You’d think that there would be nothing funny about becoming a first-time dad at age 52 but you’d be wrong.
Evanston improviser, actor, storyteller, and comic Jimmy Carrane shares the funny and serious aspects of taking on the dad role at an advanced age, plus a whole lot more, in his frank one-person show, “World’s Greatest Dad(?)”
“I was 52 when I had my daughter and the same year my dad was dying,” Carrane said. “There was so much material there.”
In the show, Carrane talks about his early career in improv in the 1990s, and how many people that he worked with became famous, including Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Andy Dick. The fact that he didn’t achieve what those others had did a number on his self-image. That’s why he began therapy in his early 40s. 10 years into his therapy, his therapist suggested a baby would bring him joy. Following the therapist’s advice led to his adventure in late fatherhood in 2016.
Carrane talks openly about his therapy treatment and the fact that his father, a lawyer and real estate developer, spent 33 months in federal prison for embezzlement — something previously unheard of in Kenilworth, where Carrane was raised.
He admitted that sharing such personal events was hard but felt by doing the show, he became closer to his father.
“I can see the good stuff that my dad’s given me over the years,” he said. “He taught me good manners and his love of Chicago. My dad could be really funny and playful. Doing this show, I get to appreciate him more than I did when he was alive.”
Carrane also shares what would seem to be a very embarrassing memory — a confrontation with his family at his father’s funeral that escalated to the point that the Winnetka Police were called to the church.
“It’s such a great story,” Carrane explained. “Anytime I told it before I was onstage, people would say, ‘That should be in the movies.'”
“I’ve always loved telling stories,” Carrane noted. “I especially love telling on myself, admitting the faults that I have. I find it to be very cathartic and humorous. I don’t take myself too seriously and I can laugh about myself.”
He has had his chance to reveal those perceived flaws with other acclaimed one-person shows, “I’m 27, I still Live at Home, and I sell Office Supplies,” ran for more than a year-and-a-half at the Annoyance Theatre, starting in 1991. His other one-person shows included “Since We Last Talked,” “Dog Tales” and “Living in a Dwarf’s House.” He previously performed “World’s Greatest Dad(?)” at the Second City’s Training Center in 2019, the Elgin Fringe Festival and the Solo Sunday storytelling series.
Carrane’s daughter will be seven in July. He said that their relationship is great but now she’s at that age where she’s getting a little embarrassed of her old man.
He spoke about having driven her to soccer a few days earlier, saying, “She didn’t want me to go because I’m too funny and I do funny voices.”
Carrane’s relationship wasn’t as close with his own father.
“I was one of five kids. He was working all the time so he didn’t pay attention to me as I was growing up,” he recalled and explaining this impacts his relationship with his own child. “I want to be around for her more and be a part of her life that I didn’t get when I was growing up.”
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Carrane emphasized that even though “World’s Greatest Dad(?)” covers some traumatic experiences, it’s a very funny show.
“Making people laugh is the greatest feeling in the world,” he concluded. “Making my daughter laugh is even greater.”
Performances are 7:30 p.m. June 16 and 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. June 17 at The Laughing Academy, 3220 Glenview Road in Glenview. Tickets are $25. For reservations, call 847-724-2787 or visit thelaughingacademy.com/shows.
Myrna Petlicki is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.