Contestants impersonating Sebastian Maniscalco in an Atlantic City contest were surprised Friday night when the famous stand-up comedian turned up and crashed the party.
The “Sebastian Maniscalco Impression Contest” was held at Nola’s Bar & Lounge at Ocean Casino Resort, where Maniscalco has a two-week residency as part of his “It Ain’t Right” tour.
The hilarious competition included roughly a half dozen impersonators who mimicked Maniscalco’s mannerisms, including his facial expressions, hand gestures and signature line: “What’s wrong with people?”
Others brought Maniscalco’s iconic “Chipotle bit” to the stage, and joked about the comedian and actor’s Italian heritage.
But the showstopper was when Maniscalco appeared to announce and congratulate the winner, Mark Maggi.
“Very talented and I thought I was looking into a mirror,” Maniscalco said of Maggi in a YouTube video posted by The Press of Atlantic City.
A dead ringer for Maniscalco, Maggi was decked out in a black leather jacket, black shirt and black jeans and a nearly identical haircut.
In the video, Maggi said he learned of Maniscalco about 17 years ago when friends and family began sending him photos and commenting on his resemblance to the entertainer.
Maniscalco’s popularity never stopped — and the messages didn’t either, said Maggi, calling the comedian his “doppelganger.”
“I don’t have to do an impression,” Maggi said on the video. “The scary part is, I act just like this. I kinda am waiting for my residual check from him.”
Maggi added: “It was a privilege to be here. Yeah, it’s pretty cool.”
Maniscalco is due to perform eight shows over his two-week residency, which began Friday. Tickets can be found on the Ocean Casino’s website.
Aside from the shows and impression contest, there’s also a Maniscalco retail pop-up store, featuring the entertainer’s merchandise. Ocean Steak & Linguini by the Sea is featuring “Sebastian’s Favorite Things,” serving up a menu of meatballs, chicken cutlets and spicy rigatoni.
The casino additionally has a Maniscalco drink, The “It Ain’t Right Manhattan.”
Maniscalco is a comedian of over two decades. He’s known for his physical comedy and sharp storytelling, and has played in venues such as Madison Square Garden in New York and the Prudential Center in Newark.
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