By Vincent E. Ware

Christian comedian and Denver native Shedrick “Shed G” Garret likes to say he isn’t a teller of jokes. For him, being on stage in front of an audience is the perfect opportunity to vent. With an animated style of comedy that relies heavily on Garret imitating, accents and mannerisms included, the people he’s telling a story about, it’s easy to see why he likes to vent. Garret‘s time on stage comes across less as a stand-up comic ranting and more as one of your friends acting out scenes from his life. His blend of verbal and physical comedy gives people a reason to laugh out loud.

Shed G, on stage at a show, vents: “Remember when you used to name your kids names you could pronounce? Cora, Mary, Jerry. Nowadays people are naming their kids all this crazy stuff. I go over this girl’s house. I’m like, ‘Hey, how are you doing? Oh, you got a boy and a little girl. Ah, what’s her name?’

‘Oh, that’s Resume,’ the woman says.

‘Who?’

‘Resume.’

‘Well, what’s his name?’

‘Portfolio.’

“Now they’re naming kids after drinks and stuff they wish they had. ‘Who is that?’ (switching to a woman’s voice)  ‘Oh, that’s Escalade. Come here, Escalade!’”

Having made a name for himself in the Denver comedy scene, Garret moved to Atlanta in search of greater opportunities.

Atlanta, with its numerous comedy clubs and comedy spots showcasing urban stand-up comics, has provided the comic with just the opportunities he needed to take his showbiz career to the next level.

One such opportunity came on a night when Garret was performing at a Christian comedy spot in the Atlanta area. After the show, people from Tyler Perry’s camp approached Garret. He had performed a killer bit where he envisioned what Perry’s “Medea” character would be like as a Jehovah’s Witness.

His dead-on imitation of “Medea,” and how she would react to people as she went door-to-door, led to a meeting with Tyler Perry. At the meeting, Perry offered Garret a chance to work on his next movie project, Medea’s Family Reunion.

While reluctant at first to dress up as “Medea,” Garret eventually accepted the assignment and became the body double/stand in for the “Medea” character during the movie.

Because Tyler Perry played three characters in the film, as well as being the movie’s director, Shed was on screen more than people would imagine. He would often be dressed as Medea in scenes where Perry appeared as Medea’s nephew Brian.

Garret plans to reprise his role as stand-in/double this summer when Tyler Perry takes his next film, Medea Goes to Jail, into production.

In addition to his work on Perry’s movie, Garret has also worked as the warm-up comedian (responsible for keeping the studio audience laughing between scenes during a show taping) for the sitcom “House of Payne,” that Tyler Perry shot in Atlanta.

While being in Atlanta has obviously provided opportunities that do not exist for urban comics in Denver, Garret credits his time in Denver with shaping his act. It was in Denver where he says he learned it was okay to vent on stage.

During his shows Garret’s known to ask the audience if he has their permission to vent. In a call and response style, he asks the audience can he vent and they respond: “Vent, brother, vent!”

While venting might be hard for some, it appears to come naturally to Garret. He seems to vent about anything and everything -- from growing up in the church to bad kids.

In a story involving a bad kid from his church, Garret tells how he had to call the kid’s parents to inform them of a change in the choir schedule. The kid picks up the phone and whispers ahello. Garret knowing that the kid is up to something shouts, “Trayvon, is your mama there?!” “Yes,” the kid whispers. “Then put her on the phone!” “I can’t, she’s busy,” the kid says. “Well, is your daddy there?!” “Yes.” “Put him on the phone!” “I can’t, he’s busy,too.” “What are they doing?!” “They’re talking to the police,” the kid whispers again. “What are the police doing over there?” “They’re looking for me,” the kid whispers.

In a world where audiences expect, if not demand, comedians have routines laced with expletives, Garrett doesn’t see being a clean comedian as a handicap. While he admits it takes some people a while to get used to the idea of clean, Christian comedy, he has found they never go away disappointed.

He likens the success of Christian comics to the same thing that helped the Richard Pryors and Eddie Murphys of the world – being funny. “If you listen to people quote comics, they tell the stories, not the cuss words,” Garrett said.

He said working clean has forced him to write a lot of quality material. And the versatility of his act has afforded him the opportunity to perform in a variety of venues. He plays comedy clubs, churches, and even concert venues. Garret has been an opening act for performers such as the Isley Brothers, Jerry Butler, Brian McKnight, and the Temptations.

While last year provided an upward thrust for Garrett’s career, this year looks to be just as busy. In addition to working with Tyler Perry and doing concerts, Garrett will continue touring as part of the 4 Manna-Quest Comedy Tour; a tour that promotes clean, Christian comedy.

The 4 Manna-Quest Comedy Tour, will appear in Denver later this year. For tour dates and more information on Shed G., visit www.canivent.com.