Tina Cruz brings a rare blend to Montreal’s comedy scene, weaving her background as a classically trained musician directly into her stand-up and blurring the line between joke-telling and live performance. Alongside performing and producing Comedy on Mackay, she recently released her book, How to Host a Comedy Show: Why Comedy Shows Fail and How to Run a Room, sharing practical advice for comedians, hosts, and producers.
How would you describe your comedy style?
My comedy is observational storytelling with a musical twist. I love finding humour in places people don’t expect – classical music, language, dating, cultural identity, and the wonderfully awkward moments that happen when those worlds collide. After two years of doing comedy, I finally found a way of weaving my classical music training into my act, which lets me blur the line between stand-up and performance.
I gravitate towards smart, playful comedy that mixes genuine stories with absurd turns. My goal isn’t just to get laughs; it’s to surprise audiences by making niche experiences feel universally relatable. I like taking subjects that seem serious and revealing just how ridiculous they can be.
Who are some of your influences?
I’m influenced by comedians who combine strong writing with honest storytelling. Ali Wong’s fearless personal comedy, John Mulaney’s craftsmanship as a storyteller, Mitch Hedberg’s unique perspective, and Adam Bloom’s precision have all shaped how I think about writing jokes. I also draw inspiration from music and live performance, so my act naturally blends stand-up with my background as a professional musician.
Who was your favourite comedian growing up?
Robin Williams. I loved how fearless and energetic he was. He could jump between characters, improvise effortlessly, and somehow balance complete chaos with genuine heart. As someone who also comes from a performance background, I always admired how musical his timing was. I also loved how Victor Borge incorporated comedy in his musical comedy act with the piano.
Who is your favourite comedian now?
It’s hard to choose just one. I really admire Ali Wong’s honesty, John Mulaney’s storytelling, and Adam Bloom’s joke writing. They’ve all influenced how I think about building a set and finding comedy in everyday experiences. Taylor Tomlinson’s comedy has also been important for me, showing that it is okay to talk about mental health on stage in a way that the audience is able to also emotionally connect and laugh together in a meaningful way.
What is your pre-show ritual?
I rewrite my set list from memory on a napkin and then ignore it completely. I enjoy being my own worst enemy.
What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?
Comedy on Mackay has become one of my favourite rooms. Since I’m also one of the producers, I’ve had the chance to watch it grow into a space where audiences genuinely come to laugh, and comics can take creative risks. Seeing the room develop week after week has been incredibly rewarding.
What is your favourite bit you have written and why were you proud of it?
The set I wrote for Laval’s Got Jokes with my soprano saxophone. Charles wanted something “saxy,” and I took that a little too literally. It was one of the first times I successfully combined stand-up with live music, and it felt more like performance art than a traditional comedy set. I was proud because I walked on stage knowing the concept worked, even if every beat hadn’t been fully tested. Sometimes you have to trust your instincts.
What is your favourite medium for listening or finding new comics/comedians?
I love watching live stand-up, so I often go to the Comedy Nest to discover new comics.
Tell us a joke about your city.
Dating in Montreal is hard because people are either poly, emotionally unavailable or stuck in a pothole on Sherbrooke.
Do you have anything to promote right now?
Absolutely! I recently released my book, How to Host a Comedy Show: Why Comedy Shows Fail and How to Run a Room. It’s a practical guide for comedians, hosts, and producers who want to build stronger live comedy shows, drawing on everything I’ve learned producing Comedy on Mackay. Right now, I have a deal for Montreal comedians that they can get their copy for $15; otherwise, it’s available on my website.
You can also catch me performing and producing Comedy on Mackay every Tuesday in downtown Montreal, where we feature some of the city’s best Montreal local comics. I’m also continuing to develop my musical comedy, combining stand-up with live clarinet.
Where can we follow you?
You can follow me on www.tinatellsjokes.com and also my comedy night www.comedyonmackay.com
PAY IT FORWARD: Who is another local comic/comedian we should know about?
You have to meet Alan Fregtman. If it wasn’t for him, Comedy on Mackay would not have persevered as much as it did. So, PLEASE interview him.
