Sweetest mobster from ‘The Sopranos’ gets ready to ‘rat’ on friends in Mystic Lake show
You might think Steve Schirripa would be tempted to whack the next fan who peppers him with questions about “The Sopranos.”
That’s not the case. In fact, Schirripa, who played the overly sensitive, overweight Bobby Baccalieri on the ground-breaking series, is a panelist for the touring show “In Conversation with the Sopranos,” patiently answering questions he’s heard a thousand times before .
At the top of the list: Is Tony Soprano dead or alive?
“I’ve flip-flopped,” Schirripa said by phone from his home in New York, a little more than a week before his Saturday appearance at Mystic Lake Casino alongside former cast members Michael Imperioli (Christopher Moltisanti) and Vincent Pastore (Salvatore) “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero). “For a long time, I thought for sure he was alive and well. But maybe that was wishful thinking.”
If the conservation is any indication of what the Mystic Lake show will be like, fans are in for a real treat.
Over the course of a half hour, Schirripa freely spilled dirt on original casting choices (Jerry Stiller pulled out from the role of confidante Hesh Rabkin at the last minute because he booked a more profitable commercial), treasured keepsakes (one of Schirripa’s fat suits hangs in his closet) and how creator David Chase came to his apartment to tell him he was killing off his character (“It was kind of like a real hit”).
He also talked about his admiration for James Gandolfini, who won three Emmys for playing Tony Soprano. Gandolfini, who died in 2013, was famously reticent about doing public appearances. But Schirripa is convinced he could have talked his dear friend into at least one mini -reunion.
Steve Schirripa and James Gandolfini in “The Sopranos.”
Steve Schirripa and James Gandolfini in “The Sopranos.”
You might think Steve Schirripa would be tempted to whack the next fan who peppers him with questions about “The Sopranos.”
That’s not the case. In fact, Schirripa, who played the overly sensitive, overweight Bobby Baccalieri on the ground-breaking series, is a panelist for the touring show “In Conversation with the Sopranos,” patiently answering questions he’s heard a thousand times before .
At the top of the list: Is Tony Soprano dead or alive?
“I’ve flip-flopped,” Schirripa said by phone from his home in New York, a little more than a week before his Saturday appearance at Mystic Lake Casino alongside former cast members Michael Imperioli (Christopher Moltisanti) and Vincent Pastore (Salvatore) “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero). “For a long time, I thought for sure he was alive and well. But maybe that was wishful thinking.”
If the conservation is any indication of what the Mystic Lake show will be like, fans are in for a real treat.
Over the course of a half hour, Schirripa freely spilled dirt on original casting choices (Jerry Stiller pulled out from the role of confidante Hesh Rabkin at the last minute because he booked a more profitable commercial), treasured keepsakes (one of Schirripa’s fat suits hangs in his closet) and how creator David Chase came to his apartment to tell him he was killing off his character (“It was kind of like a real hit”).
He also talked about his admiration for James Gandolfini, who won three Emmys for playing Tony Soprano. Gandolfini, who died in 2013, was famously reticent about doing public appearances. But Schirripa is convinced he could have talked his dear friend into at least one mini -reunion.”It wasn’t his thing. For years, he wouldn’t even do a talk show. I don’t think he thought was very interesting,” Schirripa said. “But I think I could have talked him into doing one of these with us. ‘Hey, Jim, come to Minnesota. We’ll have some laughs and some drinks. It’ll be fun.'”
Saturday’s conversation, moderated by comedian Joey Kola, will include slides and clips from the show. There will also be a Q&A with audience members.
Don’t be surprised if Pastore bristles about Big Pussy being eliminated way back in Season 2 or if Imperioli gets a few shout-outs for his critically acclaimed role in HBO’s “The White Lotus.”
“Every show is different. It’s very loose,” Schirripa said. “And once in a blue moon, we get an interesting question.”
One of the reasons Schirripa is willing to mine the past — he also hosted a “Sopranos” podcast with Imperioli — is that he’s avoided being typecast as a mobster.
