Long Valley Comedian: 'Nothing Better In The World Than Laughter'

What’s a guy supposed to do when he’s got five daughters, a wife, a female dog and just two bathrooms?

Laugh, of course. It’s about the only thing he can do.

Brian Bartiromo, of Long Valley, has spent the last seven years doing stand-up comedy when he’s not working full-time, volunteering as the head of the Washington Township Recreation Committee, or being a father to five daughters between the ages of five and 13. Of course, he’s also a husband to a wife, Sarah, who works as a professional paramedic and volunteers for Meals on Wheels, is a Long Valley Raiders Cheerleading Coach and den mother for the Long Valley Brownie troop.

To say Bartiromo has plenty of life experiences to pull material from would be an understatement.

An admitted class clown during his school days, Bartiromo, now 41, has been a fan of comedy his entire life.

“I’ve always enjoyed comedians that reflect on things I can relate to in my life,” Bartiromo told Patch.

While his stage career is still young, Bartiromo’s been practicing bits for decades. And his audience included just about anyone he came in contact with.

“When I was in high school I got sent to the principal’s office so many times that I would actually tell jokes and make him laugh,” he said. “I think he almost enjoyed it!”

When he entered the real world, Bartiromo wouldn’t let a serious job get in the way of entertaining others, either. The performer spent 10 years as a police officer in Irvington, and no one there was safe from his impressions.

“Working as a young cop I did a lot of impersonations of the older guys I worked with,” Bartiromo said. “I used to do my impression over the police radio and fool the dispatchers because they were so spot on. Of course, that didn’t sit well with the superiors – even though it made them laugh!”

Comedy is a family affair for Bartiromo, who says his brother was “a tremendously funny guy. He would have been a household name in comedy.” Louis Bartiromo succumbed to cancer in 1996, but Brian said he gets behind the mic in honor of his brother.

Bartiromo will take the stage this Saturday, Sept. 20 in Old Tappan at The Par Bar & Grill at 9 p.m. The comedian will be appearing at a variety of shows in the coming months, including the Comedy Cove at Scotty’s Steakhouse in Springfield, The Comedy Haunt in Franklin (Sussex County) and other venues in northern New Jersey.

To see Bartiromo’s previous acts, check YouTube by searching Long Valley Coach. Bartiromo is also available for parties and corporate events by emailing longvalleycoach@gmail.com.

The up-and-comer says he’s still learning from each show and the performers he works alongside.

“My hope is that I can do standup nationwide and someday appear on shows like The Tonight Show, Dave Letterman and Saturday Night Live,” he said. “There’s always a need for comedy. When you laugh, laugh hard, you forget about whatever stress you have in your life. Even if only for that moment, your soul can laugh and love. There’s nothing better in the world but to laugh.”

For tickets to Bartiromo’s show on Sept. 20 at the Par & Bar Grill, call 201-660-7857.

Photo Courtesy Brian Bartiromo.