Crackup to Comeback: One Comedian’s Journey from Opening Act to Festival Emcee

Ten years ago, when I was almost still brand new to comedy, I found myself backstage at the TD Bank Centre with Canadian television legends like Mary Walsh, Gerry Dee, Jessica Holmes and Patrick McKenna. I was hanging out with my wife, Erin, and Kyle Brownrigg. Kyle and I had both won a competition produced by the Crackup Comedy Festival, and part of the prize was the opportunity to open for Gerry Dee in front of three thousand people.

I started performing late, at thirty seven years old, and ten years later, having performed in a number of wonderful venues, this show remains the largest audience I’ve ever been in front of. At the time, I was freaking out. I was lurking backstage with my wife. I’m also not good at small talk, so I was keeping to myself, trying to stay calm.

I got to step out on the stage before the doors opened and survey the room. I looked at the empty stands where I’d sat through more than a few 67’s games. Up front, there were a number of large round tables for VIPs and sponsors. Erin took my picture in front of the empty stands, then we scurried back to the green room area to resume calming down.

Chris Borris captured on stage before the 2016 Cracked Up Comedy show.

When my time came, Patrick McKenna, who you may recall from The Red Green Show, brought me up with a very warm and flattering introduction, and I stepped out into the bright lights of the stage. I’d put my phone in the front pocket of my suit, facing the audience, thinking that would be a good video. However, I was so tight that when I got in front of the stands and tables full of people, my arm mostly covered the camera lens.

I performed my set. A little personal, a little edgy and mostly very well received on that night. Probably the best set of my fledgling comedy hobby/career. I walked off the stage and headed back to the green room with Erin. We passed by Mary Walsh and made eye contact. She was laughing, supportive, and lovely.

Kyle kicked off the second half of the show after an intermission, and he absolutely destroyed. Since that night Kyle has performed on a number of televised specials, released his own Just for Laughs comedy special “Introducing Lyle” and in 2024 won a Juno award for best comedy album. Now he’s truly one of the best comedians performing in Canada.

Gerry Dee and the lineup of comedians from the 2016 Cracked Up Comedy show.

This was a huge night for me. After the show, Erin and I went to meet some friends at Joey’s Lansdowne, and walking through that restaurant full of people who’d just attended the show was the closest thing I’d ever experienced to being a celebrity. Since then, I’ve had the pleasure of performing at venues across Canada, including for the Arctic Comedy Festival, where I recorded an emcee set for Just for Laughs, but that Crackup Show remains the biggest highlight for me.

So I am very pleased and excited to be a part of this year’s Crackup Comedy Festival. John Helmkay, President of Crackup, asked me to help put the show together this year, so I immediately reached out to Kyle to co-headline with the super funny and talented Alex Wood. I’m going to emcee the show, and we have two brilliant feature acts in Serge Nkusi and Christina Muehlberger.

This year’s edition of the Crackup Comedy Festival will also take place on a rink, but this one will be the roller variety at Skate and Play, 1101 Baxter Road. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Kenny and his team at their sister restaurant, Exit Lounge, producing shows on a smaller scale. Every time I looked into the roller rink, all I could see was a mid to large-sized performance venue, so I’m very pleased to be producing a show there, as they’ve been wonderful to deal with.

I headlined the last show that I produced at Exit Lounge on a very blizzardy January 15. Across Ontario, comedy shows were being cancelled due to snow. The show sold out early, but with the weather, I wasn’t sure what the turnout would be. To my surprise, people came out, and the room was full. Emcee for the evening was Alex Wood, who did me a favour by hosting the show. Serge Nkusi was one of the feature acts that evening, and the show was a brilliant success.

I have an interesting history with Alex Wood. He became successful at comedy at a very early age and was already a veteran when I met him thirteen years ago. Originally from Ottawa, he’d moved to Toronto like so many others, but when he was back in town, he would stay at his mom’s house, which happens to be right around the corner from mine, so I would drive him to shows.

He’s gone on to fabulous credits, including features on NBC’s Today Show, Kevin Hart’s LOL, Vice, The Beaverton and Sirius XM radio. Alex is an author whose first book, a comedic memoir on sobriety, Float Like a Butterfly, Drink Mint Tea, was published in 2021 by Arsenal Pulp. Along with Kyle, Alex, and I, Serge Nkusi and Christina Muehlberger are two of the brightest upcoming stars in Canadian Comedy. Both have won major competitions and, on their own, are worth the price of a ticket.

Speaking of tickets, they are on sale now and selling quickly. We have four shows booked, Cornwall, Ottawa, Smiths Falls and Petawawa — consider joining us. The Ottawa show is on Thursday, March 19, at Skate and Play, 1101 Baxter Rd.

Tickets can be purchased using this link: Crackup Ottawa | Simpli. Get them while you can. I’m at least as excited for this show as I was for the one ten years ago. The lineup and the venue are both spectacular, and I hope to see you at the show.

By Chris Borris

Header image: Chris Borris overcame his nerves in 2016 and performed at his first Cracked Up Comedy Festival.