Peals of laughter echoed through the C.L. Hoover Opera House Friday night as The Southern Fried Chicks occupied the stage. The three -member comedy team performed their routine “Etta May and The Southern Fried Chicks,” at the opera house as part of a cross-country tour.
"It was hilarious,” said audience member Michelle Beck.
People came from Junction City, Manhattan, Wamego, and from as far away as Liberal, Kan., to see the comedians perform. Chatter filled the cozy theater as the audience waited in anticipation for the night of entertainment. According to audience members, they were not disappointed.
“It was fun,” said Manhattan community member Kevin Joint, with his wife Melissa nodding in agreement.
The three female comedians made light of serious topics facing people of all ages.
Karen Mills, a 15-year comedy veteran, opened the show poking fun of her southern roots, proclaiming she is only a “southern belle” when the title gets her out of trouble. Mills ended her performance by making light of her mother’s worries. When asked what advice to offer the students at K-State she said, “Like my mother says: ‘Don’t get knocked in the head.’”
The second comedian, Sonya White, loves karaoke and animal calls. She had the audience singing and laughing about what life is like in the bar scene and relationships. White’s words of wisdom also come from her mother. “Live and learn,” she said. “Die and forget it all. So make this life count.”
The Chicks wouldn’t be complete without an off-the-wall woman dressed in blue polyester pants, a blue paisley shirt with glitter paint and a pink sweater. Etta May’s costume was completed with brown hospital shoes and a blue handkerchief covering her head.
Etta May touts herself as “poor white trash” and proved to the audience that they too were in the same socioeconomic status based on the life cycle of a household television set. She tackled issues all adults face about growing old, gaining weight and trying to convince teenagers not to pierce their faces or tattoo their necks.
When asked what advice she could offer to students, Etta May said, “I want to know how I gained the freshman 15 without ever setting foot in college.”
After their performance, the comedians stood in the lobby selling CDs and DVDs of the individual performers and of the group. Mills said the ladies would not meet up again for a few weeks in Detroit, as each comedian had their own separate tours in addition to The Southern Fried Chicks ensemble.
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