Standup in English? Harvest Comedy Club Takes a Chance

Aside from the occasional amateur comedy night, Mérida (as far as we know) has never been part of a professional standup comedy tour in English — until now. Iguana Comedy is bringing its multi-city tour to Harvest Comedy Club on Friday, Jan. 9, marking a significant milestone for Mérida’s entertainment scene.

Founded by comedian Andrew Jonch, Iguana Comedy has built a reputation across the Mexican Caribbean for bringing international standup to regions where English-language professional comedy has been virtually nonexistent. The production company has established itself as a pioneer in developing comedy circuits in Cancún, Playa del Carmen and Tulum, and is now extending its reach to Yucatán’s capital.

The Mérida show will feature Trevor Green, a Canadian comedian from Thunder Bay, Ontario, who bills himself as “technically Mexican.” Green has been making waves in the Thunder Bay comedy scene, where he co-hosts the “Cold AF Podcast” and performs regularly at local venues, including The Foundry’s open mic nights. After previously touring Quintana Roo, Green is returning to Mexico with what Iguana Comedy describes as a triumphant comeback, having recently launched his own comedy club in Canada.

The 6 p.m and 8 p.m. performances at Harvest Comedy Club represent a natural partnership between two organizations committed to growing standup culture in the Yucatán Peninsula. The earlier of the two shows was added, promoters say, because of “massive demand.” So that’s a positive sign.

Harvest Comedy, which opened in July 2024, has become Mérida’s first dedicated standup comedy club. Founded by Leah Nedvedovich and Oscar Vargas, the venue has nurtured local Mexican comedians while occasionally hosting English-language performances.

The timing of the tour appears strategic, spanning the holiday season and extending into the new year with stops across the Riviera Maya. Different lineups will perform at each location, with Cancún and Playa del Carmen featuring Andrew Jonch alongside Jordan Cerminara, a collage artist from the United States who has carved out a unique niche in comedy. The Tulum and Mérida shows will showcase Green alongside other friends of Iguana Comedy.

The arrival of professional English-language comedy in Mérida reflects broader changes in the city’s cultural landscape. As Mérida’s international population grows, demand for diverse entertainment has increased. While the city has long offered regional theater comedy relying heavily on Yucatecan cultural references, English-language standup serves a different, previously underserved audience.

Comedy, unlike music or visual arts, relies almost entirely on language and cultural context. A joke that kills in Toronto might fall flat in Mérida if the audience doesn’t share the cultural touchstones. Conversely, the best comedy often comes from the friction between cultures — the “technically Mexican” Canadian comedian navigating life south of the border, for instance.

The Mérida show offers discounted pricing for Mexican nationals. Tickets are available here.