A Night of 1,000 Laughs

A Night of 1,000 Laughs with Lenny Clarke, Jim Lauletta & Artie Januario, Friday night May 20 to help raise money for July 4, 2011 Cost

Acclaimed stand-up comic and network TV actor Lenny Clarke hits the stage Friday night May 20 at Memorial Hall in Plymouth, for a Rated R comedy “Night of 1,000 Laughs” with friends Artie Januario and Jim Lauletta to help raise money for Plymouth’s annual July 4 celebration.

“We are thrilled Lenny agreed to help us fundraise for the Town’s annual event,” Kim McDonough of Joyfly, Buzz PR Marketing said.

Between playing Uncle Teddy in the FX Drama “Rescue Me,” his comedy tours with Denis Leary and being freshly cast as Chelsea Handler’s father in the upcoming NBC television sitcom “Hey Vodka It’s Me, Chelsea,” to say he is 'busy' is an understatement.”

Last year McDonough, whose forte is managing essential details of product development for a wide range of clients and social network marketing, and Paul Duffley, owner of ESP Sound Systems, began discussing the possibility of producing a fundraiser at Memorial Hall when they met online in the July 4 Plymouth Facebook group.  Duffley, who works all over New England running professional sound for large corporations and bands, is friendly with Clarke’s manager.  While McDonough coordinated hosting the event with Joe Goldberg at Memorial Hall and sketched out event details, Duffley arranged the conversation that would confirm the May 20 show date.

"We have to keep ticket prices attractive enough to fundraise in a struggling economy, so it is simply illogical to think this show will pay the $100,000 price tag associated with producing July 4’s parade and fireworks. Nevertheless, if we pack the house, we have the potential to generate a healthy donation to the Town of Plymouth that in turn, could help ease some of the July 4 Plymouth Committee’s burden to pay for any Town related services," McDonough said.

Like everything in life, there are costs associated with producing these events, and history shows packing Memorial Hall is a challenge.  McDonough hopes enough businesses will get involved to help cover costs for the May 20 show, and collaborating with media outlets should generate enough publicity to create a sellout.

“LuckyStar Productions and PACTV have pledged media support and will help fulfill the marketing strategy. Lenny also agreed to host a radio tour as we move closer to the show date. DJs will give away a very limited number of tickets,” she said

McDonough worked with Joe Goldberg to devise a 20 percent cash back incentive for non-profits who receive credit for at least $1,250 in any combination of ticket sales. There is no risk involved, and it is a great opportunity for groups looking to raise some fast cash. All non-profits have to do is qualify for a unique promotion code, and then get busy encouraging everyone they know to enter that code when purchasing their tickets. As added incentive, the non-profit with the most credited ticket sales over $1,250 will win an additional $250 for their organization.

“July 4 is a celebration of our freedoms, and to me, a way to show community spirit through sharing of our collective hometown values.  If we can help neighboring organizations who positively affect people’s lives by sharing a percentage of ticket sales for helping us pack the house at a fundraiser that benefits the entire community, we're okay with that,” said McDonough.

A Rated R night of comedy, Lenny and his crew will hit the stage at 8 p.m. and ticket prices range from $20 to $125. The first 75 people to purchase floor tickets for $125 each will come to a pre-show reception party upstairs in the Blue Room at 6:30 p.m., where they will enjoy music, a complimentary drink, and appetizers before Lenny arrives at 7:15 to sign posters and take pictures.

For more information on the show, search for and join "July 4 Plymouth" on Facebook and read the discussion boards. Tickets are available at www.memorialhall.com or by calling 508-747-1622.

Businesses interested in sponsorship opportunities, to obtain non-profit cash back participation forms and volunteers willing to help with the event should contact Kim McDonough at 508-631-5150 or by emailing joyfly.007@gmail.com.