Just-on time: When we all need 'comic relief,' Juston McKinney to the rescue

Juston McKinney comedic roots draw on his Seacoast upbringing, making him a fan fav. (PortsmouthNH.com photo)

ROCHESTER - What with COVID, inflation, pain at the pump and the war in Ukraine, not a soul would argue that folks aren't in need of some cheering up.

Coming to the rescue is the Seacoast's own Juston McKinney, who will provide some "comic relief" during a Rochester Opera House performance on April 2.

McKinney's comedic storytelling genius is born from his experiences growing up in Portsmouth and Kittery, Maine, working as a York (Maine) County sheriff's deputy and being a husband and dad.

He told The Rochester Voice that he'll have lots of new stories to tell about his experiences in law enforcement as well as plenty of jokes surrounding the COVID pandemic, which he said threw his career for a loop the past two years.

"When COVID first hit every venue was shut down; all my live shows were canceled," he said. "Then I moved to virtual shows, which was weird. One time I was doing a (Zoom) show online and could see all the folks watching. I'd occasionally glance at the screen and see this woman who was just smiling so hard I knew she was liking my jokes. Then I noticed it was a still photo."

As pandemic restrictions eased and live shows were brought back, it was very frustrating, because every live venue had its own protocols. Some required masks, some proof of vaccination, some social distancing.

"It was crazy," he said. "Especially when everyone in the audience is wearing a mask. I'd be doing jokes about my wife, and I can't see the women's faces. I don't know if they're smiling or mad?"

In 1997 McKinney left the York County Sheriff's Office for good and headed to New York to make it in the bigtime.

In the Big Apple he worked all the big comedy clubs including Stand-up New York, Dangerfield's and Gotham.

He later moved to Los Angeles as his career took off, appearing in a half-dozen Comedy Central shows and on the "Tonight Show" with hosts Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien.

He also got some roles on TV series "The King of Queens" and in films such as The Zookeeper and Here Comes the Boom.

New York and LA were great, but in 2006 he decided to return to New Hampshire to raise his family. Today he lives in Newmarket with his wife, two sons and a couple of dogs.

McKinney says his material comes from "truth in my life."

"It's my kids, my wife, living in New Hampshire," he said.

Note: The Rochester Opera House is limited to 300 max, so it's likely tickets sell out fast.

To purchase tickets click here.

To see a short video of one of his comedy spots click here.