“Coming Out To Dead People’ is an autobiographical comedy solo show written and performed by Ricky and based on his experience as a closeted gay teenager immigrating to the US with his mother, shortly before his mother's diagnosis of cancer. Combining stand-up and storytelling, the show explores his time growing up as a gaysian in the noughties, learning how to keep his first boyfriend with the help of the reggae rapper Sean Paul, while grappling with the decision to come out to his conservative Chinese-Malaysian mother. The show navigates the complexity of coming out, alongside the  intersection of  racial and cultural identity.Facing impending loss, Ricky is forced to reconcile the two worlds he grew up in and to question the meanings of grief, family love, and acceptance. 

Ricky has performed ‘Coming Out to Dead People’ to sell out audiences across New York, London, Kuala Lumpur (where he had to perform in a secretive/queer-safe space). During his successful Edinburgh run, the show was included in the “Ultimate List of LGBTQ Shows at Edinburgh Fringe” by Forbes and featured in a BBC Radio show segment. ‘Coming Out to Dead People’was selected as one of the 2024 OFFFEST Finalists by the Offies (The Off-West End Theatre Award).He has opened for Julia Scotti (America’s Got Talent) and Marcia Belsky (Comedy Central) and was featured in New York Comedy Festival, New York Queer Comedy Festival, and Asian Comedy Festival.

As a comedy writer, Ricky was selected to be the 2021 recipient of The PIT/Saturday Night Live (SNL) Scholarship, which is co-sponsored by Saturday Night Live. With the comedy pilot that he co-wrote, he was selected as the 2023 Fellow of the Yes And…Laughter Lab, which is a competitive incubation lab, pitch program, and showcase that lifts up the best comedy writers and performers who create new comedy about topics that matter, with a focus on BIPOC, immigrant, Muslim, LGBTQ, and female talent. 

‘Coming Out to Dead People’ is directed by Ryan Cunningham (she/her), who is a queer Emmy & Peabody award-winning producer & director. Her directing credits includes Sugar Daddy (SoHo Playhouse/Soho Theatre), Ilana Glazer: The Planet is Burning (Amazon), Expecting Amy (HBO Max), and the upcoming feature Lone Wolves. TV Producing credits: Broad City, Search Party, Inside Amy Schumer & Ziwe.

“‘Coming Out to Dead People’ is a raunchy and darkly comic wonder. Ricky Sim deserves the world of praise for this one” ED FRINGE REVIEW ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“a beautifully heartbreaking show that does a wonderful job of toeing the line between grief and humour.” BROADWAY WORLD ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you for supporting live comedy in Austin!

ColdTowne Theater is located at 1700 East 2nd St. about a mile east of IH35 and one block north of Cesar Chavez St. We are no longer located on Airport Blvd. Check your destination before heading out, especially if you are using a rideshare like Uber or Lyft. 

We provide free parking, and street parking nearby is free after our lot is full. We recommend arriving at the venue 20-30 minutes before the advertised showtime to enjoy our bar! (ColdTowne is not BYOB). 

All event sales are final. No refunds will be issued for late arrivals.