Portrayal of Grizzard Funny, Eerily Real

Whether you will enjoy Bill Oberst as Lewis Grizzard depends on whether you like the late humorist and his work in the first place. 

That’s because Oberst, for all intents and purposes, is Grizzard in the show that opened Wednesday night at the Virginia Samford Theater and runs through Sunday. He’s speaking Grizzard’s words (his stand-up comedy in the first act, his newspaper columns and books in the second) wearing the trademark tortoise-rimmed glasses and Grizzard’s Gucci loafers, and the result is a little bit eerie and a tad unsettling. 

And it’s also funny, as any fan of Grizzard and his Southern humor will recall. His column appeared in more than 400 newspapers, including the Birmingham News, but they resonated the most in and around his native Georgia. 

"Lewis Grizzard - In His Own Words" is a tribute put together by Grizzard’s widow, Dedra. Grizzard fans will recognize quite a bit of the material. There aren’t many newspaper writers out there who can claim some "Greatest Hits," but some of Grizzard’s are here: his poignant "Definition of a Redneck," a tribute to his grandfather; his funny "Rules for Deer Hunting," which still rings true today; and his evergreen takes on college football, particularly his beloved Georgia Bulldogs. 

"Lewis Grizzard- In His Own Words" makes for a short evening - just under 90 minutes. It won’t change the world. But the audience will laugh and, probably, tear up a little as Oberst brings back to life one of the most beloved Southern writers of the 20th century.