One of the highlights to come out of the most recent season of America’s Got Talent was Preacher Lawson. The Portland, Oregon born stand-up, who performs tonight at The Wilbur, was the only comedian to make it to the finals of the talent show, now in its 12th season.
The appeal of Lawson, who honed his comedic chops in Orlando, is two fold; there’s his obvious ability to tell jokes, but he also has an energetic physical component and over the top personality which leaves audiences wanting more. That was this case when he appeared on AGT, where, after his audition, which can be viewed below, the judge’s panel made up of Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Mel B. and Howie Mandel felt they didn’t get enough from his brief set of humor.
“Preacher… can I have just one more joke?” asked Cowell.
On the spot not only in front of a massive live audience, but knowing the performance would be broadcast to millions on television, there was a flicker of a deer-in-the-headlights moment from Lawson, who nervously laughed before saying, “Alright.”
Then he killed it, describing being in the the car with his elderly grandmother who is not afraid of dying. “If I die, I’m going to heaven, so it don’t matter,” Lawson says, imitating her. “I’m like, ‘It does matter; ’cause I’m in the car — ok?!'”
That showing started the proverbial ball rolling on his run to the finals, where he ended up losing to a young girl who does ventriloquism with puppets fashioned into a stuttering mouse and singing rabbit (don’t ask).
Regardless, America’s Got Talent thrust the 26 year-old Lawson into the spotlight, a place he won’t be leaving anytime soon.
Preacher Lawson :: Friday, January 19 at The Wilbur, 246 Tremont St. in Boston, MA :: 7:30 p.m., $22 :: Advance tickets :: Facebook event page :: Featured photo courtesy via ‘America’s Got Talent’ screengrab