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Press Release: As-Heard-on-NPR Comedy Series begins with James Judd on January 25

Stand-up storyteller James Judd will perform at Gesa Power House Theatre on Saturday, January 25 at 7:00 p.m. This night of comedy will kick off the As-Heard-on-NPR Comedy series, sponsored in part by Northwest Public Broadcasting.
Monologuist and comedian James Judd, frequent headliner of Snap Judgment on NPR, has accidentally ended up in a whorehouse in China while working as a banned journalist, dabbled at a variety of jobs from from journalism to law, and is a former patient-and current pen pal-of sham Manhattan dermatologist turned Attica prisoner Dean Faiello. Judd is also is a writer and performer whose comic, personal stories crowd the stage with hilarious characters and situations.
Often compared to David Sedaris and Oscar Wilde, Judd connects with audiences as he shares stories classified as “spectacular public embarrassments and utter failures.” However humiliating, they affirm that part of being human is telling the stories that have happened to us, emphasizing that even in the face of failure, it’s getting up and moving forward that matters.
A former member of the Los Angeles based improv group (and Saturday Night Live training ground) The Groundlings, Judd worked the stand-up circuit until age 30, when he decided to go to law school to become a criminal defense attorney. An epiphany as an underprepared law student making his debut in criminal court-detailed in his story “The Defense Rests”-propelled him back to comedy, where he opted for autobiographic storytelling instead of stand-up for a more theatrical and satisfying experience for himself and his audience.
Reserved seating tickets ($40) are available online at www.phtww.org or by calling the box office at 509-529-6500. Group ticket sales are available by calling 509-876-1662.
The As-Heard-on-NPR Comedy Series also includes comedian Tom Papa on Friday, February 28, and two solo Off-Broadway comedy shows by Don Reed – East 14th on Saturday, April 18, and Semi-Famous on Thursday, December 31. Discounts are available to purchase tickets to all four shows as a package.

This event is sponsored by:
Northwest Public Broadcasting logo

The 2020 Gesa Power House Theatre Season is sponsored by:

   Coldwell Banker First Realtors   Foundry Vineyards    Walla Walla Union-Bulletin logo

Courtyard Marriott, KAPP-KVEW TV, Inland Cellular

McCurley Integrity Toyota of Walla Walla, Northwest Public BroadcastingPacific Power

Additional support provided by:
Walla Walla County, Port of Walla Walla, City of Walla Walla

Each Coldwell Banker Office is Independently Owned and Operated


About the Gesa Power House Theatre

The historic Gesa Power House Theatre is a 300-seat performing arts venue, located in downtown Walla Walla. The 120-year-old building was once the Walla Walla Gas Plant, built to produce coal gas used to light the streets, businesses, and homes of Walla Walla. In 2011 the Gesa Power House Theatre building was transformed into a state-of-the-art playhouse for live performance. The interior design of the theatre was inspired by Shakespeare’s own intimate Blackfriars Theatre in London, England.

The Gesa Power House Theatre is on the Washington State Building Preservation Commission list of State historic buildings and on the National Register of Historic Places. The venue also hosts a variety of other cultural events, musical concerts, and private events (including weddings).

For additional marketing and media information, including interviews and hi-res images, contact:

Bradley Nelson
Media Contact
Phone: 509.529-6500
webmaster@phtww.org

Gesa Power House Theatre
111 North Sixth Ave.
Walla Walla, Washington 99362

Season Sponsors


Foundry VineyardsWalla Walla Union-Bulletin logo
Pacific Power logoWW Valley Honda logo

Additional support provided by
Walla Walla County, Port of Walla Walla, City of Walla Walla, City of College Place

Each Coldwell Banker Office is Independently Owned and Operated