Dave Chappelle joins Holland Theatre comedy night

Saturday night was a special night at the Holland Theatre in downtown Bellefontaine.

The Light Up the Holland with Contagious Comedy show brought in Steven Scott (Comedy Central and America's Got Talent), Nicholle Kun (Drew Barrymore Show), with emcee Dino Tripodis (Sunny 95 morning host).

This night was a fundraiser for the new marquee the Holland is looking to purchase.

Late last week rumors starting swirling that a special guest may join the show. Someone who loves helping out special projects for the arts and someone who is a big name in comedy. The someone they said lives in Ohio.

Tickets quickly sold out as the rumors circled to one name…Dave Chappelle.

Theatre goers were given updates leading up to the event that security was being increased and that no electronic devices would be permitted. All cell phones, smart watches, and other devices were all secured in a special locked bag you could keep with you, but couldn't open.

Contagious Comedy COO George Kun addressed the crowd. Kun is from Bellefontaine and graduated from BHS in 1968. He said the evening was extraordinary for him to help the theatre that held a special place in his heart.

Tripodis came out to warm up the crowd and introduced Nicholle Kun who entertained for about 25 minutes.

Steven Scott then performed with a series of funny stories about his parents along with his amazing sound effects and impersonations had the crowd in stitches.

That paved the way to the biggest star to walk on to the stage at the Holland Theatre. Dave Chappelle walked out to a standing ovation. He drove home from a show in Philadelphia Friday night just for this event. He spoke of living in Yellow Springs and that this was his first trip to Logan County. He joked asking if Bellefontaine had enough fast food places. He was on stage for 20 to 30 minutes giving the audience plenty of laughs before saying good night to another standing ovation.

Holland Theatre Executive Director Greg Titus came out to thank the crowd and give an update on the marquee fundraiser. They needed over $400,000 and going into Saturday night they had raised over $200,000. The night's event raised $35,000 and Titus said they received a special gift courtesy of the Lile family in the name of Levi and Nancy Lile. It was a check for $100,000. The marquee fundraiser is now in the home stretch needing less than $70,000 to meet its goal.