Lewis Black will perform Sept. 6 in Jamestown as part of his final stand-up comedy tour, “Goodbye Yeller Brick Road, The Final Tour.” The show, and a companion in North Tonawanda, are presented by the National Comedy Center, of which Black is a founding Advisory Board member.

The National Comedy Center 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 in North Tonawanda on Thursday, Sept. 5 and at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts in Jamestown on Friday, Sept. 6.

Black, a comedian, actor and writer, recently announced that his current tour would be his final one after more than 35 years as a touring comedian. 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 known for his trademark style of comedic yelling and finger-pointing to expose the absurdities of life. His comedy 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. Black has been a frequent visitor to Jamestown, performing as part of the annual Lucille Ball Comedy Festival in 2016, appearing for a comedy workshop as part of another Comedy Festival and appearing at fundraisers for the Comedy Center. Additionally, Black has performed several times at Chautauqua Institution.

“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.”

Tickets for the Lewis Black shows will go on pre-sale for National Comedy Center members on Thursday, July 11, at noon through Wednesday, July 17, at 11:59 p.m. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Thursday, July 18, at noon, at ComedyCenter.org. All ticket holders for these shows will receive the benefit of a special admission offer for the National Comedy Center museum experience in Jamestown, a complimentary museum admission ticket with the purchase of one regular museum admission. Details are available at ComedyCenter.org/LewisBlack.

“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,” said Journey Gunderson, National Comedy Center executive director. “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.”

Lewis Black has performed for audiences throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and New Zealand. Since 2014 he has done over 400 live streaming shows called The Rant is Due, which is streamed from each of his stand-up performances.

His recent theatrical release, Inside Out 2, is currently the highest grossing film of 2024, earning $1 billion at the box office worldwide faster than any other animated movie in history. The film had the second-highest opening weekend in Pixar history and the second-biggest animated movie opening of all time.

Black’s stand-up specials have appeared on major streaming platforms as well as HBO, Comedy Central, Showtime and Epix. His most recent stand-up special, Tragically, I Need You, was released last year and has surpassed 1.8 million views on YouTube to date. The 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.

Black’s Rant Cast podcast adds a unique element to podcasting, as he delivers audience-written rants which have been submitted from fans around the world.

In 2020, Black released Thanks for Risking Your Life. In 2015, he notably voiced the character “Anger” in Pixar’s original Academy Award-winning Inside Out. His other notable films include Universal’s Accepted co-starring Jonah Hill, Blake Lively and Justin Long, and Man Of The Year opposite Robin Williams, Christopher Walken, Laura Linney and Jeff Goldblum.

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, Me of Little Faith and I’m Dreaming of a Black Christmas.

A published playwright, he’s written more than 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.