LI Teen Stars In Sopranos Sequel 'The Many Saints Of Newark'

CENTEREACH, NY —A Long Island teenager has debuted in his first major feature film after years of success on Broadway. Robert Vincent Montano grew up in Centereach and played Patrick in the Christmas Spectacular with the Radio City Rockettes for three years. Now he's on the big screen as a young Artie Bucco in the Sopranos prequel "The Many Saints of Newark."

Montano's mother Maria Montano tells Patch that Robert's family always knew performing—acting and singing—was his calling and that success for the teen was always a matter of when, not if.

"This is his first film, so it's definitely a big deal. He auditioned six times and it was very competitive."

Montano's journey to show business started early, his mother explains.

"We took him to a concert, and he came home asking for a piano. He taught himself to play."

Years later, he was accidentally signed up for the school musical in Centereach, and he never looked back. He quit baseball and threw himself into acting and singing. Maria Montano says the school supported him and an agent recognized his talent. Off-Broadway roles and then the Christmas Spectacular breakthrough followed.

Managing a full-time Broadway career with family and work life was not easy for the Montano family.

"It was a sacrifice. I quit my job as a school bus driver; we had to get an apartment in the city. We did whatever we could to afford it because we believed in him."

Robert's father took on a second job, working seven days a week, while Maria cleaned apartments in Manhattan while Robert practiced. He finished his high school degree via tutoring while working the three seasons in the city.

"My husband and I were not given these opportunities when we were young so whatever we could do we decided we would."

Robert is now a college student, looking forward to writing and performing his own music. His mom says he's open to pausing his studies for future major roles but that he's also dedicated to getting an education.

Seeing her son in the Sopranos franchise was a thrill for the whole family.

"We were such big fans of the show—we even had a finale party when it ended."

Another Long Island actor plays a young Sopranos character: Chase Vacnin, 19, from Merrick. landed the role of the young Jackie Aprile.

Maria was on set the whole time, and seeing how the movie was made first-hand "was an amazing experience."

And she's not too worried about the world of fame for her son.

"Growing up here on Long Island, I think, gave Robert the best of both worlds, access to opportunities in the city, but a solid foundation."