Comedian Lenny Clarke and his “crazy train of comedy” make a stop at the Lampost in Oak Bluffs for one night only, this Sunday, July 5. “Crazy train” is a term late-night host Jimmy Fallon used to describe Mr. Clarke when they worked together on the 2005 movie “Fever Pitch.”
A Cambridge native and longtime New England headliner, Mr. Clarke will bring his distinctive, heavy Boston accent and over 30 years of comedic experience all the way from Chilmark, which he now calls home. It is rumored that he will work a few Vineyard jokes into his routine.
“I only leave so I can make money to live here,” he told The Times. He said he bought a house in Chilmark about 18 years ago because he wasn’t allowed on Lucy Vincent Beach. He said he knows he is still just a wash-ashore.
Mr. Clarke has appeared in more than two dozen films and almost as many television shows. He got his start during the heyday of Boston comedy in the early Eighties, befriending and working with comedians like Steven Wright and Denis Leary. He wrote and starred in a local TV show, Lenny’s Late Show. His most recent TV gigs have been as Uncle Teddy on Mr. Leary’s FX channel series, Rescue Me, and as Melvin Newman in NBC’s Are You There, Chelsea?, based loosely on a book by Chelsea Handler.
This weekend’s show at the Lampost came about after a coincidental run-in at Cronig’s. Jamie Hayes, co-owner of the Lampost, bumped into Mr. Clarke at the market not too long after Mr. Hayes and his wife were unable to get into one of Mr. Clarke’s sold-out Island shows last year. After Mr. Hayes related his disappointment, and mentioned he owned the Lampost, Mr. Clarke agreed to bring his act to the Circuit Avenue nightspot.
The show will also include the legendary Boston-based comedian Tony V. Mr. V started his standup comedy career in 1983. A mental health caseworker with a B.S. in psychology, his career was sidetracked when the comedy train smacked him, at full throttle, right between the eyes. His streetwise humor and genuine feel for the human condition quickly propelled him to headline status on the national comedy club circuit. Tony’s television credits include “Seinfeld,” “INK,” “The Single Guy,” “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” and “Rescue Me.”
Another one of Boston’s premier comedians, and host of NESN’s “Dirty Water TV,” Dave Russo, will also perform. As co-host of “Dirty Water TV,” Mr. Russo produces a regular comedy series in addition to reporting on the best of Boston nightlife. He has appeared on “The Today Show,” and was hand-selected by the producer of “Last Comic Standing” to perform on NESN’s Comedy All-Stars. Dave was recently featured on BostonGlobe.com’s “Boston, A Comedy Capital.”Mr. Clarke, who is subject to moviemaking schedule changes, also has plans for a Labor Day show.
Lenny Clarke and Friends, the “crazy train of comedy,” Sunday July 5, at the Lampost, Circuit Avenue, Oak Bluffs. Tickets are available at the Lampost; advance tickets are $30. Seating is general admission. Doors open at 7:15 pm for 8 pm show.