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From the President
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Dear Arts Patrons,

Welcome to this 2023–24 performing arts season production. The quality programming you are about to enjoy, and in which the university community takes so much pride, would be impossible without our friends, benefactors, and audience members. We are very pleased to have you join us.

This season is an expanded and eclectic mix of music, drama, music theatre, and stand-up comedy performed by outstanding artists ranging from nationally known acts to Viterbo students. The carefully crafted schedule reflects our dedication to upholding the legacy of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and their goal of sharing the wonder of the arts with everyone in the region.

To all Viterbo arts patrons, benefactors, sponsors, volunteers, artists, and students, thank you very much for your continued support.

Enjoy the show!

“Pace e Bene”
Peace and all good
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Rick Trietley
Viterbo University President

2024–25 Season Coming Soon
Biographies

LEWIS BLACK


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After 35+ years as a touring stand-up comedian, Lewis Black is parking his tour bus for good in 2024, 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.

Black on being asked about touring retirement said, “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 may be 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.”

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 U.S., where he performed at Carnegie Hall and had two successful Broadway runs.

His latest stand up special, Tragically, I Need You, released earlier in 2023, has surpassed 1.6 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, RantCast.

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 this summer.

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 six Grammy 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, Black 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.

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