Steve Kramer was a few minutes late for an interview last week at the Fitzgerald Theatre, but once he arrived, the former Wallets frontman made his presence immediately known with a nonstop monologue.
Kramer's giddy and effusive demeanor perfectly fit the reason we were all assembled: to talk about "Mirth and Mischief." On Friday, Kramer will be onstage playing music for the first time in 19 years. He created "Mirth and Mischief" with Kevin Kling, who quickly became Kramer's foil as visitors gathered on the Fitzgerald stage.
"I have two comments and a question," Kramer announced.
What's the question?
"Is it pronounced poinsett-a or poinsett-ia? I've always wondered that. You know what they say about poinsett-ias. They're the Robert Goulet of the flower world because they're so ubiquitous at Christmas."
Kramer then pulled a butterscotch candy from his pocket and unwrapped it.
"These things are the greatest," he said with the profound conviction of a salesman. "They're like an entire meal."
He popped the candy into his mouth and darted around the stage to find something mirthful and mischievous to wear for a photo shoot.