It's Geno! : New York comedian brings interactive show to Orem

This review was originally published here in the Daily Herald, Provo, Utah.

If you don't leave local comedy club Fat, Dumb & Happy's laughing, at least comedian Geno Bisconte will.
Bisconte, a Philadelphia native, is the latest national recruit to headline at the Orem comedy club. He will perform tonight through Saturday.
The club, which opened in January, brings in national talent in addition to Utah performers.
"We don't do Utah comedy every week," said Michael Birkeland, general manager of the club. "People get kind of burned out of the classic Mormon jokes."
Bisconte is heavily involved in the comedy scene on the East Coast as a host for a live talk comedy show titled "It's Geno" -- and formerly performed as a rotating comedian in the Philadelphia-to-Washington, D.C., circuit.
"It's Geno" is an off-Broadway show in New York City. The show's guests feature other comedians.
New York Post writer Ryan McCormick described the show as "brutally honest comedy" in an article. "Everyone on stage (is) making fun of each other with Geno always getting the last laugh," he wrote.
Bisconte is bringing his "brutally honest comedy" to laugh with -- and at -- audiences in Utah.
"I had one of my friends who went out to Utah tell me it is really fun," Bisconte said during a recent phone interview from his home in New York City. "He told me the people in Utah can laugh at themselves."
Owner Johnie Tolman and Birkeland are excited to have Bisconte perform at Fat, Dumb & Happy's.
"He is a real quick wit," Birkeland said. "He does a lot of faces and has a lot of personality. He is just kind of laughing the whole way through."
Bisconte said he is usually having more fun than anyone in the audience.
"A lot of comics are like storytellers, and they tell the audience cute little anecdotes," Bisconte said. "I just set it up and do a lot of quick one-liners, you know, set up, punch. I like breaking down the crowd and making the group feel part of the show."
Audience members can expect to be involved because Bisconte often singles out individuals in the crowd.
"Don't come to this if you are expecting to sit peacefully," Bisconte said. "This isn't dinner theater."