BRAINERD – Meet the funniest comedian on all fours!
Irving, with a little help from his friend, Todd Oliver, will speak up a storm when nationally acclaimed ventriloquist John Chalberg takes the stage at 7 p.m. on March 25 at Central Lakes College’s Brainerd campus.
As part of the Central Lakes Community Performing Arts Center’s spring season revival, the show is billed as a family night of comedy, music and magic.
Center director Patrick Spradlin called Oliver’s appearance a unique addition to the performing arts series season.
“We’ve showcased all kinds of talent on our stages, but nothing like it,” Spradlin said in a press release. “Oliver is world class, as is Irving, his fellow Boston Terrier. As an owner of Bostons, I really can’t wait to hear what this breed has to say.
If you’ve ever wondered how a dog looks at life, Irving is going to give it to you straight from the dog’s mouth, according to the upcoming performance press release.
Oliver grew up loving dogs, ventriloquism, music and magic. As a young boy, he studied piano, guitar, voice and variety arts. Along the way, he created wooden-headed characters, such as Alice the Rabbit and birds, and performed all over the world.
We’ve showcased all kinds of talent on our stages, but nothing like it.
—Patrick Spradlin
Oliver and his friends have been featured on “Late Show with David Letterman”, “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”, “The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson”, “The Today Show” and episodes of “Walker Texas Ranger” . In 2012, they were among the four finalists for “America’s Got Talent”.
A major draw for many years on showboats in Branson, Missouri and Nashville, Tennessee, as well as other major entertainment venues, Oliver is now on tour bringing his own brand of family fun to cities across the America.
“Todd Oliver’s humor is situational and contemporary, and above all, clean and family-friendly,” Spradlin said. “It’s going to be a night that makes you feel good and leaves you wondering, ‘How do these funny dogs talk?'”
Due to college and state COVID-19 restrictions, audience size will be limited to 50% of theater capacity, which means fewer tickets than normal will be available. Wearing a mask is also compulsory for all spectators attending the show.
Tickets and information for the March 25 show are available on the Central Lakes Community Performing Arts Center website, www.clcperformingarts.com, and by phone at 218-855-8199.
This production is made possible, in part, by the voters of Minnesota, through a grant from the Five Wings Arts Council, through a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
