Boom Chicago to host discussion on comedy after show cancellation
Boom Chicago will hold an open discussion on the role of comedy in 2025 after canceling two performances by Israeli comedian Yohay Sponder amid safety concerns and backlash over his planned shows.
The decision to cancel came after the comedy club on Rozengracht received numerous complaints and threats, particularly online, following the announcement of Sponder’s January 25 performances. Social media accounts, including linksinhetnieuws, studentintifada_nl, and week.4palestinenl, accused Sponder of being an “ultra-Zionist” who incorporated pro-Israel propaganda into his comedy. These accounts urged followers to email the club en masse to demand cancellation.
Boom Chicago director Andrew Moskos said the theater had no choice but to cancel the performances due to backlash and safety concerns. “We don’t like canceling shows, but the reactions and threats left us no alternative,” he said. In an email to the comedian’s manager, Moskos wrote, “Given the climate in Amsterdam, the reactions, and concerns raised by the police, we can no longer host the shows.”
However, both the Amsterdam police and the mayor’s office denied playing any role in the decision. A police spokesperson said they were unaware of the performances and had not raised any security concerns with the theater. A representative for Mayor Femke Halsema said Boom Chicago acted independently and did not consult the city.
“Performances should always go on,” the mayor’s office said. “Typically, police and the city are involved to assess security needs in such cases. That procedure was not followed here.”
Kayla Sponder, the comedian’s wife and manager, criticized the situation, saying they had already implemented additional safety measures after a theater visitor expressed dissatisfaction with the show. She also condemned the theater for suggesting the performances be relocated to a “Jewish venue” in Amsterdam.
“Proposing that Jewish performers limit themselves to Jewish venues echoes Europe’s darkest chapters,” Kayla Sponder said. “Freedom of speech is universal, regardless of whether people agree with the message.”
Moskos defended the idea, saying a Jewish venue might have been a more suitable option for a controversial Jewish comedian on short notice. “We were trying to find a workable solution,” he said, while acknowledging the frustrations of the performer and his team. “We believe humor should unite people, and it’s unfortunate that we don’t live in a world where that’s always possible.”
The controversy has prompted Boom Chicago to reassess its protocols for handling security concerns. Moskos acknowledged that, in hindsight, the theater should have consulted the city and police earlier. “We are now in contact with the municipality and will work together on future steps,” he said.
To address the broader implications of the incident, Boom Chicago plans to host an open forum at its venue to discuss the boundaries of comedy and freedom of speech in today’s polarized world. The event, scheduled for 2025, aims to welcome diverse perspectives and encourage dialogue.
Boom Chicago, which has been a staple in Amsterdam’s comedy scene for over 30 years, said this is the first time it has faced such intense controversy over a performance. Ticket holders for Sponder’s canceled shows will receive refunds.
