Comedian Nick Swardson is still set to perform in Aspen tonight, even after being escorted off stage in Beaver Creek over the weekend, following bizarre behavior during a set.
Swardson had only performed for about 20 minutes when he was led off-stage Sunday at the Vilar Performing Arts Center. Videos posted on social media posts show audience members booing the comedian, who’s known for his characters in Adam Sandler movies, as well as appearances in “Reno 911!” and various Comedy Central projects.
The abrupt ending followed awkward pauses, semi-coherent statements and bickering with audience members.
In a Monday morning statement, Swardson, 47, blamed alcohol use and cannabis edibles for his behavior. “Just casually woke up on TMZ,” he wrote on X. “Travel tip: don’t drink and take edibles in high altitude. (Expletive) brain diarrhea. I’ll make it up to you Beaver Creek!”
Just casually woke up on TMZ. Travel tip: don’t drink and take edibles in high altitude. Fucking brain diarrhea. I’ll make it up to you Beaver Creek!
— Nick Swardson (@NickSwardson) March 4, 2024
Witnesses said that while some attendees “were uncomfortable with Swardson’s behavior, others cheered him on,” TMZ reported. “In one clip that has since surfaced online, a woman in the audience can be heard heckling him, asking: ‘What’d you smoke before the show?’ ”
The venue’s director of operations, according to videos, told the theater: “We’ve decided to conclude the show early in the best interest of those who bought tickets. We apologize for what you’ve seen tonight. Please email the box office. We’ll be responding to inquiries and processing credits and refunds.”
“We apologize for the negative experience you may have had at this evening’s performance with Nick Swardson,” promoters then wrote in an email to ticketholders. “Unfortunately, this show did not meet the Vilar Performing Arts Center’s standards as a world-class presenter of the performing arts.”
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“Therefore, all tickets will be refunded to the original payment method. Please accept our sincere apologies, and be in touch if there is anything we can do to further assist you.”
Despite the kerfuffle, Swardson is set to headline Aspen’s Belly Up tonight. As of Tuesday morning $28-$65 tickets were still on sale for the 6 p.m., 18-and-up performance. Representatives of the venue did not immediately respond to requests to confirm the show.
Swardson is also scheduled to perform seven shows at Comedy Works South in Greenwood Village, followed by Comedy Works downtown, Thursday, March 7 through Sunday, March 10. Most of the 21-and-up shows are sold out, and all are going forward as of Tuesday morning, a Comedy Works representative told The Denver Post.
This is a breaking story that will be updated.