Moms Unhinged offers a platform for female and mom comics. It brings a standup comedy show to Bend’s Tower Theatre Friday.

Andrea Marie Sodergren jokes about being the token female or token mom in comedy. But at her nationally touring comedy troupe, Moms Unhinged, it’s men who are the occasional token performers.

Sodergren began producing comedy showcasing mom comics before the pandemic. The performances, held a few times a year, centered around “cleanish” jokes about motherhood, midlife crises, marriage, divorce and online dating.

Her troupe, it turned out, filled a gaping hole in the comedy scene.

The shows sold out Colorado venues, where Sodergren is based. A little over a year ago, she took Moms Unhinged on the road. Now, it tours across the country, selling out more than 15 shows a month, according to its website.

On Friday, Moms Unhinged may perform to a sold-out audience at Bend’s Tower Theatre: Earlier this week, a smattering of tickets remained on the main floor, with the majority open seats available in the balcony.

The troupe returns to Bend after debuting its signature standup to the Tower Theatre in September.

Jaci Terjeson, a finalist in the Seattle International Comedy Competition, headlines the show, joined by fellow Seattle-based comedian Merit Kahn and Denver-based comics Stacy Pederson and Cara Rosellini.

Breaking comedy stereotypes

Moms Unhinged is about connecting audiences with comics who understand them and make them feel seen.

“There aren’t many shows out there like this where it’s all females or all moms,” Sodergren said. “It’s a win-win for the moms who are on the show, getting to express themselves and feel heard.”

It has grown to the point Sodergren decided to close her 15-year-old social media marketing company last year.

One of Sodergren’s favorite parts of Moms Unhinged is it attracts groups of female friends, mothers and daughters and sometimes mothers, daughters and grandmothers.

She’s also proud that Moms Unhinged continues to adhere to one of its core values — paying its comedians well. While some comedians earn between $25 and $40 per show, Sodergren uses profit sharing, so performers are earning above the industry standard.

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More laughs in Central Oregon

Additional comedy shows are around the corner. Next weekend, Hosmer Bar hosts a comedy night with Bits N Skits Productions. The group first performed at the venue in November and will hold eight more shows on alternating Friday evenings through May 23 inside the Waypoint Hotel, 1415 NE Third St., in Bend.

On Jan. 25, Bend’s Craft Kitchen & Brewery hosts a Ball Pit Comedy show, where audience members are encouraged to throw pit balls at comedians at 62988 Layton Avenue. While the concept may seem harsh, spectators throw the balls when they’re having a good time, which for the comedians feels like balls of affirmation, comedian Katy Ipock told The Bulletin in an interview last year.

If you’re ready to give the standup scene a try, or just want to enjoy a free show, Cody Parr’s Beertown Comedy hosts a comedy open mic at 7 p.m. Mondays at Silver Moon Brewing, 24 NW Greenwood Ave., and 7 p.m. Thursdays at Crave Bend, 335 SW Century Drive. Sign-ups for both shows are at 6:30 p.m.

On Friday at 8 p.m., Beertown brings Comedy Happy Hour to General Duffy’s Annex at 404 SW Forest Avenue in Redmond, with live stand-up and specials on food and drink.

If You Go

What: Moms Unhinged Standup Comedy Show

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Where: Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St., Bend

Cost: $25-$34.50 (plus $6 historic preservation fee)

Contact: towertheatre.org, 541-317-0700