Controversial comic Louis C.K. to play Cary this week
Controversial comedian Louis C.K. will be making a special appearance at Raleigh Improv in Cary on Wednesday, the venue announced Monday.
The venue announced that the comic, born Louis Székely, will be trying out new material during the "adults only" show billed as "XXX."
The New York Times published a report in November 2017 featuring five women accusing the comedian of sexual misconduct. A day later, C.K. released a statement admitting, "These stories are true."
Following the admission, FX Networks and FX Productions ended their partnership with C.K.
Raleigh Improv acknowledged the controversy surrounding C.K.'s show in a statement released Monday afternoon via its spokesperson, Wendy Zocks.
"We see comedy as the final frontier and we don’t censor artists. We want them to perform without scrutiny. We trust that our audiences can decide for themselves what their limits are. We understand that not everyone will agree with our decision and we respect their right to protest. We also respect Louis CK’s right to perform. Improv Comedy Clubs," Zocks said.
C.K. returned to the stage in late August to perform a surprise standup show at Comedy Cellar in New York City’s Greenwich Village.
In December, C.K. came under fire when audio recorded during a show he did in Levittown, N.Y., included jokes apparently mocking student activists from the Parkland, Fla., school shooting, which left 17 people dead last February.
“You’re not interesting because you went to a high school where kids got shot,” C.K. was heard saying on the recording, according to The New York Times. “Why does that mean I have to listen to you? Why does that make you interesting? You didn’t get shot. You pushed some fat kid in the way. And now I gotta listen to you talking?”
That isn't likely to happen at C.K.'s Cary show as all phones and smart watches are being taken and secured in Yondr cases, pouches that lock your phone inside. While guests maintain possession of their devices, phones can be unlocked only at a base in the lobby. All phones are locked again before re-entering the performance space. While you can use your phone at a designed space space in the venue, anyone caught using a cellphone during the performance will be escorted out.
Tickets for C.K.'s show start at $35 for general admission and $85 for a premium booth. There is also a two-item minimum (which can include food or beverages) at the venue, which is not included in the ticket price.
Last week, a group of protestors gathered outside of C.K.'s sold out show at San Jose Improv in California. According to KTVU, a man protesting across the street with a megaphone was punched toward the end of the protest. Protesters also showed up outside of C.K.'s October show at the Comedy Cellar in New York.
