Raucous, irreverent and funny Lenny coming to ROH

Lenny Clarke (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - Lenny Clarke was one of the most famous "saloon comics" in the heyday of the Boston comedy scene and has traveled the world as a standup.

His gifted comedic abilities captured the attention of the legendary Rodney Dangerfield who gave him his first big break on television, casting him on the 1988 HBO special "Nothin' Goes Right." He and Dangerfield also worked together years later on Dangerfield's movie, "Meet Wally Sparks."

After years of hard work, Clarke was "discovered" at the Montreal Comedy Festival. CBS gave him his own TV series, the eponymous "Lenny" which ran for 18 episodes. His other TV work includes four-plus years on "The John Larroquette Show" as Officer Adam Hampton and his 2004-2011 recurring role as Uncle Teddy on the FX comedy-drama series "Rescue Me," as well as many guest appearances. Films include "Me, Myself, and Irene," "Rounders," "There's Something about Mary," "Two if by Sea," "Southie," and "Massholes".

With his material and his perspective in an old-school Don Rickles vein, his attitude is very much that of a quick-witted young comic. This contrast comes in a conversational, deceptively genial delivery, with just brief moments of clowning. Clarke is unpredictable in a very good way--you don't know where he's going to go next!

Tickets: $35 (Premium) and $30. Reserve tickets online or call/stop by the box office (603) 335-1992, W/F from 12-5pm and 1-hour before the show. Cash Bar. Under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult. This show is sponsored by Waste Management, TD Bank North, Eastern Propane. The Rochester Opera House is located in City Hall, 31 Wakefield Street, Rochester NH. Visit www.RochesterOperaHouse.com for more information.