“I want to let St. Louis know that there is a saved, sanctified and filled-with-the-Holy Ghost comedian,” Reggie The Deacon of Comedy said.
For the first time ever at the Fairview Heights Funnybone, a gospel comedian will be the headlining performer. Reggie is more than excited to give the “saints” an opportunity to hear his act in a mainstream comedy club.
The show, which also features Robert & Rembrandt and mimes J&J Powertools and Smoogie will take place this Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
Reggie said that his call from God to use his gift for making people laugh was straight to the point.
“He said, ‘If you were doing it for the devil, then you can do it for me,’” Reggie said. “I had been glorifying the devil with the language that I used and by what I did and said.”
A comedian since 1992, Reggie had toured with mainstream national acts like Shucky Ducky and Bruh Man over the years.
It was an eight-year sentence in federal prison that put Reggie Reg on the straight and narrow. Even though he disputes some of the charges, he says that prison was essential for him to get his life completely on purpose.
“The Lord loves chasing those who need love,” Reggie said. “I went to prison and couldn’t depend on anybody but him – He had to get me out of the street and to get my attention to use me in the ministry.”
After being released in 2005, he is now assistant pastor at New Northside Baptist Church under Bishop Willie Ellis.
Reggie started honing his act in prison. In the two short years that he has been performing his unique blend of humor, Reggie has performed with gospel icon Dottie Peoples, Douglas Miller and Keith Wonderboy Johnson.
Reggie is well aware of the naysayers and says that people in the church can be just as skeptical as secular regarding his ability to make them laugh.
“Basically, they are weary because it’s hard to do, and they are waiting to see if your tongue will slip,” Reggie said. “Once they hear and see the style, they are accepting – but just like with any ministry, if you don’t have the spirit of Christ in you they won’t receive it.”
Reggie says people also assume that faith-based comedy is one-dimensional, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
“They think that when you perform gospel comedy that all you do is church jokes,” Reggie said. “But you talk about everyday life children, and everything is not church, church, and more church.”
While it is a struggle to get people to be open-minded about his type of comedy, Reggie is quick to point out that historically many of the huge names in comedy were family-friendly.
“Flip Wilson and Bill Cosby were clean, and they were hilarious, ” Reggie said. “You don’t have to use vulgarity or degrade people to make them laugh. It’s all about delivery, timing and jokes.”
An afternoon of Love and Laughter starring Reggie Reg will take place this Sunday (Feb. 10) at 2:30 p.m. at the Fairview Heights Funnybone, 6900 Illinois St. For more information, call (618) 271-7370 or visit www.saintscanlaughtoo.com
The Gospel Scene
A Memorial Musical will be taking place this Saturday, Feb. 9 at 5 p.m. at The Rhema Church (2233 Cass Ave) in Memory of Gwendolyn Randall, A 12-year breast cancer survivor and community advocate.
Her memory, life and legacy will be celebrated through song and praise. Featured guests include The Rhema Church Choir, Ornisha Bonner Harris, John W. Leggette and Lita Y. Taylor. The event is free and open to the public.