Robin Williams Live: What a concept
Posted on May 7th, 2008 – 11:42 AMBy Neal Justin
The biggest question in the Twin Cities this week: How in the world do I see Robin Williams live? It’s one I’ve been getting since Friday night and my e-mails and phone calls are nothing compared to the flood of requests coming in to Acme Comedy Co. owner Louis Lee, who is having the week of his life.
Here are a few tips: Robin Williams himself has 40 seats reserved for each show for friends and contacts. Since he’s not from the Twin Cities, a good chunk of those are likely to open up shortly before the show. Keep in mind that Acme operates a bar that opens early. One friend I saw there Tuesday night arrived at 4 p.m., four hours before the show started, and was first on the waiting list. He got in.
Another thing to keep in mind: Even if you can’t get into the show, you can sit at the bar and I’m pretty sure you can hear the act from there (don’t hold me to that). If you do that, remember to tip generously!!
Don’t expect to see Robin out on the town much. He was very quiet and to himself before Tuesday’s show (strict instructions: No guests backstage!) and once you see the show, you can see why. It’s a high-powered, non-stop two hours. I can’t imagine anyone hitting the town after something like that. But you never know….
Since I won’t be going to the show Wednesday or Thursday, please share tidbits or routines that you see for those performances and we’ll compare notes.
8 Responses to "Robin Williams Live: What a concept"
I sure would love to have seen this show, but since Acme and the ticket seller they use are a complete mess, we were unable to get tickets. They obviously weren’t prepared for the demand, as the website site had a complete fit on Monday morning. At one point we had tickets ready to be bought, but their site died again before the transaction went through. And Acme’s representatives were no help at all, giving my wife an rude attitude when she called, and not responding to my contact. Hopefully if they ever get something this big again, they can come up with a better way of handling demand. Glad to hear Louis is having a good time while his long time customers are not.
Yea the ticket system (phone and internet) was a joke. They had to know the DEMAND would be thru the roof for these 3 nights.
I’d be willing to bet most of the tickets were “back doored”.
Anybody go to the show last night? Were there scalpers/brokers moving tickets for the event outside? How was the show? Worth flying to Vegas for in a couple weeks at the MGM?
While I was definitely one of the frustrated ones constantly dialing and refreshing the web site (and did NOT get tickets), I think they did it as fairly as they could and have done a decent job getting the tickets in the hands of people who would use them, not scalpers.
It’s an unprecedented event for Acme, so I give them kudos for handling it well. I’ve spoken with them several times since they sold out and they’ve been very polite and as helpful as possible.
Only suggestion I’d have would be to impose a two-ticket limit.
I like DUDE’s idea of a two-ticket limit. I’m really not sure how ACME could have done a better job, considering Robin Williams’ folks had strict rules. I mean, keep in mind that the club couldn’t sell tickets until 10 a.m. Monday. Keep in mind there were NO freebies, not even for seats Williams’ has reserved. And keep in mind that Acme only has so many employees. Don’t think they are making a bath on this. Remember, all the money is going to charity (although the food and bar sales must be awfully nice).
I originally thought they would have people camp outside for tickets, but that creates its own problems, especially in with the unpredictable Minnesota weather.
I did not see a lot of scalpers and such outside. In fact, everything seemed very, very civil and smooth.
I second the two ticket limit, scalpers still have a way to sell on ebay as long they show up to claim tix in person.
I had same problem, 2 tix in my basket but checkout failed more than once. One hour after start time, I got a msg on site that said “Onsale will be rescheduled”. I still tried online off and on for 4 hours, not trusting any of the information. Phone went straight to voicemail for 4 hrs too. If it sold out in half an hour, how come they couldn’t even change the message on their phone to let people know? I am more upset about time wasted than not getting tickets because I knew the odd were against me. I just wanted one fair shot.
Julie
My wife was fortunate enough to get us 4 tickets by calling. It took her 24 minutes of dialing (and our redial button was broken). Her poor fingers!
The show was superb. Williams kept the energy level in the room at a manic high for about 99% of the show. He has a true talent. Even when he as doing true improv, with a couple jokes going nowhere, he kept the audience completely mesmerized and at the edge of their seats.
It as a performance we will never forget!
PS: I did not see any scalpers. I think most of the people who bought their tickets kept them. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Went to the show on Thursday night. I last saw Williams twice during his 2002 tour.
Williams was very good. A couple of clunker bits, but many that really worked. What really impressed me is that all of the material was new.
Sadly the Acme Comedy club was a disappointment. The seating isn’t great as you get farther back. What really made is poor was the constant parade of cocktail waitresses up and down the isle (along with patrons visting the restroom from all the adult beverages). We found it hard to lock into the show like we did at the Guthrie in 2002.
The only other person I have seen who can control a room as well as Williams was Don Rickles. That is a tall compliment.
I saw Mort Sahl at the Hungry I in 1956 San Fran. Only Robin can top the awe of that time!
