The Performing Arts Center presents Lewis Grizzard: In His Own Words April 22 at 8 p.m. in Hodgson Hall. The one-man show stars Bill Oberst Jr.
Grizzard was born in Moreland, Ga., and attended UGA. From 1979 until his death in 1994 he wrote a daily column for the Atlanta -Journal-Constitution that was syndicated in 450 American newspapers.
Lewis Grizzard: In His Own Words was created by Grizzard’s widow, Dedra, and his manager, Steve Enoch. Act I is a recreation of Grizzard’s comedy concerts of the 1980s and features his best jokes and stories. The bittersweet second act is set closer to Grizzard’s death and includes excerpts from his columns and books, including the famous “Definition of a Redneck” and a reading from his book, My Daddy Was a Pistol and I’m a Son-of-a-Gun.
Oberst was selected for the role of Grizzard by Dedra because of his striking resemblance to her husband. To prepare him for the role, Dedra presented Oberst with Grizzard’s own Gucci loafers, which he famously wore without socks.
When Oberst performed the show in Atlanta, a reviewer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution wrote: “Oberst looked and sounded so much like the late columnist that the audience at the Fox Theatre could remember what it was like to laugh and cry over their morning newspaper.”
