Lenny Clarke & Friends Make 'Em Laugh

BY Doreen Manning, WORCESTER MAGAZINE STAFF

When Worcester Police Officer Mark Bisnette was killed in a car accident on Jan. 2, he left behind his wife, Erin, and four young children ages 3 to 10. Now, Bisnette’s extended family – the Worcester Police force – has teamed up with comedian Lenny Clarke to present a light-hearted fundraiser for a heavy cause at the Hanover Theatre on Feb. 21.

To raise money for the Officer Mark D. Bisnette Memorial Foundation, which was created to help support the Bisnette family, Clarke is bringing some of the nation’s hottest comedians onto the Hanover stage with him, including Tony V, Kenny Rogerson, Paul D’Angelo, Patty Ross, Frank Santorelli (Georgie from The Sopranos), Brad Mastrangelo and Boston actor-comedian Steve Sweeney. The show is titled, appropriately, Lenny Clarke & Friends.

{mosimage|Clarke, a Cambridge native who is currently riding high with a recurring role on the FX series Rescue Me starring Worcester’s Denis Leary, says that stepping up to help the family of a police officer was a no-brainer. “When Denis was approached to do the show, but couldn’t attend because he was writing and producing the final season of Rescue Me, he gave me the day off to represent him, as an emissary so to speak,” says Clarke. “I’m a poor second – even though I think I’m even funnier than Denis.”

Clarke is no stranger to Worcester, having performed in the city early in his career. “The first time I ever went to a gay bar was in Worcester – I was playing a place called the Male Box. I didn’t even know it was a gay bar!” Clarke says. “I was like, where’s all the chicks?”

More recently, Clarke has participated in the Leary Firefighters fundraising efforts. “I hold Worcester near and dear to my heart. I love going up there and I’m really looking forward to this night of comedy,” he says.

For the Worcester police who are rallying behind the event, the night is about the family Bisnette has left behind. “The goal is to raise money for Mark’s wife and four small children and to meet their immediate needs,” says Worcester Sergeant Mark Sawyer, a long-time friend of Bisnette’s who gave the eulogy at his funeral. “We are [also] in the process of setting up a scholarship foundation in Mark’s name.”

“I never met the man, but you don’t have to know someone to help them out,” says Clarke, who hopes for a sell-out crowd. “The people of Worcester have dealt with a number of tragedies, and I know the economy is horrible, but Worcester always steps up to help, and I’m sure this night will be no different.”

Lenny Clarke & Friends, Feb. 21, 7 p.m. Full price tickets are $25, $35 and $50; $3-$4 discounts available for members, groups of 15 or more, corporate partners, kids, students, and WOO Card holders. 877-571-7469, thehanovertheatre.org.