It’s cool outside, a light breeze finding its way through the streets of Coronado. There’s faint sounds of life drifting here and there, but for the most part, it’s quiet.
Except one restaurant stands out.
There’s something going on at the bar and grill at 100 Orange Ave.
It’s Crown Comedy, a comedy show series happening once a month at Nicky Rottens at 7:30 pm at the beginning of each month. The first show was May 4, and the next performance is June 8.
First of its kind
It’s the first of its kind, according to Jim Gallagher, a local resident, comedian and show producer.
He said he worked closely with Simon Guindi and Isaac Micha, co-owners of the bar and burger joint, to create the show.
Gallagher mentioned Emerald C Gallery having comedy shows on and off, but not to the extent of having an ongoing series like what’s planned at Nicky Rottens.
“It’s really wonderful to have something to do at night without going over the bridge.”
-Jim Gallagher, local resident, comedian and show producer.
“It’s really wonderful to have something to do at night without going over the bridge,” Gallagher said.
Sleepy little town
It’s not unknown that Coronado can be a sleepy little town.
Even the comedians who weren’t from Coronado picked up on it, throwing jokes at the age of the crowd and a bedtime of 9:30 pm.
It’s a beautiful on-the-water, secluded city, boasting an impressive view of downtown San Diego on one end, and the never-ending ocean on the other.
But past evening time, there is not much to boast about in terms of nightlife, which the residents are okay with, said Gallagher.
“We love that about [Coronado],” said Gallagher. “But if we have the opportunity to bring live music, bring live comedy, and really make it an event…I want to make sure that, you know, I’m proud of the show that we’re putting on.”
Three acts for the night
The night consisted of two openers: Clay Newman and Gene Harding, before the headliner, John Wynn, came on stage.
Everyone faced the corner of the room, where comedians emerged from behind a red curtain to a dark room with a purple spotlight on them.
Each comedian brought a different flavor of humor to the room.
Newman performed a highly accurate David Attenborough impression about his life in between waking up and doing comedy at night.
Harding tested out the stereotype-joke waters and successfully emerged without drowning on the other side.
Wynn worked the crowd, even calling out the Asian reporter from the Coronado News for typing on her laptop after work hours.
Coronado seemed to pleasantly surprise the comedians.
“Looking at this crowd right now, is this a comedy show or an auction?” Harding quipped, surveying the room, the crowd cackling.
The demographics of the crowd might have thrown the comedians off, but Coronado was ready for the heat that comedy shows usually bring.
Rumbling with laughs
By the last half hour of the show, all the food had being devoured and all attention was on the stage.
The entire room rumbled with laughs, joined by a cacophony of clapping throughout the room.
Crown Comedy was done by 9:05 pm.
The comedians stood near the back, the crowd milling about.
“I retired from my job so that I could do this full time, you know what I mean? I want to do it,” Harding said.
He’s been doing stand-up comedy for the last 14 years.
Wynn shared similar sentiments, also having done comedy for the last 14 years.
“I’ve always felt compelled to do it. I’ve always loved stand-up comedy,” he said.
