Steubenville man plays Mark Twain

Steubenville native John Barilla is portraying the iconic character Mark Twain in a new production of “A Shift of Opinion,” being performed at the Theater For the New City in New York City. The show will run through Sunday. Barilla is a singer, actor and voice-over artist who has performed in New York for more than 50 years. His passion for theater led him to perform as the Tin Man in “The Wizard of Oz,” in more than 100 performances. He has served in stage productions, music venues and on television. He is a consummate storyteller who connects with his audiences, often incorporating personal narratives into his performances, making his artistry relatable and inspiring. He is a member of the Actors’ Equity Association, Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. Barilla grew up in Steubenville, attended Holy Rosary School, is a 1966 graduate of Catholic Central High School and graduated from Kent State University. He is the cousin of Mayor Jerry Barilla.
— Contributed