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comedy gospel Michigan music performances releases United States Vickie Winans

Gospel singer Vickie Winans launches 40-city comedy DVD release tour

Gospel singer Vickie Winans has added another element to her career. “The Comedianna” (her trademarked definition of a hilarious story-telling Queen), is hitting the road to promote two newly recorded comedy DVDs, entitled, “Hilarious and Unplugged” Vol. 1 and 2. The stand-up comedy projects will be available in stores, on her website and at every stop along the projected 40-city tour that will take the charismatic singer into churches, theaters, and other venues. The tour has kicked off on April 8 at the  House of Hope/Salem Baptist Church Worship Center in Chicago, where the Rev. James Meeks is the pastor, and will continue throughout the summer.
 
Both DVDs were recorded on Dec. 7, 2011, to multiple standing-room-only audiences at Detroit’s Upper Room Complex. During nearly four hours of stage time, Winans told one sidesplitting story after another, from her life’s experiences to growing up with 11 siblings. During the evening, Winans performed a live version of her smash hits, “Shake Yourself Loose” and “How I Got Over” with her nephew Tim Bowman Jr., and she also shot a live music video of her son Mario Winans’ “Overcomer” remix. These songs are included on the DVDs.

A unique element to the tour is that Winans has purchased a luxury Sprinter van to transport the homeless in each city to be her special guests at each comedy show. The singer is in pre-production for the starring role as “Grace Avery” in an uplifting feature film surrounding the issue of homelessness entitled, “Amazing Grace,” which has heightened her sensitivity to the topic so much so that Winans has a newly formed foundation to help decrease homelessness in America.

“My ultimate goal is to build homes and more shelters for the homeless,” says Winans in a news release, “but until then, as many as the bus will hold will be my special guest VIPs for a night of laughter, food and a gift bag!”

Winans entered the gospel music scene in 1985 with her signature smash “We Shall Behold Him.” She’s remained one of gospel music’s Top 10 artists. She has appeared on the cover of Jet magazine, served as celebrity spokesperson for Daimler-Chrysler, McDonald’s and Quaker Oats. Other hits include “As Long as I Got King Jesus,” “Shake Yourself Loose” and “The Rainbow.” For more information, visit www.vickiewinans.com.

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arts comedy Muskogee Muskogee Little Theatre Oklahoma theater United States

Muskogee Little Theatre presents “The Foreigner” during Valentine’s Day weekend

Muskogee Little Theatre presents “The Foreigner” at  8 p.m. Feb. 12-13 and Feb. 18-20. There is a matinee at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14.
Advance tickets may be purchased at Soundworld, 123 E. Okmulgee in Muskogee, OK, or by calling (918) 683-4901. Tickets are also available one hour prior to curtain time at the Muskogee Little Theatre box office.
“The Foreigner” is an inspired comedy that celebrates curiosity and empathy for the outsider. Many people would relish the opportunity to be a fly on the wall, making themselves privy to private conversations. However, pretending to be a foreigner who doesn’t speak the language is possible. When Charlie, a shy Englishman, comes to a rural lodge in Georgia, he pretends to be a foreigner from an exotic country who doesn’t know English so he won’t have to talk to the locals. “The Foreigner” is a feel-good play where the characters grow and change before the audience’s eye. According to a news release, “The Foreigner” is one of the most beloved and crowd-pleasing comedies in community theatre repertory.
“The Foreigner” is sponsored by Creek Nation Casino. All productions at Muskogee Little Theatre are presented with the assistance from The Oklahoma Arts Council. For additional information, go to 
www.muskogeelittletheatre.com or call (918) 816-0688.

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arts comedy Heller Theatre Oklahoma tulsa

Laughter abounds at Heller Adult and Teen Laughing Matter Improv on Feb. 5-6

What happens at an Adult and Teen Laughing Matter Improv show? It is interactive theatre with audience participation — in fact, it’s the audience who makes the performance happen. Improvisation is theatre of the moment, and the moment is always something to laugh at. If you like “Whose Line is it Anyway?” or “Second City,”you’ll love Tulsa’s version.
Show time is 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5, 2010. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the door.

The Clark Teen Laughing Matter Improv is at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010 at the same location. Tickets are also $5.
Heller Theatre and Clark Theatre are both at Henthorne Park at 4825 S. Quaker, in Tulsa, OK. For more information, call (918) 746-5065 or go to www.hellertheatre.com or www.clarktheatre.com.

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arts comedy commentary Nightingale Theater. Tulsa

Stand-up Comedy convenes this Sunday at Tulsa’s Nightingale Theatre


On the first Sunday of the month, A Murder of Comics presents their Stand-Up Comedy Showcase at the Nightingale Theatre, 1416 E 14th Street, Tulsa, OK. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m. Admission is $5. For more information, call (918) 633-8666. A Murder of Comics feature comedians from all sorts of backgrounds. Topics range from topical news to relationships, social commentary, satire, and even anthropology!