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....Original Northstate Comedy Since 1978....
Comedy History 1978-2014 (w/ video)
How It Happened & Whatever Happened To...


1978-1987:
Mercy High School Sunshine Boys Steven Allen Ferchaud and Aaron Standish Mathisen form the Allen Standish Comedy Revue, which quickly becomes the best poster-hanging group in the Northern California comedy capitals of Red Bluff and Chico.

Piano Man Roland Allen is also in the first show, confusing everyone from the beginning.

Liz Merry moves from the Bronx to the Jersey Shore to The Road to Chico, Ca., singing rock-and-roll, juggling, and doing waitress comedy for thousands (one table at a time).

1988-1990:
Aaron and Roland put together a two-man act called "Comedy From The Basement".
Liz conquers the Chico back-up singer scene and notices that sweaty little guy.


1990-1994:
Liz writes her way into Wacky Wednesdays at LaSalle's in Chico (hosted by Allen Standish alumni Phil Pearson and John Bertoli, The Not Brothers) in May of 1990. She and Aaron are married by October. The name and membership of the comedy troupe changes several times (The Hump Day Players, Chico Comedy Company, The Chicomedians, Comedy 4-Play and others) finally becoming The Wild Oak Comedy Night in 1995.

Wild Oak is the name of the fake hippie store that Liz and Aaron opened in downtown Red Bluff in 1994. The store is still going strong at 328 Oak Street, across the street from the State Theatre. It's now owned by a younger, nicer couple who isn't always making fun of their customers onstage.

1995-1999:
Merry Standish continues their northstate shows under the Wild Oak Comedy Night banner. They also host a show at Duffy's Tavern in Chico (Sunday Comedy Services) the first Sunday of every month during 1998 and help with the initial restoration of the historic State Theatre in Red Bluff in 1999.


2000-2007
Merry Standish owns up to the shame and starts using their real names (becoming Merry Standish Comedy).Video is incorporated into the shows, adding to the sketches, stand-up, songs, pantomime, and other comedy tools that Merry Standish uses to produce a new two hour show each run.


2008-2011
Replaced with clones. Unfunny clones harvested for body parts. Brains were preserved in pepperoncini juice until nostalgia fueled a glorious comeback.


2012-2013
Sputtered back to life with a couple new (mostly) stand-up shows.


2014
Still Standish after all these years.
Check out this website or Facebook for latest live appearance info.

15 Year Montage