20 Years of Glitz and Grit: The Story Behind Can Can’s Evolution

Before it was a Seattle institution, before the sold-out shows and Instagrammable cocktails, Can Can was just a tiny stage in a basement with a big dream. And Jonny was there for all of it. As one of the founding performers, he’s danced, hosted, designed, and helped shape the venue into the beloved creative force it is today. In celebration of Can Can’s 20th anniversary, Jonny reflects on the chaotic beginnings, the pivotal moments that changed everything, and why, two decades in, he still gets butterflies before every show.

TheCanCan.Com: Take us back to the beginning—what do you remember about Can Can’s very first show?

Jonny: Opening night was in March, and I had a raging fever. I was in college, finishing finals, and just completely wiped, but we’d spent months preparing, and there was no turning back. That whole night felt like a literal fever dream. I was 21, stepping into this world I never could’ve imagined. I had no idea it would become what it is today.

In those early years, we were servers and performers…which was absolute chaos. The first time I ever spoke on stage happened by accident. I was dressed like some drunken Russian character for this number, and there was a costume malfunction. The dancers never made it onstage, the music cut out, and I was alone in front of the audience, so I just started talking. That was the birth of Vladi, this wild Russian host character I ended up playing for years. It all just... happened. And then it stuck.

TheCanCan.Com: Can Can has evolved from an underground gem to a Seattle staple. What were some of the turning points that shaped that journey?

Jonny: Every time someone new joins or leaves, the dynamic shifts. Each new generation of performers changes the space in some way. And then there are the creative risks—those are big milestones. Like when we first did Noir a few years ago, we had this bit called the “f@!%alogue.” I pull someone onstage and only communicate using one word…you can probably guess which one. It was a total gamble, but it worked. Those are the moments I live for. When you’re not sure if something is going to be magic or a disaster, and you go for it anyway.

TheCanCan.Com: Are there any shows that felt like a creative leap or defined a new chapter for Can Can?

Jonny: Noir definitely pushed us in new directions. And building our first rotating stage for that show—that was huge. I can’t believe it’s still fully functional. But every show has its own leap. Sometimes the creative evolution is gradual, and sometimes it hits all at once.

TheCanCan.Com: What does it mean to you to be part of Can Can’s legacy?

Jonny: It feels like both a lifetime and just the beginning. I’m incredibly proud of how far we’ve come, especially in the last few years. And with another venue on the way, it’s a whole new level. Chris has been saying this lately: What could Can Can be in 100 years? Can it grow into something that outlasts us all? That idea really sticks with me. In a world that’s becoming more digital and isolated, a place like this where people gather, laugh, and celebrate feels more essential than ever.

TheCanCan.Com: And after two decades, what still excites you about walking through the doors every day?

Jonny: I still get butterflies before every show. I get to be part of people’s best nights…their birthdays, anniversaries, bachelorettes, first dates, first nights without the baby. It’s honestly humbling. I feel so lucky that people choose us to celebrate with. Seeing their joy brings me so much joy. As long as I can keep doing that, I will.

You can watch Jonny in action throughout the 2025 season (and forever, ideally) at the Can Can.