Ten years ago, Chris Borris was a nervous first-time comedy competition winner, standing backstage at TD Bank Centre next to Canadian TV legends he'd grown up watching. This Thursday, he's back at Crackup Comedy Festival. This time as the emcee.
The arc of Borris's comedy career is a good one. He started performing stand-up at 37, entered the Crackup Comedy Festival competition, and won, earning the prize of opening for Gerry Dee before a crowd of 3,000 people. By his own account, it remains the largest audience he's ever performed for.
A Night He Still Remembers
That 2016 show at TD Bank Centre was something. The bill included Mary Walsh, Jessica Holmes, Patrick McKenna, and Gerry Dee, a murderers' row of Canadian comedy royalty. McKenna himself introduced Borris to the stage.
"A little personal, a little edgy and mostly very well received on that night," Borris said of his set. "Probably the best set of my fledgling comedy hobby/career."
His fellow winner that night, Kyle Brownrigg, has since gone on to significant success, performing on televised comedy specials, releasing Introducing Lyle for Just for Laughs, and winning a 2024 Juno Award for best comedy album. Borris has been building his own path: performing at the Arctic Comedy Festival, recording an emcee set for Just for Laughs, and now producing shows at venues across Canada.
What to Expect on March 19
The 2026 Crackup Comedy Festival heads to Skate and Play (1101 Baxter Road) on Thursday, March 19, with Borris in the emcee chair. Headlining the show are Brownrigg and Alex Wood, with feature acts Serge Nkusi and Christina Muehlberger rounding out the lineup.
It's a strong bill, a mix of established names and rising voices that reflects the health of Ottawa's comedy community.
Tickets
Tickets for the March 19 show are available through Simpli Events. Whether you've been following Ottawa's comedy scene for years or you're looking for something fun to do mid-week, this one is worth your time.
Source: Ottawa Life Magazine
