Sold out - faster than you can say Mrs. Doubtfire

By Neal Justin, Star Tribune

Last update: May 5, 2008 - 7:37 PM

Robin Williams didn't give much advance notice on his plans to perform this week in an intimate Minneapolis comedy club. He didn't need to.

Tickets for his three-night stand at the 275-seat Acme Comedy Co. disappeared Monday morning in 38 minutes, according to club employees who survived a barrage of phone calls -- and complaints.

"We didn't play any favorites," said employee Jon Richards a few hours after the phone lines and website were flooded with requests. "I had to say a lot of times, 'Sorry you didn't get in, but half the city was calling.'"

Williams arrived in the Twin Cities Monday afternoon from Chicago, where he taped an "Ellen" appearance and did two unannounced shows at the Lakeshore, a 330-seat venue.

Acme owner Louis Lee met Williams at his Minneapolis hotel Monday and said the comic looked tired but was very down-to-earth and "low maintenance."

"All they asked for us to have at the club was 20 bottles of water," Lee said.

Williams will perform at 8 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday. There is no opening act.

Recent OnStage stories

Spotlight: Movement Architecture - May 5, 2008

Spotlight: Movement Architecture - Opens Friday: With "Ode to Dolly, The Sheep, Inter Alia," Debra Jinza Thayer/Movement Architecture explores the politics and ethics of cloning. More