STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- It's good news: Robert Funaro, the New Dorp resident known for his roles as Eugene Pontecorvo, a crime family soldier in "The Sopranos," and Tony Del Greco, a chief enforcer for a New York mob boss in Martin Scorsese's HBO drama series "Vinyl" -- now stars in "The Milkman's Sister," a production to run through Dec. 5 at the 13th Street Repertory Theatre in Manhattan.

Funaro has undertaken the role of Sal Furfante in the new family drama with a cast of five actors -- one of which you don't see -- in a production that takes a fifth floor Bronx tenement apartment as its backdrop.

The time frame? October of 1962 during the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis and all the tension and panic that unfolds between a devastated unemployed milkman, an angry supervisor of hospital linen, and their neighbors.

Written by Mark Blickley, directed by Joe Battista and produced by Roslyn McKay, "The Milkman's Sister," features, in addition to Funaro, Concetta Rose Rella, Dan Yaiullo, Jenne Vath and Chris Fougere.



Funaro, who maintains residences in New Dorp and in Manhattan explains:

"The play focuses on a nuclear threat by Khrushchev's Russia during the Kennedy administration during the early 1960's and how is affects the people in the apartment."

Performances are set for Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Nov., 19, 26 and Dec. 3 and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. on Nov. 20, 27 and Dec. 4.

Each performance is approximately 2 hours with one intermission. More info: Email 13thsttheatre@gmail.com or visit BrownPaperTickets.com/event/2657026

Other upcoming projects for Funaro? A role in "The Sinner," starring Jessica Biel and Bill Pullman, a crime thriller that's been picked up by the USA Network.

"The Sinner" is an hour long drama of a young mother who's overcome by an inexplicable fit of rage and commits a startling and very public act of violence -- and to her horror has no idea why.

Funaro's name has been no stranger to this column.

In December we boasted of his role of Sal Idello in the Vincent Amelio, Al Dente production of "How Alfo Learned to Love," a down-home fun "ethnic comedy" at Manhattan's 59th Street Theater.

FYI: Funaro got his big break when working with James Gandolfini in a production of "A Streetcar Named Desire" that toured Scandinavia -- Funaro played Stanley Kowalski and Gandolfini played Mitch. Several years later when Funaro was working as a manager of Caroline's Comedy Club, Manhattan, Gandolfini suddenly walked in looking for him.

"He said there was a role available and that he could get me in the door for the auditions -- the rest, he said, was up to me," said Funaro "He's was a great guy -- a terrific man. For him to come back and look for me -- I'm really blessed by that."



Funaro, who's been acting on and off for a number of years, also appeared in episodes of "Law and Order" and was featured in "Law & Order: Criminal Intent." He also appeared in the 2007 film"American Gangster" as Detective McCann and in 2012 in "Whistle Blower," in an episode in the second season of the CBS show "Blue Bloods" as NYPD Capt. Browne.

CELEBRATIONS: NOV. 20 AND 21

Happy birthday Sunday to Mary Lee, Gail Fernandez, Michael J. Perkert who turns 9, Joan Galant, William J. Slaven Jr.,Ann Marie Henderson, Casey Romano, twins Laura Gwen and Douglas Gil Cala, celebrity/executive chef, Rob Burmeister, Roy E. Smith, and Diane Nicole Arrigo.

Monday is birthday time for Barbara Danischewski, Ronald Kilichowski, twins Adam and Brandon Kruse and Ryan Brucato, who turns 13 so says grandparents, Betty and Carl Carrara.