Red Green spins folksy charm at the Uptown

For the viewers of his program on KCPT, seeing Red Green at 8 p.m. on a Saturday night is an entertainment staple. This weekend, fans of Steve Smith’s Canadian handyman character had the bonus of seeing him live and in person on the stage of the Uptown Theater.

The performance, titled “The Wit and Wisdom of Red Green,” was something of a mix between a meeting of Possum Lodge, a beleaguered uncle handing out marriage tips, and a stand-up comedy show. As Green, Smith held forth on diverse topics, like marriage and repairs, in an easygoing, conversational tone instantly familiar to anyone who’s ever seen The Red Green Show.

The performance opened with lodge minutes, complete with terrible puns (Old Man Sedgwick fell into an upholstery machine, and is completely recovered), which Green said showed “where the bar is.” There was the lodge pledge, and the Man’s Prayer. The oath needed a bit of prompting, but the man’s prayer was simply said, loudly and with pride: “I’m a man, I can change, if I have to, I guess.”