Rescignos return to Milton Theatre
Locally-bred and New York City-groomed singing and dancing duo Paul and Robbie Rescigno are returning to their roots in Sussex County to perform a new show with old friends and new fans.
Since their debut appearance in Milton last June, the brothers developed a new script for a show titled, “There’s Rescigno Place like Home for the Holidays,” which they plan to perform at 7:30 Sunday, Dec. 11.
The twin brothers began producing their variety show in 2006 at Syracuse University, where they studied acting and began performing cabaret theater. Early in their collegiate studies, the Rescignos began taking notes to develop their own show at the urging of their Milford High School theater teacher, Jerry Thompson.
Since graduation, they’ve continued to develop the off-broadway showcase, performing their award-winning variety show in cabaret theaters throughout New York City and even making it back to the Cape Region last summer to bring the show home.
Performing songs such as “The Rescignos” in their signature sweater vests, the brothers often introduce themselves in a witty banter, “Yes we are Paul and Robbie; or Robbie and Paul, no matter how you say it we still answer the call.” They sing the introduction over a lively uptempo piano accompaniment, and promise to be “like Cain and Abel, Burt and Ernie, Carson and McMahon, Fred and Ginger, Pete and Pete; not a single one will ever have us beat.”
Via email, Robbie said the show they are bringing to Milton is their eighth annual holiday show, and like the seven previous holiday shows they’ve performed in New York, it’s almost entirely new material.
“We will occasionally revisit some songs, but the dialogue is always new,” he said. “When we travel, we'll revisit songs and some other material, since those folks haven't had a chance to see our shows in New York, but again, the script has to change by necessity. If we reference something specific to, for example, Milton, Delaware, that joke probably wouldn't play too far outside Sussex County.”
The last time they traveled with their variety show, Robbie said, they performed in Vermont. Otherwise, the brothers primarily perform in New York City and have even made guest appearances on shows such as The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.
Returning home has some benefits, Robbie said, like adding their singing sister, Tricia Rescigno Pastor to the cast of nine and seeing lifelong friends pick up on different references in their jokes; but Paul said performing in their old stomping grounds has other challenges.
“There is a different sort of pressure, I suppose, seeing all of these folks that knew us growing up,” he said. “It's like, ‘Hey there's my gym teacher! I'm sorry I was terrible at volleyball, now here's a fun song about Applebee's.’ I want to point out that I have since gotten better at volleyball. And by better I mean I watch it during the Olympics.”
For more information about “There’s Rescigno Place like Home for the Holidays” or to order tickets, go to www.therescignos.com or search The Rescingos on Facebook.
