Theresa Scotto is breaking out of the family business.
Scotto, whose husband, cookbook-author Anthony, runs the family-owned Fresco by Scotto restaurant in Midtown — as well as a location in Yankee Stadium and a third spot, Fresco-to-Go — has co-founded Pop Star Parties with James Petrie and Ali Theodore.
The novel concept transforms kids, and grown-ups, into rock stars by hosting birthday bashes in a working recording studio.
DeeTown Studios is a 9000-square-foot recording studio and music production facility that has produced music for artists including the Jonas Brothers, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey and Miley Cyrus.
The Gramercy Park studio, owned by Theodore, is busy during the week but closes on weekends. Theodore knew someone who wanted to host a birthday party for her daughter in the studio, and hence the idea was born.
Scotto, herself the mother of a 13-year-old girl who loves to sing, became the party planner and kicked the idea up a notch.
“Originally, the idea was to have quick, informal parties, but being married to Anthony, with the restaurant and cooking all around me, I thought about all the things I would want to do for a party and we decided to really do it right,” she said.
“There really isn’t anything like this in the city,” Scotto added. “The allure of being here, at a real recording studio, that in itself is just a cool thing.”
Scotto believes the concept will work for several age groups — from 7-year-olds “old enough to read the songs” to adults throwing bachelorette or birthday parties.
The recording studio holds 26 people, while the entire space accommodates around 150.