Show biz secrets from the sidelines

Millions of viewers tuned into the Grammy Awards last weekend. Some might have seen Larry Blum in the shadows. Then again, it’s possible no one noticed him.

Blum is a show business veteran and regularly works awards shows as a tuxedo-clad assistant to the impeccably-dressed women walking on stage.

“The first time I did it about 12 or 13 years ago, I called my mother and I said, ‘Did you see me? Did you see me?’ ‘No I was looking at the star.’”

Hence the title of his one-man stage show, Blink & You Might Miss Me, opening next Wednesday at River Rock Casino Resort as part of the annual Chutzpah! Festival.

“I just love being in the moment on a set, and being there around all the excitement of Hollywood. If I have a line or two, it’s great, because it’s more money, but I just love being on the set.”

Blum began his career in New York, dancing in a variety of stage productions—including playing Greg in the international production of A Chorus Line—before moving to Los Angeles and shifting his career to acting.

His credits in Hollywood are many and often go unnoticed—such as his current work today on Days of Our Lives and The Voice, in which he stands in for judge Blake Shelton.

His stories of backstage antics mounted, and last year he had written a 60-minute show to share them. He connected with director Stan Zimmerman and has already taken the production—complete with rare video clips, photos and costumes—to various stages in California.

Blum begins his show recounting his days as a child growing up in New York absorbing as much TV, film and theatre as he could. His father, who worked at the New York Times would bring home movie magazines to further his son’s show biz fever.

“I studied the TV Guide, I watched all the prime time ’50s and ’60s classic television and went to every movie. I just became so enlightened to the whole thing.”

Blum got a degree in elementary school education, but never used it. Instead he started knocking on doors in New York City to find a dance class that would take him in. Auditions followed, as did work in theatre.

His “very un-stereotypical” Jewish family supported his dreams, and Blum still feels lucky today to work in the business—even if his name isn’t on the marquee.

“Of course like everybody in the whole world I would have loved to become a star, but I’m OK. I’m a working actor, and I enjoy it so much,” he said.

“I’ve been actively doing this since ’75, and I still enjoy every little thing. I got to take Madonna to the stage when she won on the Golden Globes for best song this year. I’ve seen her in concerts and I’ve actually met her a couple of times, but to actually have her take my arm and look me in the eyes and say thank you, it’s like a dream come true.”

Blink & You Might Miss Me

•One-man show written and performed by Larry Blum

•Feb. 22 to 26 at River Rock Show Theatre, 8811 River Rd.

•Tickets, $16 to $26, at ticketmaster.ca or 1-855-985-5000

•Part of the Chutzpah! Festival (chutzpahfestival.com)