UK comedy great Billy Connolly performing NYC, DC and Boston shows this spring
My main goal in life is to relocate myself, my wife, and our two cats to the United Kingdom. Sadly, as with many of my life’s goals, the chances of this one coming to fruition is highly unlikely (but I’m still trying, damnit to hell). Fortunately for me, however, the comedy Gods seem intent on bringing UK comedy to me in 2016 and it’s glorious. Scottish comedian Daniel Sloss recently wrapped up a brief mid-February residency at the Soho Playhouse. Irreverent comedic powerhouse Noel Fielding has a whopping six sold out shows happening at the Gramercy Theater from March 14 – March 19 (which will also feature Klaus hero Rich Fulcher). Then the great Jimmy Carr will wow NYC audiences with four unmissable shows happening at the Gramercy Theater on March 25 & 26.
But just when I thought my British comedy itch couldn’t get scratched any rawer, I received word that one of the United Kingdom’s most iconic comedians in all of recorded history will grace American soil for a brief three-date stint. I am nauseous with joy to report that the great Billy Connolly will be doing shows in NYC, DC, and Boston. The NYC date is at the gorgeous Beacon Theater on April 27. Billed as the High Horse Tour, these are his only gigs in the US for the foreseeable future and a rare chance for us to witness UK comedy royalty in the flesh. Tickets for all three shows go on sale Friday, March 11 with the Beacon Theatre tickets on sale at 9 AM (and are currently on Chase cardmember presale).
Many Americans of my generation will remember Billy Connolly as the Scottish guy with the wild gray-white hair who took over for Howard Hesseman as the teacher on the sitcom Head of the Class (and its subsequent, less successful spin-off Billy). But that 22 episode stint is a mere blip on what has been a solid 5-decade career. Connolly is more than a standup comedian; he’s an actor, a musician, a TV presenter and an artist. He was born and raised in Glasgow and, after serving his apprenticeship as a welder, he became a professional performer in 1962, forming The Humblebums band with Gerry Rafferty, before pursuing a solo career as a comedian. Aside from starring in numerous films and TV series, Billy has toured worldwide continuously for the last 50 years, performing to a cumulative audience of over 10,000,000 souls. This is going to be an unmissable show for the ages.
