Pierce’S Comedy World Filled With Fans, Laughs

Thu., May 25, 2000

By Jim Kershner jimkershner@comcast.net

Chonda Pierce is the biggest draw in the evangelical comedy world, which is probably not the biggest of comedy worlds.

But she is also one of the biggest draws in the comedy world, period. For evidence, check out the ticket sales for her appearances this week at the 2,600-seat Spokane Opera House.

Pierce completely sold out tonight’s show and has added a second show, Friday at 7 p.m. Few comedians this side of Bill Cosby could pull off that feat.

And this comes only a month after her performance at the Women of Faith Conference in Spokane. Apparently, people can’t get enough of her unique brand of comic monologue.

Pierce uses her background as a “P.K.” (preacher’s kid) in the Nazarene Church in the South as the source of most of her comedy.

Here are some examples of her material, taken from her latest, live video performance “Chonda Pierce: On Her Soapbox”:

“I grew up Nazarene, married a Baptist. Now I’m just confused. I got saved 342 times growing up. Then I married my sweet little Southern Baptist husband, and he got saved just once. That really ticks me off.”

“We couldn’t even say the word `dance’ growing up. We called it `foot fellowship.”’

“Are there any other preacher’s kids here? Oh, look at that, you have that little dysfunctional look on your face.”

Behind the humor is a serious message, which Pierce sums up as “casting all your cares on Christ.” She said her humor is her reaction to the tragedies and misfortunes of her family while growing up, including the deaths of two of her sisters.

Pierce got her first break by impersonating Minnie Pearl at the Opryland USA theme park. She later became a youth minister and started perfecting a “comedy and music ministry.”

Since then, she has appeared in numerous Billy Graham Crusades and Women of Faith conferences. She has also published three books and produced two videos, the first of which is titled “Havin’ A Girl’s Night Out.”

Her act also includes a few gospel songs, which she writes and sings.

The opening act will be The Burchfields, who blend “Smoky Mountain jazz and Appalachian gospel.”

This sidebar appeared with the story:

ON STAGE

Chonda Pierce

Tonight (sold out) and Friday, 7 p.m., at the Spokane Opera House. Tickets: $14 in advance at area Christian bookstores, by calling (800) 965-9324 or through G&B (325-SEAT or 1-800-325-SEAT), or $16 at the door.

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