Rehearsals for Trinity Rep’s ‘The Prince of Providence’ underway

PROVIDENCE, RI (WLNE) – In just a few weeks a play about Buddy Cianci’s life will hit the stage at Trinity Rep.

The Prince of Providence captures the highs and lows of Cianci’s life.

Scott Aiello, who plays Cianci in the play talked about what it takes to portray Providence’s most notorious mayor.

“I have done my homework,” Aiello said. “I have read Mike Stanton’s book that the play is based on and I have read Buddy’s book ‘Politics and Pasta.’ I wanted to get his perspective on all of this.”

Aiello is a New York based actor and is best known for his role of Tommy Barkow in the series Billions on Showtime.

Aiello is portraying Buddy in his 30s when he was first elected as mayor and then an older Buddy during his trial.

“Some people will say I really captured the good side of buddy and others will say I captured the bad side,” Aiello added.

Aiello has been in Providence for a week and has been touring the city, learning its in’s and out’s.

He says his goals is to step on the stage and bring the true Buddy back to Providence.

“I’m excited to be an Italian American and portraying one of the most famous Italian American politicians in the history of the United States,” Aiello said. “It’s an honor.”

WLNE-TV / ABC6 2019