Thursday, March 22, 2007

One man’s crusade for cleaner comedy: Christian Comedy Night with Al Fike @ The Improv

By Andrew McElwee

When you envision stand-up comedy, it’s usually some racy character peppering his material with R-rated verbiage and suggestive innuendos. While this is great for guys’ night out or a bachelorette party, it’s rarely safe and fun for the whole family.

Thanks to Christian Comedy Night with Al Fike, there’s now something for church-going comedy lovers as well as secular audiences.

For almost five years, Al has fearlessly showcased Christian Comedy Night to folks monthly at the famed Addison Improv. Unlike many comedians, who tend to get their yuks from well-timed expletives, Al’s comedic genius lies in his ability to produce clean, family-oriented material for fans.

But that’s not to say Al doesn’t pull his punches when it comes to stand-up.

Rife with a wryness that would do Stephen Colbert proud and slapstick that would make Jim Carrey envious, Al Fike delivers his material with side-splitting results. His act often begins with true-to-life stories, mixed in with creative (and unanticipated) puns. For instance, who could have guessed that an evangelical feline was actually a “catalytic converter”? One of many insights you’ll gain during an Al Fike show.

As the show builds, so does his assortment of instruments and stage antics. Sound effects, emanating from the comic’s own mouth, usually accompany his hilarious guitar/banjo ballads. And Al manages to cut across ideological lines with his rendition of America the Beautiful, craftily played on a saw blade, of all things. Towards final curtain, Al typically ends with a non-denominational note of inspiration for audiences.

“To the Christian audience, it’s an encouragement to them--take your relationship with God seriously, but not yourself so seriously.” said Fike. “To those in the world who don’t see it that way, I try to prove it by making them laugh. And I usually don’t have any trouble.”

If you think that knocking on heaven’s door has sequestered Al from mainstream attention, think again.

In his quest for cleaner comedy, Al Fike has certainly captured his fair share of publicity. He was the subject of a recent Fox News interview by Dari Alexander. He’s been endorsed by the likes of Zig Ziglar, and affectionately called a “real nut” by the late Bob Hope.

What’s more, Al’s in constant demand by corporate clients such as Southwest Airlines and JC Penney for motivational seminars.

Born and raised in Mississippi, Al has been spreading his faith-based comedy for more than 30 years. A graduate of New Orleans Baptist Seminary, he’s served in various pastorates all over the country. But, where most evangelists preach before rows of pews, Al Fike’s choice of pulpit is an open mic, a well-lit stage, and droves of laughing fans.

This story was submitted by a member of the Pegasus News community

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