Sat. June 2

After 30 years, Barry Crimmins – left-wing satirist and comic - is calling it quits. At least regarding the stand-up part of his career. Crimmins – a former Bostonian who now lives in upstate New York - was part of the original gang of comics that emerged from the tiny Ding Ho back in 1979. He’s featured in the film of that era, “When Stand-up Stood out.” But after a Saturday June 2 performance at Jimmy Tingle’s Off-Broadway he’s exiting the stage. Why?
“Because I have other things to do than ride around America in circles for another 30 years,” he says. “It’s all the same place. It’s a strip mall. You go to somewhere with a parking lot. The travel has gotten old with this homeland security, too. Let’s face it, one day I’m gonna wig out on one of those guys. Not because I’m in favor of violence, but total morons can ruin your life now. With the Internet, I’m getting published in other places. I can get what I have to say to people more efficiently. I’m tired of being in public. I was never that comfortable with it. I love audiences and appreciate it, but (on stage) I have to recount a lot of what I’ve done. If I keep accumulating experience I’m never going to have time to recall and make sense of the others. Plus, there’s not a lot of people my age, 53, going out to nightclubs.
“But never say never. I’ll never stop lecturing. Come to my house I’ll lecture you. I don’t want to be associated with an industry associated with contests.  I want to comment more on the state of showbiz. If I remove myself from the running … A lot of it’s really stupid, and it’s become much more corporate and ridiculous.”
For the Tingle show – which Jim’s Big Ego will open – Crimmins says he’ll be on stage an hour. Seems short. “This isn’t a retrospective,” he says. “I’m not doing audio memories. I’m kind a jazz act. I go up with a bunch of ideas, and whatever riffs come out come out.”
As to the timing, Crimmins say, “I’m walking away with a hot hand in some ways, but in other ways I’m not. Since 2000 there’s an urge to censor any comment about a Democrat because it could lead to Bush again. I dislike a lot of Democratic candidates. I’ll be going after the corporate stuff, too. I’ll rail against the corporate media.”
His swan song is set for  7:30 p.m. Tickets: $25.

255 Elm St., Somerville, 617-591-1616 jtoffbroadway.com