Wanda Sykes, one of “Entertainment Weekly’s” 25 Funniest People in America, will perform at the West Virginia University Creative Arts Center Friday, Jan. 16. Showtime is set for 7:30 p.m. and tickets are on sale now at the Mountainlair and Creative Arts Center Box Offices, ticketmaster.com and by phone at 800-745-3000 or 304-293-SHOW.
Lauded by her peers as “one of the funniest stand-up comics” out there, Sykes’ smart-witted stand up has sent her career in many different directions. She has appeared on several television shows, including a five-year run on CBS’ “New Adventures of Old Christine.” She can currently be seen on Amazon Prime’s “Alpha House,” created by Gary Trudeau about a group of Republican senators who share the same D.C. rental house, and she has also appeared on HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” as well as hosted her own late-night talk show on FOX, “The Wanda Sykes Show.” Her five-year run as part of HBO’s “Chris Rock Show” earned her Primetime Emmy and Emmy nods as both a performer and a writer.
Sykes joined forces with veteran producer Page Hurwitz in 2012 to form Push It Productions. Their first set of specials titled “Herlarious” earned a 2014 Gracie Award. Gracies recognize exemplary programming created for women, by women and about women. “Wanda Sykes: Sick and Tired,” Sykes’ first HBO comedy special was nominated for a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special. Taped in Seattle, the show covered everything from racial profiling to gay marriage. Her second HBO special, “I’ma Be Me,” tackled the topics of the first black president, gay cruises, being a new mom and aging. It earned her two Primetime Emmy Awards.
This gifted comedienne has lent her voice to many animated feature films, including “Ice Age: Continental Drift” (Granny), “Rio” (the Goose), “Over the Hedge,” and “The Barnyard.” She has also appeared in “Evan Almighty,” “Monster-In-Law,” “My Super Ex-Girlfriend,” “Pootie Tang,” “Nutty Professor 2: The Klumps” and “Down to Earth.”
Keith Robinson will open the show. Robinson has appeared on “The Chelsea Lately Show” on E!, and in the “Opie and Anthony” show as well as in NBC’s “The Colin Quinn Show.” He performs regularly at the Comedy Cellar in Manhattan.
Tickets for the Jan. 16 show at the WVU Creative Arts Center start at $40 and may be purchased at the Mountainlair and CAC Box Offices, online at ticketmaster.com or by phone at 304-293-SHOW and 800-745-3000. WVU students may purchase tickets for $28 at the campus box offices. Some restrictions apply.
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CONTACT: Kristie Stewart-Gale, Arts & Entertainment
304-293-8221, kristie.stewart-gale@mail.wvu.edu
Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.