Bill Cosby is still slated to perform at a venue on the outskirts of New York City next weekend, but has agreed to offer refunds to ticket-holders who don’t want to attend.
The offer is in the midst of mounting sexual abuse allegations against Cosby that recently resurfaced. So far, 16 women have publicly accused the comedian of sexually assaulting them, and many of their stories include allegations that Cosby drugged them beforehand. He has denied the allegations.
Tarrytown Music Hall, where Cosby has two sold-out shows on Dec. 6, will offer refunds to ticket-holders. In an update on its Facebook page Saturday, the venue thanked “all parties involved in negotiating this deal.”
An email sent Friday afternoon from the Music Hall box office told ticket-holders, “Mr. Cosby’s management is now allowing for refunds for any patron’s (sic) that do not wish to attend the show. Please let me know if I may cancel and refund your order,” The Journal News reported.
Previously, Tarrytown Music Hall executive director Bjorn Olsson wrote on Facebook that the shows were booked before the allegations against Cosby had resurfaced, and that the venue couldn’t cancel them or offer refunds.
“Canceling the show or refunding tickets would not hurt Bill Cosby, only The Music Hall, a non-profit organization, and the promoter,” Olsson said on Nov. 19.
Venues in Nevada, Illinois, Arizona, South Carolina and Washington have all recently canceled Cosby performances, but the comedian still has more than 30 shows booked through May 2015.
Cosby’s first stop on his American standup tour since the allegations resurfaced was in Melbourne, Florida. The comedian received a standing ovation from the crowd, but there were also many empty seats, despite the venue claiming that the show was sold out.
Source: mashable.com