The Yuk Yuk’s Surrey team is bringing more shows to Oceana Parc Playhouse (home of the White Rock Players Club) with four remaining comedy nights in the 2023-24 season.
“After a trial show earlier this year, we were blown away by the immediate interest which resulted in two back-to-back sold-out shows,” said Yuk Yuk’s promoter Eric Y. Lapointe.
“Ever since moving to the city in 2017, I have wanted to bring more comedic events to our White Rock, South Surrey community to enjoy entertainment locally. So it made sense to expand with co-ordinated bi-monthly shows with our partners at the White Rock Players Club.”
The current series kicked off Sept. 16 with award-winning Canadian comic Jacob Samuel.
The ironic counterpoint of on-stage comedy and real-life tragedy will be in sharp focus with the next show, starring Damonde Tschritter (Nov. 4).
Hailed as “…this country’s finest comedic storyteller” by The Globe & Mail and featured on CTV, HBO, Comedy Central and CBC’s The Debaters, Tschritter is also the only Canadian in 35 years to win The Seattle International Comedy Competition, the largest of its kind in the U.S.
What some might not know is that the White Rock show – hosted by comic Justin Nichol – will be the comedian’s first return to Greater Vancouver stages after a harrowing ‘near-death’ scare earlier this year.
That’s when Tschritter found himself battling a mysterious infection that doctors believe originated in his inner ear.
Following a hospital visit on April 6, he was sent to the ICU – the area of infection had become so inflamed that it had actually begun to crush his lungs, sending him into respiratory failure.
Although doctors initially feared for his life, Tschritter staged an amazing recovery – but only after six days in the ICU and an additional three weeks in the hospital – a total of 27 days in medical care.
By a cruel twist of fate, Tschritter’s last performance before his ordeal – on April 4 – also turned out to be the last-ever for Vancouver-based fellow comic Darryl Lenox, who, tragically, passed away due to a heart attack that same weekend.
Amber Harper-Young, a fellow comedian and friend – who had also been on the bill with Tschritter and Lenox on April 4 – stepped up to offer her unwavering support.
As soon as Tschritter was hospitalized, Harper-Young initiated a GoFundMe campaign (with the blessing of Tschritter’s wife), which successfully raised $30,000.
The heartwarming response was testament to the impact Tschritter has had on the lives of many, among both audiences and colleagues.
Comedian Brent Butt was among those who contributed to the campaign right at the start – which helped ignite support from the entire Vancouver comedy community.
Harper-Young will be making a special appearance at the White Rock show – just as Lenox was once instrumental in boosting Tschritter’s career, the comedian is determined to pay it forward by helping open doors to the comedy world for her.
“It’s impossible for me to adequately express my gratitude for the overwhelming kindness and support I’ve received,” he shared in a media release.
“When I got out of the ICU, I was completely blown away by the outpouring of love. It bought me peace of mind and the ability to heal… I’m forever grateful to everyone who stood by me.”
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Lapointe said another aim of Yuk Yuk’s current Oceana Parc series is to co-ordinate scheduling with dark nights between shows in the WRPC season.
That might mean the comedy performances adapting to sets already in place or in preparation for upcoming club shows, he said.
“We want to use the depth of the stage as much as possible, without interfering with sets or props.”
Among other performers in the Yuk Yuk’s White Rock schedule Chris Griffin (Jan. 13) is one of Canada’s most active touring comedians who has won two Vancouver Comedy Awards and been featured at Just For Laughs Vancouver and the San Francisco International Comedy Competition.
The third show, on April 6, will highlight Sophia Johnson. Originally from New Zealand, Johnson is now one of Canada’s fastest rising comedians. Significant 2023 milestones for her have been her recent debut on CBC-Gem with Just For Laughs Vancouver and opening up for her idol Maria Bamford.
Rounding out the series will be Toronto comedian Cedric Newman (May 25). The Jamaican-born comedian was raised in Montreal and now calls Toronto home. Newman has been seen on CBC and CTV’s The Amazing Race Canada Season 8 and graced stages across Canada and Europe.
The expanded White Rock Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Night series is now selling individual show tickets at $30 (including taxes & fees).
Initial season pass sales were “impressive,” added Garry Yuill, Yuk Yuk’s Surrey/Vancouver Northeast owner.
“This inspired us to add new soon-to-be announced theatre series to expand our community reach-out initiatives and bring live comedy to local neighbourhood audiences.”
Yuk Yuk’s Surrey, based at the Elements Casino Surrey (in Cloverdale), is part of Yuk Yuk’s International Stand-Up, Canada’s premier chain of comedy clubs.
For tickets and information, visit whiterockplayers.ca/yukyuks