Friday, March 29, 2024

Cosby Returning to the Stage for First Gig Since Nov.

Bill_Cosby

*Bill Cosby will return to the stage Wednesday night for the first time since November and his reception is certain to be mixed, with some planning protests, others vowing not to show up and still others saying they will heckle the comedian, reports the AP.

The three scheduled performances in Canada follow sexual assault allegations by more than 15 women and come after Cosby saw at least 10 performances get canceled on his North American tour.

The 77-year-old comedian is scheduled to appear at the Centre in the Square in Kitchener, Ontario, on Wednesday; at the Budweiser Gardens in London, Ontario, on Thursday; and at the Hamilton Place Theatre in Hamilton, Ontario, on Friday.

“I don’t know how people in good conscience can go and enjoy the show,” said Maureen Dragasevich, 59. Her family bought tickets and were once huge fans, but they’re not going now, she says.

The show in Kitchener will be his first show since Nov. 21 in Melbourne, Florida, where Cosby was greeted by an adoring audience that gave him a warm reception. Protesters didn’t show and there were no hecklers.

In Canada, however, protests are planned. Megan Walker, executive director of the London Abused Women’s Centre, said there will be a demonstration outside the London venue, and was told some ticket holders who couldn’t get a refund will heckle Cosby instead.

Kitchener’s mayor, Berry Vrbanovic, said he will attend an alternative event that was organized to raise awareness of sexual assault at the same time as Cosby’s show.

London Mayor Matt Brown said the promoter should consider canceling the London show and Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne said she would not attend any of Cosby’s shows in the province because of the “very serious” allegations.

“Until those are sorted out I certainly would not go to a performance,” Wynne said.

Cosby’s promoter, Adam Epstein of Chicago-based Innovation Arts & Entertainment, said he is legally obligated to move ahead with the shows in Canada, and said it would send the wrong message to other artists if he canceled.

“If the allegations are true, of course I find them abhorrent, but at the same time at this point I find it presumptuous for anyone to expect me to take action and break an agreement with another business client at this stage,” Epstein said. “What if it is not true? If there’s an indictment and conviction that’s one thing.”

Scott Warren, the general manager of the Hamilton Place Theatre, said the theater is bound by a contract with the promoter and would risk being sued if the show were canceled.

Don Jones, who has promoted Cosby shows in London previously, estimated the promoter is on the hook for half a million dollars for the three shows.

“That’s a lot of money to lose if you decide to cancel. He’s caught between a rock and a hard place,” Jones said. “To be honest I’m amazed Cosby hasn’t canceled just for the embarrassment part of it.”

But Jones said Cosby probably has his reasons.

“He’s 77 years old. I’ve heard that there’s about 17 shows left in the schedule. I’m sure he realizes that it’s over. I can’t imagine any venue buying a Cosby show in the future,” Jones said.

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