Hizzoner

Onesti Entertainment Corporation and Gipeti Entertainment announced the critically acclaimed production of Hizzoner: Daley the First has found a home at the new Frank Sinatra Performing Arts Center, 1431 W. Taylor St. The open-ended run begins Sunday, May 18 at 2 p.m. in "The Upstairs Room," in the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, a temporary space until the Frank Sinatra Performing Arts Center opens later this year.

Ron Onesti, president of Onesti Entertainment and producer of Hizzoner, says "Hizzoner is the perfect show to open the Frank Sinatra Performing Arts Center. Daley, Sinatra and, of course, Taylor Street have long Chicago roots and the combination of all of these in one location is a dream, a world class production on a street with world class restaurants. This production and facility will give people another reason to come to Taylor Street." Doug Peterson, producer of Hizzoner added, "This is an exciting time for the production. Not many productions, after more than 300 performances, get the opportunity to move into a brand new, state-of-the-art theater. We are looking forward to reviewing the production and giving audiences and even better experience at the Frank Sinatra Performing Arts Center. We look forward to making long lasting relationships with our new neighbors and giving everyone an experience they will not forget."

Mayor Richard J. Daley (1902 - 1976), authoritarian politician, family man and dynasty builder, whose life was inextricably bound to Chicago, the city he loved, is explored in Hizzoner: Daley the First. Written by and starring Neil Giuntoli, it is directed by Stefan Brun and opened March 2, 2006 at Prop Thtr to critical acclaim. Hizzoner is a theatrically intimate look at the man atop Chicago's political machine and a major influence on national policy and politics - Richard J. Daley. Set in the changing and tumultuous history of the 1960's and 1970's, Hizzoner offers a behind-the-scenes view of a world rarely scene beyond City Hall as well as personalities who worked with Daley and some - like Jesse Jackson - with whom he had a crucial crossing of paths. There is also a glimpse into how "Da Mare" may have seen himself.

Giuntoli, a Chicago native and relative of Chicago’s Mayor Anton Cermak has written four plays and has a long list of additional credits including movie and television roles in "Shawshank Redemption," "Memphis Belle" and "Waterworld" among others. His notable TV guest appearances include "The Jeff Foxworthy Show," "CSI: NY," "CSI," "Monk," "NYPD Blue," "Ally McBeal," "Chicago Hope," "Seinfeld" and "ER."

The Frank Sinatra Performing Arts Center has begun its initial build-out phase. Located on the lower lever of the National Italian Sports Hall of Fame on Taylor Street, the venue will seat 220 patrons for live theatrical presentations, concerts and special events. During the construction of the Center, the second floor exhibit hall will be transformed into "The Upstairs Room," a temporary theatrical experience showcasing great entertainment until the Arts Center is completed.

Ron Onesti, The Onesti Entertainment Corporation president and executive producer, has also produced Emmy Award winning television presentations. It was his dream to create an enterprise that makes fantasy come to life. "The first thing we do is to create a vision," Onesti said. "The fun part is watching it materialize and come to life."

Hizzoner: Daley the First opens in "The Upstairs Room" on the second floor of the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, 1431 W. Taylor St. Sunday, May 18 at 2 p.m.. Tickets go on sale April 18 at 10 a.m. and may be purchased at 312-421-7462 or www.hizzonertheplay.com.