Actor and comedian John Cleese, best known and revered for his idiosyncratic turns in “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” and “Fawlty Towers,” will bring his unique comedic perspective to West Coast audiences later this year. The event, titled “A Final Wave at the World or The Alimony Tour, Year One,” hits the U.S. in the late fall after a round of European performances.
The 15-date outing kicks off its national run on October 30 at Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto, CA, and ends November 20 at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts in Scottsdale, AZ. During his travels, Cleese will concentrate most of his time in California, performing only four shows outside of the Golden State.
Some highlights on the itinerary are a November 3 show at Moore Theatre in Seattle, WA, a November 8 event at Fox Theatre in Redwood City, CA, and a November 17 performance at Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach, CA.
The first public onsales for the West Coast tour are set to open today, July 24. Ticketmaster sales for Cleese’s performances in Portland and Redwood City started at 10 a.m. (PT) with his Thousand Oaks event following at 12 p.m. (PT).
Additional information on upcoming onsale dates and times is available through the venues. Ticket prices for the tour average at about $55, with some venues offering a range of prices based on seat locations and others listing only a flat rate.
According to an official event synopsis, “Cleese will be discussing his career in the zany and hilarious world of comedy, as well as his most pressing medical problems, his inability to find a suitable female companion, his mistrust of folk-dancing, and his latest plan for world peace.”
Cleese was recently forced to cancel a British comedy gala performance on July 22 at the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal, QC, due to illness. The Canadian Press reported that Cleese was “diagnosed with prostatitis, the inflammation of the prostate gland, and is undergoing treatment.”
Cleese’s absence was announced to audiences just after the show’s scheduled 7 p.m. start time, and comedian Lewis Black stepped in at the last minute to host the gala. Meanwhile, Cleese announced his plans to extend his stay in Montreal and rescheduled his performance for Sunday, July 26.
Event organizers for “Just for Laughs” allowed audience members to request ticket exchanges for Cleese’s new performance time through midnight on July 23, after which the remaining available tickets were offered for sale to the public.
John Cleese itinerary:
(Dates are subject to change.)
| October 30 | Modesto, CA | Gallo Center For The Arts |
| November 2 | Portland, OR | Newmark Theatre |
| November 3 | Seattle, WA | Moore Theatre |
| November 4 | Eugene, OR | McDonald Theatre |
| November 6 | Arcata, CA | John Van Duzer Theatre |
| November 7 | Davis, CA | Mondavi Performing Arts Center |
| November 8 | Redwood City, CA | Fox Theatre |
| November 10 | Chico, CA | Laxson Auditorium |
| November 11 | Yountville, CA | Lincoln Theater Napa Valley |
| November 13 | Carmel, CA | Sunset Cultural Center |
| November 14 | Glendale, CA | Alex Theatre |
| November 15 | Thousand Oaks, CA | Fred Kavli Theatre |
| November 17 | Long Beach, CA | Carpenter Performing Arts Center |
| November 18 | San Diego, CA | Spreckels Theatre |
| November 20 | Scottsdale, AZ | Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts |
