Jason Cheny Brings Down the House at the Neptune Theater in Seattle
SEATTLE (May 3, 2025) — Taiwanese American comedian Jason Cheny returned to Seattle Saturday night with a sold-out performance at the historic Neptune Theater, delivering a riotous evening of cultural commentary, dark humor, and a whole lot of crowd participation.
The night kicked off with opening acts Will Pepper and Bo Johnson, who each brought their own brand of laughter and a few jaw-drops to a packed house.
Will Pepper warmed up the audience with rapid-fire jokes and self-deprecating humor, riffing off his last name and, in a moment that sent audible shivers through the audience, explaining the dubious concept of “Utah soaking.” (No, you really don’t want to Google it.) His short but punchy set hit all the right notes to set the tone for the evening.
Next up was Seattle native Bo Johnson, whose dry delivery and NPR-caliber voice lulled the crowd into a false sense of calm before unleashing stories from his ultra-holistic childhood. Raised by massage therapist parents, Johnson wove tales of awkward childhood moments, and hilarious clapbacks to bullies who tried, and failed, to weird him out. Spoiler: they never stood a chance.
When headliner Jason Cheny hit the stage, the energy in the room hit another level. He immediately thanked the audience for coming out, especially the large number of Asian fans, and gave a playful nod to the “few white people” in attendance, drawing explosive laughter from all corners of the room. From there, it was full throttle.
For those familiar with Cheny, his fast-paced, boundary-pushing style delivered exactly what they came for. For newcomers, Cheny had no problem spotting them in the crowd, and promptly pulling them into his set, much to the delight of their more prepared partners. No topic was off-limits: childhood trauma, impatient behavior, cultural expectations, and even awkward sauna encounters … all delivered with a masterful mix of vulnerability and bite.
A particularly memorable moment came when the audience demanded a dark joke to close out the set, and Cheny obliged, earning one of the biggest laughs of the night. It’s not easy to bond with a theater full of strangers over shared existential dread, but Cheny somehow made it feel like a group therapy session… if therapy came with punchlines.
After the show, Cheny didn’t disappear backstage. Instead, he stuck around to meet fans, pose for photos, and personally thank nearly everyone who approached him. It was a gracious, genuine gesture that capped off an already memorable night.
Cheny hinted he’ll be back in Seattle next year, so fans should keep an eye on his website for tour updates. If Saturday night was any indication, tickets will be gone in a flash.
