Embattled Cosby plans Turlock show

Embattled comedian Bill Cosby returned to the road for a series of shows in Canada this week, plus a performance in Turlock about to get caught in the spotlight.

Cosby has a Jan. 18 appearance scheduled at Turlock Community Theatre. “Nothing has changed, the show is still going on as planned,” theater managing director Kit Casey said Thursday.

Cobsy has been at the center of a media firestorm since fall, when allegations resurfaced that he had drugged drinks and sexually assaulted several women decades ago and more women came forward with similar claims.

The comic and actor resumed his tour Wednesday and Thursday with shows in Ontario, Canada, marking his first performances since November. A third show is set for Friday night.

At Thursday’s show in London, Ontario, Cosby jokingly warned a woman to be careful drinking around him. The woman got up from one of the front rows and was walking past the stage when Cosby asked where she was going. When she answered that she was going to the lobby to grab a drink, Cosby responded, “You have to be careful about drinking around me.” The remark was met with loud applause.

The night before, in Kitchener, Ontario, ticket holders were met by a small group of protesters outside the theater. Inside, after the show, the audience gave the comic a standing ovation.

Casey acknowledged the possibility of protesters outside the Turlock venue and has planned for extra security. “Oh, sure, of course, that’s people’s right,” he said when asked about possible protests. “In terms of people protesting inside the theater, we’re not going to allow that.” Casey said he will talk with the Police Department and also plans to beef up the theater’s private security presence the night of Cosby’s appearance.

The show has been part of the theater’s season schedule since it was announced last summer; it sold out about a month before the allegations surrounding Cosby hit in November.

The Turlock theater has had contact from supporters and critics of the 77-year-old entertainer and the appearance, Casey said. He would not comment further other than to say the theater is “not in a position to cancel the show.” The theater’s general policy for any event is to refund ticket holders only if an event is canceled.

The Cosby controversy has thrust the 1,000-seat nonprofit theater into uncharted territory. “Nobody here, myself included or our board of directors, or those working for the theater, have ever had anything like this happen before,” Casey said.

Cosby’s been a popular draw in the Modesto region over the years, having performed at the Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto; California State University, Stanislaus, in Turlock; and the Bob Hope Theatre in Stockton. He also gave the commencement address at Stanislaus State in 1999.

More than 15 women have made sexual assault allegations against Cosby. Hours before he took the stage Wednesday night, attorney Gloria Allred said three more women are accusing the comedian of drugging and sexually assaulting them in Las Vegas or Los Angeles from 1981 to 1996. Allred said at a news conference in Los Angeles that the accusations are too old for criminal charges or lawsuits.

Cosby has a final show Friday night in Hamilton, Ontario, then is set to return to the U.S. for two Colorado performances before his Turlock show. The only other California show on his tour is for Feb. 12 in Bakersfield.

This story was originally published January 8, 2015 at 5:24 PM with the headline "Embattled Cosby plans Turlock show."