Standup Comes to Newberg with CCComedy Night

NEWBERG, Ore. — On Jan. 31, the Chehalem Cultural Center (CCC) debuted its first CCComedy Night, bringing stand-up comedy to Newberg. Now, organizers are gearing up for round two on Friday, March 7.

The series, produced by Portland-based comedians Jay Flewelling and Kyle Kohlman, is the latest effort to expand the center’s programming and attract diverse audiences.

“When we saw the LaJoie Theatre, all we could think was, ‘Look at this beautiful space,’” Flewelling said. “A lot of times, stand-up can be in bars or in fields or whatever. But putting on a comedy show in a place like this, in a town with momentum like Newberg has right now? It felt like a perfect time to try.”

Flewelling, a veteran of Portland’s comedy scene, partnered with CCC after producing video content for the theater’s grand opening. The collaboration grew from conversations with Performing Arts Director Sean Andries about the center’s vision for the LaJoie Theatre.

“We wanted to come to Andries and say, ‘We’re improv guys, but we dabble in stand-up and know the best of the best in Portland comedy,’” Flewelling said. “Newberg isn’t that far away — we’d love to be your producers and bring those shows to you.”

The series marks a renewed attempt by CCC to bring comedy to Newberg, following past efforts that struggled to gain traction. Flewelling credits the theater’s ambiance, the community’s growing enthusiasm, and the center’s commitment to compensating artists fairly as key factors in the series’ success.

“Sean told us that he wants to pay artists fairly and let them be artists,” Flewelling said. “That changes everything for a show like this. It sends a message that what we do is valuable, and that gets artists excited to come here. We were able to pull the best talent from the area.”

CCC Performing Arts Manager JeanneAnn Faris Comiskey said stand-up comedy broadens entertainment options for Newberg and showcases the LaJoie Theatre’s potential.

“We agreed it would be a great thing to offer to the community and something different than the other programming we’ve had recently,” Comiskey said.

The theater is transformed for the comedy shows to match the energy of a traditional stand-up scene. The curtains are closed, and the light is focused at the center of the stage.

“While performances with lots of set pieces and props and effects can be so fun, part of the beauty of stand-up comedy is its simplicity,” Comiskey said. “The comics just need a mic, some light, a stool, and the magic is in the words and the connection with the audience.”

The first show featured Brent Lowry, winner of the 2023 Seattle International Comedy Competition; Portland’s Imani Dene, named one of the funniest five comedians by Willamette Week; and Portland’s Dylan Jenkins.

Despite modest early ticket sales, the show ended up seating around 80 attendees.

“It was a true scare at first, but people showed up,” Flewelling said. “Everyone brought their A game, and the energy in the room was incredible.”

The March 7 lineup features Kristin Rowan, an up-and-coming Portland comedian, said Flewelling; Jordan Casner, a regular at Helium Comedy Club; and Ben Harkins, named Portland’s Funniest Person for 2024.

Flewelling said the audience’s response underscored the potential for comedy in Newberg. Existing stand-up shows at Social Goods and Chehalem Valley Brewing Company have primed the community’s interest, but none match the scale of CCComedy Night.

“You could feel people were ready for this kind of entertainment,” he said. “They want to laugh, they want to be part of something new.”

With the series gaining momentum, Flewelling hopes it will become a regular fixture in Newberg’s entertainment calendar.

“It’s fun to have something that’s a little more adult, affordable, and accessible,” he said. “We want this to be an affordable night out where you laugh, have a drink, and feel like you’re part of something happening in your town.”

Tickets for the March 7 show are available through the Chehalem Cultural Center’s website. Tickets are $10 online, $20 at the door, and $5 for anyone wiht a Oregon Trail Card through the “Arts for All” program. The content is “R-Rated” and best suited to adults, according to the CCC website.