Terence Corcoran, and Kevin Phelan

Westchester

Bill Cosby Tarrytown Music Hall shows still on

Comedian subject of sex-abuse allegations

5 women claim he assaulted them years ago

Shows sold out but some ticket holders say they%27ll skip appearance

TARRYTOWN – Comedian Bill Cosby's scheduled Dec. 6 shows at the Tarrytown Music Hall are still on despite sex abuse allegations against him.

The afternoon and evening shows are sold out, but some patrons have told the Music Hall's executive director, Bjorn Olsson, they are not going.

"We have some patrons who are concerned," Olsson told The Journal News on Thursday. "Some are telling us they're not going to be attending."

Olsson said Music Hall officials were unaware of the controversy when they booked Cosby six months ago and could be liable for his fee if they cancel. Olsson said a promoter who contracts with Cosby books the hall. If the hall decides to cancel, the promoter would still owe Cosby and could then come after the nonprofit that operates the hall to recover losses.

"We're renting the hall to an independent promoter," he said.

Ticket-holders to Cosby's shows who won't attend due to the controversy could contact the theater to register their protest, Olsson said.

"We will put their names on an empty-seat list and forward it to his manager after the show," Olsson said. "It's about all we can do."

Five women have come forward in recent weeks to say Cosby, 77, sexually assaulted them years ago. The women described similar incidents in which they were assaulted after claiming Cosby drugged them. He has denied the allegations and refuses to answer questions about them.

NBC has already nixed a deal to develop a sitcom around the 77-year-old comedian, Netflix has canceled plans to run Cosby's Nov. 28 special and, effective immediately, TV Land has pulled all reruns of "The Cosby Show."

One Tarrytown resident, Louis Lambros, has tickets to a show, but won't be attending. He tried to get a refund for the two $53 tickets but was told by the Music Hall that, since this isn't one of their productions, they would be unable to do so. Instead, Lambros' name would be added to a list of people boycotting Cosby's show in protest. The list would then be sent to Cosby and his representatives, Lambros said.

On the Tarrytown Music Hall's Facebook page, people praised the Music Hall's decision while simultaneously disparaging Cosby with comments like, "People can show their feelings by not showing up. No need to hurt the Hall." And, "People should show up to support the Music Hall, spend money on concessions and boo Cosby. He's boring, unfunny and a creep."

Posts on lohud's Facebook page on the subject were varied, with people supporting Cosby with comments like, "Show me proof. This woman is not young anymore so what is the point now? Sounds fishy" while others are critical, saying, "Where there's smoke there's fire. And there is certainly enough smoke here to call the Fire dept."

Residents passing by the Music Hall had this to say:

•"I used to like him, I thought he was funny, but not anymore. If it was one or two women, (I probably wouldn't believe it), but with so many women, yes." — Ken Canellas of Tarrytown.

•"It seems like bad timing. I mean, from his perspective, too. I wouldn't want to go up there until everything was settled. I haven't seen all the evidence, so I'd like to reserve blame for anybody. I don't want to assume that they're guilty. I would definitely like to see more about it." — Steve Armstrong of Cortlandt.

•"I don't really know if I should believe the allegations. It's kind of tricky. If I were them I wouldn't cancel the show, to be honest. Because, I mean, it's just allegations. We don't know if it's true or if it's not." — Favienne Schneuwly, an exchange student from Switzerland who's studying in Tarrytown.

•"Obviously, if things are true that they said, it's pretty bad and I would understand why people would protest and I don't think people should go to the show if those things are true." — Brendan McGlynn of Sleepy Hollow.

Twitter: @kev_incredulous and @CorcoranTerence