Can Boeh Fill the Black Hole in Portland Comedy?

Tyler Boeh is the newest standup comedian in town, moving back to Portland from L.A. at a time when most comedians are doing the opposite.

Sipping a neat drink at the Sweet Hereafter, Tyler Boeh looks slightly out of place—black motorcycle jacket, Adidas AR 2.0 high tops, hair shaved on the sides. It has been 10 years since the Portland native moved away, and now he looks like he's from California.

Boeh is the newest standup comedian in town, moving back to Portland from L.A. at a time when most comedians are doing the opposite. He grew up on Northeast 32nd Avenue, did improv at Grant High and met his wife while working downtown at Ruth's Chris Steak House. At the University of Oregon, he was in the school's a cappella group. "That was pre-Pitch Perfect," Boeh says. "I don't know if it's cool now, but it definitely wasn't then."

After 10 years as a successful standup in Boston and L.A., Boeh is coming back home with his family to get free baby-sitting from the grandparents. We asked Boeh what's changed since he first lived in Portland.

WW: What was the comedy scene in Portland like when you started here?

Tyler Boeh: The first open mic I did was at Fireside Coffee Lodge on Powell. I was doing comedy at strip clubs. There was an open mic at this place called Devils Point. Is that still in business? They would have stripping from open to close, but they'd stop from like 7 to 9 for an open mic, which was terrible. [Susan Rice] was at the first open mic I ever did. After the show, she pulled me aside and said, "You've got something; keep at it."

Related: Portland is Still the Strip Club Capital of America.

What do you think about all these comics moving to L.A.?

[L.A.] is like this light. Like moths to the flame, they see this glowing Hollywood sign. Everyone in L.A. is trying to act. I'm more into standup. When you look at all the standup greats, what sets them apart is honesty and truth. All I want to do is be myself onstage, and you go to L.A. and everyone is trying to act and be someone else. I mean, I did some acting down in L.A. I did some commercials.

Do you feel like the new kid here?

I have to start from scratch. Almost all the comics that I knew are gone. I've had a lot of success in Boston and L.A. Not so much that my reputation precedes me, but I have that experience. You give me a few weeks, I'll find out every venue, every booker and I'll meet every comic. I can do that in a couple of weeks. You can't get 10 years of comedy experience in two weeks. I know it's a lot of work, but I'm not worried. I'm coming home. One of my buddies was like, 'It's prime time. All the cool kids just left town.' Am I not a cool kid? Maybe there is a void I can fill.

Related: The Exit Interview with Amy Miller and Sean Jordan.

How does Portland look after 10 years?

It's so great to be back in Portland, where there's an abundance of moisture and liquids. There's water everywhere, and beer and coffee. In California, people are watering their lawns with cheap chardonnay. That whole state is going up in flames this summer, I guarantee you. There are some culture-shock things like that. People are just smiling at me for no reason and saying hi. It's also very tip-toey in the comedy scene. People are very safe-spacey, trigger words and all that.

Is there a scene you are eager to get into?

People will say, "You're not quite right for this scene," but a truly funny comic can perform anywhere. I've done a biker bar in Montana. I've done a Catholic church in Massachusetts. I've done cruise ships where a lot of people don't speak English. I've done birthday parties. I've done a barn in Sandy, Oregon. In Boston and L.A., I performed all over. I've done all-black crowds, Latino crowds. I did shows where I was the only straight comic. It's fun, I love the challenge. Some comics can perform for anybody. Funny is funny. We're more alike than we are different.

What's your comedy style?

The thing that people always remember is me beatboxing in my set. My comedy is very positive. I think Maya Angelou said, "People won't necessarily remember what you said but how you make them feel." I don't want to bash anybody. I'm not dark. I'm not depressed. I'll do 45 minutes and not swear once the entire time.

See it: Tyler Boeh: Corporate Clean, Beat-Box Comedian is at The Slate: Standup Comedy Showcase at Kiggins Theatre, 1011 Main St., Vancouver, on Thursday, June 7. 8 pm $10.

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