Lewis Black, a Grammy-winning comedian and bestselling author, will perform his show “Lewis Black: Running on Empty” at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway this October. Black, a former Daily Show commentator, is known for his angry ranting onstage, and audiences are sure to hear an earful as he discusses politics and pop culture in his new one-man show.
According to Playbill‘s synopsis for the event, “Comedian, actor and author Lewis Black brings his politically charged, cathartic one-man show to Broadway.” Black’s last appearance on the Great White Way was for his 2004 performances of “Lewis Black: Black on Broadway.” The comedian has called “Running on Empty” his “edgiest work yet,” and fans are certain to see his trademark anger onstage. Black partnered with his close friend James L. Nederlander to produce the show, and he has been touring for the past eight months, receiving great reviews at this year’s Montreal Comedy Festival.
According to Ticketmaster’s official website for the event, “Lewis’ live performances provide a cathartic release of anger and disillusionment for his audience. Lewis yells so they do not have to. A passionate performer who is more pissed off optimist than mean-spirited curmudgeon, he has perfected expressing what the rest of us can not say in polite company.”
Co-producer Nederlander told reporters from NY Daily News that the “decision to do it here right before the election seemed like the perfect time,” and he advises politicians to run the other way when “Running on Empty” comes to town. Black spares neither side of the political spectrum in his rants onstage or off, stating that “the difference between Democrats and Republicans is the difference between dumb and stupid.” According to the NY Daily News, he says the president is “so inside of his own head he forgets the rest of us are here,” and Mitt Romney is “the whitest man ever. Black already has a number of other “zingers” to direct at politicians, and audiences looking to hear a scathing critique of the upcoming election should definitely attend. The comedian also “has some words for Mark Zuckerberg, the Kardashians, air travel and Scientology.”
“Lewis Black: Running on Empty” is set to debut at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on Tuesday, October 9, at 8:00 p.m. The award-winning comedian was originally scheduled for six performances, but two additional were added due to overwhelming demand. Following the debut show, Black will perform on October 10-13 at 8:00 p.m. each night, and October 14 at 7:00 p.m. The additional dates are scheduled for October 19 and 20, with both shows starting at 8:00 p.m.
After wrapping things up in New York, Black is scheduled to perform October 25 in Scranton, PA and October 26 in Northampton, MA to close out October. Black has dates scattered through April 2013 with stops in Las Vegas, Chicago, and Seattle, among others.
Tickets for “Running on Empty” are currently on sale to the general public, however large sections of seating in New York are already sold out for most of the first six performances.