Watching the Glow-Up: Why I’m So Proud of Ricci Armani
A personal look at the journey of Ricci Armani and the success of his hit comedy show My Straight Friends.
One of my favorite parts about being around comedy clubs isn’t just the performances on stage. It’s the chance to watch people grow.
Comedy is one of those art forms where the audience only sees the finished moment: the joke landing, the laugh, the applause. What they don’t see are the years of late nights, small rooms, half-packed crowds, and the constant trial and error it takes to find your voice. Stand-up comedy is built on persistence, and the people who stick with it long enough eventually start to shine in a way that feels really special to witness.
That’s exactly what it’s been like watching Ricci Armani over the years.
I still remember the first night I met him.
At the time, Ricci was hosting a show where my now-husband, JR Berard, was headlining in a little bar in Enumclaw, WA (Cole Street Brewing). It was already a huge night for us because it was the first time my mom was going to see JR perform live. Anyone who has introduced their partner to family through something meaningful knows how monumental that moment can feel. There were nerves, excitement, pride, everything wrapped together into one evening.
Ricci stepped into the room as the host with this fiery energy that immediately set the tone for the night. Hosting a comedy show is no small task. You have to warm up the crowd, read the room, keep the energy moving between comics, and make sure the audience stays engaged. It’s one of the hardest jobs in stand-up, and Ricci handled it with a confidence and spark that was impossible to ignore.
But more than anything, there was an instant connection.
Some people just walk into your life and it feels easy right away. By the end of that night it felt like we’d known him much longer than a single show.
That’s one of the things I love most about the comedy world when it’s at its best, it becomes a family pretty quickly.
Over the years since that night, JR and I have had the chance to watch Ricci grow as both a comedian and a person, including meeting and falling in love with his partner. In a funny way, we sometimes joke that Ricci is a little bit like our comedy kid. We’ve been together almost exactly as long as we’ve been watching him grow in this scene. (it also may have something to do this this photo of JR, Rachel Aflleje and their “child” Ricci Armani) Of course he’s built everything himself, but there’s something deeply special about seeing someone you care about step more fully into their talent year after year.
Original poster from comedy show at Cole Street Brewing featuring Rachel Afflleje, JR Berard & Ricci Armani
Ricci Armani pose with JR Berard & Rachel Aflleje in front of an Octoberfest cardboard cutout (taken with a cellphone)
And Ricci’s glow-up has been incredible to watch!
He’s built something really unique with his wildly successful show, My Straight Friends, which he co-hosts with comedian Joe Dombrowski and has taken all across the Pacific Northwest. The concept is clever, the energy is fun, and audiences absolutely love it. What started as a great idea has turned into a show that continues to grow and travel between Seattle & LA including the prestigious ComedyStore. Bringing people together for nights of laughter and connection.
Seeing that evolution from fiery host to a creator running a largely successful show, has been something that makes me incredibly proud.
Comedy isn’t an easy road. It takes resilience, creativity, and a willingness to keep pushing forward even when the rooms are tough or the road gets long. Watching Ricci navigate that journey and come out stronger, sharper, and more confident has been amazing.
Ricci Armani on stage performing at Jai Thai on Broadway in Capitol Hill, Seattle (taken with cell phone)
Because when you know someone from early in their journey, you understand what it took to get there.
You remember the early shows.
The risks.
The moments where someone is just starting to figure out who they are on stage.
And then one day you look up and realize they’ve built something really special.
That’s what it feels like watching Ricci Armani now.
The Pacific Northwest comedy scene is full of talented people, but there’s something extra special about seeing someone you’ve known since the beginning step fully into their moment. Watching him bring My Straight Friends, to audiences around the region, featuring names such as Iliza Shlesinger, Craig Conant, Brad WIlliams, Susan Rice, Kumail Nanjiani and many more. Seeing crowds respond, and feeling the excitement around the show, it’s the kind of thing that reminds you why this community is so special.
For me, comedy has always been about more than just the stage.
It’s about the people.
The friendships that form in green rooms.
The conversations after the show.
The small community that gathers around a microphone and a spotlight night after night.
And watching Ricci grow into the comedian and show creator he is today has been one of the absolute joys of being part of that world.
Ricci Armani on stage at Club Comedy Seattle
We love him dearly, we’re endlessly proud of him, and honestly?
It’s been pretty incredible watching our “comedy kid” grow up.
If you ever have the chance to see My Straight Friends live, go! Grab your friends, buy the tickets, and experience the show for yourself. The energy in the room is unforgettable and supporting comics like Ricci is one of the best ways to keep the comedy scene thriving. 🎤
My Life as a Comic’s Wife
A behind-the-scenes look at life married to a stand-up comedian. From comedy club nights to touring stories, it’s a glimpse into the world behind the stage.
“My husband is a comic”
whenever I say this, faces light up. Eyes get big. People lean in, and I can practically see the thought bubble forming over their heads.
“I love comedy! Whats his name?”
I smile, because I know that they are expecting me to drop some big name like Pete Davidson or John Mulaney because the reality is, most people say they like comedy but they really have no idea who the big shakers in their city are. The reality is, there is so much going on around you that you just don’t see. Every major city has a comedy club, most local bars host a monthly comedy night and there are more talented stand up comics who aren’t necessarily big on TikTok, instagram, Netflix or made it onto Kill Tony.
Some comics dream of fame & recognition while some are happy where they are. Being able to still go grocery shopping without being recognized while still booking shows when and where they want.
Some comics work full time jobs by day, light up a stage by night and then some are attending weekly open mics, working on new material and trying to find the pops.
If you want a close to accurate representation to what it’s like behind the scenes, watch the movie, Is This Thing On (2025) written by Bradley Cooper, Will Arnett & Mark Chappell
JR Berard on stage at the Everett Historic Theater
The Comics You Don’t See on TV Are the Backbone of Comedy
There are so many comedians in the Pacific Northwest doing incredible work that most people will never see unless they actively go looking for live comedy.
They’re:
Driving hours for a 10-minute set
Rewriting jokes in their Notes app at 1am
Bonding with friends they only see green rooms
Building actual communities around laughter
They’re not famous, (yet) but they are talented, working comics. They are the reason your favorite Netflix special exists, because every headliner started struggling to put together 3 minutes. They started in rooms just like these.
JR Berard backstage at the Everett Historic Theater
What It Looks Like From the back Row
As a photographer in the Seattle and Tacoma comedy scene, I get to watch this up close. I get to see:
The same comics grinding week after week
The new joke that finally hits after bombing time and time again.
The moment a room of strangers laughs together for the first time
The long drive home & dissecting every tag
But my favorite moments are the ones that take time. Watching a new comic step on stage, still finding their footing, and then seeing them months later absolutely burning the room down. It’s the glow up for me. There is nothing better than watching someone fall in love with the work, put in the reps, and become undeniable.
JR Berard on stage at a local open mic
Success Isn’t Just Netflix
We measure success in comedy by the wrong metrics.
Success isn’t only:
A special
A set on late night TV
A million followers
Success is:
Getting booked again
Finally getting a crowd on your side when they are tired and haven’t popped yet
Skillfully shutting down hecklers without losing the crowd. Better yet, while keeping the crowd laughing
(Check out Percy Crews II to see the master!)
And in the Pacific Northwest, there are dozens of comedians doing exactly that.
They’re headlining small clubs.
They’re featuring for touring acts.
They’re producing their own shows.
They’re building something real.
You just might not know their names yet.
Hands gesturing and holding a mic while telling jokes
Support Live Comedy
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from being married to a comic & photographing the Seattle, Everett, and Tacoma comedy scene, it’s this:
Live comedy is where the magic is.
Not the polished hour.
Not the streaming special.
The raw, messy, electric room where a joke is being born in real time, the stress if it doesn’t land the way you expected and and the skillful recovery.
That’s where you’ll see the people who love this art form enough to keep showing up. Follow along with me to learn about shows and comics you should know.