Aug 28, 2024 - Things to Do

A secret location comedy show is popping up across Philly

Maxwell Millington

Illustration of an upside down microphone shaped like a question mark. — Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios

The next generation of comedy stars are getting exposure in an unconventional way: by doing stand-up shows in Philadelphia backyards.

The big picture: Viral videos of "Don't Tell Comedy" sets have accelerated the careers of comedians like Ralph Barbosa, Susan Rice, Katherine Blanford, Alec Flynn and Lea'h Sampson.

How it works: Founded in 2017, the company creates pop-up comedy shows in places like candy stores, rock climbing gyms or even a luxury suite at a baseball stadium.

When you buy a ticket to a show, the only information provided is the date, time and city. The specific location is revealed a few hours before showtime.

Driving the news: The next Philadelphia shows are in Callowhill on Saturday at 7:30pm and 9:30pm, followed by Sept. 13 in Rittenhouse Square and Sept. 14 in Northern Liberties, both shows at 8pm.

The shows shift to Spring Garden on Sept. 28.

Zoom out: In 2022, "Don't Tell" began posting clips on Instagram and TikTok (where most people watch stand-up today) and producing short-form comedy specials on its YouTube channel, with over 1.6 million subscribers.

For some comics, going viral online has led to millions of followers and HBO and Netflix specials.

What's next: "Don't Tell Comedy" reports it is on pace to host over 4,500 shows across 200 cities in 2024.

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A secret location comedy show is popping up across Philly

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