VAN WERT, OH (NWPR) – On Saturday, February 1, 2025 coming live to the Niswonger Performing Arts Center at 7:30 pm, “Etta May and the Southern Fried Chicks” is an all-female comedy selling out in theatres all over the country.
Born and in Bald Knob, Arkansas, Etta May grew up alongside nine older brothers, who referred to their baby sister as “the human sacrifice.” In fact, her father, a potpourri farmer and her mother, bedridden by constant childbearing, didn’t realize she was a girl until she needed a training bra.
She met her husband, Delbert, an aspiring truck driver, at a friend’s kegger. From across the yard their eyes locked in a love look, you know that stare that lasts a moment too long. Nine months later, she was blessed with a boy and three more kids followed. “That’s where my comedy comes from. I just wait for my husband or kids to do something stupid, and then I write it down.”
Prior to finding success as a stand-up comic, Etta wandered from dead end job to dead end job, including a 10-year stint as a school bus driver. She says she learned how to handle unruly kids by Armor-Alling the seats and slamming on the brakes all the way to school. Her theory: “Kind of hard to pick a fight with the kid in front of you, when you’re just holding on for dear life.”
Then she decided to take a chance on herself and follow her dream. Lots of hard work and drive and a few years later she wins “Female Comic Of The Year” at the American Comedy Awards. As it has said in many ways, you can become anything you set your mind to in this great USA and for Etta May it worked.
Leslie Norris Townsend, a former runner up to Miss Florida and Miss Georgia, she decided 2nd best wasn’t good enough and became one of the top comics in the business. Seen on the Tonight Show, TBN’s Huckabee and her own DryBar Special “Outstanding in Her Field.” Then, she left the big city and decided to raise her kids country-style on a farm. Wait till you hear these stories!
Sonya White’s comedy is peppered with spot-on impersonations and sound effects. Her stand-up comedy show and her one woman show ‘Airing Dirty Laundry’ are based on real life experiences, interactions with friends & family, and hilarious reflections of the world at large.
For tickets see: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/55546784/etta-may-the-southern-fried-chicks-van-wert-niswonger-performing-arts-center.