Jay Leno Returns to the Van Wezel

February 27, 2023 – Sarasota

The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is excited to welcome JAY LENO back to Sarasota on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are currently on sale.

Jay Leno, the acclaimed TV late night show host, admired stand-up comedian, best-selling children’s book author, much-in-demand corporate speaker, TV and movie voice-over artist, pioneering car builder and mechanic, and philanthropist is widely characterized as “the hardest working man in show business.” His late-night television ratings dominated for two decades as the host of the #1-rated “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” After the first two years, Leno never lost a single ratings year in which he served as host.

Leno currently produces and is host of the CNBC primetime series, “Jay Leno’s Garage.” The show explores the world of cars, never forgetting that it’s the people behind the wheel who provide the real stories. The series debuted in October 2015 and delivered CNBC’s most-watched first season in network history.

The show is an outgrowth of Jay Leno’s Garage YouTube Channel, which Leno produces and has an international following on the Web and has garnered several Emmy Awards and nominations for Outstanding Special Class–Short-Format Nonfiction Programs.

Leno is currently hosting “You Bet Your Life,” which recently returned for its second season in syndication in Fall 2022. This comedy game show is co-hosted by Jay’s longtime Tonight Show bandleader Kevin Eubanks and features strangers teaming up to answer a series of trivia questions with the goal of winning thousands of dollars.

When he’s not on TV, Leno performs more than 100 stand-up shows annually across the country and internationally; participates in numerous charity and corporate events, does voice-overs for animated series, pens children’s books, and writes a monthly column in various automotive magazines. And in his “spare” time (as if he has any), he enjoys working on his collection of classic cars and motorcycles. In fact, he has built a number of cars, including an acclaimed eco-car in his eco-friendly green garage.

Leno is the recipient of many honors, including Emmy, People’s Choice, and TV Guide awards, Harris Poll selection as most popular star on television, the Hasty Pudding Award at Harvard University, The Mark Twain Prize, recipient of the Patriot Award given by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, and being the first person to drive the pace car of all major NASCAR events.

Tickets are $37-$122 and can be purchased at www.VanWezel.org, by calling the box office at 941-263-6799 or by visiting the box office Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Groups of 10 or more should contact 941-263-6726. Pre-show dining is available through Mattison’s at the Van Wezel which is located inside the theatre. Reservations can be made on VanWezel.org or through the box office.