JAMESTOWN, N.Y. — The National Comedy Center, the United States’ official cultural institution dedicated to the art form of comedy, announced it will present Lewis Black for two stand-up shows in Western New York as part of the two-time Grammy Award-winning comedian’s “Goodbye Yeller Brick Road, The Final Tour.”
Black will perform in Buffalo at the Riviera Theatre, North Tonawanda, on Sept. 5 and at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts in Jamestown on Sept. 6.
Comedian, actor and writer Black recently announced that his current tour would be his final one – after 35-plus years as a touring comedian – marking the end of his legendary world touring career. He will write the next chapter of his career by going back to his roots and focusing on writing a new play, penning a new book, and expanding his podcast, RantCast, to include live recordings.
Known as “King of the Rant,” Black is beloved for his trademark style of comedic yelling and finger-pointing to expose the absurdities of life. His comedic brilliance makes people laugh at life’s hypocrisies and the insanity he sees in the world. He is the longest-running correspondent on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show” and is currently starring as the voice of “Anger” in the Disney and Pixar box-office blockbuster film “Inside Out 2.”
Black is a National Comedy Center founding advisory board member and a longtime supporter of the non-profit cultural institution, which became the nation’s first official archive and museum dedicated to preserving and presenting comedy’s heritage when it opened its doors in 2018.
“It’s always been a thrill for me to come to Jamestown and Buffalo, spend time in this incredible museum and perform for National Comedy Center audiences,” Black said. “It means a lot to me to take the stage on this final tour, for these two very special shows, performing for friends and fans who love comedy as much as I do.”
“Audiences here in Western New York have loved and appreciated Lewis Black’s comedy for decades – since he first performed at one of the earliest Lucille Ball Comedy Festivals in Jamestown back in the early ’90s,” stated National Comedy Center Executive Director Journey Gunderson. “Lewis has become a steadfast supporter of the National Comedy Center’s non-profit mission. On this, his final tour of his extraordinary career, it’s an honor to bring him back for two final shows so that we can share that experience together. He’s been an ambassador for the comedy community to receive an elevated level of regard within the arts, and he’s one of most respected practitioners of the craft. From being the longest-running correspondent of The Daily Show, to his singular style and voice gracing stages for decades, he’s an artist taking a final bow on tour, and it’s not to miss if you live in Western New York.”
Tickets for the Lewis Black shows will go on presale for National Comedy Center members at noon Thursday through July 17. Tickets go on sale to the general public at noon July 18 at ComedyCenter.org.
