About the Project
Part comedy, part storytelling, and part existential crisis disguised as entertainment, In Development follows an artist’s journey through a collection of original characters who all seem to have life figured out until their creator realizes he may be the one searching for answers. What begins as a showcase of vivid personalities gradually becomes something far more personal.
A narcissistic sociopath convinced he’s a decent man. A blind composer who sees people more clearly than they see themselves. A lonely piano player struggling to hold onto a dream. Through humor, heartbreak, and unexpected moments of insight, these characters reveal more about their creator than he ever intended.
Funny, poignant, and deeply human, In Development explores ambition, identity, self-doubt, relationships, letting go, holding on, and the universal search for meaning in a life that’s still very much a work in progress. Featuring Gabriella Westwood, Marali Natalia, and Jaclyn Fleming, The show plays the Woman’s Club of Hollywood.
Brooklyn born and Jersey raised actor Johnny Cannizzaro has a career that spans television, film, and stage.
Cannizzaro made his feature film debut in Clint Eastwood’s Jersey Boys. He recently can be seen taking on legendary Jersey musician Stevie Van Zandt in 20th Century Studios’ Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere.
Cannizzaro is currently filming the independent horror feature Stegosaurus in the leading role of Oliver Glass, a lonely, substitute elementary school teacher who hides a dark secret in an effort to feel seen.
On television, he has most recently been seen in hit series on CBS, NBC, and ABC, including “Matlock,” “Quantum Leap,” “Criminal Minds: Evolution,” “New Amsterdam,” “NCIS: Hawai‘i,” “The Rookie,” and “S.W.A.T.,” as well as USA’s “Colony” and the Frank Darabont directed “Mob City” on TNT. Johnny just completled a stint on the upcoming Tulsa King spinoff Frisco King acting oppostie Samuel L. Jackson.
A writer as well, he is currently developing several television projects, all of which derived from his origial stage plays. Cannizzaro won a Best Actor Award at the 2024 Short & Sweet Festival. In film, he is currently developing a 1940’s noir comedy feature called “Tinseltown”, based on a short film he wrote and starred in.
In theater, Cannizzaro wrote and starred in a comedic stage play based on his original character “Jack Stevenson, a Decent Man,” which Lee Aronsohn directed in Los Angeles in 2018.
After working with Anthony Geary in a Los Angeles production of “Into the Woods,” he went on to shoot the short film “The Obituary” with him in 2016. Cannizzaro has since developed the short into a dramatic full-length feature script.
In addition to his 2024 Short & Sweet Festival Best Actor Award, accolades include being named Best Comedic Actor at the 2018 Collaboration Filmmaker’s Challenge. As a writer, he was awarded a year-long TalNexus writing Fellowship for his original short “Left at the Altar,” and his writing has been featured multiple times in the ABC/Disney Talent Showcase.
Cannizzaro’s personal life is equally as dynamic, filled with experiences that reflect his personality. He spent nearly two decades as the personal assistant to Milt Larsen, founder of the world-famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, and during his early years in Los Angeles, shared an apartment with 88-year-old John Hospers, the first Libertarian candidate for President of the United States.
A passionate advocate for animal rescue, he dedicates free time to fostering and finding homes for stray dogs in need. He also supports aphasia/alzheimers related causes as well as advocating for arts education. Cannizzaro splits his time between Los Angeles and New York.
Learn More at johnnycannizzaro.com
Production Team
