Bellmore’s Funniest

Mepham graduate, up and coming comedian

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Seven years ago Anthony Didomenico made a decision to perform for his first time at an open mic night at Brokerage Comedy Club on Merrick Road in Bellmore. Since then the Bellmore native has appeared at venues across the tri-state area, Ashville Comedy Fest in North Carolina and alongside his favorite childhood acts like Chris Montey and Dave Coulier.

Didomenico said he was a timid student at Mepham High School who always wanted to make people laugh. At the time, however, he preferred to be heard on the radio and aspired to be like his greatest influence, Howard Stern.

“I’m never the one to break into a conversation,” he said and recalled how he found security in his stand up comedy. “It surprised me that I could be more confident and comfortable on stage than I am in real life,” Didomenico said and then explained that through his autobiographical routines, self-deprecating bits and jabs at his life events he could find catharsis— and saw the same effect in his audience.

Before his career, he started going the Connecticut School of Broadcast and eventually worked at a few stations with friends. Didomenico said each endeavor fell through. Road blocks were put up when his friends found other jobs and “their lives happened” and got in the way. He started to get discouraged after being put on at 3 a.m. and not being asked back after receiving complaints that his show was too “shocking.”

Didomenico pointed out the differences in working for a radio station versus being a stand-up comedian. “When it’s comedy, it’s up to you,” he said and described how you get to make your own rules and do whatever you feel it takes “to make people laugh.”

After making his rounds at local open mic nights, Didomenico was booked at clubs like the Brokerage for paid weekend shows. While he has seen his comedy career develop as he is added to more shows, he said he has a long way to go.

While he tours and improves his comedy, Didomenico works a day job at a generator company. “If you get into comedy to make money, it’s like trying to win the lottery,” he said with a chuckle. According to Didomenico, comedy is an art that does not come quick. For most, it takes a 10-year learning curve before the artist can perfect their craft and then get noticed for it, he said.

While he feels he still has a way to go, Didomenico expressed his overall gratitude to have appeared alongside renowned comedians he followed growing up. “Watching these people as a kid and getting to perform with them— that’s the best part.”

Didomenico’s next show is at the Brokerage Comedy Club for a fundraiser to benefit Sensory Beans, a Bellmore-based non-profit whose goal is to build a sensory playground for children with special needs. He will be performing alongside several acts including Chris Roach from the CBS show “Kevin Can Wait.”