Tickets on sale Friday.

One of the hottest acts in the country has a date at our iconic purple palace.

Dave Chappelle, the comedic genius enjoying a serious career resurgence, will make his Sarasota debut at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on Feb. 11.

The remaining 2015-16 Van Wezel season already includes appearances by Jay Leno on Friday, Billy Crystal on Jan. 26, Lily Tomlin on Feb. 8, and Steve Martin and Martin Short on Feb. 10.

The 43-year-old Chappelle, though, is an edgier comic with a younger, more diverse fan base.

“I have been looking to book Dave Chappelle since my feet touched the ground nine years ago in Sarasota,” said Mary Bensel, executive director at Van Wezel. “The problem has always been he books at the last minute because he’s so popular and I never had the dates when they called with a request."

Tickets, on sale 10 a.m. Friday, are $69.20 and can be purchased at vanwezel.org, the box office at 777 N. Tamiami Trail, or by calling 941-953-3368.

No cell phones

Van Wezel's announcement Wednesday also noted "that this is a strict no cell phones allowed show. Please leave your phones in your cars or at home.

"Anyone who brings a cell phone will be required to place it in a lockable pouch. Everyone is subject to a pat down. Anyone caught with a cell phone inside the venue will be immediately ejected."

Cellphones have long been the bane of many comedians, who consider the glowing screens and camera flashes a distraction.

Chappelle entered into a deal with a company specializing in smartphone-locking pouches at a series of 2015 live shows in Chicago, reads a story by the Hollywood Reporter.

This is a first for Bensel.

“I have been told Chappelle does this for every concert and there have been no issues, it goes very smoothly," Bensel said. "I must say, cellphones are very annoying for some artists and some patrons. I think it will be wonderful to devote your time to seeing the show and being in the moment for this one."

'Chappelle's Show'

The star and co-creator of the hit comedy sketch TV series "Chappelle's Show" made headlines in 2005 when he left during production and took a trip to South Africa and didn't return to the show, walking away from a $50 million contract.

The comedian would remain largely out of the spotlight for the next seven years.

Chappelle made headlines in 2013 when he walked off stage during a performance in Hartford, Connecticut, and the next night told his audience in Chicago: “I don’t want anything bad to happen to the United States, but if North Korea ever drops a nuclear bomb on this country, I swear to God I hope it lands in Hartford, Connecticut, on stage in that f------ arena.”

Career resurgence

Since then, Chappelle has headlined the Oddball Comedy & Curiosity festival and returned to Hartford and apologized.

On Nov. 12, days after the presidential election, Chappelle made his hosting debut on "Saturday Night Live." His highly anticipated return to TV included a by turns powerful, hilarious and poignant opening monologue focusing on the election of Donald Trump.

Later in November, Netflix announced it will be releasing three new Chappelle stand-up comedy specials this year.

"I’m thrilled that he's coming back to TV," Bensel said. "He's one of funniest comedians out there and we're so thrilled to bring him to Sarasota. I'm also thrilled about bringing a current show that can reach a younger audience. I don't get a chance to reach that demographic as much as I’d like to."