Storyteller Keillor brings unpredictable humor to Opelika

Author and radio personality Garrison Keillor brings his seat-of-the-pants style of storytelling to the Opelika Center for the Performing Arts on Wednesday to a sold-out crowd.

Keillor is known for his radio show and movie with the same name, “A Prairie Home Companion,” as well as a dozen books, including “Lake Wobegon Days” and “Pontoon,” his most recent publication released last year.

Once news got out that “An Evening with Garrison Keillor” would be winding up The Arts Association of East Alabama’s 2007-2008 Performance Series, tickets were quickly snapped up.

“We’ve been sold out since November,” said Phillip Preston, The Arts Association of East Alabama director, “and we have a long waiting list.”

Preston booked Keillor’s performance to end the association’s 21st season based on public demand.

“I’ve lost track of how many people asked if we could have Garrison Keillor,” said Preston.

Keillor is currently working on a book and was unable to be interviewed. Even if he was able to grant an interview, odds are it wouldn’t shed any light on his scheduled local performance.

Keillor is most known - and loved - for his unpredictable and wit-filled monologues.

“He talks about what’s on his mind,” Preston said. “I don’t know what will hit him, but that’s part of the excitement.”

For that reason, no two shows are exactly alike.

“It depends on what topical things are on his mind,” Preston said. “We just don’t know.”

Every week, Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion” radio show is heard by millions on public radio, America One and Armed Forces Networks, according to prairiehome.publicradio.org.

The show is based on the fictional town of Lake Wobegon, “where all the women are strong, all the men are good looking, and all the children are above average,” as Keillor says in a podcast available on the Web site.