By:Susan Lin
Besides being a New York City fireman and a stand-up comic, John Larocchia finds the time to also be nice. To raise money for the families of the firemen in his station who died in the Trade Center attacks, Larocchia is hosting a comedian showcase Sunday at Governor's Comedy Cabaret and Restaurant in Levittown.
Tickets are $25, but free for children and spouses, 21 and over, who lost someone in the recent attacks. In addition to Larocchia, six other comedians will donate their time to perform Sunday. So far the roster includes Governor's regulars Joe Starr and Laurie Kilmartin; the others are TBA.
All the money from the tickets go directly to the families of the late firefighters. Larocchia's Maspeth-based firehouse lost 18 of its 45 firemen.
Although he's performing for a good cause, Larocchia said he hopes the comedy show will also give many a break from the tragedic events. "The wives need a night out. The families need a night out. The guys need a night out, to take their minds off things for a night, maybe get a smile," said Larocchia, who is 42.
Before beginning his regular routine, Larocchia plans spend a few minutes "very tactfully" blending comedy and his experiences at the firehouse after Sept. 11. "I talk about how wonderful people have been and how everyone has been dropping off food at the firehouse.
"Then on the fourth or fifth day, you're getting baked ziti every night, and you're getting a little picky. You're asking people, 'Thank you but can you bring chicken next time?' And to those who aren't cooking, you say, 'How about a roast?,'" said Larocchia.
Larocchia got started in stand-up comedy 12 years ago, and has been a fireman for three years more than that. He says his passion is in comedy, but is reluctant leave his more financially steady job as a firefighter.
"I got 15 years as a fireman. Five more years and I have a full pension. ... I can't leave unless I got some kind of big offer, like a sit-com or talk show," he said.
For now, that means Larocchia has two careers. In between his shifts at the firehouse, before Sept. 11, Larocchia would perform about three or four times a week. He appeared mostly in comedy "showcases," which are a step above open-mike nites but not as big as "headlining" a show, as the parlance goes.
"Showcased nights are like work-out nights for professional comedians. They do them between gigs to try out new material, or just to keep in the flow," Larocchia said, who performs for about 12 minutes in a showcase.
While the same may not be true for the other comedians in the benefit, Larocchia says he is a clean act. For one thing, he doesn't curse a lot as many comedians do. "I may use 'ass' once or twice but that's as hard as I get. In fact, when I get a really young audience I worry because usually they want stuff a little harder," said Larocchia.
Larocchia lives in Bellmore with wife, Paula, a registered nurse and a lactation consultant. He has three children, John Vincent, 16; Olivia Lynn, 13 months; and Christina Marie, 8. "I'm just a regular family-type guy with silly, funny stuff," said Larocchia.
At a Glance
Comedian John Larocchia
7 & 9:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4
Governor's Comedy Cabaret and Restaurant
90 Division Ave., Levittown
(516) 731-3358
$25.
(Families of Sept. 11 victims: e-mail Larocchia at lar6622@aol.com for free tickets)
