Lewis Black Returns to Sarasota

April 15, 2024 – Sarasota

Two-time Grammy Award winning Comedian Lewis Black releases additional dates for his GOODBYE YELLER BRICK ROAD, THE FINAL TOUR that will include a show at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on Friday, December 6, 2024 at 8pm. Tickets go on sale to the public Friday, April 19 with official fan club pre-sale starting today at 8am PDT and venue pre-sale for e-club members happening on Thursday, April 18. To join the Van Wezel e-club, click here.

After 35+ years as a touring stand-up comedian, Lewis Black is parking his tour bus for good next year, marking the end of his legendary world touring career. Black 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. He will also return as the voice of “Anger” in the upcoming Pixar sequel, Inside Out 2.

Lewis on being asked about touring retirement, “For a while now I have been letting folks know that I am going to retire from touring. No one believed me. ‘Why would you retire from touring?’, they asked. This is after years of being asked why I was touring, ‘it must be exhausting.’  So, today I am announcing that I am retiring from touring. It is a life that has given me great joy and opened a world of possibilities for me.

I thought the road would go on forever, well I was wrong about that. And the fact is as hard as the road maybe to be on, it’s harder to leave it. I am only retiring from touring. It’s time for me to explore other avenues such as writing, reading your rants, and pitching tv shows that will be rejected. (Which is why I know they are good.) More importantly I can finally give my Fantasy Football team the focus and time it truly needs. And maybe, just maybe I can become the professional golfer I was born to be.”

The LA Times asks, “Is this the end of the road for Lewis Black? America’s crankiest comic reflects on his final tour”.

Lewis Black uses 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 has performed throughout the world and the US, where he performed at Carnegie Hall and had two successful Broadway runs.

His latest stand up special, Tragically, I Need You, released earlier this year and has already surpassed 1.3 million views on YouTube. The brand-new special explores topics including his ways of coping with the pandemic, his frustrations with the evolving world, and of course his thoughts about the chaos of America these last few years. 

Adding a unique element to podcasting, Black delivers audience-written Rants which have been submitted from fans around the world on his podcast, Rant Cast.

In 2015, Black notably voiced the character “Anger” in the Pixar Academy Award-winning film, Inside Out.  He can be seen reprising his role in the sequel which just released its trailer.

Black is the longest-running contributor on Comedy Central’s THE DAILY SHOW and his stand-up specials have appeared on HBO, Comedy Central, Showtime and Epix. 

In 2020 he released Thanks for Risking Your Life. His other notable films include Universal’s Accepted co-starring Blake Lively and Justin Long, Man Of The Year opposite Robin Williams, Christopher Walken, Laura Linney and Jeff Goldblum and the greatest children’s Christmas movie of all time, Unaccompanied Minors directed by Paul Feig. 

The comedian has released eight critically acclaimed comedy albums including the 2007 Grammy Award-Winner, The Carnegie Hall Performance. He won his second Grammy in 2011 for his album, Stark Raving Black, and has a total of 6 Grammys nominations. He has published three bestsellers: Nothing’s Sacred (Simon & Schuster, 2005), Me of Little Faith (Riverhead Books, 2008) and I’m Dreaming of a Black Christmas (Riverhead Books, 2010). 

A published playwright, he’s written over 40 plays and has found his work performed throughout the country, including at the A.C.T. Theatre, the Magic Theatre, The Williamstown Theatre Festival, and The Public Theatre. 

In addition to his professional pursuits, Lewis is dedicated to a number of charitable organizations and entities including the the Luv U Project, The 52nd Street Project, The Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library and the National Comedy Center. 

He’s also deeply committed to supporting our troops. A seasoned USO tour veteran, he’s performed for the troops on three Christmas tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Lewis is currently on his 2024 Goodbye Yeller Brick Road, The Final Tour. For dates and more info go-to: www.Lewisblack.com

Tickets start at $35 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.