Musician and actor Stephen Costantino signed autographs and more last Saturday at “The Revenge” store at Delano’s Downtown Toys N Comics.
Store manager Miguel Vasquez said the Delano store opened on September 5 and “focuses on all things toys and comics.”
During the three-hour signing on December 5, “we had a pretty good turnout,” Vasquez said. “We had a good 40 people.” Costantino plays a Gamorrean Guard in the “Star Wars” movie “Return of the Jedi”.
Previously, at the store’s official opening on September 26, “the two women who play the Jawas in ‘The Mandalorian’ came out,” Vasquez said. “We had a bigger turnout because it was an all-day thing. The fans had more time to come, and we even had a costume contest.”
Vasquez said Saturday was more of a meet. “He brought some memorabilia to sign.”
Vasquez said he was born and raised in Delano. He hopes to have another signing or event in January.
“We want to keep the store fresh with a peak of interest,” he said. “The people at Delano really support him. We want to keep our customers happy and entertained.”
Store hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Wednesday. The boutique will be open Thursday through Sunday from 11 am to 8 pm “until Christmas for your shopping pleasure,” Vasquez said. “We are very happy to be here and to be a part of the Delano community, hopefully for a long time.”
For more information about the store, call 661-454-6801. Downtown Toys N Comics also has a location in Bakersfield.
Stephen Costantino, from Hoboken, NJ, developed a passion for music at a young age, when he first stood out for playing guitar, singing and writing songs. It is a model that has continued to this day.
Soon after moving to California in 1978, Stephen began studying martial arts in Los Angeles with Hugh Van Patten, who introduced him to another young musician in one of his classes, Corey Dee Williams, Jr. by actor and painter Billy Dee Williams. They immediately hit it off and create a group they call Incognito.
Later, he would reincarnate in Atmosphere. When Billy Dee was prepping his character Lando Calrissian for the movie “Return of the Jedi”, he asked Corey to be his replacement when the filming company traveled to Yuma, Arizona.
Stephen was invited to come over so that he and Corey could continue playing and writing music. Shortly after, Stephen was recruited for a role in the film; he was to play as a Gamorrean Guard in the service of Jabba the Hut fighting Luke Skywalker to defend his despicable master.
His musical career includes playing the guitar in sessions with Crazy Town, New Edition, Bel Biv Devoe and the Black Eyed Peas. He also worked with resident music producer Brett “Epic” Mazur at Scotti Brothers Records.
