Step into a former bank vault in downtown Lynn, and instead of safe-deposit boxes you’ll find a 150-seat black-box theatre buzzing before showtime. That’s the home of Stand Up Stick Up, Lynn’s monthly comedy show at The Neal Rantoul Vault Theatre. The next edition lands this Thursday, June 25, with doors at 7:30 p.m. and the show at 8:00 p.m. Boston comic Peter Liu headlines a North Shore lineup that also features Matt Fanikos, Mark Anthony Lewis, and Nancy Sen, plus an opening set from musical guest Neidgine Destin. Tickets start at $20 through Eventbrite, with group deals for two or three. The venue sits inside the historic LynnArts building at 25 Exchange Street, right in the Downtown Lynn Cultural District. So you get a genuinely local night of live comedy — no drive into the city required.
What is Stand Up Stick Up?
Stand Up Stick Up is Lynn’s first dedicated, regular comedy series. Since 2023, it has brought a monthly mix of New England’s freshest comics and national headliners to one intimate stage. The name is a nod to the room itself — a former historic bank, now a black-box theatre called The Vault. The heist theme practically writes itself.
Over the past few years, the series has built a loyal following and a reputation as one of the best comedy values on the North Shore. Furthermore, it’s become a gathering spot for creatives, young professionals, and neighbors who want a reason to stay local on a Thursday night.
The origin was refreshingly simple. Three years ago, Edwin Cabrera and the Lynn Music Foundation handed founder Steven Foley the keys to the Vault and asked if he’d run a comedy night. He said yes on the spot.
“At our last show, our headliner was doing crowd work and started chatting with a couple in the front row. Somewhere in there, they mentioned they’d gotten a babysitter to be there. I’m a parent — I know exactly what it takes to coordinate a night out and actually show up somewhere. You don’t do that for something that isn’t worth it. That’s why I built this thing: a show that actually belongs to the community it lives in.” — Steven Foley, founder of Stand Up Stick Up
Three years later, the numbers back up the feeling. More than 150 comics have taken the Vault’s stage, 400-plus fans have come through the door, and a loyal crowd keeps returning month after month.
Who’s headlining the June 25 Stand Up Stick Up show?
The June 25 lineup leads with headliner Peter Liu, a sharp, high-energy comic bringing polished standup to the Vault. Supporting him are three distinct voices: Matt Fanikos, Mark Anthony Lewis, and Nancy Sen. Then there’s musical guest Neidgine Destin, who opens the night with a short live set.
Here’s how the evening runs. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. for drinks, snacks, and mingling. Next, the musical guest kicks things off around 8:00 p.m. Finally, three to four comedians take the stage for sets of five to fifteen minutes each. The result is a full night of comedy and music in one intimate, historic space.
What makes the Vault Theatre a great comedy room?
The Neal Rantoul Vault Theatre seats just 150 people, and that intimacy is the whole point. Every seat sits close to the stage, so the energy in the room feeds the comics directly. Specifically, a former bank vault turned black box gives the night a character you won’t find in a standard club. One online reviewer called it “one of the best comedy rooms in New England.”
The space is curated by the Lynn Music Foundation, the nonprofit that programs the venue and counts Stand Up Stick Up among its flagship programs. Meanwhile, the theatre’s home inside the LynnArts building at 25 Exchange Street puts you in the heart of the Downtown Lynn Cultural District, surrounded by restaurants and a growing arts scene.
How much are tickets, and how do I get them?
General admission starts at $20 (plus fees) through Eventbrite. For groups, there are two easy options: “A Show for 2” covers two admissions, and the “Third Wheel Deal” covers three. So grabbing a bundle and bringing friends is the simplest way to make it a real Thursday night out.
One note on timing: ticket sales close the day of the show. Therefore, buying ahead is the safe move for a room that only holds 150. Get tickets on Eventbrite →
Make a night of it in downtown Lynn
Downtown Lynn has quietly become one of the most interesting corners of the North Shore. The Cultural District is home to a vibrant arts scene and a growing roster of restaurants, but it has needed more nighttime programming for live-entertainment seekers. That’s exactly the gap Stand Up Stick Up fills.
So pair the show with dinner nearby, walk over for doors at 7:30, and you’ve got a full evening without leaving the city. For instance, a group of four can split a “Third Wheel Deal” plus a single ticket and turn an ordinary Thursday into a night worth talking about.
Frequently asked questions
When is the next Stand Up Stick Up show in Lynn?
The next show is Thursday, June 25, 2026. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., and comedy starts at 8:00 p.m. at The Neal Rantoul Vault Theatre, 25 Exchange Street, Lynn. The series runs monthly, on the fourth Thursday, so follow Stand Up Stick Up for upcoming dates.
Who is headlining on June 25?
Boston comic Peter Liu headlines. The lineup also features Matt Fanikos, Mark Anthony Lewis, and Nancy Sen, with musical guest Neidgine Destin opening the night. Expect three to four standup sets after the opening music.
How much are tickets?
General admission starts at $20 plus fees through Eventbrite. Two group options exist: “A Show for 2” and the “Third Wheel Deal,” good for three admissions. Buy ahead, since sales close the day of the show.
Where is The Neal Rantoul Vault Theatre?
It’s inside the historic LynnArts building at 25 Exchange Street, in the Downtown Lynn Cultural District. The room is a former bank vault turned 150-seat black-box theatre, curated by the Lynn Music Foundation.
Is there food and drink?
Yes. Drinks and snacks are available, and doors open early at 7:30 p.m. so you can settle in and mingle. Downtown Lynn also has plenty of restaurants within walking distance to round out the night.
Don’t miss Stand Up Stick Up, Lynn’s monthly comedy show, this Thursday, June 25, at The Neal Rantoul Vault Theatre.
About the author: John Andrews is the Founder and President of Creative Collective, covering arts, culture, and small business across Essex County and the North Shore. He spends his time connecting the people and places, building community throughout the region.
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