For one night only: L.A.'s Roxy shall be known as The Coxy

“Look at all you Cox-suckers out there,” John C. Reilly, in full-on Dewey Cox mode, observed Monday night (Dec. 3) from the stage at L.A.’s Roxy, which unofficially changed its name to the Coxy in honor of the movie Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, opening Dec. 21. The room was filled to capacity with mostly industry folks and press, who enthusiastically took in the almost 90 minute show, much to Reilly, er, Dewey’s delight. Also in the house, Walk Hard director Jake Kasdan, producer Judd Apatow, and cast member Chris Parnell, along with famous female friends like Garbage singer Shirley Manson and actress Gina Gershon. Reilly’s costar, Jenna Fischer, who plays the Priscilla Presley-inspired Darlene, could not make the L.A. show, but told Hollywood Insider on Sunday at the Movies Rock TV special that she’s “thinking of flying to one of the other cities, maybe Chicago,” which would be a treat for devoted Cox lovers, since legend has it Darlene actually died back in 1974.

Spanning his five-decade long career, Cox (surprisingly proficient at guitar and harmonica) and his killer band, the Hard Walkers, tore through early hits like “Guilty as Charged” and “Big Daddy,” but pulled out all the stops for “the song that started it all,” the movie’s namesake. He encored with the epic “Beautiful Ride,” which invited arm waving more befitting an arena show than a small club gig. But this intimate night with Cox was meant as a warm-up of sorts. Tomorrow, he and the crew head to Cleveland and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (via private jet, natch), then continue on with the Cox Across America tour (dates after the jump).

Thursday, 12/6 Chicago, IL The Cubby Bear
Friday, 12/7 Austin, TX Stubb’s
Saturday, 12/8 Nashville, TN Mercy Lounge
Monday, 12/10 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall
Thursday, 12/13 Los Angeles, CA Guitar Center on Sunset Blvd
Wednesday, 12/19 New York, NY The Knitting Factory

Thursday, 12/6 Chicago, IL The Cubby Bear
Friday, 12/7 Austin, TX Stubb’s
Saturday, 12/8 Nashville, TN Mercy Lounge
Monday, 12/10 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall
Thursday, 12/13 Los Angeles, CA Guitar Center on Sunset Blvd
Wednesday, 12/19 New York, NY The Knitting Factory

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