Surprise guest coming to Minneapolis: 'Nanu, nanu!'

One of the universe's most popular comedians is about to set foot in territory that's as foreign to most superstars as the planet Ork: a small club in Minneapolis.

Robin Williams, who routinely performs before audiences of thousands, will bring his manic energy to the intimate Acme Comedy Co. in downtown Minneapolis for three nights next week, offering locals a rare opportunity to see one of this generation's best comics up close and very personal.

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Monday; don't be surprised if they're gone by 10:15. The last time Williams played the Twin Cities was in April 2002, when he sold out shows at the Guthrie Theatre and Northrop Auditorium. So why choose a venue that can accommodate only 275 people a night?

Williams, like most accomplished comics, likes to "work out" new material in cozy quarters where he can experiment without the pressure that comes with a big show. In this case, Williams is preparing for a May 25 concert at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The twist this time is that he's traveling all the way to the Midwest to do his tinkering. Most of the time, Williams stays close to his Bay Area home, stopping by unannounced or on short notice at Bimbo's in San Francisco and 142 Throckmorton Theatre in Mill Valley, Calif.

"It's like an athlete who is training," said Tim Stone of Throckmorton, which hosted Williams on Wednesday night. "The more time you're on stage building up to an important show, the better you'll be."

Acme owner Louis Lee has been scratching his head over the appearance ever since he was contacted in March by Williams' people. He has never met the comedian.

"My first goal when he gets here is to find out who told him Acme is good," Lee said. Touring comics often cite Minneapolis as one of their favorite stops because audiences are literate, respectful and forgiving.

Of course, you don't have to be a stand-up regular to be wild about Williams. The star of "Mrs. Doubtfire," "Dead Poets Society" and "Good Will Hunting" might not do as much touring as he used to, but his profile is as high as ever. He recently appeared on "Idol Gives Back," turned in a creepy dramatic turn on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" and appeared Thursday on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno."

He plans to stop in Chicago on Saturday afternoon to tape an appearance on "Ellen," which will air on Tuesday.

"Nobody can improvise like he can," Stone said. "Ideally there are very few comments from the crowd, but if somebody says something, he can go off in an altogether different direction and one thing leads to another. Expect to have a very good time."

njustin@startribune.com • 612-673-7431