The On the Rocks documentary follows the rise, fall, and revival of Primadonna —the beloved Pittsburgh restaurant run by Joseph Costanzo Jr. at the center of Maria C. Palmer and Ruthie Robbins bestselling book. In this interview, they reveal how a chance radio encounter with director Ryan Rust (Venture Road Productions) led to cameras rolling, why Pittsburgh’s steel-mill soundstages and gritty streets double as cinematic gold, and how archival gems—like a former server’s vintage kitchen footage and classic commercials—anchor the film’s heart.

You’ll hear candid insights on funding, festivals, and translating hospitality to screen; how chef cousin Pino’s pasta-tossing energy shapes reenactments; and why service, storytelling, and community still matter. Expect hard-won advice for authors going from page to production, event playbooks from a 500-guest launch at the Heinz History Center, and the fun-loving spirit (yes, free zucchini) that made Primadonna a legend. #documentary #restaurantdocumentary #MariaCPalmer #JosephCostanzoJr #Pittsburghfilm

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