10 on Tuesday with...Bill Larkin

Chicago funny man Bill Larkin has earned well-deserved praise in such hits as THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE and A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM. He opens this week as Max Bialystock in Mercury's production of THE PRODUCERS and sat down for a rapid-fire round of 10 on Tuesday.

1) Show you first auditioned for (and did you get the part)? A production of PINOCCHIO in our elementary school. I was cast as Toy Soldier #2. My twin brother, Jim, got the role of Pinocchio. I'm still a bit jealous to this day.

2) Where are you originally from? Bedford, Massachusetts

3) Currently appearing in? THE PRODUCERS at the Mercury Theater, slated to run until June 26th.

4) What's your dream role/production? Any role in AVENUE Q because I'd love to puppeteer or in COMPANY just because I love the show. My first dream role was Seymour in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. It never came to be. Then many years went by and they'd have me come in and read for the Dentist instead. A few months ago, I had my first Mushnik audition. I'm getting older.

5) Favorite post-performance haunt? Bed. (See: "getting older")

6) Living or dead, who would you drop everything to see perform? Victor Borge, Tom Lehrer, Allan Sherman, Stan Freberg, Ray Jessel....you get the idea.

7) Who's your biggest inspiration? There are many but first and foremost are my parents. They have always faced life's obstacles with patience and grace and I hope some of that has rubbed off on me. They fly out here from Massachusetts to see every production I take part in. This month, they celebrated their 52rd wedding anniversary.

8) Describe the Chicago community in three words: Passionate, reverberant, coffee

9) Fill in the blank: "If I could change one thing about theatre in Chicago, it would be ... " I'd personally like to see more cabarets/piano bars in the city where those in the theatre community could meet up together, socialize, hone their craft, or just have a good time. There are already a few wonderful venues like that in Chicago but I'd like to see even more.

10) Fill in the blank: "The thing I'd never change about theatre in Chicago is..." The camaraderie. Every production brings a new group of talented and cordial friends into my life, which is always great for a somewhat shy guy like me. You become a part of this wonderful community, which continues to expand with each new endeavor.

Larkin appears in THE PRODUCERS through June 26th at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport. Tickets $30=$65. Call 773.325.1700. www.MercuryTheaterChicago.com.