From Deseret News archives:
Mormon comic works to win laughs for clean jokes
Nathan Jones, a local stand-up comedian, has been doing comedy for 15 years, and he's even performed at the Comedy Store and the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles.
But Jones had another life as a teacher at the Utah County Academy of Sciences in Orem.
That was until 2009, when he was laid off.
Although he recently was hired to teach English to ninth and 11th graders at Merit Academy in Springville, he wanted to make a little more money until he got his first paycheck from the academy.
So he's performing a family-friendly show at Wiseguys Comedy Club in Orem,
The reason why it's a family-friendly show is because Jones is a practicing member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and because he respects "clean" comics such as Brian Regan and Jerry Seinfeld. Plus, he believes it's more of a challenge to come up with good, clean material.
"Even comics that go blue get the sense that (they're getting) a cheap laugh," Jones said. "It's pushing the envelope and is just there for the sake of being there. If that's comedy, my brother would be the funniest man I know."
Most of his material is LDS-centric, Jones said. "I do different impressions of apostles, which is very respectful. And I have stories about preparing for my mission."
Jones also likes to prove a point: Even if you are in show business, you still can hold on to your beliefs.
"I know many people who grew up Mormon and once they got into show business, they threw their beliefs out the window," he said. "I was raised LDS, and I'm still LDS, and I think it's important to let people know."
In addition to the Mormon angle, Jones also does other impressions.
Jones knows how to use his voice, because he's also a voice actor. But adding voices into his comedy routine needs to be hooked on a punch line to be effective, he said.
"The show's bits are more than just impersonations," Jones said. "Impersonations are nice, but if it's not wrapped in something funny, it's nothing."
If you go ...
What: Nathan Jones
Where: Wiseguys Comedy Club, 1270 W. 1130 South, Orem
When: July 30 and 31, 8 p.m.
How much: $10
Phone: 801-225-8227
e-mail: scott@desnews.com
