Leslie Jones Live at the Colonial Theatre

Comedian and actor Leslie Jones brings her brand of stand-up comedy to the Colonial Theatre on March 28. "It's an honor to welcome Leslie Jones to The Colonial stage this season. Known for her memorable work on 'Saturday Night Live' and her powerful stand-up specials, Jones brings a blend of honest observations, personal storytelling and spontaneous humor," says Keith Marks, executive director of the Colonial Theatre. "Veteran comedian Lenny Marcus opens the show with thoughtful wit and measured delivery, providing a contrast to Leslie's dynamic performance style. With extensive credits including 'The Late Show with David Letterman' and Comedy Central, Marcus sets the stage beautifully for the main event," adds Marks. Marks tells the Sentinel that comedy continues to be "a cornerstone of programming" at The Colonial, bringing the community together in shared laughter. The Colonial offers an All-Star comedy lineup this season featuring Leslie Jones, Juston McKinney, Bob Marley, David Sedaris and the Bored Teachers Comedy Tour. LESLIE JONES Leslie Jones' CV includes many distinctive awards and accolades, including the distinction of one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in 2017. A three-time Primetime Emmy Award nominee as well as a Writer's Guild Award and NAACP Award nominee for her work on "Saturday Night Live," Jones has appeared in numerous film and television roles. Not one to mince words, her comedic style has been called "fearless and unapologetic." She tackles sensitive topics like diversity in Hollywood and often speaks out against racism and sexism in the entertainment industry. Jones continues to break barriers with her work in live performances, television and film. She recently wrapped production on season two of the HBO Max series "Our Flag Means Death." In 2021, she starred opposite Eddie Murphy in "Coming 2 America" for which she won an MTV Movie Award and was nominated for a People's Choice Award. In 2016 she starred in the film "Ghostbusters 2" and in 2019 the film "Angry Birds 2." Jones co-hosts a podcast "THE FCKRY" with comedian Lenny Marcus where each week Jones and Marcus interview guests and answer listeners' questions, while exposing "the fckry" of any given topic. In 2023, Jones kicked off a new era of The Daily Show as the program's first guest host. Jones will next produce a Christmas comedy for Lionsgate which she is currently developing as a future starring role. VISION FOR THE COLONIAL "As we move into spring and summer, we're developing a meaningful new vision for The Colonial Theatre. September will mark the launch of our next season, carefully curated to balance acclaimed touring acts with the talented performers from our region," says Marks. Marks explains that the iconic venue is "thoughtfully updating their visual identity to better reflect both the heritage and the future." And, he says, "The Colonial is also crafting a five-year strategic plan which ensures that The Colonial remains central to arts and culture in Keene for years to come." "The Showroom, our intimate second venue, is getting particular attention as we work to establish its distinct character with programming that complements our main stage offerings," he adds. MORE THAN A VENUE Marks was recently hired as the new executive director of the Colonial Theatre after serving as executive director of Next Stage Arts in Putney, Vt. for many years. "Since becoming Executive Director, I've made it a priority to understand what The Colonial means to our community. I've had conversations with our dedicated volunteers, staff, donors, regular attendees and local business owners — listening more than talking," notes Marks. "What I've learned is that The Colonial serves as much more than a venue. It functions as an anchor for our creative community, supports our local economy and provides a sense of connection throughout the Monadnock Region," adds Marks. "We take this responsibility seriously. Moving forward, we're focused on strengthening community partnerships, developing programming that challenges and inspires and ensuring The Colonial remains accessible and welcoming to everyone," says Marks. Marks says he looks forward to seeing the community at an upcoming performance as "we write the next chapter of The Colonial Theatre and The Showroom together." SHOW DETAILS Leslie Jones LIVE at the Colonial Theatre with special guest Lenny Marcus is on Friday, March 28 at 8 p.m., at 95 Main St. in Keene. For more information and to buy tickets, visit https://thecolonial.org/event/leslie-jones-with-lenny-marcus/.