Rocky Hits Hard With Laughter at Sumter Opera House

Sumter, S.C. –Rocky LaPorte is one of those people you see and might ask yourself: Where do I know him from? He looks so familiar.

The answer could be you saw him on Showtime’s “The Godfathers of Comedy,” Season 8 of NBC’s “Last Comic Standing,” or perhaps you saw him on the silver screen in one of Tim Allen’s movies Crazy on the Outside or The Shaggy Dog.

The former Chicago truck driver and dock worker also traveled with Drew Carey to Iraq to entertain the troops on the Showtime special “Patriot Act: A Jeffrey Ross Home Movie.”

Want more? LaPorte also performed on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” A&E’s “Evening at the Improv” and VH1’s “Standup Spotlight.” He made several appearances on “Cheers” and even garnered his own NBC pilot called the “Rocky LaPorte Show.” He has opened for many headliners including Garry Shandling, Louie Anderson, Drew Carey, Tim Allen, Hootie and the Blowfish, the Righteous Brothers and others.

With trademark Brooklyn accent and his clean, blue-collar comedy, LaPorte’s legion of fans continues to grow with each show. He keeps audiences laughing with his perfectly timed punchline delivery and knack for “working the audience” much to the delight of those in attendance.

One thing that sets LaPorte apart for many performers is his volunteer work. His charities include NFL Charities, homeless shelters, cancer research and various police and fire department fundraisers.

Although LaPorte already sports a résumé that is surely the envy of many of his peers, his acclaim and demand continue to grow each day.  And his show at Sumter will be a rare tour stop in the Southeast.

“We are fortunate to have someone of Mr. LaPorte’s stature coming to Sumter,” said Cultural Manager Seth Reimer. “He is in constant demand nationally and I’m excited that we were able to make it possible for him to come here. I’m sure we will be trying to get a return show once he performs.”

You’ll want to catch him while you still can. His popularity is growing and this could possibly be the only time he will perform locally. And the next time you see him on television or in a movie, you can answer your question with, “Oh yes, I saw him at the Sumter Opera House!”

IF YOU GO:

What: Sumter Opera House presents Comedian Rocky LaPorte

When: 7:30 p.m. on January 23 (Saturday)

Where: Sumter Opera House, 21 North Main Street, Sumter SC 29150

Cost: $28 / $25 / $20

Info: 803-436-2616 or www.SumterOperaHouse.com

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