** This post was updated July 8 to reflect new information regarding ticket sales**
Ticket Sales for 2015 Colonials Weekend Headliner Jon Stewart Suspended Until Next Week
Because of technical difficulties experienced by GW's ticket sales provider, Vendini, the university has temporarily suspended ticket sales for Jon Stewart and is exploring other options. Early next week GW will announce via an InfoMail the new date and time when ticket sales will resume. More than 7,000 tickets will be available at all prices for Mr. Stewart’s 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. performances on Oct. 17. Prices range from $50 to $99.
Comedian Jon Stewart will headline the George Washington University’s annual Colonials Weekend Oct. 17 following his final turn as anchor of the groundbreaking satirical news program “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.”
The multiple Emmy winner has built a cult following among millennials, politicos and news junkies during his 20-season run as host of Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show,” which lampoons current events, social trends and the Capitol Hill set.
His final episode as host airs Aug. 6.
Mr. Stewart brings his unique blend of parody, social commentary and droll humor to the stage at the Charles E. Smith Center for two performances at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Tickets will be available online at 10 a.m. July 7.
"What comes after you retire from ‘The Daily Show’? A pair of performances at GW's Colonials Weekend,” Vice Provost and Dean of Student Affairs Peter Konwerski joked. “We're excited that Jon Stewart will bring his tremendous wit and talent back to the university to celebrate with GW families, students, alumni and friends on what is sure to be a memorable evening."
Mr. Stewart previously headlined Colonials Weekend sold-out performances in 2009 and 2005 and recently cohosted a sold-out mock debate at GW with conservative political commentator and “O’Reilly Factor” host Bill O’Reilly in 2012.
Under Mr. Stewart’s direction, “The Daily Show” won 20 Emmys for its boundary-crossing coverage of the news of the day and received two Peabody Awards for reporting on the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections. The nightly program made history in 2003 and 2005 when it bested traditional news outlets to win the Television Critics Association award for “Outstanding Achievement in News and Information.”
Stephen Colbert is one of the many comedic heavyweights who have gained acclaim as a member of “The Daily Show” cast. He wowed the GW community last December during a live taping of the now-defunct “Colbert Report” at Lisner Auditorium, which featured an interview with President Barack Obama. It was among the final episodes of the series.
In addition to hosting “The Daily Show” and working as co-creator and executive producer of “The Colbert Report,” Mr. Stewart is the author of two New York Times bestselling books. He made his directorial and screenwriting debut last year with the release of “Rosewater,” a feature film chronicling the story of Iranian-born journalist Maziar Bahari.
His selection as Colonials Weekend headliner follows in the GW tradition of past performers such as comedians Seth Meyers, Jimmy Fallon, Bill Maher and Whoopi Goldberg.
The Colonials Weekend celebration will welcome GW families and friends Oct. 16-18 to participate in university traditions and events including the Foggy Bottom/West End Block Party and the Vern Harvest on the Mount Vernon Campus. It is sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs.
Ticket prices for Mr. Stewart’s performances range from $50 to $99. For more information visit students.gwu.edu/jonstewart.