EIU Media Relations

Wayne Brady to Appear in Two Shows at EIU

Tickets to see comedian Wayne Brady on the campus of Eastern Illinois University are now on sale to the general public.

Brady will perform during two shows - at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. - on Saturday, Oct. 11, in EIU's Lantz Arena. Tickets for the performances, which are part of the university's Family Weekend entertainment, cost $20 each, and are available through Eastern's ticket box office, located on the second floor of the west side of the University Union. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, and phone orders [(217) 581-5122] will be allowed. Cash, check, Visa and MasterCard will be accepted.

Tickets also will be available by phone through University Union Business Operations (581-3616) from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Brady, recognized as perhaps one of the funniest comedic actors on television today, has won the laughs of many Americans on ABC's hit comedy series, "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" The Emmy-nominated entertainer, who is known for hilarious improv antics and his ability to impersonate just about anyone, brought those same talents and more to his own show, "The Wayne Brady Show."

By the age of 16, the Orlando, Fla., native had already decided on a career in the military. Little did he know that his chance performance in a high school play would garner rave reviews and permanently alter his long-range plans. Soon he was immersed in the central Florida theater community, performing in numerous stage productions including "A Chorus Line," "Fences," "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "I'm Not Rappaport."

Brady moved to Las Vegas and then Los Angeles in 1996, where he began working in theater and television. He performed at the prestigious Mark Taper Forum in its production of "Blade to the Heat." He also guest starred on such television series as "'ll Fly Away," "Home Court" and "In the Heat of the Night."

He hosted the VH1 comedy series, "Vinyl Justice," KABC's (Los Angeles) "Countdown to the American Music Awards" with percussionist Sheila E., and the PBS/BET special, "Safe Night," with actor Doug E. Doug. In addition, Brady appeared in the television musical, "Geppetto," starring Drew Carey, and hosted the "Cheers and Jeers" segment of the second annual "TV Guide Awards."