories from his experience as the official “Impractical Joker” designated driver since he doesn’t drink or smoke weed — which he attributes to his dietary restrictions: “Technically, it’s a vegetable. Not for me.”
Gatto then roused the audience with a quick excerpt about his other job — serving disabled, senior dogs with his ‘adopt, don’t shop’ rescue initiative.
He said it’s no surprise that his pack is named after a menu of delicious foods — like cannoli, biscotti, linguini, and tiramisu. “Pretty on brand,” he admits for a man that loves to indulge.
He’s got two kids, too, he told the crowd. Maybe if they were also christened by carbs, he could remember their names.
Who were Joe Gatto’s surprise special guests?
The highlight of the night was when Gatto was joined onstage by surprise guests James Murray and Brian Quinn.
Everybody was oozing with excitement as 75% of the “Impractical Jokers” embraced and shot a few brotherly barbs back-and-forth. By the way they spoke of each other, there was no pretending that the spark wasn’t still there. It was a reunion long waited for by fans and the friends alike.
Final thoughts
To close the evening, Gatto thanked the audience for sticking with him. And for a man who’s taken a few stumbles through life, and just embarked on his solo journey, it’s not difficult to stand by him.
Kind of like everyone’s favorite ‘funcle’ — Gatto is an ingenious wise-guy, a goodhearted family-man, an undeniable jokester. The kind of person who can always find a way to make you crack a laugh on your bluest days.
And somehow — between the fart jokes, designated driving, and decadent canine nomenclature — he served an excellent all-you-can-eat buffet of storytelling humor. Fans left fully-satisfied, while also craving more which is the ultimate compliment to an always-hungry comic.
Joe Gatto 2024 tour schedule
Want to see if Gatto is coming to a city near you?
Below, you’ll find a complete calendar including all tour dates, venues and links to buy tickets for each of his upcoming gigs.
Will Joe Gatto return to “Impractical Jokers”?
Gatto got candid with our team when we asked whether or not he’d ever come back to the show he made his name on over nine seasons.
“I’ll never say never,” he told us. “You never know what the future holds. I will say right now, it’s not on my trajectory. I’m still friends of those guys in real life, but I’ve moved on from the show. The show has moved on from me. As of right now, it’s it’s not in the cards.”
Don’t worry though — the guys keep in touch.
“We check in with each other to see how life’s going,” he said.
And, sometimes they appear on stage together, too.
Comedians on tour in 2023-24
Many major jokers you know and love are pounding the pavement this year and next.
Here are just five of our favorites you won’t want to miss in the near future.
Who else is on the road? Check out our list of the 107 biggest comedians on tour in 2024 here to find out.