atsuko
#FIRSTLOOK: JUST FOR LAUGHS TORONTO RETURNS
Celebrating its tenth anniversary after a two-year pandemic hiatus. JUST FOR LAUGHS TORONTO is back and on till October 1, 2022. The Comedy Festival has stepped it up this year, reaching a wider audience than ever with the addition of ComedyCon, a Street Festival with food and drink vendors, plus live musical and Comedy performances. plus so much more. But above this, the names in town for the Festival this year are bigger than ever with the likes of John Mulaney, Amy Schumer, Craig Robinson, Craig Ferguson, Marc Maron, Issa Rae, Trixie & Katya and several others, gracing the City at multiple venues around the City. Adapting to shifts in how we see and consume our Comedy, JUST FOR LAUGHS more than ever is placing its focus on an even more inclusie lineup of talent, expanding now to include TikTok personalities, Podcasters, Drag Queens, among others. There truly is something for everyone at the Festival this year.
We were so thrilled to get to see a number of shows at the Festival, back bigger than ever!
ATSUKO
If you’ve never before witnessed the magic that is Atsuko, you are in for a treat. Her Comedy is smart, giving us a unique lens, as an Asian female immigrant in an interracial relationship. Her observations are sharp, with the ability to be expressive also physically. A definite rising star who played multiple shows at the Festival this year, and has an HBO Special on the way.
TRIXIE & KATYA
These RuPaul’s Drag Race Alumni truly have built an empire of their own with their hilarious, playful banter and they treated fans to a full-on production at Meridian Hall lasting 2.5 hours with an intermission even! Fans got a couple chances to see them, including a taping of their Podcast THE BALD & THE BEAUTIFUL, where they got candid about everything from massages, to their thoughts on leaving Drag which you can hear on their upcoming Podcast. Fans even got a chance to buy autographs and photo ops after the taping! Drag stars Priyanka, Olivia Lux and Tynomi Banks even were in attendance!
MEGAN STALTER
This Funnywoman continues to bring the laughs, catching our attention with her hilarious improvised videos which gave gone viral. Remember her “Hi Gay!” Pride month celebration video? We still laugh about it to this day! Stalter also stars in Emmy-winning HACKS on HBO Max, and continues to be a huge star on the rise. Case in point, she was brunching with the likes of Amy Schumer, Trixie and Katya even! Her very interactive show was absolutely bonkers, and even without a clear structure, she still brought the laughs, playing three shows at The Royal.
MONÉT X CHANGE & BOB THE DRAG QUEEN
These RuPaul’s Drag Race fan favourites who have a Podcast together, SIBLING RIVALRY, teamed together again on the Beneva Stage for a free show along with up-and-coming Comedian PINK FOXX on the first Friday of the Festival. A huge turnout!
“BUSY PHILIPPS IS DOING HER BEST” PODCAST
This was a real joy! I’ve always loved Busy Philipps but getting to just hear her talk about her life and adventures in parenting was amazing. Joined by Podcast partner Caissie St. Onge, they brought Atusko out also for a quick chat. We learned all about Philipps’ struggles getting her daughter Harry Styles tickets and does she get to meet Harry? You need to listen to this upcoming Podcast episode and find out. So good!
CRAIG ROBINSON & THE NASTY DELICIOUS
When you think of this Funnyman, star of Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Killing It, Music probably doesn’t come first. But he’s here to deliver laughter, soul and funk with Band, The Nasty Delicious on the Beneva Stage. A free show for all! You must scroll along in the carousel above to see his amazing entrance.
CRAIG FERGUSON
We’ve missed Craig Ferguson and his amazing run on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. He is taking his show on the road and Toronto was so lucky to have him at the Festival, which he actually drove to in his pick-up truck! Ferguson played two shows at Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
A Recap Reel:
There is still so much to see at JUST FOR LAUGHS TORONTO. Check here for tickets and schedules.
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
*All captured on the Samsung S22*
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