BOSTON — Chris Rock’s shows starting today at the Wilbur Theatre will be his first public appearance since Will Smith slapped him at the Oscars. Chris Rock hasn’t publicly spoken since the incident, and people are wondering what he’s going to say—and they’re willing to pay a pretty hefty price to hear it.
Rock arrived Wednesday afternoon at the Wilbur.
Will Smith publicly apologized for slapping Rock at the Oscars after the comedian made a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. It’s unclear if Rock knew Pinkett Smith suffers from alopecia and is the reason she chose to shave her head. But the act has been talked about and viewed millions of times. The Academy is even holding an emergency call today to discuss whether Smith will be punished.
Coincidentally, Rock’s show kicks off today at the Wilbur, and ticket prices have skyrocketed. Before the Oscars, prices originally ranged between $51 to $71. On the secondary market, tickets are now going anywhere from $300 to over $1,000.
No cameras are allowed inside the Wilbur. People going to Rock’s show will have to put their phones in a secure pouch. The six shows in Boston lead up to Rock’s comedy tour which kicks off Saturday—those ticket prices have jumped as well.