Enjoy the good
humor men

By Diane Prokop
Times Staff Writer

If you’ve seen all the latest movies over the holidays and are looking for another weekend entertainment option, why not enjoy A Night of Comedy at Guido’s Ristorante Italiano right in the heart of the Northeast?
Comedians Chris Monty, Joe Currie and Northeast Philadelphia’s own Steve the Pickle Man will headline in Guido’s Marsico Ballroom on Friday.
You can expect the Pickle Man to be a little spicy, a high-energy comedian who will do just about whatever it takes to elicit a laugh from the audience, whether it means taking off his hairpiece to riding his tricycle toilet on the stage.
Folks in the front row, though, don’t have to fear that they’ll become the butt of his jokes. The Pickle Man isn’t out to pick on anyone.
"They’re coming to see me, not hear verbal abuse," he said.
The Pickle Man — believe it or not — got his name from his days as a condiment salesman.
"When I started selling pickles and condiments, I’d make (the customer) comfortable buying with a little silly, sarcastic humor. Something like ‘My mom is out of jail; buy some pickles and help pay for her lawyer.’ Or ‘I just found out my grandmother’s pregnant; buy something’ . . . stuff like that, not the average sales pitch," Pickle Man said.
He’s still a salesman today, not only selling jokes to the audience but also selling other comedians to venues.
"I’ve had the Laff Factory for twenty-two, twenty-three years, as an agency for restaurants, bars, taverns, clubs, firehouses," he explained.
According to Pickle Man, Friday night’s audience — the two-hour show starts at 9 p.m. — can expect a well-polished comedian in Chris Monty, who has played venues like the Borgata and Resorts in Atlantic City.
"He’s squeaky clean — sort of in the mold of Seinfeld," he said.
Joe Currie, another energetic comedian, delivers an act that includes observational and topical humor.
"All around, it’s a nice mixture of funny," Pickle Man said.
The comedy night is a first for the Marsico cousins, Guido and Dominic, who recently celebrated the first anniversary of the 20,000-square-foot restaurant, lounge and banquet facility. The original Guido’s restaurant operated for 16 years next door to the new facility at 3515 Welsh Road.
According to event coordinator Katrina Kucsmas, it was a server at the restaurant who came up with the idea to host a comedy night.
If all goes well, Guido’s will continue bringing in comedians once a month.
"It’s a different atmosphere. We’re getting (all age groups). It’s going to be a lot of fun. I’m excited," Kucsmas said.
Though the setting is not quite the palatial Borgata, the comic evening will be held in Guido’s elegantly appointed Marsico Ballroom.
"It’s a beautiful room," Pickle Man said. "I’m also supplying them with a DJ — dance music to follow the show. It’ll be a fun night out, not only stand-up comedy." ••
The evening’s $30 ticket price also includes one beverage. For those who don’t have dinner at the restaurant before the show, finger foods will be available for purchase. For A Night of Comedy ticket information, call 215-335-1850. Tickets also will be sold at the door.
For information about booking an event with Steve the Pickle Man, call 215-602-2811.
Reporter Diane Prokop can be reached at 215-354-3036 or dprokop@phillynews.com

An entertainment schedule
geared to all ages . . .

Guido’s Ristorante Italiano, at 3515 Welsh Road, also offers other entertainment options Wednesdays through Saturdays.
• Wednesdays from 5 to 6 p.m., Guido’s Grotto Lounge offers a midweek office happy hour with live music, half-price drinks and a complimentary buffet.
• Thursdays, from 6 to 10 p.m., it’s time for Ol’ Blue Eyes and Sinatra Night with Frank Drake.
• Fridays, from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., DJ Spanky Chunk With Funk caters to a 21-plus crowd.
• Saturdays, from 9 to 11 p.m., feature entertainment tailored to the over-30 crowd.