Hot topics close

Comedy star steps in to replace Pete Davidson at Rochester Fringe ...

Comedy star steps in to replace Pete Davidson at Rochester Fringe
Less than a week after Pete Davidson canceled his headliner performance at this year's Rochester Fringe Festival, a new comedy star has been announced to"...
Show Caption
Hide Caption

Pete Davidson checks into wellness facility post-breakup

Comedian Pete Davidson has checked into a wellness facility to prioritize his mental health.

unbranded - Entertainment

Less than a week after Pete Davidson canceled his headliner performance at this year's Rochester Fringe Festival, a new comedy star has been announced to take his place.

Colin Jost, known for his years as a cast member on "Saturday Night Live" is scheduled to appear at the Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre on Friday, Sept. 13 for a 7:30 p.m. show, Fringe Festival organizers announced Tuesday.

Here's what to know.

Who is Colin Jost?

Jost began writing for "SNL" in 2005 and has been the co-anchor of the show's "Weekend Update" since 2014, winning five Writers Guild Awards and two Peabody Awards and has been nominated for 14 Emmy Awards for his writing on "SNL."

In 2015, the writer, performer and author wrote "Staten Island Summer," a coming-of-age comedy released by Paramount Pictures, had a supporting role in the Warner Bros. film "How to Be Single" and can be seen in the Paramount film "Coming 2 America." He also starred in the Warner Bros. live-action animation film "Tom & Jerry," co-wrote an upcoming "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" movie for Paramount alongside brother Casey Jost and stars in the upcoming wedding comedy "Worst Man."

Jost has been published multiple times in The New Yorker and has contributed to The New York Times Magazine and HuffPost. In 2020, he released New York Times bestseller "A Very Punchable Face," which is a series of essays documenting pivotal moments in Jost’s life, including growing up in Staten Island in a family of firefighters, commuting three hours a day to high school and attending Harvard while Facebook was created.

Rochester Fringe Festival cancellation: Pete Davidson cancels Rochester Fringe Fest show, enters wellness center for mental health

Why the headliner switch-up?

Pete Davidson checked himself into a wellness facility for mental health treatment last week, according to People. He also canceled a comedy show scheduled for the night after his planned Rochester performance—on Saturday, Sept. 14 at the Palace Theater in Albany, Syracuse.com reports. Several September shows scheduled in Florida have also been canceled.

"Pete Davidson has checked into a wellness facility for his mental health, PEOPLE has learned," the magazine and news site wrote. "On Wednesday, July 31, the Saturday Night Live alum, 30, is taking some time to focus on his health. …

"A source tells PEOPLE that mental health has 'always been a priority' for the comedian, who has been open about his sobriety journey on tour as well as his history dealing with borderline personality disorder and severe post-traumatic stress disorder.

"While staying busy with work this year, the source says Davidson has been focusing on his sobriety and his friends and family are very proud that he has chosen to continue to take care of himself."

Davidson underwent treatment in summer of 2023 to address issues related to PTSD and borderline personality disorder, PEOPLE reported. "At the time, a source told PEOPLE, 'Pete will often check himself into rehab to work on these issues. His friends and family have been supportive during this time.'"

650 performances over 12 days: Rochester Fringe Festival announces lineup

Will my tickets be honored?

Yes, they will.

All tickets previously purchased for Pete Davidson will automatically be honored for Jost’s show, Fringe Festival organizers say. And anyone who bought tickets and wishes to return them for a full refund may can do so by contacting the Eastman Theatre Box office at 585-274-3000 or boxoffice@esm.rochester.edu before Friday, Aug. 23.

If you'd like to purchase tickets, they are priced between $45 and $129 (plus an $8 venue ticketing fee) and are available online at rochesterfringe.com.

Emily Barnes is the New York State Team consumer advocate reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at ebarnes@gannett.com.

Similar shots
News Archive
  • Sir W. Arthur Lewis
    Sir W. Arthur Lewis
    Sir William Arthur Lewis, Trailblazing Economist, Honored With a Google Doodle
    10 Dec 2020
    1
  • How to make a mask
    How to make a mask
    Make a face mask or covering at home to help prevent coronavirus spread. Here's how
    7 Apr 2020
    1
  • Ajla Tomljanovic
    Ajla Tomljanovic
    Serena Williams Loses in Three Thrilling Sets to Ajla Tomljanovic
    3 Sep 2022
    1
  • Olympics Schedule
    Olympics Schedule
    The Mountain Time Zone guide to watching the Paris Summer ...
    26 Jul 2024
    3
  • Little Richard
    Little Richard
    Pat Boone Remembers Little Richard: ‘He Knew He Had to Be Different’
    9 May 2020
    1
This week's most popular shots