CHAZ ESPOSITO EMBODIES BOBBY DARIN IN SONG AND STORY

CHAZ ESPOSITO AS BOBBY DARIN      PHOTO BY KEVIN P. MCANARNEY

CHAZ ESPOSITO EMBODIES BOBBY DARIN IN SONG AND STORY

Born Walden Robert Cassetto, Bobby Darin picked his stage name at random from the telephone book.  Because he was plagued with rheumatic fever as a child, he knew his life was a battle against the clock.  Wanting to be a star by age 21 and a legend by 25, Darin filled his days as a singer, dancer, songwriter, actor, active in politics and a publisher.  On a dare from DJ Murray the K that Darin couldn’t write a song “Splish Splash, I was takin’ a bath,” lyrics his mother suggested, he took the challenge. Less than half an hour later, Darin produced a song destined to become a best seller, launching his career in 1958.

With hit songs like “Mack the Knife,” Darin also starred in  a number of motion pictures and was even nominated for an Oscar for “Captain Newman, M. D.” He met and married his co-star Sandra Dee while working together on the big screen.  Today, now more than four decades since his death, during a second heart surgery, you have the opportunity to renew your acquaintance through the talents, singing and writing skills of Chaz Esposito.  

On Saturday, June 15 at 8 p.m., New Haven’s Long Wharf Theatre will be welcoming Chaz in his show Mack is Back… the music of Bobby Darin, featuring songs and stories about Darin’s life and career and also his “guys” like his long time manager Steve Blauner and one of the many entertainers he helped launch, Wayne Newton. Darin gave Newton, Mr. Las Vegas, the song “Danke Schoen,” that jump started his success on stage.

Esposito was already devoting his nightclub act to include songs and memories about Darin when he decided in 2000 to expand the act to be centered on the idol.  The first rule of thumb was to get the blessing of Darin’s estate and that was quite a mountain to climb.  After doing his research, Chaz flew to California to meet with Steve Blauner, the former vice president of Screen Gem Entertainment, Bobby’s long time manager.  When Blauner said, “I’m on board,” Chaz exclaimed “Wow,” admitting it was not an easy sell.  He provided a script, recording, did some live stuff and also won over Bobby’s family during his off-Broadway run. Darin had learned that his sister Nina was really his mother and his mother Polly was really his grandmother, facts that disturbed him for many years.

Bringing Darin’s music and memories to life has been “exciting and fun.” Darin wrote or co-wrote 180 songs in 15 years and “was clearly ahead of his time.”  Esposito also includes contemporaries like Lovin’ Spoonful, Dean Martin, Wayne Newton to name a few in his show, with Tom Jones being added soon. He admits “the preparation is hard as well as the practice being lots of work.”

When Chaz Esposito isn’t channeling Bobby Darin, he runs World Casting, as a casting director and producer.  For thirty years, he has helped clients find the best talents for their projects.  In only 2-3 minutes, he assists clients in selecting actors for commercials.  Finding the right person for a role is often like looking for a needle in a haystack. He calls it “a wonderful profession.”  

Right now, Chaz Esposito is busy bringing Bobby Darin to Connecticut, at The Main Stage of Long Wharf Theatre, on June 15 at 8pm, backed by a 12 piece band.  For tickets ($39-59), call Long Wharf Theatre, 222 Sargent Drive, New Haven at 203-787-4282 or online at www.longwharftheatre.org. Come splish splash in the bath with your dream lover.