Erik was an "Insane Priest" in the High School Play

My first big role was "Snidely Whiplash"  in 4th grade.

I don't have any pictures of me with my mustache and the money they told me to pound in my hand. The traveling drama teacher didn't explain to me why one of my female classmates was going to be tied up on the ground, or that an image of a train coming towards the screen was going to be projected behind us. I was just happy to do as I was told. I had no idea that the screen was going to encourage the whole school to scream "Boo!" and "Hiss!" at me until they were booing and hissing me. I was mortified.

My next big break came when I was a Freshman at Gill/St. Bernard's High School.  I have some pictures of that to show you.

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Starring The Prince of Funny Faces as the "Insane Priest" who, in Act 1/Scene 14, interrupted the Marquis De Sade's Performance with Satan's Prayer and then is Crucified, unsuccessfully, and then proceeds to wreak mayhem throughout the remainder of the production:

Directed by Gene D'Onofrio

From the Yearbook:

Another new member of the faculty is Mr. D'Onofrio. He is a graduate of of the Parsons School of Design in New York. Before coming to GSB he taught actor workshops for many years. He found Gill through his sister-in-law, Ms. June Julian, who is a member of Gill's Fine Arts department. Mr. D'Onofrio will be teaching drama and theater arts and will also serve as the advisor/director of the Video Club.

Outside of school, Mr. D'Onofrio particularly enjoys working with community theaters as he has done for the Westport Community Theater in Westport, Connecticut. When asked about his favorite play he said, "There are so many," but soon added, "The Miracle Worker." Mr. D'Onofrio is particularly proud of his son, Vincent D'Onofrio who is a movie star and has performed supporting roles in Adventures in Baby-Sitting, Full Metal Jacket, and Mystic Pizza. His son is currently filming his first starring role in Naked Tango directed by Leonard Sheldon who directed Kiss of the Spider Woman.

Mr. D'Onofrio's first impression of GSB was its rural setting. "There is a big difference between this and the business world," he observed. "But I definitely prefer teaching!"

The Prince of Funny Faces, Age 14

 

I didn't  win any awards, but I know I did a good job. I definitely had a very great effect on my audience. I got locked in a locker and the shit was beaten out of me by thirteen older jocks lead on the last day of class that year. Fists to my face. It was Mr. D'Onofrio's son who advised me to attempt to sexually assault his character's daughter before I got crucified. It's not written that way in the play.

The name of my scene was A Regrettable Interruption. I used to have a lot of regrets. The day after my assault, instead of calling the police, I was apologizing to my attackers because they were suspended from school; but, aspiring actors take note: I can now honestly say that I know how Vincent D'Onofrio learned how to play Private Pyle in Full Metal Jacket, arguably the most disturbed character in cinematic history, and Pooh Bear in The Salton Sea (Don't forget Moriarty and Carl Stargher)....

You have to really live in a world of shit.

FIN