Surprise! Louis C.K. Doing Last-Minute Show Tonight at Helium Comedy Club [UPDATED]

Photo by Alixe Wiley

UPDATE 4/5/2016 2:40 p.m.: Not surprisingly, the surprise Louis C.K. show at Helium tonight sold out very quickly. The good news? Helium just announced a second show for tonight, so all hope is not lost. Oh, also: We’re pleased to hear that local favorite Chip Chantry will be opening for the comic master.

ORIGINAL:

On your average Tuesday afternoon, the 2000 block of Sansom Street isn’t all that busy. But there’s nothing average about today, because mega comedian Louis C.K. just announced a last minute show that’s happening tonight.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Here’s the message that Helium sent out at lunchtime:

One of the most influential and respected comedians of his generation, Louis C.K. is set to deliver a slew of new material here in the City of Brotherly Love.

Tickets are only available IN PERSON at the Helium box office beginning at 1:00PM – Tuesday, April 5th. Maximum purchase of 2 tickets per person. Tickets are $30. Cash Only – Credit Cards will not be accepted.

Tickets are non-transferable. Purchaser much present ID when picking up tickets prior to showtime. Tickets purchased through secondary vendors (Stubhub, Craigslist, etc.) will not be honored.

This show is 21+ (18+ with parent). Tickets will be available for pick up at the box office 2 hours prior to showtime.

Philadelphia magazine’s Richard Rys says he got the message just after 1 p.m. and ran over to Helium, where the line was already huge by 1:05 p.m.

“As I was walking over, people were literally sprinting in their work clothes to get to Sansom Street,” says Rys. “It’s moving very slowly. Apparently, they had some computer issue, and it’s taking forever to process the orders. I’m close enough now that I feel like I should be able to get tickets, although it’s possible that I wind up on the wrong side of the cutoff… The most common comment I’m hearing right now is, Dude, I need to get back to work.”

Those who do get the $30 Louis C.K. tickets are in for quite an experience. The comic legend usually plays huge rooms, not tiny comedy clubs on Sansom Street. For comedy fans, this is akin to scoring tickets to a Rolling Stones surprise show at the Tower Theater.

One can only hope that he has a few things to say about Donald Trump. Either way, we’re sure to be hearing a lot more about this in the coming hours. Stay tuned.