Comedian Jeff Paul is returning to familiar ground — but this time, with cameras rolling.

The Niagara-on-the-Lake native is set to record his first standup comedy special and second album at Navy Hall on April 11, marking what he calls a milestone moment in a career more than a decade in the making.

“It’s like pretty much the culmination of the last 15 years,” Paul said.

“All my best stuff I’m gonna put forward and try to put it in one special that all works together, and then pull a new album out of it, too.”

The performance will feature about an hour of material from Paul, with a 15-minute opening set by fellow NOTL comedian Joe Pillitteri, whom Paul describes as a “local legend.”

The special is being filmed by Macaw Studios, a Canadian production company with a track record in comedy. Paul said the goal is to shop the finished product to streaming platforms, though he’s open to wherever it lands.

“I hope it gets sold somewhere. Whoever wants it, they can buy it,” he said. “But if it just ends up on YouTube and you get the views, that’s kind of what we’re after as well.”

While Paul is now based in Toronto — where he runs weekly shows and performs regularly — he still spends much of his time touring across Canada, with recent stops in Montreal, St. Catharines and Ottawa.

Despite the growing reach of his career, returning to Niagara-on-the-Lake carries particular significance.

“I grew up down there, and I run the Icebreakers Comedy Festival. We do that every year,” he said.

“It’s always been nice to come back home and kind of do it for the town, because there’s not really comedy in Niagara.”

Paul said the material in his set draws heavily from his own life, rather than politics or current events.

“I don’t really hit on politics. It’s mostly just about my life,” he said. “It gets a little dirty, little dark sometimes, but it all comes out of reality.”

Navy Hall was chosen not only for its historic character, but for its intimate setting — something Paul and his team plan to use to their advantage.

There will be two shows, starting at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Each will be capped at roughly 80 audience members, with the stage placed in the centre of the room in a 360-degree “in the round” format.

“We were looking at all the walls, and we’re like, which one would we want as the backdrop? And we’re like, we want them all,” he said.

The production will also include complimentary drinks for attendees, with support from local beverage partners Ravine winery and Oast brewers.

Paul said audiences can expect a mix of styles between himself and his opener — even if the contrast is stark.

“He tells stories and I tell dick jokes. So it’s two different worlds that collide together, but we work good together,” he said.

At its core, the night is about one thing: a good time.

“I’m gonna tell jokes. People will laugh … Hopefully.”