Thank You for Coming to Hattiesburg: One Comedian’s Tour of Not-Quite-the-Biggest Cities in the World

With this charming, sardonic debut, stand-up comedian and actor Barry makes readers laugh as hard as the audiences at his shows. The book recounts his comedy tour in secondary markets such as Oklahoma City; Iowa City; Tucson, Ariz.; and Syracuse, N.Y. What could have easily been a rote recitation of “flew into town, checked in, got coffee, did show” turns out to be anything but. Barry charmingly relates the day-to-day life of a comic on the road with his signature dry, laconic style of humor, showing genuine affection for the cities he visits and the audiences he encounters. Barry is continuously entertaining as he relates anecdotes such as visiting a bar owned and operated by the shock rock band Gwar in Richmond, Va.; dealing with inept promoters; and getting a police escort after a large show at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, N.Y. Barry deftly uses stories about a lack of toilet paper in the green room and hotel rooms with inoperative shades to play to his strengths, using deadpan commentary to sarcastically overstate his fame. Fans of Barry’s stand-up are sure to appreciate this tale of the comedian’s life in the smaller cities. B&w photos. [em](Mar.) [/em]