Cheap Laugh

If your idea of ringing in the New Year consists of belly laughing to crass comedy, then Louis C.K. is your man. The stand-up comedian will be performing two shows at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall on New Year’s Eve at 7 and 10 p.m. But, with this tour, he’s trying something new—exclusively selling tickets on his website for a flat rate of $45 to avoid exorbitant fees from agencies. “Making my shows affordable has always been my goal,” C.K. says on his website. “It was a real challenge to find venues around the country that could work with our exclusive ticket service . . . I really appreciate those theaters that are letting us give it a try.” Toby Blumenthal, manager of facility sales at the Meyerhoff, says having C.K. perform is a no-brainer. “Audiences can be very price-sensitive, especially during the holidays,” he says. “This was a great opportunity to have Louis C.K. back here and really look out for his fans.”