By PAM SCHIFF

Larry Venturino is bringing his unique and (as he describes it) “My show is a little different,” comedy to his hometown on June 26.

Venturino spent his childhood in Cranston, growing up in the western half – off Phenix Avenue.

“I played CLCF basketball, hockey at Cranston Veterans Memorial Ice Rink and Cranston-Western Little League,” said Venturino.

Venturino went to Cranston Johnston Catholic Regional School from first to seventh grade and attended Western Hills Junior High before going to Bishop Hendricken and graduating in 1996. From there, he attended St. Leo University in Florida and has been a social worker for 22 years as well as a comedian.

An interesting side note about Larry is Venturino is not his given last name.

“Venturino is my stage name. It’s a family name. I wanted to use a name that was special to me and kept my personal life separate by not using my real last name. It was my grandfather’s name who is a hero of mine and I wear a hat onstage like he used to wear. It’s all homage to him,” Venturino said.

As for returning to his hometown, he is excited.

“I’ve performed in Rhode Island in the past, but to actually be performing in Cranston where I grew up, so many memories, and friends is very special to me. My life was so different obviously as I was growing up there and to return to the place that helped mold me into who I am today will be surreal – mostly because my comedy touches upon my life and family growing up. So, even though I’ve lived in Florida for a while now, Cranston is where a lot of my fondest memories were made,” he said.

His foray into comedy was not the usual path of the class clown or jokester.

“I started performing stand up comedy in my mid-30s, which may have been later than most. I always loved watching or going to comedy shows and wanted to try it. So, being in my mid-30s at the time I already had a lot of life experiences to take from. I had been a singer in three punk rock/hardcore bands, so I was used to being onstage and I love the challenge of writing and making people laugh from what I’ve created,” he said.

His biggest comedy influences have been “The Kids in the Hall,” Pee Wee Herman and stand up acts such as Steven Wright and Emo Philips.

“If you’re familiar with those acts, then you’ll see the influence they all had on me…sometimes dark…sometimes bizarre…but hopefully thoughtful throughout. My show is a little different, in my opinion, than the typical stand up show,” he said.

While in town, he has made plans already to visit several local iconic locations such as Del’s Lemonade, Iggy’s on Oakland Beach and Wein-O-Rama.

“Besides the obvious, I really love going there for breakfast actually and getting French toast or pancakes. It’s just a great spot that we all enjoyed growing up and hitting up as we visit Cranston. Down in Florida, I tell everyone about this place,” he said.

His only show in Cranston takes places at 7 p.m. on June 26 at the Comedy Park. For tickets, go to comedypark.com. Venturino will be joined onstage with Cranston legend John Perrotta and from Warwick and Bill Simas.