Oct 16, 2024 - News

This secret-location comedy show is popping up around Salt Lake

Comedian Jesus Sepulveda performs stand-up at a "Don't Tell Comedy" show — Comedian Jesus Sepulveda performing at a "Don't Tell Comedy" show. Photo: Courtesy of "Don't Tell Comedy"

The next generation of comedy stars are getting exposure in an unconventional way: by doing stand-up shows in Utah's 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 unique, non-traditional locations like candy stores, rock climbing gyms or 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 of the performance is revealed a few hours before showtime.

Zoom in: Six shows are scheduled in Salt Lake and Park City between mid-October and early January.

Zoom out: In 2022, Don't Tell began posting clips on Instagram and TikTok and producing short-form comedy specials on their YouTube channel, which has over 1.6 million subscribers.

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

Founder and comedian Kyle Kazanjian-Amory says venues are scouted by local comics who are hired to produce each show.

What they're saying: "You're able to go to a place that's very familiar, but for an experience that is unfamiliar to that space," Kazanjian-Amory told Axios.

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

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This secret-location comedy show is popping up around Salt Lake

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