Monday, February 9, 2015

Spotlight On...Mike Lemme

Name: Mike Lemme

Hometown: Chicopee, MA

Education: BA in Communication Studies from Stonehill College

Favorite Credits: Audience Warm-Up for "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire", Intern for Jimmy Fallon and Conan O'Brien

Why theater?: A new challenge. Also, when I'm performing at a comedy club, it takes a little while to get an audience to be comfortable enough with me to get into more personal material about my family.

Tell us about Where I'm From: It's sort of a coming of age tale combined with a love story about New York. I've been living in New York for the last three years, and I feel like a completely different person than I was growing up in the suburbs. Maybe it's the city, maybe it's independence, this show is basically all about being a quiet kid in the suburbs and turning into a comedian in New York.

What inspired you to write Where I'm From?: I've been trying to find ways to talk openly about my past without making people uncomfortable. It's hard to get a second date with a woman after she asks you about your family and you reveal that your mom spent years in a mental hospital.

What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: Solo shows and come-up stories. I like anything that involves an underdog. Some of my favorite comedians are Chris Rock, Richard Pryor, and Christopher Titus. I'm inspired by seeing comedians performing every night in the city and watching them develop.

If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Eminem. I have no idea what we would work together on, but "8 Mile" changed my life.

What show have you recommended to your friends?: It's not a show, but once a month I find myself defending "Rocky V".

Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: I'd love to say Christian Bale, but it would probably be Michael Cera and it'd be called "A Charlie Brown Christmas 2"

If you could go back in time and see any play or musical you missed, what would it be?: A Raisin In The Sun with Puff Daddy.

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: "Rocky V"

If you weren’t working in theater, you would be _____?: Temping, like I do during the day.

What’s up next?: Maybe Edinburgh next year. I'd also really like to perform stand-up on a late night show.