Morning routine: Mark Sam Rosenthal

Mark Sam Rosenthal, comedian and self-declared celebrity, will be performing his one-man act at the New York International Fringe Festival. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door.

Q: How does your morning get started?

A: My morning routine is that I snooze for about an hour, and I cuddle with the cat. I make my bed and kneel at my windowsill and have my prayer, put on the coffee.

Q: Are you the "must-have-coffee" type of guy?

A: I wouldn't think anybody will want to come across me in a dark alley when I'm without my cup of coffee. I make my own coffee.

Q: Do you use your phone as an alarm clock?

A: I have an alarm clock for two reasons. I don't want to be woken up by anyone dying in the middle of the night. Secondly, I need my NPR, or I would actually have to read the news.

Q: What is your favorite breakfast food?

A: Whole wheat, bacon, eggs and swiss from the deli around the corner. I eat cereal, but only at night. Never in the morning.

Q: When brushing your teeth, do you practice comedy in front of the bathroom mirror?

A: When I'm in front of the mirror, I never practice anything besides looking at myself in the mirror. That takes all my attention.

Q: How long does it take for you to get dressed?

A: Far too long for a man. I generally go back and forth between shirts for about 10 minutes until I find the perfect shade. Of course, I only have four shirts.

Q: When you get up, what is the first thing that crosses your mind?

A: I usually become depressed. A dark cloud of foreboding. I get up at 8 a.m. I try to wake up before 9, before NPR switches to BBC.

Q: Your autobiography is titled "I Light Up My Life." Is there anything else that lights up your life?

A: Absolutely nothing. Just me. Although I do like cheese grits.

Q: Where did you get your sense of humor ? Where do you draw inspiration?

A: I think it's divine. I also think my grandmother is hilarious.