The Diana Wortham Theatre at Pack Place in downtown Asheville wraps up this season’s Mainstage Special Attractions Series with the witty, brilliantly funny, piano-playing comedian Billy D. Washington at 8 P.M. on Friday, March 11.

In addition to being a comedian (his five years as a Houston policeman was his springboard into the world of philosophical and observational humor on stage), he is also an enormously talented musician, incorporating his deft keyboard playing skills into his comedy act. He will be playing the theatre’s Hamburg Steinway in this performance.

“Billy is like jazz telling jokes,” said Aretha Franklin after hearing him for the first time. The Queen of Soul hired him on the spot to tour with her nationwide for three years as her opening act.

His clever but quirky approach to his observations of society combined with his undeniable skill as a pianist have made him a formidable and diverse force in the world of stand-up comedy. Billy’s original songs, parodies, poems, and comedy routines have landed him on the nationally syndicated The Bob and Tom Show, HBO’s Aspen Comedy Festival and Def Comedy Jam, Comedy Central’s Premium Blend, The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson, and Last Comic Standing.

For more information and to purchase tickets for this performance (regular $30, seniors $28, students $25, student rush day-of-show with valid ID $10), call the theatre’s box office at 828.257.4530 or visit dwtheatre.com. The Laurel is proud to be a sponsor of this event.