CIC at Frankie J’s
by Angie McMahon
Back in 2001 we were doing our shows in the back of a bar called “The Prodigal Son” (a bar shortly after we left that was featured on the Jimmy Kimmal show for their free bacon Wednesdays and sadly burned down a year later from a grease fire). We were told that in one month’s time we could no longer do our Saturday Night showcase in the back room because the owners thought bands would bring in bigger crowds and more drinkers. So I started to look into other options.
On a NY message board that I looked at a lot a post was up from a guy named Frankie. I knew Frank’s name but had never met him. He said he was going to start a restaurant/ Theater in uptown called “Frankie J’s on Broadway” and was looking for anyone that wanted to help him out.
I quickly emailed him and told him my Theater Company was looking for a new home. I met Frank at his Uptown house for a meeting. He showed me the blueprints and told me all about his vision for the place. With reflection I think he was hoping I would just become a renter from him. But I told him I wanted to do much more. I wanted to be involved with his vision. When Frank talked about his place the whole world would stand still to listen. His energy would take over and it was intoxicating. He immediately said if I would help him start the Theater, and run it, CIC could do show there in exchange for my work. We shook hands and the deal was done.
In the coming weeks I will start to tell my tale of the days of Frankie J’s and the basic beginnings of CIC. You might be asking why today, and why now do I bring this all up?
Frankie is currently in the hospital. He suffered from a heart attack and two strokes. He is currently doing wonderfully. All the updates on him can be found here: FrankJanisch.com
Although not all the tales of Frankie J’s are lovely and sunshine there would be no CIC without him. I am eternally grateful for that and him. I wish him nothing but the fastest recovery.
In the weeks to come I will tell you how we built the stage, put up a 9/11 fund raiser in three days and raised over $1000, How it took almost a year for the restaurant to open, Our first shows we produced in the space, The Ninja that changed my life, and the moments we decided to leave. Some tales lovely, some bittersweet.
Get Better Soon Frankie J, we love you!