Lewis Grizzard’s “Ghost” Enchants Local Fans
review by Jo Cameron Jones
 

The audience laughed till it cried, and then wept when it couldn’t laugh.
Bill Oberst, Jr., as the late Lewis Grizzard, tickled the funny bone and tugged at the heartstrings of all who attended Tuesday’s show at Monk Auditorium.

Oberst’s one-man show, created by Grizzard’s widow Dedra and his friend and  manager Steve Enoch,  gives the public the chance to look back at the syndicated columnist and stand-up comedian, whose valiant heart failed when he was only 47. Grizzard was and is one of the most popular entertainers of recent times.

When Oberst stepped on stage, out stepped the Lewis of memory. The audience broke into applause and began whispering, “That man looks just like Lewis.” He did, too, right down to Lewis’ own Gucci shoes and oversized glasses,
and for 90 delightful minutes he brought Lewis to life again.

Act One was a fast-paced recreation of Grizzard’s comedy concerts of the 1980’s. The stories and jokes poured out as the audience laughed so hard it almost rolled in the aisles. Folks needed the intermission between acts, for during the break there were countless remarks like, “My ribs are so sore from laughing, I don’t know if I’ll last out the rest of the show!”

Act Two began with a softer tone and an older Lewis, who went down memory lane, singing a loving tribute to “Grandma Willie’s Yard,” where as a boy he fought pirates and dreamed great dreams of castles in the air.

Then Lewis sat in his rocking chair and gently began his famous and loving “Definition of a Redneck.” The auditorium was dead quiet as he appeared to look everyone in the eye and read his poignant tribute to a hardworking, patriotic, gentle Southern man burned red by the harsh sun as he worked his fields. The vivid, heartfelt tribute left many listeners in tears.

Lewis left the stage saying he felt “loved.” Thunderous applause greeted those farewell words.

“Thank you for bring Lewis to life again. I loved him so much,” is one variation of what many appreciative audience members told Oberst after the show. The actor stayed to shake hands and share hugs with his audience and to say, “Thank you and God bless you,” again and again.

The delightful show was sponsored by the Duplin County Arts Council, which deserves its own round of applause for having the wit to bring “A Tribute To Lewis Grizzard” to us.