Getting to know Larry Miller

On Saturday September 24th at the Silver Center, legendary actor/ comedian Larry Miller with be grac- ing Plymouth State students with his presence and comedic talents. The actor, whose abilities students have probably seen in films like "Best In Show," "A Mighty Wind," and "10 Things I Hate About You", in addi- tion to several television appearances, will be coming fresh off of a taping of the David Letterman show when he brings his one man show, "Cocktails With Larry Miller", to PSU. In preparation for his campus appearance, Miller took time out of his busy schedule, which includes a weekly podcast as well as his comedy show and ongoing film engagements, to speak with The Clock about life in the business. We caught up with Larry while on his way to Disney studios for a taping of the TV Show "Shake It Up." Larry had a lot to say about his 20 odd years in the business and the things he's learned along the way. He's an engaging conversationalist; as quick witted and clever on the phone as you would imagine he would be from his characters. When asked how he comes to be offered certain roles, Larry offered: "Show business has many different parts to it, and if you just keep your head on straight, you might not end up where you thought you would when you were 7 years old when you thought ‘Maybe I'll be Tom Hanks, or Tom Cruise, or even Penelope Cruz', but you know what? If you love it; and I do, and you're made for it, and I am, jobs will come to you because people will get to know you."

Larry went to great lengths to explain that his one man show is not stand up comedy, but more of a variety show where he incor- porates several elements of live comedy. For instance, the addition of a little piano play- ing peppered amongst his jokes has spiced up Larry's show a little bit, and it turns out it was included after a suggestion by his mother. "I was a music major in school, and my mom had always said to me, ‘why don't you bring music into your act?' And you know what? I finally have.And that's what's different aboutthis one-man show. I love standup, it's a very pure art form, buta one-man show uses so manythings I love doing. The writ-ing is more textural because it'stheater. It's a different kind ofperforming, and so the writingis different."

Despite all the negative connotations with life in the limelight, Larry Miller is well adjusted and realistic about the prospects of life when people know who you are. "My wife and I may be the only parents in America who would love it if their kids got into show business. Parents come up to me at show sand they say ‘My kid, wants to act, what should I do?' and I say ‘Wonderful! What could be better?' Do you want your kid to work for ETNA, would that be better? So he can get fired at 41 because he's so good at it? Or would you like him to bust his butt for 17 years to be a surgeon and end up not wanting to? What if he's home some night and he turns on the TV and says ‘That's what I wanted to do. It doesn't mean he's gonna be a star, but he could open a theater. There are many things to do in the world of story telling."

Students in attendance at "Cocktails withLarry Miller" are surely in for a treat, tosay the least. The show starts at 8:30, andstudent tickets range from $25-$35.