RI comedian-impressionist comes home

By DON FOWLER

When John Roarke started doing impressions of his teachers at La Salle Academy, little did he know that his shenanigans would lead to a 25-year career that would take him from his home town of Westerly to Boston, Hollywood, New York City and just about every nook and cranny in the United States.

He has appeared on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “Evening at the Improv” and “Columbo,” plus a number of network series and movies. He does a great President Bush, which is syndicated on Premiere Radio Networks to over 350 radio stations nationwide.

John is back in Rhode Island now, settling in Cranston, which he will make his home base for further bookings at corporate events, colleges, casinos and other venues where he can practice his craft and make people laugh.

“At age 55, I’ve played out my days in Hollywood,” Roarke said. “My family is here in Rhode Island, and I can easily get anywhere in the country from here.”

His first gig will be a payback to his alma mater, LaSalle, where he will perform two benefit shows for their scholarship fund on Sept. 21 and 22. Tickets are only $20 and can be ordered by calling 621-6123 or through www.arttixri.com (select John Roarke). He’ll also be recording a new videotape during the performances.

“I call it “100 Faces…100 Laughs, An Evening of John Roarke’s Lasting Impressions,” he said. “And my old friend, Charlie Hall will open the show.”

“My 100 characters are a mélange of Hollywood celebs and DC politicians. I combine stand-up with theatre, using a small table with a few props,” he said.

“The Brothers at La Salle actually encouraged my antics, which began as a classroom joke and turned into my career, which began in Boston before the city even had Comedy Clubs. I played gin joints and strip clubs. It was tough, and I got heckled incredibly.”

After two years at La Salle, John transferred to Boston College. After taking his licks in Boston, he moved to New York, where he was encouraged to come up with one hour of material.

“I didn’t realize how tough that was. I memorized the whole act, went on stage, and everything went blank. But I didn’t know the rules, so I couldn’t break them. I started doing college tours, so I had no chance to hang out with other comedians of my era. I went down the road not taken. I went from working at a 7-Eleven to making $2,000 a night.”

It was time for John Roarke to take his talent to California, where he became known, and wanted, for his particular brand of comedian-impressionist.

“You don’t do impressions unless you are going for the laughs,” he said. “You have to put a high entertainment value on what you are doing.”

Roarke has an impressive portfolio, filled with letters of endorsements from many large corporations.

“Corporate events have become a great resource,” he said. “They’re fun to do and pay well. I research the company and get some material on the executives and try to personalize it. I enjoy doing retirement communities. They enjoy contemporary comedy. And I’d love to pursue casinos. I may not be a big name, but my characters are.”

Roarke will also do a benefit in September for The Tomorrow Fund in Westerly.

“Cancer has touched my family, and I’d like to help in some way,” he said.

If you can’t catch John Roarke at LaSalle, chances are you’ll see him a bit more around his home state or at Green Airport, taking off for a performance somewhere in the country.