He may not be the “Last Comic Standing,” but comedian Rocky LaPorte feels very lucky to be doing what he loves, and being pretty successful at it.
“I never thought I would be doing this for a living,” LaPorte said. “It’s kind of crazy.”
LaPorte, who made it to the top 5 on the NBC reality show this summer before being sent home July 31, will be part of this year’s TSIA (Third Saturday In August) Comedy Club which begins at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16 at the Renaissance Theatre.
Saturday’s show will be the 28th show put on by organizer Sam VanCura. “Janet, my wife, and I feel proud that we have made it 28 years with the show,” VanCura said. “It is the longest running show in town but most people have never heard the name TSIA Comedy Club.”
VanCura, who is president of Total Performance Inc., takes a lot of pride in providing a great comedy show each year, featuring up-and-coming comedians, many of whom go on to big things.
“We are particularly happy that we brought Jeff Foxworthy, Larry The Cable Guy and Ron White to town before they were big names,” VanCura said. “We work very hard to get the right comedians for the Mansfield audience,” VanCura said. “For each person we hire we probably review 50 comedians.”
Joining LaPorte on stage at this year’s TSIA will be Jamie Lissow and Brad Reeder. Lissow also appeared on a previous season of “Last Comic Standing” and is currently starring in a sitcom with “Saturday Night Live” alum Rob Schneider. Reeder is a regular at several Las Vegas venues and has opened for big names such as Jay Leno, Phyllis Diller and Jerry Seinfeld.
A Chicago native, LaPorte’s blue collar, under-stated brand of comedy has brought the comedian a loyal following of fans who have propelled his career to new heights. Prior to his Top 5 finish this season, LaPorte had been on three other seasons of “Last Comic Standing” but didn’t feel like the show was really about comedy at that point.
“I remember the first time, I lost to a stripper,” LaPorte said. “When I heard that Wanda Sykes was involved this time, I knew that I would have a fair shot this time and it swayed me to do it.”
LaPorte, like many comics, was the class clown. “I was a goof, always getting in trouble,” the comic said. “I didn’t know you could do it (comedy) for a living.”
“I was just driving truck and working on the docks, doing whatever I could to take care of my family,” the father of four said.
Fate intervened in February 1988 when a store manager on LaPorte’s delivery route suggested he try comedy. “It was truly a revelation,” LaPorte said of that moment.
He immediately started calling comedy clubs and bars with open mic nights. That Saturday night, he was in a club doing stand-up for the first time. By October, he had quit his day job. Before long, he had won several local comedy competitions and was on his way to spots on the hit NBC sitcom “Cheers” and appearances on “The Tonight Show.”
Although he didn’t win the title of “Last Comic Standing,” the 55-year-old is optimistic that the exposure will bring new opportunities for his career. “I’m happy. A lot of my friends have said that once you make it the top 5 it’s a big boost for your career,” LaPorte said. The comedian said he had already seen an increase in the number of people coming to see his shows because of his time on “Last Comic Standing.”
VanCura said the show has been so successful that they don’t see a need to make any changes, so regular attendees know what to expect each year: lots of laughing.
“Most of the time I hear from customers that they generate a lot of tears from laughing, sore cheeks and sore stomachs from laughing,” VanCura said. “It will be a much cleaner show than you will ever see in a regular comedy club but is still an adult show.”
Tickets for the TSIA show are $25 and are available by calling VanCura at 419-529-0099.
