Jimmy Carrane hails from Kenilworth and today lives in Evanston. He is set to perform his autobiographical one-person show detailing his experiences of becoming a father at age 52 at Judy’s Beat Lounge at The Second City in Chicago starting June 15. The show is scheduled to run on Saturdays through July 20.
Q: What was the inspiration for this show?
A: It is the story of becoming a first-time dad at the age of 52 in the same year that my dad who was in his 80s, died. After my dad died, I did a lot of reflecting and I started to write stories about it and did a lot of storytelling shows around the city and I got good responses and people said I think there is a show here.
Q: You had your first child at 52. How has that experience changed you?
A: As a parent I got it all wrong. I thought I was the one who had to provide the unconditional love. When I had a kid, I was in shock for about four to five months and that is when I realized my daughter was giving me unconditional love and as a dad all I had to do was show up and be a presence in her life and that I can take in her unconditional love, and give it back to her.
Q: Is it ever awkward being around fathers who are much younger and how do you work around it?
A: Yes, all the time. I feel like I am the grandpa. I wear cool clothes, sometimes I carry a skateboard around with me and sometimes that works. I’m kidding there, but I usually say in public to (my daughter) Betsy, come over here to Daddy, so people know I am not the grandfather.
Q: What do you enjoy about teaching improv?
When I was 18 and I graduated from New Trier I didn’t go away to college and if you are from the North Shore and you don’t go to college, you are wearing a scarlet “A,” which is a reference to a book I didn’t read in high school. I didn’t feel like I belonged. When I took my first improv class when I was 19 I felt like I could express myself. In improv, to see other people express themselves not only on stage, but in their life, that is one of the most rewarding things.
Q: Besides being entertained, what do you hope people get out of the show?
A: Having a child even at 52, I wasn’t ready. My experience was I didn’t fall in love with my child immediately and that is OK. Also, you don’t have to be perfect to be a good dad. All you have to is show up and be involved in their lives.
