Clifford Prang is a big fan of the F-word. In fact, he loves it so much, he’s making a career out of doing it on stage in front of people, and he just released a video of him doing it live, before an audience of 350. Yes, Prang is all about having fun.
After a series of unfortunate events left him at home healing an injury several years ago, the 40-year-old former pastor from Yarrow turned to comedy to satiate the tingling in his funny bone.
“I had a lot of time to think about what I wanted to do,” says Prang, who dabbled in comedy throughout his 20s and 30s. “This time, I put in both feet and decided to really pursue it.”
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A seasoned improv performer and previous Vancouver TheatreSports League member, Prang’s sense of humour has landed him on CBC, Global, and the W Network. His comedic style, a real world, pop culture, parenting mash-up isn’t so much new as it is refreshing.
And it’s working, says the stay-at-home dad of three. “It’s really taken off. I do a lot of events all over the place.”
However, his most successful show to date may be Dad Body of Work, a 60-minute stand-up comedy special. It began as an audition piece for Prang to showcase his talents, but it quickly turned into something people from all walks of life can enjoy.
Although most of his material in Dad Body of Work is based on his life as a husband and father, Prang is confident these aren’t your dad’s jokes. “It’s my edgiest work, yet. I talk about adult things. I’m a married guy with children, I’ve had a vasectomy, I like to talk about my vasectomy, so they might be startled when I say the word, ‘testicles,’ (but) I’m clean. I work clean.”
So, while other comedians curse and drop the F-bomb repeatedly, Prang decided to take a different route. The show’s “swear free, but not g-rated.”
“It isn’t necessary,” he says of the grown-up tendency to use profanity. “I want to include as many people in the fun as possible, and by dropping one F-bomb, I eliminate a pretty large percentage of the audience. I’m there to entertain them and add levity. Life’s heavy enough as it is,” says the Chilliwack comedian.
With more than two decades of comedic experience under his belt, Prang has mastered the art of comedic timing, which – when paired with facial features and act outs – enables him to connect with viewers at a personal level. Aimed at mature audiences, Dad Body of Work traverses the adult experience, the woes of rearing children, and trying to keep the marital spark ablaze.
“It’s for anyone who has relationships,” says Prang. Dating, marriage, friends, family, any kind of relationship. “If you know people, there’s something for you,” he adds.
Filmed this past September in front of a live audience, Prang’s comedic special, Dad Body of Work, is available for rent or to buy on his website, www.CliffPrang.com.
And with a price tag of just $7.99, it’s easy to give the gift of comedy this Christmas. “Pop the corn and the cork and cozy up on the couch for the perfect kidless date night in,” says Prang of his comedic special. “It’s like you’re out, but way cheaper.”
@SarahGawdin
Sarah.Gawdin@theprogress.com
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