By Jeffrey Allen Federowicz
For The Daily Item
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Comedian Bill Engvall is going to laugh at you — that is, if he ever spots you taking an unexpected stumble on the sidewalk.
He’ll give you a hand and make sure you’re all right, but he is still going to laugh in your face. Why? Because comedians have a twisted sense of humor.
“Never, ever ask a comedian what makes them laugh. Because usually it is very sick and very dark, but in general seeing people taken out of their safe little boxes makes me laugh,” said the blue-collar comic. “Like when someone trips over nothing in the sidewalk. I am embarrassed to say that I will laugh. I will help you up, but trust me I will laugh.”
Laughter — this time directed at Engvall’s comedy act — will fill The Community Arts Center Friday when the comedian takes to the stage for a return visit to the Susquehanna Valley.
Although the 53-year-old Engvall has been performing since the late 1980s, the Galveston, Texas, native’s career gained speed five years ago when he teamed up with fellow comedians Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy and the start of “Blue Collar Comedy”- inspired TV shows, tours and films.
“If I could be a professional baseball player, I would do it in a heartbeat. But since that ain’t gonna happen, I will just stay doing what I love. Comedy,” he said. “ Performing is performing no matter what your form of media is.
“Because I am a ham, it fits me to a glove.”
From 2007 to 2009, Engvall had the opportunity to ham it up on national TV with his own show, aptly named “The Bill Engvall Show,” in which he played therapist, Bill Pearson.
Engvall’s film credits include the redneck-themed “Bait Shop” and “Delta Farce” in which he plays the average guy next door, a role that fits him well both on screen and off.
“In real life, I am a super hero. I don’t like to tell people that because, well, you know,” he said. “Yeah, I am pretty much the same guy you see on TV and on stage. I don’t want to have to be constantly worried about which persona to be.”
And how would he describe his typical fan?
“Rich urban white girls! Oh wait, that’s Ricky Martin. My typical fan is the person you see at the mall, or in the coffee shop. Just good old Americans.” With a comedian of Engvall’s wit and caliber, good old American audiences should expect the unexpected.
“Show girls, elephants, clowns ... oh wait, that’s the circus. People can expect funny, clean and real-life comedy,” he said. “I am more of a story teller. I like to weave a whole 90-minute story and wander in and out of different topics.”
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iF YOU GO
What: Comedian Bill Engvall
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday Where: The Community Arts Center, 220 W. Fourth St., Williamsport
Tickets: $35, $45 and $50
Check him out: www.billengvall.com
For more information: Contact The Community Arts Center at (800) 432-9382 or visit www.caclive.com
