Lewis Black, one of the most prolific and popular performers working today, brings his latest tour, "The Rant is Due," and his triple-threat skills as a comedian, actor and author to the State Theatre for the Arts, Easton, for two shows, 8 p.m. Nov. 21 and 22.

Black has a long history with the Lehigh Valley, previously performing at Lehigh University and the State Theatre.

"I love Easton," Black says in a recent phone interview. "Every time I go there, things have changed for the better. More shops. More art galleries. A lot of energy. The people are great."

Black is a social satirist in the tradition of George Carlin, Steven Colbert and Jon Stewart in that his material is more about current events and incompetent institutions than personal angst.

Black articulates the absurdities of life and politics that we all feel. That's why we find him funny. "And with this latest fiasco in Washington and its fallout," he says, "there's no shortage of material."

Known for his shouting and trademark angry finger-shaking, Black is the comic everyman who expresses his outrage in sometimes profane language that makes it seem like he's going to explode. "Adult language," he says, "To express adult pain. Believe it or not, my blood pressure is normal."

Black performs more than 200 nights a year to sell-out audiences throughout Europe, New Zealand, Canada and the United States. He is one of a few performers to sell out multiple renowned theaters, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Brooks Atkinson Theatre, New York City Center, the Main Stage at the Mirage in Las Vegas and, most recently, a sold-out Broadway run at the Richard Rodgers Theatre.

He says that at the end of the State Theatre show, guests will be able to log onto a website and ask him questions that he will answer right there. So stop whining, show up and let Black make you laugh. It's good for you.

Black, who has released eight comedy albums, is a two-time Grammy Award winner for Best Comedy Album for "The Carnegie Hall Performance" (2007) and "Stark Raving Black" (2010). He was named Funniest Male Stand-Up Comic in 2001 at the American Comedy Awards.

He's appeared regularly on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" since 1996, and was counted among the 100 greatest stand-up comedians of all-time by Comedy Central in 2004. He's had comedy specials on HBO, Comedy Central and Showtime.

Black began his career as a playwright in New York City where he collaborated on hundreds of one-act plays. He would use his comedy as an opening act for the plays and performed as the master of ceremonies. After leaving the theater business, Black began working as a comedian, while finding bit parts in television and films.

He's published three bestselling books, "Nothing's Sacred" (Simon & Schuster, 2005), "Me of Little Faith" (Riverhead Books, 2008) and "I'm Dreaming of a Black Christmas" (Riverhead Books, 2010).

Tickets: State Theatre Box Office, 453 Northampton St., Easton; statetheatre.org, 800-999-STATE, 610-252-3132