WELCOME back!
Nevada City Film Festival's annual Comedy Nights returns with a double-header comedy extravaganza that promises to be one for the books.
Over the years, NCFF Comedy Nights has grown to become its own signature event having welcomed such infamous characters as Marc Maron, Tig Notaro, Maria Bamford, Beth Stelling, Brett Gelman, Eric Andre, Nick Kroll, Natasha Leggero, Kyle Kinane, John Early and Kate Berlant to name a few.
COMEDY NIGHTS 2025:
FRIDAY APRIL 4th & SATURDAY APRIL 5th
THE shows
Friday April 4th
LOCALS MOSTLY
co-presented with
The BVNKR
Friday night kicks off with “Locals Mostly” co-presented with The BVNKR and featuring the enigmatic Zani Salvatore and Jori Phillips – fondly referred to as the #2 and #3 winners of last year’s Herd Mentality at Comedy Nights. They’re back with new hilarious material, and joining them are our new friends Nate Shaw (Punchline Sacramento) and Walker Glenn (SF Sketchfest) – two dudes not afraid to riff on everyday absurdities or share their hilarious personal stories. Plus DJ Fossil will be spinning records to keep the party going.
The Nevada Theatre, 401 Broad Street, Nevada City DOORS 7PM / SHOW 8pm / $25
Saturday April 5th
IS THIS OK?
feat. Jess Riegel of Unlikely Gems! plus special guests The Next Great Show with Rena Blair and Judy Merrick
Saturday night audiences will be treated to a very special, never before seen or produced evening with the one, the only – Jess Riegel, host and creator of the cult favorite online series Unlikely Gems. Opening up is The Next Great Show, a live comedy series with rotating themes, hosted by the ultra funny duo Rena Blair and Judy Merrick who give the original Wayne and Garth a serious run for their money.
The Nevada Theatre, 401 Broad Street, Nevada City DOORS 7PM / SHOW 8pm / $25
THE ARTISTS
FRIDAY: LOCALS MOSTLY
Zani Salvatore
Zani Salvatore quickly established himself in the regional scene with his fresh humor and casual mayhem. He’s a regular on shows from Sacramento to Reno and his mom told us to say nice things about him… it is true that he is very handsome.
@datboizani
FRIDAY: LOCALS MOSTLY
JORI PHILLIPS
Jori’s fast-paced, happily aggressive, relatable comedy will make you feel at home in an alien world as she works out what it is to be a human being. Born on a small rock in the Canadian Pacific – Jori has performed in all 50 states! In her free time, she enjoys producing award winning sculptural art internationally.
@whimsicorp @joriphillips
FRIDAY: LOCALS MOSTLY
Nate Shaw
Nate is a Sacramento-based stand-up comedian who can be found regularly at Laughs Unlimited and Punchline Sacramento, as well as hosting and performing all over Northern California. Whether riffing on everyday absurdities or sharing hilarious personal stories, Nate never fails to leave the crowd laughing. @nathaniel_good
FRIDAY: LOCALS MOSTLY
Walker Glenn
Walker Glenn is a stand-up comic, writer, podcaster, and the grumpy dad you didn’t know you wanted. In 2023 he performed in Treefort Fest and SF Sketchfest. He is a regular at Cheaper Than Therapy and Laughs Unlimited, a frequent contributor to the punk news/satire site the Hard Times, and host of the podcast Idiotalk. He lives in Oakland, CA with his human son and canine dog, and he is not mad at you— he’s just disappointed.
@walkerjfglenn / walkerglenn.com
FRIDAY: LOCALS MOSTLY
Michaela King
Michaela King is a Nevada City-based stand up comedian, producer and actor. She is the co-founder of The Bvnkr, and has produced open mics and shows in Nevada County for 5 years, including Nevada City Film Festival’s standup showdown Herd Mentality last year. She has performed stand up all in multiple states, but her true passion is writing short bios. @themadgesty @thebvnkr
Saturday: Is this ok?
Jess Riegel
Jess Riegel is a writer, actor, and director based out of Nevada City known for his role playing a deadpan TV presenter in the Unlikely Gems video series.
Riegel has spent the last eight years absorbing life in Nevada County: doing construction, milking a goat and a cow, learning to garden, helping people grow cannabis, living in an old ranch classroom, sleeping in an uninsulated cabin, practicing Ecstatic Dance, driving a yellow taxi, caring for a dog, and doing over 2000 cold dips in Wolf Creek and Deer Creek.
Saturday: Is this ok?
Rena Blair
Rena Blair is lead writer, co-producer, and co-host of The Next Great Show, a live comedy series with rotating themes that features all local performers. She makes audiences laugh (sometimes intentionally) with a signature mix of wit, absurdity, and deep appreciation for pop culture references. Rena has worked on numerous shows as a stage manager, assistant director, or set designer and her variety shows with longtime collaborator and co-producer Judy Merrick have consistently sold out since 2019. Rena is an improv and stand-up comic, podcast guest, public speaker, and storyteller. She taught drama and improv to high school students at NEO Youth Center for 3 years and has a BFA in Dramatic Arts. The Next Great Show has produced Lord Of The Schwings!, How You Dune?, Ski Lodge and more! Catch them in Woke Crystal 3.0 at The Chambers Project on May 3rd/10th. Rena is very excited to be back at The Nevada Theatre with NCFF!
Saturday: Is this ok?
Judy Merrick
Judy is an actress, improv teacher, and all-around mischief-maker who thrives on making people laugh. While she has played a wide range of characters on stage, comedy is her sweet spot—especially when she’s channeling the chaotic energy of her alter / same ego, and Best friend Rene. From New York to LA to Northern California, Judy has spent her life performing both dramatically and comedically but nothing beats the thrill of landing a great punchline in front of a live audience.
With 13 years in the vibrant New York theater scene, Judy has brought her passion for performance to Nevada City, where audiences may recognize her from Into the Woods and RENT(Lyric Rose), It’s a Wonderful Life (Legacy Theater), The Shorts (Sierra Stages), and The Moors, where she won BroadwayWorld’s Best Actress award two years in a row. She also starred as Candy in Gold Can’t Love You Back new musical about Gold Country at the Stonehouse and most recently playing Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Center for the Arts. Along with many NYC and LA theater and film credits.
Judy trained at USC, RADA in London, and AADA in NYC.
WORKSHOPS
Saturday April 5th
5-6pm / FREE!
Instant Improv Class with Kim Ewing
Come & play at Instant Improv! An hour of unscripted, in-the-moment play that ignites creativity, connection, and collaboration. No experience needed, just willing to say “YES AND” while tapping into your inner child and creative self.
Instructor Kimberly Ewing has been teaching Improv, along with performing in award-winning improv troupes for years. Her ability to create a safe space for everyone invites playfulness and delight. Come & play!!
Size is limited so please sign up by emailing Kimberly at kimberly_ewing@hotmail.com
The Nevada Theatre, 401 Broad Street, Nevada City
TICKETS
Tickets $25/advance, $30/door, $40/adv both nights
Doors 7pm, Show 8pm, Full Bar
Fri April 4th
LOCALS MOSTLY
Feat. Zani Salvatore, Jori Phillips, Nate Shaw and Walker Glenn
with host Michaela King
Plus DJ Fossil spinning records
Sat April 5th
