The audience at the H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center on Thursday witnessed a night of true comedic talent with the help of blue collar comedy legend Bill Engvall.

A comedic icon since the ’90s, Engvall is known for his laid back humor that relates to the average, hardworking person. As the 1992 winner of the American Comedy Award for “Best Male Stand-up Comedian,” his career has spanned across television, film and stage.

Engvall’s first comedy album, “Here’s Your Sign,” went certified platinum and remained No. 1 on the Billboard Comedy Chart for 15 straight weeks. Along with Larry the Cable Guy and Jeff Foxworthy, Engvall is part of the Blue Collar Comedy group that has captivated millions.

Engvall began his routine by discussing what he calls the “M” phase. In other words, his wife, Gail’s, experience with menopause. The audience laughed and clapped as he described a situation that many couples in the audience could relate to, which included Engvall stepping carefully around Gail’s emotions.

As he made hysterical sound effects of his wife’s snoring, the crowd was quickly warmed up for the rest of the night.

Engvall kept the same casual feel throughout the performance. His stories were relatable and mostly realistic, highlighting the humor found in everyday life. Instead of sprinkling his routine with obscenities and graphic imagery to get laughs, he relied on his wit and endearing personality to keep the energy alive.

One of his relatable stories included Engvall’s experience with housebuilding. The audience laughed out loud as the comedian elaborated on his adventures of selecting drawer pulls and installing windows with his wife.

Between satisfying her opinions and wanting to get the job done already, his story revealed the humor in even the most stressful parts of homeownership.

Even when he did not describe a story about everyday life, Engvall still managed to get the crowd going. By describing a survival trip he once endured with his son, he broke up the “everyday life” feel of his performance for something a little more out of the ordinary.

Armed only with a knife, a poncho and a blanket, he and his son ventured into the wild on a trip that was less invigorating and more of a “hippie fantasy.” Led by a very spiritual guide, Engvall had the audience rolling with laughter as he described seven days of outdoor torture that included sleeping out in the cold and being away from good food.

Even in a story that would not be relatable to most people, the blue collar comedian still created a humorous connection that captivated the audience.

One of the main focuses of his performance was his experience on the hit show “Dancing With the Stars.” Though Engvall has hosted game shows and even starred in his own sitcom, he was not prepared for what the popular dance show would bring.

“We are designed to dance once a year drunk at a wedding,” he said while describing his initial fears about being on the show.

Engvall managed to stay on the show for an impressive 13 weeks, a feat he never imagined would happen. Everyone laughed as he described his angst in having to stay on the show, secretly wishing he would be voted off every week.

“I ran into a problem and that problem was y’all kept voting,” he said, making the theater erupt in laughter.

He also talked about his experiences with different styles of dance, including the quickstep and the Argentine tango.

“I don’t know if you know what the Argentine tango is,” he said, “but it literally is just sex to music.”

His description of being an average Joe in a popular dance show painted a hysterical picture for the audience. It showed he was not only funny on stage but in all parts of his life. Engvall was clearly able to laugh even in the most stressful situations, making his lovable personality shine.

Engvall then talked about the physical aches and pains of getting older, including having a kidney stone and a knee replacement, which he described as “basically chopping your leg off.”

The audience enjoyed his humorous outlook on hospital life, including physical therapy and the cringing process of removing a catheter. For a subject that is usually painful to listen to, Engvall somehow managed to find a way to make it comedy gold. He once again showed the humor in the many trials we endure throughout life as we age, something that almost everyone in the audience could understand.

A new knee and a kidney stone later, Engvall began describing his difficulty with sleeping. A few days later, he told the audience he found himself in a store that was practically “the Ben and Jerry’s of pot,” looking to buy medical marijuana for his insomnia.

Soon enough, Engvall had the audience laughing away at his story of smoking pot. Similar to his story of “Dancing With the Stars,” the idea of Engvall being put in an unfamiliar situation was simply hysterical.

It was then time for the night to close. With a final bow and a wave, Engvall left the stage as the audience gave one last cheer.

Engvall reminded the audience on Thursday night that humor can be found in almost any situation.

Whether it be a mundane task such as housework or a once-in-a-lifetime experience on “Dancing With the Stars,” he showed everyone that there is always something worth laughing about and that life is a comedic routine all in itself.

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