By Doris Maricle

dmaricle@americanpress.com

By Doris Maricle

dmaricle@americanpress.com

CROWLEY – They say laughter is the best medicine, so if you’re in need of a chuckle then you’re in luck as there’s a trio of comedy coming to the Rice Theatre.

Bon Ami Tours presents the “All Star Cajun Comedy Tour” featuring Murray Conque, A.J. Smith and Kent Gonsoulin at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16 at the Rice Theater, 323 N. Parkerson Ave.

Tickets are $25. Proceeds benefit the Evangeline Elementary School’s eighth grade class trip to Washington, D.C.

Conque, a Carencro native, has been telling tales about his Cajun upbringing and Cajun friends for over 30 years. He has spent the last four years entertaining in Branson, Mo.

Conque is ecstatic about the upcoming performance and returning home.

“I look forward to coming down, having a good time and eating some boiled crawfish,” he said. “There’s no place like Louisiana or the people of Louisiana.”

The trio has been performing individually and as a group for more than five decades sharing their amazing wit and sense of humor with audiences across the country.

“We just enjoy getting together and having a good time,” Conque said. “We each have our own style individually, but all support each other and love sharing Cajun humor with others.”

Those attending the show can expect good, clean Cajun comedy and lots of belly laughs, he said.

“It’s always been said laughter is the best medicine and I can promise you we’ve filled quite a few prescriptions over the years with Cajun humor,” he said. “I can promise you, you will get your money’s worth at one of our shows.”

Conque, known as the “King of Cajun Comedy,” began his comedy career while growing up in Carencro where he took part in debates and entered Cajun joke telling contests.

“When I was in high school I’d cut up all the time and I was very involved in speech and debate,” he said. “Back then you could go to state (literary) rally for speech and after dinner humor and I won state champion.”

“I just got addicted to a room full of people laughing. It was like a drug and I just wanted more of it. I knew I didn’t want to stop.”

The late Cajun humorist Dave Petitjean, who was part of the original touring comedy act, took Conque under his wings and taught him a lot about entertaining.

Conque, who turns 70 the day before the show, has been performing for over 45 years and has no plans to slow down. He is currently entertaining six nights a week at the pre-show for the Baldknobbers variety show in Branson.

“Performing in Branson is a bit different for me because my niche has always been performing for big conventions,” he said. “I never did comedy clubs. It has always been banquet settings where everybody has your attention.”

Conque said comedy will always be a part of his life whether in Branson or on the road.

“For now Branson is home,” he said. “I’m very happy here. I’m doing what I love to do and having a good time. I’m not planning to slow down any time soon.”

For tickets or more information contact Carita Goodreau with Bon Ami Tours at 337-370-2512.