When Steve Martin posted a photo of a sad-looking dog in Mickey Mouse ears on Instagram last Friday, fans knew something was off. At 80, the Oscar-nominated comedian didn’t need to explain — but he did anyway: “Dear Virginia Beach and Richmond.... Sadly, I have come down with Covid. I can't possibly do the shows that you deserve,” he wrote. “So Marty and I must cancel tonight & tomorrow... But we will return under better circumstances.😔.” The announcement, made on the September 19, 2025 Virginia Beach show date, abruptly ended two nights of planned laughter at The Dome and Allianz Amphitheater at the Riverfront in Richmond. The cancellations hit hard — this wasn’t just another tour stop. It was Martin Short and Steve Martin, two legends who’ve spent over 40 years making audiences forget the world outside the theater.
Why This Tour Matters More Than Most
Steve Martin and Martin Short aren’t just comedians. They’re cultural artifacts. Their chemistry, honed since their Saturday Night Live days in the late 1970s, feels like a live-time capsule. Their current tour, The Dukes Of Funnytown!, blends stand-up, music, and improvised banter in a way that feels both nostalgic and fresh. It’s no surprise the tour sold out months in advance — especially after their breakout success on Only Murders in the Building, the Hulu/Disney+ series where they star alongside Selena Gomez. The show’s fifth season is currently airing, and fans have been eagerly awaiting the live performances as a natural extension of their on-screen dynamic.But this isn’t the first time Martin’s health has derailed the tour. In February 2025, after attending the Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special in New York, he tested positive for COVID-19 and canceled two shows in Pennsylvania. Now, just seven months later, it’s happened again. This time, TMZ confirmed Martin’s test results showed a positive for coronavirus but negative for influenza — and he joked on social media he caught it from kissing Maya Rudolph, a fellow comedian and longtime friend. Whether true or tongue-in-cheek, the comment landed with fans who’ve followed their decades-long friendship.
The Human Cost of a Canceled Night
For the 8,000+ ticket holders in Virginia, this wasn’t just a missed show — it was a canceled memory. Many had traveled from out of state. Some had bought matching T-shirts. One fan told The Palm Beach Post she’d saved for six months to afford the tickets for her 82-year-old mother, who still watches Three Amigos every Christmas. Refunds are being processed through original point of purchase, as confirmed by both The Palm Beach Post and TMZ, but money doesn’t replace the experience.At The Dome in Virginia Beach (320 18th Street), staff quietly posted cancellation notices on the box office door. At the Allianz Amphitheater at the Riverfront in Richmond (3000 Gordon St), ushers were already setting up chairs for the next event — a local jazz band — when the cancellation came. The venue’s marketing team issued a statement: “We sincerely apologize for any trouble this may cause.” But the tone among staff was more somber than corporate. One usher, who’d worked both Martin’s 2018 and 2022 Richmond shows, said quietly: “You don’t get used to seeing empty seats when those two are supposed to be on stage.”
What’s Next? A Tour on Hold, But Not Over
The good news? The tour isn’t dead. The next confirmed stop is Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, on Saturday, October 4, 2025. That date was originally set for January 11, 2025 — pushed back due to Martin’s prior illness. It’s now being treated as a make-up show, with both comedians expected to return with renewed energy.Meanwhile, Steve Martin remains in isolation. According to his Instagram, he’s resting at home in California, though he’s already teasing new material. “I’ve got a bit about masks,” he wrote to a fan, “but I’m not sure if it’s funny or just sad.”
For now, the world waits. Not just for laughs, but for the quiet resilience of two men who’ve spent their lives turning pain into punchlines — and who, even now, refuse to let a virus steal their stage.
Behind the Laughter: A Friendship Forged in Comedy
Steve Martin (born August 14, 1945, in Waco, Texas) and Martin Short (born March 26, 1950, in Hamilton, Ontario) met in the early 1980s when both were rising stars on Saturday Night Live. Their bond deepened through shared projects — from Three Amigos to Father of the Bride to their recent Emmy-nominated series Only Murders in the Building. What makes them unique isn’t just their talent — it’s their trust. Martin writes most of the material. Short improvises. Martin plays the straight man. Short becomes the chaos. They’ve never toured together until now — and fans know it’s a rare gift.That’s why this cancellation stings. In an age of automated fan engagement, Martin didn’t delegate the announcement. He didn’t let the tour’s PR team handle it. He posted it himself — with a dog in Mickey ears. That’s the kind of human touch that turns a cancellation into a moment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the Virginia Beach and Richmond shows be rescheduled?
As of now, no new dates have been announced for the Virginia Beach and Richmond shows. The tour’s next confirmed stop is October 4, 2025, in Hollywood, Florida. Organizers have stated that rescheduling will depend on Steve Martin’s full recovery and the overall tour schedule, with updates expected by late October 2025.
How many shows have Martin and Short canceled due to Martin’s COVID-19 diagnosis in 2025?
This marks the second time in 2025 that the duo has canceled performances due to Steve Martin’s COVID-19 diagnosis. The first occurred in February 2025 after he contracted the virus following the Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special. In total, four shows have been canceled this year — two in February and two in September.
Are refunds guaranteed for the canceled Virginia shows?
Yes, all ticket holders for the canceled Virginia Beach and Richmond performances are eligible for full refunds through their original point of purchase, as confirmed by both the venues and The Palm Beach Post. Refunds are being processed automatically and should appear within 7–10 business days.
Why did Steve Martin choose Instagram to announce the cancellation?
Martin has long preferred direct, personal communication with fans — even at 80. He’s known for posting candid, humorous updates himself, rather than relying on publicists. The dog-in-Mickey-ears photo was a signature move: emotional but lighthearted, perfectly capturing his comedic voice. It’s a tactic that builds trust and makes cancellations feel less like corporate damage control and more like a friend saying, “I’m sorry.”
Is Martin Short also testing positive for COVID-19?
No, Martin Short has not tested positive. According to TMZ and venue statements, the cancellations were a precautionary measure due to Martin’s diagnosis. Short is reportedly healthy and remains in good spirits, with plans to resume performances in Florida as scheduled. He has not publicly commented on the situation beyond supporting Martin’s announcement.
How has the public reacted to the cancellation?
The public reaction has been overwhelmingly supportive, with thousands of fans praising Martin’s honesty and humor. Hashtags like #WeMissYouSteve and #DukesOfFunnytownTillTheEnd trended on social media. Even critics of celebrity cancellations have acknowledged the authenticity of his message. A viral tweet from a Virginia Beach resident summed it up: “He didn’t just cancel a show — he gave us a moment of realness. That’s worth more than any ticket.”
