Clean fun

Comedian Chonda Pierce brings 'Traveling Talk Show' to Tivoli Theatre

photo Chonda Pierce

IF YOU GO

What: Chonda Pierce: The Traveling Talk ShowWhen: 7 p.m. Saturday, April 6Where: Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave.Admission: $18.75-$20.75 (plus fees)Phone: 423-642-8497 or 423-757-5050Website: ChattanoogaOnStage.com

Chonda Pierce has a few things on her mind, and she'd like to get them off, thank you.

The Southern comedian will do just that when she visits the Tivoli Theatre on Saturday, April 6, for "The Traveling Talk Show."

The unscripted show will feature Pierce, who's been called "The Queen of Clean Comedy," in a talk-show format created to show off her razor-sharp wit, down-home charm and, occasionally, musical talent.

"I'm so excited about being in Chattanooga," she said earlier this week.

The Scenic City will be the third stop in a more than 35-city tour that begins today at First Baptist Church in Lenoir City, Tenn. Before coming to Chattanooga, she'll also hop to the Bancorp South Arena in Tupelo, Miss., on Friday.

The multidimensional Pierce has received five Daytime Emmy Award nominations, appeared in several films and is the author of six books.

She has four certified platinum and eight gold comedy DVDs. Recently, she was honored with the Comedian of the Year Visionary Award by the Christian Music Hall of Fame.

Pierce's 10th comedy DVD, "I'm Kind of a Big Deal," released in September 2011, highlighted her USO tour to Afghanistan.

She also is a frequent guest at the Grand Ole Opry, has hosted the Inspirational Country Music Awards and Christian Music Hall of Fame Awards, and she co-hosted the GMA Dove awards in 2012.

The entertainer got her start at Opryland USA, where she was cast in the music and dance show "Country Music USA." However, she said she never got the dance part down, found her talent in imitating Grand Ole Opry star Minnie Pearl and played the part for six years.

Her early stand-up comedy work drew heavily on her youth as a preacher's kid in South Carolina, giving her "solid roots" and "my warped sense of humor," her website noted.

Contact Clint Cooper at ccooper@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6497. Subscribe to his posts online at Facebook.com/ClintCooperCTFP.

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