Opening Night at National Lampoon’s The Yellow Door

An eclectic cast of San Diegans and So Cal locals makes the debut of National Lampoon’s The Yellow Door a quiet success!

You may or may not know, but National Lampoon, an institution in comedy, just launched its first venue, in our little San Diego Gaslamp Quarter backyard, on the third floor of 701 5th Avenue. A round-up of San Diego locals and special guests took the stage and represented Southern California with grace! 🤞🏾

The evening was introduced by a Magical Lampoon Sponsor, who presented our host, Natasha Collier (@realnatashacollier). A “Gen-Xer,” as she refers to herself, she had a stage presence and some killer jokes. Her set was nuanced and set the stage for a showcase of major talent coming out of San Diego. She has a promising future in the business and will be on your televisions soon. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Mike Vinn (@mikevinncomic) had good jokes. He gave great anecdotes on family and relatable subjects many crowds would enjoy. He managed the crowd well and has a unique commentary on being a step-parent. I would love to see more work in bigger markets and unexpected subjects from a middle-aged white guy. ⭐⭐

Bijan Mostafavi (@bijan_likes_burritos) mentioned his work attire as he introduced himself, which screams struggling comedian on the cusp. His stage presence kept the crowd engaged while he shared the stories of a struggling 9-5er who hates their job, something many can relate to! A funny comedian who may strike big with more work in bigger markets and better stage presence. ⭐⭐⭐

RJ Haines (@rjhainesIII) served up a bit of family history and surprised the crowd with a few impressions as well. This local favorite has worked in many of the clubs downtown and made an impression tonight! He will thrive by curating his jokes into a full set, adding more punch and awe to his jokes, and honing his impressions into more of a showpiece than an afterthought. ⭐⭐

Char Ramtin (@char.ramtin) was the standout of the evening. Commanding the crowd and bringing the audience into her set, she didn’t miss a beat and performed well. She had time to spare and delivered the biggest laughs of the evening on a consistent basis. Her tenacious spirit will do well with more time in the industry and different experiences. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pink Fox (@comedianpinkfoxx) was a surprise on the ticket but didn’t disappoint. She represented her transgender community well with musical samples in between. Her jokes resembled the Kings and Queens of Comedy with brash commentary that should be heard. She didn’t hesitate to broach the tough subjects and challenged the audience to laugh. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

James Schrader (@mrjamesschrader) was the headliner of the evening and gave a solid performance. He managed to engage the crowd with shocking jokes that show his quirky view on humanity. Having crushed the Dr. Squatch campaigns you may be familiar with on Facebook/Instagram, this renaissance man has many talents. ⭐⭐⭐

All in all, the show delivered some high-quality local talent, which is rare to find in San Diego comedy clubs. A smooth operation run by National Lampoon and The Yellow Door included cocktails, beer, and a well-rounded food menu you can order from your seat with premium service similar to higher-end movie theaters. Their first location in an old movie theater in the Gaslamp, located on the third floor of Mr. Tempo’s, has an eye for talent I’m personally looking forward to!