Comedian

down. I pick on myself, not other people. My comedy can be Rrated, but I can go either way. I was in Florida for three or four years, and I learned to clean it up for Bible Belt audiences.”

Luther, who has a sister and two brothers, describes himself as “a goofy kid” who wasn’t always aware “of how funny people thought I was” during his years at Ridge Park Elementary School, Colonial Middle School and the former Bishop Kenrick High School.

“I always liked comedy … really, all my life,” he says. “Everybody always told me I was funny, even when I wasn’t really trying to be funny or make people laugh. They just said it was the way I told stories about stuff I got myself into … that kind of thing … which all kind of came naturally. I never had to ‘work’ at it.

“So it was kind of always in the back of my mind, I guess, that I was funny. Then, my dad was dying of cancer, and, eventually, my mom — she had Alzheimer’s — passed away, and that was all really (stressful), and I found that doing open mics at places like the old General Lafayette Inn in Lafayette Hill or Chaplin’s in Spring City was kind of like therapy for me. I don’t do open mics anymore, but they were good practice.” Practice that paid off … “Little by little, I started doing shows for money … working with people from the Howard Stern show and ‘SNL’ … doing the bar circuits … stuff where they had a $5 or $10 cover for the evening … and places like the Sellersville Theater … the Colonial in Phoenixville,” Luther says. “I’ve been doing (comedy) seriously for about 10 years now … maybe doing something locally at the Whitpain Tavern, then going up to New York to do a late show somewhere … in the Poconos. Down in Florida … on the beach in the Panama City area until my mom passed. Wherever the jobs are.

“I loved Florida … sleeping on the beach after (a performance). Staring up at the meteorites in the sky. You just feel so free. At one time, I wanted to live in Alaska. I’d read ‘Into the Wild,’ and everything in that book — living life so simply, fishing, hiking, which I love — really appealed.”

Following his 1990 BKHS graduation, Luther worked a number of local office jobs before ditching the 9-to-5 routine for a part-time position at Capone’s Bottle Shop in East Norriton. That “pays the rent” and gives him “an extended family,” he says.

He credits his therapist for helping him make the transition “from corporate to comedy.”

“I don’t hide my illness,” Luther says. “I battle from depression, and talking to my doctor, he said, maybe you should concentrate on doing comedy if that makes you happy. He was right, too. I get up on stage, and I feel free.

“After I decided to really give it a go, I moved to southwest Philly and started to make some [connections]. I met Bob Levy from the Howard Stern show, and he hired me to be a booker and a comedian. He’s a good guy … really talented, too. He became a major influence and a good friend … who opened doors for me in New York.”

Luther, now in his mid-40s, gradually started booking gigs for other comedians, hosting shows and “doing a lot of benefits.” He rides his bike “a lot” — the to-andfrom trek from his East Falls apartment to Capone’s, alone, gives him think time to spare — all told, at least 100 miles a week.

“Andy Capone, who owns Capone’s, looks at me and says, ‘You live on almost nothing … how is it that you’re so contented?” Luther says. “To be honest, I’m so much happier than I used to be, so I might not have much, but getting into comedy was definitely the right move for me.”

Luther’s Jan. 25 appearance at Taphouse 23, 266 E. Fourth St., Bridgeport, will feature comedians Bob DiBuono, Jen Remauro and Simply dee. The show starts at 9 p.m. ($15 cover). Information: 610-277-2323.

His Jan. 26 appearance at Imperial’s Catering, 40 E. First Ave., Trappe, will feature Rev. Bob Levy, Jen Remauro and John Kensil. The doors open at 7 p.m., with dinner at 7:30 p.m. and the show at 8:30 p.m. ($40). Information: 610-724-0401.