Interview by Tiziano Thomas Dossena
The comedian Rosanna “RoRo” Antonuccio, whose parents are from Calabria, Italy, was born and raised in a small town in New Jersey filled with Italian immigrants. She considers herself a “late bloomer” in the comedy world.
RoRo hosts at ‘Catch A Rising Star’ in Princeton, performed at the ‘Kenan Presents VIP Access Comedy Show’ at Stress Factory in New Brunswick, NJ, ‘Rhino Comedy’ in Suffern, NY, ‘Tiff’s’ in Morris Plains, NJ, and throughout NJ, NY, and PA.
L’Idea Magazine: When I met you at the Sons of Italy’s Meucci Lodge in White Plains, the first thing you said to me was, “Here are my Lemon Biscotti; have a couple of them!” I thought you were one of the members! The cookies were fantastic, and I was surprised when I saw you step on stage to open Comedy Night. Do you always offer those delicious Lemon Biscotti to your audience?
RoRo Antonuccio: Yes, I do!! It brings me great joy to share the biscotti that are from a family recipe. I always say, if you invite me, I’ll bring Biscotti! I started bringing them to comedy shows, and now I can’t stop!
L’Idea Magazine: So, you also bake… But I know you’re a Councilwoman in Roselle Park, New Jersey, your hometown. When did you become a Councilwoman? What motivated you to enter politics?
RoRo Antonuccio: I was elected in 2023 for a three-year term. I am truly humbled and honored to hold this role in my community. In 2021, I was asked to run for council and was nominated by my cousin, who lives and has a business in town. My first reaction was No! I didn’t want to be in “Politics.” After praying and reflecting on what the role truly means, I said Yes to run and campaign! I chose to run for several reasons. I wanted to honor my family, my late father Raffaele Antonuccio, and my beautiful mother Dora Antonuccio, in the name of legacy! I truly love my hometown and wanted to extend my support to all my neighbors! To be a helping hand and make decisions with the best intentions for the benefit of the community! 
L’Idea Magazine: When did the comedy bug bite you? You attended St. John’s University and Muhlenberg School of Nursing and have 25 years of experience in the medical field, along with eight years as an information technology project coordinator. Currently, you also work in education as an assistant teacher. With all this background and your position as Councilwoman, how do you find the time to perform, and should I also say bake the lemon cookies?
RoRo Antonuccio: I do a lot, and I love it! I love the arts, especially writing! I took a comedy writing class in 2019 at Scotty’s Comedy Cove in Springfield, NJ. I gifted the class to myself for my 44th birthday, and it’s been a wild, fun ride ever since! The Comedy community is truly unique and amazing; they became my funny family! It is a community that constantly learns and explores new ideas—all for a good laugh. I call it a developing art! It’s the expression of the heart and life, all entangled in jokes to make them relatable and for the soul to truly feel life! We transform tragedy into laughter and everyday moments that everyone experiences into revelatory moments of joy.
I am blessed to have all the things I do fit into specific times, and I usually perform on weekends, bringing the biscotti! At this point, I can bake these biscotti with my eyes closed, so when I have a show, I bake a batch!
L’Idea Magazine: When and how did you transform from Rosanna to RoRo?
RoRo Antonuccio: In 2019, when I took the comedy writing class, I had come to a revelation that I wanted a stage name! I asked my coworker and friend, the beautiful Natalie, to help! She always called me RoRo, and when she said it… officially.. I loved it! Now, even my family calls me RoRo!
L’Idea Magazine: You often reference your family in your comedy. While I understand you naturally exaggerate situations to enhance their comedic effect, do they ever mind being included in your jokes? Besides your family and your Italian upbringing, where else do you draw inspiration for your comedy?
RoRo Antonuccio: This makes me giggle! Telling authentic stories and realizing how funny moments are is such a gift! My mama still doesn’t know what a comedian does or what I do! I try not to say anything that would be embarrassing, but I love sharing true life stories and finding the funny! I also find my inspiration in everyday life! Once you start writing jokes, you see and hear differently! When I am at a doctor’s office or at the store, I see the funny everywhere! Giggling in all places can get you in trouble, like when I started thinking of jokes at a funeral and I was in church.
It is a gift to be able to see the funny!
L’Idea Magazine: How much has being Italian American shaped your life choices, especially regarding your decision to become a comedian?
RoRo Antonuccio: Growing up Italian American influenced everything in my life! Family was always my priority, and my parents taught me that hard work and sacrifice are just part of life! I love to love and live! My parents are selfless and always care about our family as well as our neighbors! We had neighbors whom we visited with our home-grown vegetables from the garden, as well as home-baked bread and cookies. We are still close to all the families that we grew up with in the neighborhood, and are blessed to have them in our lives. These characteristics have filtered into my schooling, my family, and my life as a parent to my beautiful daughter, Bella, and all that I do today. Being an Italian American comedian was an easy decision because it’s authentically me. I share all the life moments that so many people from different cultures can relate to!
L’Idea Magazine: You pioneered an Open Mic Event in your hometown to showcase talent and celebrate individuals and their unique gifts. Additionally, you created a Woman of the Year event. What inspired you to design such events?
RoRo Antonuccio: When I became a councilwoman in 2023, my heart was to connect with the community! Unity in the community is truly the mission! I love celebrating people and highlighting their stories! I started to have ideas on how to run an open mic in the center of town to highlight people’s gifts! We started in July 2023, and I have a great community center director, Rupen, who assisted in organizing everything! We also have a music school in town, Landz Music, and they wanted to bring their students to the open mic to perform! It was a hit! We perform in the center of town in the gazebo and invite the hometown residents to bring a lawn chair and enjoy the show! We have had such outstanding performances, including two young girls under the age of 11 at the time, Tiffany and Mikaela. They both now perform at all our town events. They sing the Star-Spangled Banner and other amazing songs when we have a town event. The performances include comedians telling jokes, singers of all ages, and musical acts from local artists! It’s truly amazing!
I also started Woman of the Year in Roselle Park in 2023! As the only woman on the Council, I wanted to honor a woman in Roselle Park and acknowledge her before our hometown! We also host a women’s event, which we celebrate with dinner and inspirational stories from local women. Our gatherings have led to a karaoke business and other encouraging connections from events like this. My inspiration is people! I view everyone like family and want people to be seen and heard! I love seeing people celebrated! When I realized I could be a vessel for events and moments like this, I do all I can to make it happen!
L’Idea Magazine: Where do you see yourself ten years from now?
RoRo Antonuccio: I see myself continuing in serving the community and continuing in the arts! I also see my biscotti being available nationwide! I also envision myself traveling to Italy and establishing a heritage group that connects the youth with their families.
L’Idea Magazine: Have you ever visited Italy?
RoRo Antonuccio: I have been visiting Italy since I was 3 years old. My mother is one of seven siblings, and my father was one of six siblings. We traveled in the summer and loved seeing all the family and the small town where my parents are from. San Pietro Cetraro, Province of Cosenza, Calabria is beautiful! It is tucked away in the mountains and yet just 10 minutes from the most amazing beaches. My first memory is in Italy. I was 3, standing in my grandmother’s bedroom, which was packed with people. They all awaited our return, and it was the first time I met them at such a young age. I was lifted up and hugged, and everyone was so loving and happy for us to be there. My heart connected to Calabria at that moment. My Antonucci and Antonuccio families are always in my thoughts and heart.
L’Idea Magazine: If you could speak to anyone in the world, whether from the past or present, who would that person be? What would your conversation entail?
RoRo Antonuccio: Besides Jesus? He would be my first pick, and I pray each day knowing He hears me. Other than Him, I would talk to my great-grandfather Raffaele. My father was named after him. He was the original trendsetter and explorer in the family. His hard work on the railroad and commitment to always moving his family forward was evident in everything he did. I would discuss his vision and how he overcame fear and doubt. I would love to know his thoughts. I feel his presence with us because of his actions and the inspiration he provided to the entire family.
I heard he came to America but went back because of the Great Depression. Then, in the 1960s, the next generation arrived and stayed here. Most of my father’s family came and began the American dream!
L’Idea Magazine: Three adjectives to define you…
RoRo Antonuccio: Compassionate, Courageous, and Helpful.
I have a heart for everyone in my path. I possess a courage that is rooted in my heart, and I act on that love when needed. I also enjoy being helpful to all whom I can. I believe that what we sow, we reap, and helping others is the best way to be a vessel of good in the name of God. God truly helps me, and I love demonstrating His love.
L’Idea Magazine: Do you have a message for our readers?
RoRo Antonuccio: I have so many messages, but I will share a few! Never forget where you come from, who helped you get to where you are now, and where you are headed! I love being what I call the family historian. I enjoy documenting my mom and my family for future generations to know our roots and to never forget! I also say to find your gift; we all have gifts from God, and we should use them for the good of others! Love hard and forgive often!
