Platinum video-selling comedienne Chonda Pierce has been entertaining audiences from coast to coast for more than a decade. Stand-up comic, television hostess and best-selling author, Ms. Pierce will launched her “Circle of Laughs” tour Sept. 4 in Lubbock, Tx. And will be in Chattanooga on Saturday. The 20-city tour features special guests Leland Klassen and Zan.
Ms. Pierce will be performing at Memorial Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25.75 and are reserved seating. Tickets may be purchased online at www.dmiconcerts.com or by calling 642-TIXS.
Ms. Pierce received her first break working at a theme park in Nashville where she performed as Grand Ole Opry star Minnie Pearl and has since ranked among Pollstar’s top-selling live performers. In addition to churches, fairs and theaters, she’s is a speaker at the Women of Faith conferences and is a frequent guest on the Grand Ole Opry.
“Comedy is timeless. You can hear an old George Burns joke and still laugh,” said Ms. Pierce, whose sense of timing and universal topics have earned her a broad audience that encompasses all ages and economic backgrounds.
Whether sharing her battle with depression and finding the humor in a dark place or tackling the national obsession with physical perfection as she does on her upcoming project “This Ain’t Prettyville,” Ms. Pierce has a unique way of observing the human condition and finding the humor in every situation. She mixes music and comedy into a blend that always leaves audiences laughing hysterically, officials said.
Ms. Pierce also credits her comedic influences with shaping her philosophy. “Minnie Pearl, Carol Burnett, Red Skelton, Bill Cosby and all my favorite entertainers had these great hilarious moments, but somehow--even if it’s unspoken--there’s this heart tug by the time it’s over and to me, it made the night well worth the effort. I love singing, I love entertaining, I love the comedy, but when I sit down to do a project, I try to have some purpose and some meaning.”
In addition to lifting the human spirit with laughter, Ms. Pierce also devotes her time to charitable endeavors such as the facility she founded in 2006 to aid those suffering from depression. “One of my greatest feelings of accomplishment right now is Branches Recovery Center,” she says. “It came from what I learned in rehab. I wanted to make that experience more practical financially and available for my area. It stays busy, busy, busy. There are four or five licensed counselors that get paid to listen to people’s problems and help them through tough, tough times.”
Recognized as Canada’s premier clean comedian, Leland Klassen has performed for Promise Keepers Canada, has been to the Just for Laughs festival in Montreal three times had his own episode of the U.S. syndicated comedy series “Bananas,” and had two of his own television series on the West Coast as well as appeared on numerous other programs across the United States and Canada on CBC television, YTV, Star TV, Global and Discovery Kids. And just like his stand-up career Mr. Klassen was recognized for excellence in the television world as well, receiving the BCAB 2002 Broadcast Performer of Tomorrow award for his comedic work on television in Vancouver.
Originally from Indiana, Zan got her start in Sarasota, Fl. and holds an MFA in Theatre from the University of California, San Diego. Her physical, quick witted, self deprecating style of comedy has earned her placement in several films and has taken her to such well-known comedy clubs as Bonkerz, Coconuts, Comedy Zone, Crackers, Improv and more, officials said. Zan also has been a featured emcee at the Women’s Final Four Championship 2008.