Just for Laughs
#SPOTTED: NICOLE BYER, MICHELLE BUTEAU, NEAL BRENNAN, ANDREW SCHULZ, JAMEELA JAMIL, CAST OF “NAPOLEON DYNAMITE” AND MORE AT JUST FOR LAUGHS TORONTO 2023
It’s Festival Season and JUST FOR LAUGHS TORONTO, presented by Beneva in collaboration with SiriusXM, is back with yet another knockout lineup for us this year. One of the world’s premiere Comedy Festivals is back in its 11th year, running from September 21st to September 30th. A free Street Festival with shows by Jinx Monsoon and Fred Armisen. 15 venues. 42 Comedians. Huge headliners – names like Andrew Schulz, Leslie Jones, Nicole Byer, Ronny Chieng, Marlon Wayans, Jonathan Van Ness and more. We were floored by Just for Laughs going bigger than ever last year and this year proves a worthy followup.
MICHELLE BUTEAU
Kicking things off opening night was Michelle Buteau who saw a huge profile boost this year with the success of her hilarious Comedy Series SURVIVAL OF THE THICKEST, based on her collection of essays of the same name. Above this, she is host of wildly-popular reality competition THE CIRCLE on Netflix. The funnywoman takes her FULL HEARTS, TIGHT JEANS Tour across North America, selling-out in many cities, before wrapping this December in Austin, Texas. So thrilled we got to catch Buteau who was a pure joy live as we’ve been waiting forever, bringing effervescent energy to Elgin Theatre for two back-to-back shows, of which the first was sold-out completely. She was awarded the Blaze Award in 2020 during TIFF by the Firecracker Department and couldn’t even make it then due to pandemic restrictions! This was so long overdue. This was the best and she even had everyone signing Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September“!
Not sure if you got to catch her as guest host on CTV‘s The Social, but she killed it!
NICOLE BYER & NETFLIX JUST FOR LAUGHS TORONTO MIDNIGHT PARTY
This is the absolute pinnacle for me of the Fest! I love Nicole Byer too much. I am so grateful for discovering her comedic talents over the Pandemic, watching NAILED IT! on Netflix, the best flop baking reality competition series ever. Byer makes me giggle when she riffs off of Chef Jacques Torres, purely delightful. But above this, her actual Standup Comedy is raw, biting and relatable, giving us all this range and dimension we only get glimpses of on the Baking Show. Her BBW (Big Beautiful Weirdo) Netflix Comedy Special is one of my favourites of all time and she does it all so effortlessly. A dream come true seeing her perform live at Meridian Hall as one of the Festival’s Headliners. Nobody was spared in her set: Tom Cruise, John Cena and some of her exes and ongoing struggles to find love. She is so real and honest. Always a breath of fresh air.
We got to attend the Just for Laughs Toronto Midnight Party, held at Chef’s Hall where several of the Festival’s “42” Comedians and Headliners came out for some delicious snacks – Sliders, Tacos, Donuts, Bao, Mini Bagels, Spring Rolls, Cocktails and so much more! We got to have amazing chats with burgeoning star Dulcé Sloan, Reggie Watts, Ronny Chieng and Brandon Ash-Mohammed, the latter who crushed it opening for Byer earlier i the evening. Sloan even practiced some of her new material on us!
Check-out this epic reel:
NEAL BRENNAN
Neal Brennan is certainly the moment. The three-time Emmy nominee writes, directs, produces and does stand-up Comedy, selling-out two shows at The Elgin easily and we see exactly why. His star continues to rise with his The Blocks Podcast being very popular, talking to his friends and colleagues about things that make them feel isolated and lonely.
JINKX MONSOON
This iconic Drag Queen and runaway winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 7 is coming off a run on Broadway, with a historic starring role as Roxie Hart in CHICAGO. Her year couldn’t be getting any better and Toronto got to be a part of it with an add to the Just for Laughs Street Festival lineup. That’s right – it was completely free of charge to see her do a set live!
Bringing along her accompanying Pianist MAJOR SCALES, the audience got to her personal anecdotes, song and jokes. What more could we ask for? Monsoon got real personal going into detail about her struggles with rigidly-gendered airport scans which often cause her grief. What a force!
JAMEELA JAMIL
The delightful and charming Jameela Jamil made her Toronto debut at JFL, taping an episode of her popular BAD DATES WITH JAMEELA JAMIL Podcast at The Elgin. You know Jamil from The Good Place, Marry Me, DC League of Super Pets and more recently Love at First Sight. Joining her on-stage for the conversation were Comedians Sabrina Wu (loved them in 2023’s JOY RIDE), Catherine Cohen and Gavin Crawford, while Dulce Sloan filled opener duties. The show was sold-out completely and Jamil‘s guests got really personal telling hilarious stories about their wild dating adventures. Only to be outdone by Jamil and a wild story involving two people in her life! Absolutely hilarious being a part of this sold-out audience.
NAPOLEON DYNAMITE
19 years ago, eventual Cult Classic NAPOLEON DYNAMITE would get released. This small unsuspecting Indie Comedy with a $400k budget would go on to gross over $46.1 million around the world, celebrating awkwardness and geekdom. Almost 20 years later, the Film gets celebrated at JFL Toronto with stars Jon Heder, Efren Ramirez and Jon Gries here to present the Film at The Elgin once more for fans, followed by a conversation about NAPOLEON DYNAMITE‘s lasting legacy.
COLIN QUINN
SNL Alumni Colin Quinn is still fire! We were obsessed in the late ’90s with his Weekend Updates and prominent roles in hits like Grown Ups, Girls, Trainwreck and Inside Amy Schumer. His Comedy Specials Colin Quinn & Friends: A Parking Lot Comedy Show and The New York Story show off his smart brand of humour and deep understanding of humanity. Was a blast seeing him live for the first time at JFL Toronto, just one a few shows at The Royal where he reflected upon people today and their incessant need to elevate themselves and their opinions to the world. I don’t disagree.
JESSICA KIRSON
Jessica Kirson has risen as one of Comedy’s leading women and had the audience erupting with cheers. Of all the JFL shows I’ve been to, I have never seen as may fans queueing the stage door as I have for her, following her completely sold-out shows at The Elgin. She gain even more popularity over the Pandemic with her prank call album THE CALL GIRLS and also her Podcast DISGUSTING HAWK launching.
RORY SCOVEL
Rory Scovel has continued to build his impressive catalog of work, more recently on series like Superstore and Physical. He played The Elgin also, the first of two shows, ending this Festival on a high note! He is absolutely lovely!
ANDREW SCHULZ
So amazing meeting the Festival’s headliner, Andrew Schulz who played the first of two shows at Scotiabank Arena, where he brought us The Life Tour, selling-out both nights. Everyone’s hooked on his commentaries about politics and life and we totally get why. He is everything!! Yet another formidable talent whonsaw a huge boost during the Pandemic with his Podcast FLAGRANT and Netflix Special, SCHULZ SAVES AMERICA.
More on tickets and this year’s complete lineup here.
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
#FIRSTLOOK: JUST FOR LAUGHS TORONTO ANNOUNCES RETURN OF STREET FESTIVAL
Just For Laughs TORONTO presented by Beneva, in collaboration with SiriusXM Canada, is excited to announce the return of the free street festival as part of the 11th annual festival, running across the city from September 21 – 30, 2023.
THE RETURN OF THE STREET FESTIVAL
If you know…you know…last year’s inaugural street festival is still the talk of the town. Now, back by popular demand, Just For Laughs TORONTO’s free street festival is set to return September 22-24, 2023.
Occupying a sprawling 100,000 sq-ft space centrally located at Front St. E and Berczy Park, it’s only one block away from Union Station where you can conveniently hop on GO transit to get there to enjoy the festivities.
Come and indulge in delectable bites from food trucks, sip on refreshing drinks from bars featuring Muskoka Brewery’s beers and Muskoka Spirits Hard Sparkling Waters, relish the offerings of local restaurants, and enjoy captivating art installations, all the while picking your perfect spot in front of the main stage presented by Beneva, which promises unforgettable performances by a variety of comedians for all ages, in addition to live brass bands, DJs, and more. This inclusive event will be open to all, ensuring that everyone can revel in the laughter and join the street party in the heart of the city.
The daytime programming is tailored to tickle the funny bones of all ages. From musical performances to drag queen story hour, there will be non-stop cascades of giggles that will create unforgettable memories for your whole family. In the evening, performances by iconic comedy stars who promise to deliver an epic dose of laughter and entertainment that will be talked about for years to come. With more programming to be added next week, this line-up will truly be something for everyone.
Performances run Friday, September 22 from 4:00 PM – 10:30 PM;
Saturday, September 23 and Sunday, September 24 from 1:00 PM – 10:30 PM.
Local restaurants joining in on the fun include patios & in-restaurant dining is Biff’s Bistro, CC Lounge, Fresh On Front, Sultan’s Tent & Cafe Moroc and The Flatiron: A Firkin Pub. If our flavourful Food Truck Lane is more your speed, check out the tasty delights of Jamaican Patty Shack, Poutine Supreme, Rancho Relaxo (Tacos) & Caffeine Cruiser (hot/cold coffee, treats, panini sandwiches).
“As an insurance company, Beneva is defined by its mutualist roots. We’re committed to the community, and we want our involvement to have a positive impact on everyone. As the presenting partner of Just For Laughs Toronto, our goal is to bring tons of feelgood entertainment to Torontonians,” said Jean-François Chalifoux, President and Chief Executive Officer of Beneva. “We’re proud to be a part of this inclusive and accessible event, and even prouder that the Beneva Stage will be presenting totally free hilarious shows for the second straight year.“
The Beneva Stage will feature performances that Toronto has been waiting for!
Headliners
Fred Armisen – Friday, September 22, 2023 – 9:15 PM
Fred Armisen is a comedian, writer, producer, and musician. He is the co-writer and co-star of IFC’s Emmy-nominated series Portlandia, which he created alongside Carrie Brownstein. He is currently in the hit Netflix series Wednesday as Uncle Fester, and as “Tico ” in HBO’s Los Espookys, which he co-wrote and executive produced. He can be heard in the hit animated Super Mario Bros movie. Armisen currently stars in, writes, and produces IFC’s hit show Documentary Now, for which he has received two Emmy nominations. He has also appeared in HBO’s Our Flag Means Death, Judd Apatow’s The Bubble, and Amazon’s series Forever (which he was also an executive producer on). He has appeared as a voice actor in Netflix’s Big Mouth and The Mitchells vs. The Machines. An 11-season veteran of NBC’s Saturday Night Live, Armisen has engaged audiences with memorable impressions and characters. In 2014, Armisen was named band leader of the “8G Band” on Late Night With Seth Meyers. The band, curated by Armisen, includes members of indie rock bands Les Savy Fav and Girls Against Boys.
Reggie Watts – Saturday September 23, 2023 – 9:15 PM
Reggie Watts is an internationally renowned Musician/Comedian/Writer/Actor who is well-known as the bandleader on CBS’s The Late Late Show with James Corden. Using his formidable voice, looping pedals, and his vast imagination, Watts blends and blurs the lines between music and comedy, wowing audiences with performances that are 100% improvised. He performed as the DJ at the 2021 Emmy Awards. Watts’ first Netflix special Spatial released to massive critical acclaim, with the New York Times calling it “a giddy rush of escapist nonsense” and dubbing Watts “the most influential absurdist in comedy today.”
Additional headliner to be announced next week!
Additional Performances to include;
The Soul Proprietor – Friday, September 22, 2023 – 4:00 PM
Perhaps best known as a founding member and the bass playing half of Juno Award winning reggae punk rock innovators Bedouin Soundclash, Eon Sinclair is also known as The Soul Proprietor. With his band Bedouin Soundclash, he has released four records and toured the globe extensively, headlining shows in Europe, Australia, China, India and the US, as well as performing alongside acts such as No Doubt, Coldplay, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and Nine Inch Nails. The tale of Bedouin Soundclash has been filled with step after step of something special — from live shows that are as emotionally incendiary as they are monstrously entertaining, to albums that have stoked the hearts and minds of thousands.
Samantha Martin & The Delta Sugar – Friday, September 22, 2023 – 6:00 PM
“A powerhouse band and vocals that shake the foundations”. With the worldwide pandemic wrecking utter havoc upon the careers of many musicians, Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar elected to use their time off the road to record, mix and master their latest tour-de-force, the astonishingly powerful, funky and deeply soulful “The Reckless One”. The follow up to 2018’s Juno-nominated “Run To Me”, “The Reckless One” represents another massive step forward for Samantha Martin as a songwriter, singer, arranger and band leader. The vocal blend that Delta Sugar produces is pure, unadulterated gospel-tinged, neuron-tingling magic where the sum is even richer than the already soul-melting parts.
Sub-Radio – Friday, September 22, 2023 – 7:15 PM
Few independent bands have had a career as varied and unpredictable as the indie pop sextet Sub-Radio. Founded in Washington DC by a group of childhood friends, the band released a series of EPs between 2018 and 2020, blending the pop-punk they grew up on with the indie-pop stylings of WALK THE MOON and The 1975. Forced online by the COVID-19 pandemic, they found enormous viral success on Reddit and TikTok in 2021, streaming their high-energy live performances to more than 20 million viewers and driving a huge new audience to their single “Flashback”. The band signed with indie label Th3rd Brain in early 2022 and released their latest EP, Past Selves in February of 2023. In support of the new release, Sub-Radio announced The Past Selves Tour which kicks off in August of 2023.
The Fuddles – Saturday, September 23, 2023 – 1:00 PM
The Fuddles Are Back! is a catchy collection of silly upbeat songs that the whole family will enjoy. It covers relatable themes such as friendship, growing up, animals, nature and even the chaotic joy of bedtime. The songs explore and encourage creativity while celebrating imaginative play and a simple sense of home. They have performed at a variety of events and look forward to reconnecting with fun seeking audiences in 2023.
Fred Penner – Saturday, September 23, 2023 & Sunday, September 24, 2023 – 2:00 PM
Fred Penner is gentle man with an undeniable ability to make you feel good about
yourself. This musical master brings more than 40 years of commitment, consistency and depth to a career that blends the many genres of performing and communication. He continues to grow and create music for his generations of “Fred Heads”. From hosting the United Way National conference in Saskatoon to emceeing the renowned Polaris Music Awards and being part of the C3 Legacy Expedition supporting the truth and reconciliation process in remote parts of Canada, apparently retirement is not in the cards for him. The phone is still ringing! And his concert touring continues.
The Heavyweights Brass Band – Saturday, September 23, 2023 – 3:00 PM
The Heavyweights Brass Band hits hard with its seasoned blend of groove, energy, virtuosity, and originality! For over a decade, this Toronto-based, New Orleans-inspired brass institution has brought theatre-goers to their feet and club-goers to the dance floor with an inspiring blend of original music and unexpected covers. The decision is in and audience members across North America unanimously give the win to HWBB in a knockout! Their music has been featured on film, commercials, radio, and television and they have performed and recorded with the best in the game from percussion legend Giovanni Hidalgo to NOLA legends Roger Lewis of the Dirty Dozen Brass band and Joe Lastie of Preservation Hall fame.
DJ DvS – Saturday, September 23, 2023 – 4:00 PM
With over 20 years’ experience, DJ DVS has been a fixture in the greater Toronto area music landscape since 1994. Spending the first 10+ years of his career in the Urban Club and University Market, DVS spun at every major club in the city, as well as every major University and College. After returning from a 5-year hiatus, DVS shifted his focus in 2013 to DJing inside Toronto’s hottest Lounges and Patios, as well as high profile corporate clients. Twice nominated for South Asian DJ of the Year, DVS specialises in open format, playing everything from Hip-Hop, R&B, House, Old School, Top 40 and everything in between.
Luna Elle – Saturday, September 23, 2023 – 5:15 PM
Luna Elle is an 18-year-old Canadian emerging artist who is swiftly making her mark on the music scene. With a deep-rooted affinity for the soulful R&B of the 90s and 2000s, Elle creates a musical landscape that transcends generations. Her commanding vocals and heartfelt storytelling have not only garnered her a devoted fan base but have also attracted the attention and support of influential figures in the industry. Most notably, basketball icon Shaquille O’Neal confidently stated, “Luna Elle is next up, you heard it here first.” Following this resounding endorsement, Luna Elle burst onto the scene, capturing the hearts of audiences everywhere. Seamlessly blending the nostalgic elements of classic R&B with the contemporary sounds of today. Her lyrics delve into themes of love, relationships, and the intricate human experience, all conveyed with a lyrical depth and maturity that’s beyond her age.
Rich Aucoin – Saturday, September 23, 2023 – 6:30 PM
Rich Aucoin is a multi-sensory spectacle of a show Part Daft Punk-inflected Dan Deacon, part DIY-driven Flaming Lips as filtered through Girl Talk (Austin Chronicle). A band of keyboards/synths/guitar/bass/drums/horns playing in sync to everything from old films to Youtube videos. An interactive show which can be viewed like theatre or immersive; underneath a large parachute from kindergarten and a sea of confetti. He has won 5 Nova Scotia Music Awards and 3 ECMAs and has been nominated 11 times. He won Best New Artist at the Canadian Indies. “How It Breaks” went #1 on the CBC Top 20 Countdown. His music videos and streams have garnered over 2 million views. He cycled across Canada and the US for music tours for charities.
The New Faces of Comedy: Canada – Saturday, September 23, 2023 – 7:30 PM
For over twenty years, The New Faces of Comedy showcases have catapulted the careers of so many of today’s most celebrated comedians. It has consistently been a must-see event of the JFL MONTRÉAL Festival, offering a unique platform for exceptionally promising and unrecognized talent to kickstart their careers. Come see the exceptional class of 2023 up-and-coming Canadian comedic talents take to the outdoor stage. The lineup includes: Brendan D’Souza, Dakota Ray Hebert, Faris Hytiaa, Henry Sir, Maddy Kelly, Michelle Forrester, Moe Ismail, Natasha Lyn Myles, Ryan Williams, and Spencer Adamus.
Drag Queen Story Hour ft. Lucy Flawless and Baby Bel Bel – Sunday, September 24, 2023 – 1:00 PM
Warrior Princess, Star of Stage and Screen, The Second Coming (Of Shania), Current Reigning Woodys Queen of Halloween and Queen of The Drink. A Dora-nominated actor, plays Sporty in the Spice Queens, reads for Drag Queen Storytimes, and has won several drag competitions across Toronto. She’s had starring roles on CBC, Global TV, and CTV. She’s everyone’s favourite small-town girl turned big city star- Lucy Flawless! Bel Bel started her full-time Drag career shortly after winning Crews & Tangos Drag Race in 2015. In June 2019 She was crowned Miss Crews & Tangos and still currently holds the title until future notice. Her performance background started with musical theatre and film as she studied theatre at York University and Graduated from The Randolph Academy of Performing Arts. She starred as Babs in the CBC GEM Original show Queens which launched in June 2020. Baby Bel Bel is also known for her high energy, bright coloured wigs and costumes, and hosting events with humour to bring all the laughs and smiles to her audience.
RupLoops – Sunday, September 24, 2023 – 2:00 PM
RupLoops is an interactive, live looping performance, using vocal percussion, rhythmic rhymes and an arsenal of eclectic instruments from around the globe. He utilises his diverse skills as a musician to create a pulsating, entertaining and engaging musical experience. He is a gifted educator and performer and has a deep passion for intercultural work and intercultural sounds. RupLoops’ show will take you on a journey of sound exploring anatomy, geography and culture. With a mix of hip-hop and global sounds, his tunes into themes of home, identity, culture, justice, dignity and celebration.
Teeno (Nino Brown & Young Teesh) – Sunday, September 24, 2023 – 3:15 PM
Two of Toronto’s finest Nino Brown + Young Teeshjoin forces for a back-to-back set of bangers, filled with a love for anything bass and anything waist.
Myst Milano – Sunday, September 24, 2023 – 5:30 PM
Tour de force rapper, DJ, producer and visual/conceptual artist Myst Milano can’t be stopped. She has played shows with Lizzo, Thundercat, Chino Amobi, Ashanti and Ja Rule, LSDXOXO, and many more, amassing nearly 200 shows to date since the beginning of their career in 2016. Recognized locally not only for their performance prowess but also for digital activism with online party platform Club Quarantine in Summer 2020, she is as versatile as they are steadfast and unwavering, in both their beliefs and their creative output. Production-wise, she tends to veer towards the primitive and steady, however changeable and vast their beat catalogue may be; as far as writing goes, Milano effortlessly bounces from the playful and giddy, to the hopeful and serene, to the deep and dangerous and back again, never skipping a beat.
Witch Prophet – Sunday, September 24, 2023 – 6:45 PM
(presented in collaboration with Pride Toronto)
Witch Prophet is a queer, East African, singer-songwriter, and the Co-CEO of Heart Lake Records. She provides her fans with a soundscape of vocal layers, loops, raps, and harmonies on a bed of hip-hop, jazz, and soul inspired beats. Think Erykah Badu meets Lauryn Hill meets Portishead. She finds depth and connection in creating music as a portal for self-growth and discovery, as she navigates and better understands her cultural and queer identity. She has shared the stage with and opened for acts like Lido Pimienta, Sudan Archives, Shabazz Palaces, The Hallucination (fka A Tribe Called Red), SAMMUS, Sean Leon, JPEGMAFIA, Snotty Nose Rez Kids and THEESatisfaction to name a few.
Tynomi Banks – Sunday, September 24, 2023 – 7:45 PM
(presented in collaboration with Pride Toronto)
Tynomi Banks is an International, world-class Drag Entertainer. Recognized best for her full production performances, Banks dominates a stage while radiating a powerful, but playful energy. Her hustle led her to become the first Drag Entertainer to perform in Toronto’s Dundas Square during World Pride 2014. In just one month, during Pride 2018, she became the first Drag Entertainer to work with Hudson’s Bay Company and the only Queen to partner with Spotify for a featured playlist, which also resulted in a billboard over Dundas Square in Toronto during Pride. She has since partnered with Sephora, Shoppers Beauty, Amazon, Absolut, Netflix, Crest, and Ikea to name a few. Banks became the first Drag Entertainer to be the trophy bearer at the 7th Annual Canadian Screen Awards. In 2021, Banks was the only drag performer to be featured in a Superbowl ad other than Rupaul herself. Then in February, she partnered with Black Lives Matter Canada to create and sell a line of merchandise where partial proceeds went to dismantle all forms of anti-Black racism, liberate Blackness, support Black healing, affirm Black existence, and create freedom to love and self-determine. You can catch Tynomi Banks on Season 1 of Canada’s Drag Race on Crave (Canada), LogoTV (USA) and BBC3 (UK).
Al Val – Sunday, September 24, 2023 – 7:45 PM
(presented in collaboration with Pride Toronto)
Al Val is a comedian/musician/actress from Toronto. Her honest and insightful yet silly and spontaneous account of her transgender journey has turned heads across North America and has earned her appearances at renowned festivals such as Just For Laughs, JFL Toronto and Vancouver, Off-JFL/Zoofest, Halifax Comedy Festival, The Arctic Comedy Festival, and many others, as well as earned her a writing role on the 30th season of CBC’s This Hour Has 22 Minutes. Though she has taped standup performances for CBC Gem, Crave, & CTV and was a lead cast member on OutTV’s Drag Heals season 3, Al Val is surely an act that must be seen in person to be believed – and celebrated!”
Gay Jesus – Sunday, September 24, 2023 – 7:45 PM
(presented in collaboration with Pride Toronto)
THE ONE AND HOLY GAY JESUS is an internationally recognized drag king serving up a mouth-watering communion of Latinx wine and non-binary bread. Born of virgin-ish loins and baptized in sex-appeal, he’s best known for his multidisciplinary protest pieces decked out in draglesque. Gay Jesus is featured on Season 1 of CBC Arts’ docuseries Canada’s a Drag and, in 2019, received one of his biggest honours to date – a nomination for LGBTQ Person of the Year from the Inspire Awards. In 2022, Gay Jesus flew out to Winnipeg where he headlined a sold-out show for the Cluster Festival and was also a featured performer for Canada Pride hosted in Treaty 1 Territory. Most recently, Gay Jesus performed at lavender wild, Canada’s first ever queer festival which has since been described as the Sapphic Super Bowl.
Thank you to our other generous partners, Virgin Plus (Official Mobile, Internet and TV Partner), Boston Pizza (Official Restaurant Partner), Sussex Strategy (Official Government Relations Partner), Muskoka Brewery (Official Beer & Ready To Drink Partner), Colgate (Official Toothpaste), National Bank of Canada (Official Bank), Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) (Official Lottery Partner), Wayne Gretzky Estate (Official Wine and Champagne Partner), Go Transit (Official Public Transit Partner), Kayak (Travel Search Partner),
Square (Supplier of Payment Solutions),
The Ontario Government &The Government of Canada.
PASS & TICKET DETAILS TO JUST FOR LAUGHS TORONTO:
All tickets for Just For Laughs TORONTO can be purchased at toronto.hahaha.com
Festival passes range from $69 CDN (excluding service charges). Single tickets range from $39.50 CDN (excluding service charges).
ABOUT JUST FOR LAUGHS TORONTO
Established in 2012 and now in its 12th year, Just For Laughs TORONTO (formerly known as JFL42), is a pass-based interactive comedy festival based in Toronto, created by the Just For Laughs Group, the most important player in the global comedy industry co-owned by Groupe CH, Bell Media and ICM Partners. Developed with a mandate to celebrate the most hilarious, innovative, riveting and relevant comedy experiences in the world with Toronto audiences, Just For Laughs Toronto’s unique interactive pass-based ticketing and reservation system makes it the first comedy festival of its kind. Just For Laughs entertains millions of spectators with its festivals on Canadian and international stages, in Montréal; Toronto; Vancouver; Austin, U.S.A.; Sydney, Australia and London, U.K. The Group organizes shows featuring thousands of comics from Canada and other countries, including established artists as well as up-and-comers; stages its own comedy shows and musicals; produces touring shows; broadcasts digital and televised content (notably Gags, which is shown in 150 countries and followed by an online audience of ten million on YouTube); manages talented artists; and is the originator of the ComedyPRO and JPR Pro industry conferences.
About Beneva
Created by the coming together of La Capitale and SSQ Insurance, Beneva is the largest insurance mutual in Canada with more than 3.5 million members and customers. Beneva employs over 5,000 dedicated employees: people looking out for people. Its human approach is rooted in mutualist values that are shared by its employees. With $25.1 billion in assets, Beneva positions itself as a major player in the insurance and financial services industry. Its head office is located in Quebec City. Policyholders of contracts issued by an insurance company of Beneva Group Inc. are members of SSQ Mutual and La Capitale Civil Service Mutual.
#FIRSTLOOK: NEW NAMES ADDED TO JUST FOR LAUGHS MONTREAL 2023
Just For Laughs is excited to announce a whole new roster of artists who have joined the 41st edition of the festival.
JUST FOR LAUGHS AWARD SHOW – Friday, July 28 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Grand Salon Ballroom | 3:00 PM
Hands-down, the funniest celebration with the biggest stars in comedy is the Just for Laughs Award Show! Don’t miss the raucous festivities and sincere camaraderie as friends, mentors, and fellow comics honour the comedy stars who made us laugh the most in 2023.
This year’s recipient:
Comedy Impact Award – Rainn Wilson
Award-winning actor, writer, producer, and NY Times Best-Selling author, Rainn Wilson is known for his diverse comedic and theatrical roles. He gained recognition in HBO’s “Six Feet Under,” which earned him a Screen Actors Guild Award. However, his most iconic role was the unforgettable “Dwight Schrute” on NBC’s Emmy-winning comedy “The Office,” which earned him three Emmy nominations. As an author, Wilson’s most recent NY Times best-selling book dropped last spring titled, “Soul Boom: Why We Need a Spiritual Revolution”. In the book, he explores the possibility and hope for a spiritual revolution to address today’s greatest issues – mental health, racism and sexism, climate change, and economic justice. Wilson’s digital media company, SoulPancake, has over 3.5 million subscribers and explores various topics such as religion, art, science, philosophy, and culture. In 2020, Wilson hosted a six-part docuseries, “An Idiot’s Guide to Climate Change” on YouTube that he created with SoulPancake. In the series, Wilson embarks on a quest to better understand climate change basics and how individuals can help combat its dangerous effects on the planet. Most recently, Wilson hosted a six-part travel docuseries “Rainn Wilson and The Geography of Bliss” in which he travelled around the world to discover how different cultures find happiness. In addition to his artistic endeavours, Wilson co-founded the non-profit organisation “The Lidè Foundation,” providing arts and literacy education to at-risk adolescent girls in Haiti, alongside his wife, author Holiday Reinhorn.
Joining the Awards festivities:
Rachid Badouri – who will present to Ronny Chieng
Neal Brennan – who will present to Bert Kreischer
Carolyn Taylor – who will present to Mae Martin
Ramy Youssef – who will present to Quinta Brunson
Hosted by the Master of Award Shows,
Comedian, James Davis
SURROUNDED – Tuesday, July 25, 2023 – Thursday, July 26, 2023 | Studio Hydro-Quebec | 7:30 PM & 10:00 PM
Join us at Surrounded, an electrifying comedy show where the audience is the material. Today’s best comedians take the stage with nothing more than the mic and their wit, turning everyday interactions into memorable punchlines. In the intimate venue, anyone surrounding the comedian is fair game. It’s all about the unexpected! With no script or pre-planned jokes, we guarantee a night of hilarious improvisation, one-of-a-kind moments, and uproarious laughter. Because each show is 100% crowd work, all six shows will be completely different! Get ready to be “Surrounded” by today’s best comedic talent and have a chance to become a part of the action!
Star-studded lineup includes Mae Martin, Marlon Wayans, Jess Hilarious, Sam Morril, Fortune Feimster, Chris Redd, Jay Pharoah, Sasheer Zamata, Brad Williams, Steph Tolev, Che Durena, Hannah Berner, Preacher Lawson, Joel Kim Booster, Brian Simpson, Rosebud Baker, Nate Jackson, Felipe Esparza, Dan Soder, and Annie Lederman, with more names to be announced on the website shortly!
COMEDYPRO SPECIAL EVENT
AIRPLANE! Live All-Star Cast Read directed by David Zucker – Thursday, July 27 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Grand Salon Ballroom | 4:00 PM
JFL celebrates the 43rd anniversary of the ground-breaking and legendary comedy film, AIRPLANE! with a raucously fun live staged reading of select scenes from the original script, by an All-Star cast of comedians including: Jack Whitehall, Sasheer Zamata, Craig Robinson, Brad Williams, Joel Kim Booster, Chris “Shockwave” Sullivan and more surprise guests. Led by Writer-Director David Zucker the reading will be followed by an “In Conversation” revealing candid insights and true stories from his upcoming book, “Surely You Can’t Be Serious: The True Story of Airplane! “
Rainn Wilson Keynote Address – Friday, July 28 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Grand Salon Ballroom | 11:30 AM
Rainn Wilson delivers the American Keynote Address at this year’s ComedyPRO.
Canadian Pie: Steph Tolev Keynote Address – Wednesday, July 26 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Inspiration Room | 2:00 PM
Comedian Steph Tolev delivers the Canadian Keynote Address at this year’s ComedyPRO.
State of the Industry Address with Jessica Kirson – Friday, July 28 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Inspiration Room | 4:45 PM
Jessica Kirson is being hailed as an overnight success…even though that night has been 24 years in the making. And now the next milestone, Jessica Kirson is taking the reins of one of most anticipated and (for some) dreaded Just For Laughs traditions, the annual State of The Industry Address. Previously delivered for 20+ years by Andy Kindler (and once by his hologram) the State of the Industry has always been a comic’s comic event. Come this year to hear a new perspective—some roasting, a sear, and some low simmer pot stirring from one of the industry’s funniest members.
Building Your Comedy Audience Up Close and Vertical, presented by TikTok – Saturday, July 29 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Inspiration Room | 2:30 PM
This timely panel brings together popular comedy creators Hannah Berner (@hannah_berner), Jonathan Van Ness (@jvn_official), and Zarna Garg (@zarnagarg) who’s dedicated and engaged followers on the platform have empowered them to find new paths to success. Join moderator Darcy Michael (@thedarcymichael) and TikTok’s Head of Entertainment, North America, Catherine Halaby, as they delve into the role of entertainment platforms in the future of the comedy industry, successful social strategies, the connection between on-platform community and IRL audiences, and how the platform will continue to shift comedy culture.
Panel Features:
Darcy Michael (Moderator)
Hannah Berner
Jonathan Van Ness
Zarna Garg
Catherine Halaby (TikTok Head of Entertainment, North America)
Hulu presents The Out of this World cast of Solar Opposites – Saturday, July 29 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Grand Salon Ballroom | 2:00 PM
Join stars Thomas Middleditch and Sean Giambrone as they crash land at JFL for a fun and insightful trip through the world of “Solar Opposites.” In anticipation of its season 4 launch they’ll share sneak peeks clips, discuss their characters’ otherworldly chemistry, and reveal if we really are all just bricks in “the Wall.” Season 4 of Solar Opposites premieres Aug. 14 on Hulu.
Panel Features:
Thomas Middleditch (Silicon Valley)
Sean Giambrone (The Goldbergs)
NEW SOLO SHOWS ADDED
Marlon Wayans – Thursday, July 27, 2023 | Le Studio TD | 9:30 PM
Marlon Wayans is an actor, producer, comedian, writer and film director. His films have grossed more than $736-million in domestic box office and $1-billion in global box office. As a stand-up comedian, he is selling out nationwide and adding shows every weekend. His newest stand-up special, God Loves Me, premiered on HBO Max in March 2023. Wayans can most recently be seen on the big screen in Ben Affleck’s Nike drama AIR for Amazon Studios. Wayans is commonly recognized for his role as Marcus Copeland in Columbia Pictures’ 2004 hit comedy White Chicks. He also starred in the horror comedy spoof films Scary Movie and Scary Movie 2.
Mae Martin & Friends – Thursday, July 27 & Friday, July 28, 2023 | Théâtre Sainte-Catherine | 11:59 PM
Award winning comedian, actor, writer, and producer, Mae Martin is seeing their star rise to fame at record speed. Their hit Netflix series, Feel Good is a scripted, semi-autobiographical comedy drama series, which they also created and co-wrote continues to collect international awards and nominations, making it one of the most trending series on the platform. They are also an accomplished author of Can Everyone Please Calm Down?: A Guide to 21st Century Sexuality, published in May 2019 by Hachette imprint Wren and Rook. Their standup specials have garnered rave reviews. First, Netflix’s Dope, which focuses on addiction; and most recently, Netflix’s SAP that continues to rake in high praise from critics and fans. The festival is honoured to have them return this year to accept the JFL Award for “Rising Comedy Star of the Year”.
ALOK – Saturday, July 29, 2023 | Salle Ludger-Duvernay – Monument-National | 7:00 PM
ALOK (they/them) is an internationally acclaimed author, poet, comedian, and public speaker. As a mixed-media artist their work explores themes of trauma, belonging, and the human condition. They are the author of Femme in Public (2017), Beyond the Gender Binary (2020), and Your Wound/My Garden (2021) and the creator of #DeGenderFashion: an initiative to degender fashion and beauty industries. Over the past decade, they have toured in more than 40 countries, most recently selling out their runs at the Soho Theatre in London, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and the Kennedy Performing Arts Center. On television, they can next be seen in the critically acclaimed series SORT OF opposite Bilal Baig. They have also appeared on Hulu’s Planet Sex with Cara Delevingne, ABC’s PRIDE: To Be Seen – A Soul of A Nation, Netflix’s Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness, HBO’s Random Acts of Flyness and The Trans List.
Trey Kennedy: Grow Up – Saturday, July 29, 2023 | Club Soda | 9:30 PM
Trey Kennedy never expected to enter the entertainment industry. While attending college at Oklahoma State University, Kennedy found fame on the mobile app Vine, amassing more than 2.5 million followers. He was a top creator on the app for more than three years and, through this experience, discovered a passion for entertainment. He has now continued his social media success on platforms such as Instagram and TikTok where he has a combined 12+ million followers. He currently has a podcast titled Correct Opinions and just concluded a sold-out comedy tour selling out cities across the United States. Trey’s self-produced comedy special Are You For Real? can now be streamed on YouTube. He hopes to continue creating fun and relatable content in order to deliver some joy where it’s needed and help people find some common ground through comedy.
Alingon Mitra – Tuesday, July 25, 2023 | Le Studio TD | 9:30 PM
Alingon Mitra is a stand-up comedian and comedy writer living in New York. He has written for
Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Trevor Noah and was also staffed on TruTV’s Adam
Ruins Everything. He has performed stand-up on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, CONAN, Late Night with Craig Ferguson, and Adam Devine’s House Party. After becoming a semi-finalist on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, Mitra won the coveted “Comic Comeback” award to appear in the season finale. He was selected for the prestigious honour of being named a “New Face” at Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal in 2015. He graduated from Harvard, where he was a writer for the illustrious Harvard Lampoon.
Noel Miller – Friday, July 28, 2023 | MTELUS | 7:00 PM
Noel Miller’s biting one-liners and topical social commentary has made him a force to be reckoned with in the comedy world. Between directing, touring, podcasting, music and streaming, Noel’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. In addition to starring in popular YouTube series That’s Cringe, and comedy duo + podcast Tiny Meat Gang with fellow comedian Cody Ko, Noel has created successful series on his own including his format around hit British Reality show, Love Island. His broad reach has landed him deals with companies such as SeatGeek and Old Spice, as well as solo comedy gigs across the country. Miller has also found success as a filmmaker, being the creative mind behind Tiny Meat Gang’s hit music videos including Walk Man, which has garnered over 19 million views, and their recent releases, Broke Bitch, Daddy and Sofia, which have collectively gathered 20M+ views. Outside of music, he recently released his first short film, Suki, a dark comedy about a relationship between a detective and a serial killer. Additionally, he has recently leaned into streaming, resulting in a rapidly growing Twitch following.
Ali Macofsky – Saturday, July 29, 2023 | Théâtre Sainte-Catherine | 8:30 PM
Ali Macofsky is a stand-up comedian, actress, and writer who began her comedy career at the age of 7 when she would join Ryan Seacrest on KIIS FM every weekday morning and prank call listeners as her character “Lil Ally” and has continued to pursue comedy ever since. Shortly after high school, Ali quickly established herself in the L.A. comedy scene where she became the first regular to perform on over 100 episodes of the Comedy Store’s weekly Kill Tony podcast. Soon after, she started to open for huge names in the comedy world like Russell Peters and Joe Rogan. In 2022, Macofsky was named a “New Face of Comedy” at the Just for Laughs Comedy festival in Montreal. Ali’s stand up has been featured on Just For Laughs digital receiving over 3 million views and her stand up has been seen on TikTok over 10 million times. She has a popular series on her Instagram where she talks to strangers online and she hosts a weekly podcast called Resting Bitch.
New OFF JFL performances have been added featuring,
Sydnee Washington, Robby Hoffman, Dulcé Sloan, Debra DiGiovanni,
Josie Long, Nimesh Patel, and a special live podcast to commemorate
The Comedy Store’s 25th Anniversary!
Just For Laughs MONTRÉAL would like to thank its sponsors without whom this edition would not have been possible: Beneva and Chevrolet. We would also like to acknowledge the exceptional help and support of our public partners:
Government of Canada through Canada Economic Development and Canadian Heritage, the Gouvernement du Québec through the ministère du Tourisme, the Secrétariat à la région métropolitaine and the SODEC, as well as the City of Montréal, Tourisme Montréal and Montréal centre-ville.
TICKET DETAILS:
Tickets are available at www.hahaha.com
Looking for the best way to experience Just For Laughs MONTRÉAL? Get a JFLMTL Pass!
Passes available include: the JFL 2-Show Pass for $115.00 + tax, 3-Show Pass for $155.00 + tax and 5-Show Pass for $235.00 + tax. Each pass includes up to 12 free tickets from July 14 to July 29, 2023 (some restrictions apply).
#FIRSTLOOK: QUINTA BRUNSON, RONNY CHIENG, MAE MARTIN & MORE TO BE HONOURED AT JUST FOR LAUGHS MONTREAL 2023
lJust For Laughs’ ComedyPRO returns with their exceptional annual global gathering for the comedy industry’s biggest players. This four-day industry experience grants exclusive access to a wide range of highly sought-after events, including captivating keynotes, pitch panels, entertaining cast panels, networking events, and live comedy podcasts. Additionally, ComedyPRO is proud to present the annual, prestigious Just For Laughs Awards Show and red carpet, which is one of the most buzzworthy events of the festival. The awards honour and celebrate iconic and influential names in comedy that span generations, creating a memorable and star-studded afternoon that embodies the spirit of the comedy industry.
JUST FOR LAUGHS AWARDS SHOW
JUST FOR LAUGHS AWARD SHOW – Friday, July 28 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Grand Salon Ballroom |
3:00 PM
Hands-down, the funniest celebration with the biggest stars in comedy is the Just for Laughs Award Show! Don’t miss the raucous festivities and sincere camaraderie as friends, mentors, and fellow comics honor the comedy stars who made us laugh the most in 2023.
This year’s recipients include:
Comedy Person of the Year – Quinta Brunson
The multi-talented Emmy award-winning actor, producer, writer, and creator, Quinta Brunson, has rapidly emerged as a prominent figure and game changer in the entertainment industry. She has been recognized as one of Time 100’s Most Influential People, Forbes’ 30 Under 30, and The Hollywood Reporter’s Next Gen Rising Young Stars. Brunson made history as the first Black woman to receive three Emmy nominations and win in the “Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series” category for her ABC series, Abbott Elementary. The show has garnered numerous awards and nominations, including five Golden Globe and six Critics Choice Awards among many other awards. Brunson was named one of the Just For Laughs New Faces: Creators in 2017, and since then, she has continued to make waves in the industry with her exceptional talent and groundbreaking work. The festival is honored to have her return this year to accept the JFL Award for “Comedy Person of the Year”.
Stand Up Comedian of the Year – Bert Kreischer
Bert Kreischer’s career has evolved from earning Rolling Stone’s 1997 “Number One Partier in the Nation”, to one of the top grossing stand-up comics in the business. Ranked #4 in Pollstar’s “Top 10 Highest Grossing Tours” in 2022, Kreischer performs to sold-out arenas worldwide on his ongoing 2023 Tops Off World Tour and this summer’s Fully Loaded Comedy Festival. Renowned for his storytelling abilities, he authentically shares tales of family and fatherhood, showcasing how he seamlessly brings his party-boy persona into middle-age. On March 14th, 2023, Kreischer released his highly anticipated 5th stand-up special, Razzle Dazzle on Netflix. Shameless — and shirtless — as ever, Bert spills on bodily emissions, being bullied by his kids, and the explosive end to his family’s escape room outing. His stand-up specials, Secret Time, The Machine, and Hey Big Boy are also currently streaming on Netflix. Additionally, he stars in and produced the 2023 film The Machine, based on his own experiences with Russian mobsters during a college trip. Alongside his successful comedy career, Kreischer is a celebrated podcaster, hosting Bertcast and co-hosting Two Bears One Cave with Tom Segura. As the founder of Berty Boy Productions, his media company supports various podcasts, including Wife Of The Party and the digital series, Something’s Burning. Bert Kreischer continues to captivate audiences with his humor and versatile talent and the festival is honored to have him return this year to accept the JFL Award for “Stand Up Comedian of the Year”
Breakout Comedy Star of the Year – Ronny Chieng
Stand-up comedian, actor and correspondent on The Daily Show, Ronny Chieng has broken out with a mega successful acting career, starring in the worldwide hit film, Warner Bros’ Crazy Rich Asians. In addition to Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Disney’s Doogie Kamealoha, M.D., Universal’s M3GAN, NBC’s Young Rock, Disney+ series American Born Chinese, amongst his comedy specials currently available to stream on Netflix. Next, fans will see him in Hulu’s upcoming series Interior Chinatown. The festival is honored to have him return this year to accept the JFL Award for “Breakout Comedy Star of the Year”.
Rising Comedy Star of the Year- Mae Martin
Award winning comedian, actor, writer, and producer, Mae Martin is seeing their star rise to fame at record speed. Their hit Netflix series, Feel Good is a scripted, semi-autobiographical comedy drama series, which they also created and co-wrote continues to collect international awards and nominations, making it one of the most trending series on the platform. They are also an accomplished author of Can Everyone Please Calm Down?: A Guide to 21st Century Sexuality, published in May 2019 by Hachette imprint Wren and Rook. Their standup specials have garnered rave reviews. First, Netflix’s Dope, which focuses on addiction; and most recently, Netflix’s SAP that continues to rake in high praise from critics and fans. The festival is honoured to have them return this year to accept the JFL Award for “Rising Comedy Star of the Year”.
SPECIAL EVENTS
AIRPLANE! Live All-Star Cast Read directed by David Zucker – Thursday, July 27 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Grand Salon Ballroom | 4:00 PM
Join us in celebrating the 43rd anniversary of the ground-breaking and legendary comedy film, AIRPLANE! with a raucously fun live staged reading of select scenes from the original script, by an All-Star cast of comedians and surprise fan-favorite guests. Writer-Director David Zucker will then join us “In Conversation” for candid insights and stories from his upcoming book, Surely You Can’t Be Serious: The True Story of Airplane! (St. Martin’s Press, Oct, 3, 2023).
CAST PANELS
Universal Television presents: The Cast of KILLING IT – Thursday, July 27 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Grand Salon
Ballroom | 2:30 PM
Meet the cast of KILLING IT, Peacock’s hit seriesabout class, capitalism, and one man’s quest to achieve the American Dream. But first he has to overcome vicious criminals, nature run wild, and worst of all, corporate America. This panel will feature never-before-seen clips from the series’ upcoming sophomore season, and hilarious behind-the-scenes stories from its stars who are sure to leave you laughing! KILLING IT, Season 2 returns this summer on Peacock.
Panel Features:
Craig Robinson (The Office, Hot Tub Time Machine)
Rell Battle (Superior Donuts)
and Claudia O’Doherty (Our Flag Means Death, Love)
HULU presents THIS FOOL: Sneak Peek Screening And Cast Conversation – Wednesday, July 26, 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Inspiration Room | 4:30 PM
Join us for a special sneak peek screening of the season two premiere episode of the critically acclaimed HULU series THIS FOOL and a conversation with its “primo” stars, Chris Estrada and Frankie Quiñones. Chris and Frankie will discuss their journey from stand up to scripted TV, their hilarious on-screen dynamics and the importance of authentic on-screen representation. If we are lucky, they may even give some hugs to us thugs. THIS FOOL season two premieres on July 28th on Hulu.
Panel Features:
Chris Estrada
Frankie Quiñones
CRAVE presents: The Cast and Creators of THE DESSERT –Thursday, July 27 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Inspiration Room | 3:00 PM
Crave serves up the next generation of irreverent Canadian sketch comedy with an all-out, boundary-pushing expedition to the edge of decency. Join the executives, cast and creators of THE DESSERT as they take us through the creative development process of this audacious and rapid-fire celebration of the absurd. Executive Produced by Bruce McCulloch (Kids In the Hall), and Produced by LaRue Entertainment and Platonic Friends Productions the series premieres on Crave July 7th.
This panel discussion will be moderated by Executive Producer,Max Kerman (Arkells),
joined by:
Shane Cunningham, Co-Creator/Writer/Actor/Producer
Jonathan Popalis, Co-Creator/Head Writer/ Producer
Mike Veerman, Co-Creator/Writer/Director/Producer
Isabella Campbell, Writer/Actor
Jillian Smart, Writer/Actor
Justin Stockman, VP, Content Development & Programming, Bell Media
IN CONVERSATION SERIES
Faith In Comedy: In Conversation with Ramy Youssef – Saturday, July 29 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Inspiration Room | 1:00 PM
Award-winning creator and comedian Ramy Youssef artfully portrays his Muslim faith with both devotion and defiance in his hit Hulu comedy show Ramy, while also expressing his faith in the divine art of stand-up comedy each time he takes the stage. Ramy and a special guest will discuss the polarizing, unifying, and contradictory intersections of religion and comedy in their personal writing and performance.
Featuring:
Ramy Youssef (Ramy, Mo, #1 Happy Family U.S.A.)
In Conversation with Please Don’t Destroy – Saturday, July 29 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Grand Salon Ballroom | 12:30pm
From Twitter to Studio 8H and now to the silver screen! Please Don’t Destroy trio Ben Marshall, John Higgins and Martin Herlihy are live and In Conversation for the first time at JFL.
Join this hysterical trio as we hear the origin story of how they came together, rose through the SNL Digital Shorts ranks, and made the leap from short-form to long-form with their feature film, which is produced by Judd Apatow, coming out on November 17th on Peacock.
Panel features:
Ben Marshall
John Higgins
Martin Herlihy
COMEDYPRO’S PREMIUM PODCASTS
ComedyPRO is thrilled to announce the return of Acast as the presenting sponsor of the ComedyPRO Premium Podcast Series. With an impressive lineup of today’s top charting comedy podcasts, Acast brings the excitement of live and in-person shows that will surely delight fans and industry insiders alike. Get ready to experience the laughter firsthand as Acast presents these highly acclaimed podcasts live at the festival.
The Downside with Gianmarco Soresi – Wednesday, July 26 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Ovation Room | 2:30 PM
Stand-up comedian and lifelong cynic Gianmarco Soresi interviews people more famous than him about all the downsides to their life. This is a podcast where complaining is encouraged, and negativity is celebrated. Misery loves company, and so does ComedyPRO! Leave your optimism at the door, and join Gianmarco and co-host Russell Daniels in debunking silver linings.
Let’s Make A Sci-Fi – Wednesday, July 26 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Ovation Room | 4:45 PM
Can three comedians create a legit sci-fi movie? Comedians Ryan Beil, Maddy Kelly, and Mark Chavez are going to find out. In this hour-long live presentation of the Webby Award-winning podcast from CBC Podcasts, the three hosts sit down with a guest to pitch each other ideas for a serious science fiction movie and then hilariously hash it out to determine which idea Hollywood should make. Named, “Best Podcast of 2022” by The New Yorker; “A fun and lovely series” by Vulture and “Best Podcast of 2022” by Amazon Music.
StraightioLab – Thursday, July 27 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Ovation Room | 12:30 PM
Straight culture: terrifying, fascinating, and endlessly entertaining. Very smart comedians George Civeris and Sam Taggart get to the BOTTOM of the mystery that is heterosexuality and its intricacies on their intellectual and hilarious TOP notch podcast StraightioLab. Scared? Good. From Big Money Players Network.
Kill Me Now with Judy Gold – Thursday, July 27 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Ovation Room 2:00 PM
Award winning comedian and writer, Judy Gold always seems to be pissed-off about something. Whether it’s your cheap friend who always gets up from the table when the check comes, to socio-economic injustices, we can all get angry at the mundane sometimes. So, come laugh your ass off while Judy vents with wit, humor and passion on her podcast Kill Me Now.
My Momma Told Me – Friday, July 28 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Ovation Room | 11:00 AM
From Big Money Players Network, Comedians Langston Kerman and David Gborie take a deep dive into the most exciting, ground-breaking and sometimes problematic Black conspiracy theories. They’ll have guests cover silly conspiracies, scary conspiracies and conspiracies they learned from that uncle who used to wear jeans when he went swimming in the public pool.
Steph Infection: The Podcast – Friday, July 28 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Ovation Room 12:30 PM
Comedian Steph Tolev wants to know what’s going on with your body. Gross ailments, crazy accidents, things doctors can’t figure out, and anything in between. Drop by and check in at the Ovation room for Steph Infection: The Podcast.
What’s Up Fool? – Friday, July 28 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Ovation Room | 4:30 PM
Comedian Felipe Esparza talks with random people he finds interesting. It might be somebody kind of famous or it might be that homeless guy at the end of your street who you walk past every day without saying hello. Everyone has a story to tell about how they got where they are, no matter who they are.
Acast hit podcasts include,
The Best Hang Podcast – Thursday, July 27 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Ovation Room | 11:00 AM
Acast’s The Best Hang Podcast is a comedic weekly pop culture review, co-hosted by seasoned conversationalist Mike Veerman, Arkells frontman Max Kerman and comedian Shane Cunningham. Authentic and candid updates that cover media, pop culture, sports and the hosts’ unconventional circle of friends.
Phone a Friend with Jessi Cruickshank – Saturday, July 29 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Ovation Room | 12:00 PM
Comedian Jessi Cruickshank needed a safe space to talk about EVERYTHING without getting in trouble, and she’s found it at ComedyPRO. On her podcast, Jessi gives her hot takes on what’s happening in the world, in her home and in Pop Culture. But when she wants to dive deeper, she’ll get to Phone a Friend!
and the previously announced Giggly Squad – Thursday, July 27 2023 | Club Soda | 9:30pm
With more to be announced soon!
JUST FOR LAUGHS’ NEW FACES
The most highly anticipated industry showcase which serves as a launching pad for the next generation of comedic talent, the infamous New Faces series will take place Wednesday, July 26 – Friday, July 28, 2023. Handpicked by JFL producers, this platform not only provides these emerging talents with invaluable exposure but also serves as a catalyst for their careers, opening doors to new opportunities, representation, and industry recognition. This showcase continues to be a celebrated tradition, shining a spotlight on the brightest comedy stars of tomorrow.
This year’s cohorts will be announced on Monday, July 24, 2023. But don’t wait to get your tickets as these shows are some of the most in demand and sell out quickly.
New Faces of Comedy: Group 1 – Wednesday, July 26 2023 | Monument National – Ludger-Duvernay | 7:00 PM
New Faces of Comedy: Group 2 – Wednesday, July 26 2023 | Monument National – Ludger-Duvernay | 9:30 PM
New Faces of Comedy: Creators – Thursday, July 27 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Grand Salon Ballroom | 1:00 PM
New Faces of Comedy: Characters – Thursday, July 27 2023 | Monument National – Ludger-Duvernay | 7:00 PM
New Faces of Comedy: Unrepped – Thursday, July 27 2023 | Monument National – Ludger-Duvernay | 9:30 PM
New Faces of Comedy: International – Friday, July 28 2023 | Monument National – Ludger-Duvernay | 7:00 PM
New Faces of Comedy: Canada – Friday, July 28 2023 | Salle Ludger-Duvernay, Monument-National | 9:30 PM
Variety’s Top 10 Comics to Watch
Earlier this month, Variety revealed their highly anticipated 2023 cohort of Variety’s Top 10 Comics to Watch. This annual list showcases their list of the industry’s brightest and most promising comedic talents. Join us in person for their two annual festival events to honor these artists.
Cohen Gardner LLP presents Variety 10 Comics To Watch Showcase – Saturday, July 29 2023 | Monument National- Ludger-Duvernay | 9:30 PM
Catch the best and brightest from “10 Comics To Watch” and let them show you why they made the 2023 list. For the full list, visit: (link)
Participating in alphabetical order:
Hannah Berner, Kurtis Conner, Zarna Garg, Ian Lara, Joanne McNally, Leanne Morgan, Nimesh Patel, Brian Simpson, Sabrina Wu.
Cohen Gardner LLP presents VARIETY’S “10 COMICS TO WATCH” Uncensored 2023 – Friday, July 28 | 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Inspiration Room | 12:30 PM
We sit down with Variety’s 2023 “10 Comics to Watch” for an hour of spontaneous and honest conversation about comedy. Hear about their struggles, epiphanies, crashes and breakthroughs, as these best and brightest comics of the year come together to share their comedy origin stories and what’s next for them on the road ahead.
Participating in alphabetical order:
Hannah Berner, Kurtis Conner, Zarna Garg, Ian Lara, Joanne McNally, Leanne Morgan, Nimesh Patel, Brian Simpson, Sabrina Wu.
Just For Laughs MONTRÉAL would like to thank its sponsors without whom this edition would not have been possible: Beneva and Chevrolet.
We would also like to acknowledge the exceptional help and support of our public partners: Government of Canada through Canada Economic Development and Canadian Heritage, the Gouvernement du Québec through the ministère du Tourisme, the Secrétariat à la région métropolitaine and the SODEC, as well as the City of Montréal, Tourisme Montréal and Montréal centre-ville.
COMEDYPRO TICKET DETAILS:
Various ComedyPRO passes are available for purchase at www.comedypro.hahaha.com
Student Pass gives access to many events and live shows throughout ComedyPRO and networking opportunities. You must present your student card upon picking up your Student Pass at the event.
FESTIVAL TICKET DETAILS:
Festival passes and tickets for Just For Laughs MONTRÉAL and can be purchased at www.hahaha.com
#FIRSTLOOK: ANDREW SCHULZ SETS RECORD FOR FASTEST-SELLING JFL FESTIVAL ARENA SHOW
Die-hard fans of comedian, Andrew Schulz have demonstrated an unprecedented level of enthusiasm, snatching up tickets within moments of their release for what promises to be an unforgettable two-night comedy event at the 11th edition of Just For Laughs TORONTO festival, taking place from Sept. 21-30, 2023.
Schulz’s history performing in Toronto has been brilliantly captured in a reel shared on the comedian’s Instagram page last week. The reel showcased Schulz starting out in the city’s comedy club scene, then performing in larger venues.
In a surprising turn of events in 2022, Schulz found himself making headlines when a renowned venue in Toronto cancelled his scheduled shows due to the provocative nature of his comedic material. The decision stirred controversy and ignited international media attention. Undeterred by the setback, Schulz swiftly responded by relocating the shows to an alternative Toronto venue, ensuring his fans could still experience his unfiltered brand of humor. The incident revealed Schulz’s resilience, and also his devoted Canadian fanbase.
Next, his goal was to perform at the legendary Scotiabank Arena, where NBA All-Stars The Raptors play. With his call to action, Schulz’s promotional video created mass interest last week, leading to a rush of fans flooding the ticketing sites.
The response was staggering as his first show at Scotiabank Arena sold out in festival record time.
Just For Laughs TORONTO swiftly responded by adding a second performance to Schulz’s Toronto festival dates. The second show also sold out within hours, setting a new record for the festival’s fastest sellout of an arena show.
The remarkable demand and quick sell-out reflect the immense popularity and widespread fandemonium for Schulz’s unapologetic wit, razor-sharp delivery, and charismatic stage presence. He is solidifying his position as one of the most sought-after concert shows of our time.
Additional programming for September’s Just For Laughs TORONTO festival will be revealed in the coming weeks.
#FIRSTLOOK: LINEUP ANNOUNCED FOR JUST FOR LAUGHS TORONTO 2023
Just For Laughs TORONTO presented by Beneva, in collaboration with SiriusXM Canada, is excited to announce the first slate of artists performing at this year’s highly anticipated return of Toronto’s premium comedy event of the year.
Get ready to immerse yourself in a vibrant comedy scene, as the festival presents a wide range of diverse programming. The festival will feature the best in stand-up, entertaining cast panels, film screenings and live comedy podcasts, transforming Toronto into the ultimate comedy hub, taking centre stage in the city this September.
The highly acclaimed street festival will also make its triumphant return this year at Front St. E and Berczy Park. Expanding upon the resounding success of its inaugural edition, the street festival is set to captivate the city once again, presenting an amazing lineup of performances on the free outdoor stage, food trucks, local area restaurants, installations and fully licensed site. This inclusive event will be accessible to all, ensuring that everyone can revel in the laughter and join the street party in the heart of the city.
“The 2022 festival was just the beginning of an exciting new era for Just For Laughs TORONTO”, shares Executive Producer, Oz Weaver. “This year, we’ve expanded with an even bigger lineup that is exceptionally impressive, encompassing a diverse range of comedic voices that cater to all Torontonians. Additionally, our popular free outdoor Street Festival, which debuted last year, is returning for its second edition and has quickly become a beloved fall tradition for the city.”
One of the key attractions of this festival is their innovative pass-holder system which allows you to effortlessly hop between shows and discover new artists you’ve been meaning to check out. Whether you’re in the mood for a comedy binge across town in one night or simply want to indulge in as much laughter as possible throughout the 10-day festival, this pass system provides the perfect opportunity to satisfy your comedic cravings.
Performing as part of this year’s festival are some of today’s most
celebrated comedy stars:
Andrew Schulz: The LIFE Tour – Saturday, September 30, 2023 – Scotiabank Arena,
8:00 PM
Internationally touring stand-up comic and podcaster, Andrew Schulz is known for his hilarious and unfiltered comedy. Schulz capped off his last North American tour, Infamous, by selling out Radio City Music Hall twice in one night. Nothing is off limits for Schulz, from culture to race to politics. His audiences are some of the most diverse among any working comedian, with fans vying to sit in the front rows of his shows to experience his merciless and masterful crowd work. There’s only one rule at his shows—everyone gets these jokes.
In the podcast sphere, Schulz’s wildly popular show, Flagrant, is viewed by 2 million devout fans per week. He also co-hosts Brilliant Idiots with legendary radio & television personality, Charlamagne the God. Recent acting projects include the remake of the classic streetball comedy White Men Can’t Jump. He also appeared in Netflix’s romantic comedy You People. Schulz will soon be seen in the MGM football comedy, Underdoggs, as well as a drama titled, The Thicket.
Ronny Chieng – Saturday, September 23, 2023, 9:30 PM & Sunday, September 24, 2023, 7:00 PM – Meridian Hall
Ronny Chieng is a stand-up comedian, actor and correspondent on The Daily Show. He starred in blockbuster films such as Crazy Rich Asians, Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Disney’s Doogie Kamealoha, M.D., NBC’s Young Rock and M3GAN. He has two stand-up comedy specials on Netflix. He currently stars in Disney+ series, American Born Chinese; and will appear in Hulu’s upcoming series Interior Chinatown.
An Evening with the Office Ladies – Thursday, September 21, 2023 – Meridian Hall,
7:00 PM
Despite portraying Dunder Mifflin frenemies Pam Beesly and Angela Martin on the hit television show The Office, Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey have been best friends for over eighteen years. They also co-host the hit weekly podcast Office Ladies sharing behind the scenes stories of their time on the set of The Office and tales of their best friendship. Join them live as they gab with you about The Office, navigating their early days in Hollywood while becoming best friends, their mutual love of Keanu and more. This will be an evening of fun, laughter and friendship.
Leslie Jones – Saturday, September 23, 2023 – Meridian Hall, 7:00 PM
Three-time Emmy nominee and SNL alum, Leslie Jones can currently be seen starring in Taika Waititi’s pirate comedy series Our Flag Means Death for HBO Max. Additionally, she will be lending her talents to her new podcast, The Fckury, alongside co-host Lenny Marcus on Stitcher. Recently, she completed filming the second season of the hit series, BMF for Starz. Jones recently wrapped production on Out of Office, a film featuring Ken Jeong, Jason Alexander, and Cheri Oteri. Jones has an impressive filmography that includes hits,
Coming 2 America, The Angry Birds Movie 2, We are Family, Masterminds, Sing, Ghostbusters, Trainwreck, and more.
Fun & Slutty with Jonathan Van Ness – Friday, September 22, 2023 – Meridian Hall, 7:00 PM
Queer joy and side-splitting comedy, Jonathan Van Ness is an Emmy-nominated television personality, 2x New York Times best-selling author, podcaster, comedian and hairstylist to the stars. He stars on Netflix’s Emmy Award-winning reboot series Queer Eye, where he shines as the hair guru and self-care advocate, and he is the host and executive producer of the Netflix series Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness, based on Jonathan’s popular podcast of the same name.
Marlon Wayans – Saturday, September 30, 2023 – Meridian Hall, 9:30 PM
Marlon Wayans is an actor, producer, comedian, writer and film director. His films have grossed more than $736-million in domestic box office and $1-billion in global box office. As a stand-up comedian, he is selling out nationwide and adding shows every weekend. His newest stand-up special, God Loves Me, premiered on HBO Max in March 2023. Wayans can most recently be seen on the big screen in Ben Affleck’s Nike drama AIR for Amazon Studios. Wayans is commonly recognized for his role as Marcus Copeland in Columbia Pictures’ 2004 hit comedy White Chicks. He also starred in the horror comedy spoof films Scary Movie and Scary Movie 2.
Nicole Byer – Friday, September 22, 2023 – Meridian Hall, 9:30 PM
Nicole Byer is an actress, comedian, writer, author and podcaster, she is perhaps most well-known as the host of Netflix’s Emmy nominated competition baking series Nailed It!, which has gained a cult following. She returned as co-host alongside John Cena for TBS’ Wipeout. Listeners can hear Byer on four different podcasts, the fan-favourite being her popular weekly, award winning, podcast Why Won’t You Date Me? which sees her inviting friends and guests to discuss their dating lives all while trying to figure out her own.
Sam Morril – Thursday, September 21, 2023 – Meridian Hall, 9:30 PM
Sam Morril is one of the fastest-rising stand-up comics in the industry. He was a regular on Comedy Central’s This Week at the Comedy Cellar. He was named one of Comedy Central’s Comics to Watch in 2011 and has performed multiple stand-up sets on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Late, Late Show with James Corden and Conan. He’s also had stints on Last Comic Standing, America’s Got Talent, @midnight with Chris Hardwick, and Inside Amy Schumer. Morril can be heard on the podcast We Might Be Drunk with co-host Mark Normand and seen on Netflix’s That’s My Time with David Letterman. His 4th stand-up special, Sam Morril: Same Time Tomorrow, can also now be viewed on Netflix.
Giggly Squad – Friday, September 29, 2023 – Meridian Hall, 9:30 PM
Paige DeSorbo and Hannah Berner bring their top-rated podcast on the road. This live show will make fun of pop culture, fashion, dating, and get the crowd involved like they’ve never been able to before. Giggles are guaranteed. See you in court.
Neal Brennan: Brand New Neal – Saturday, September 23, 2023, 9:30 PM & Sunday, September 24, 2023, 7:00 PM – Elgin Theatre
Three-time Emmy nominated writer, director, producer, and stand-up comedian Neal Brennan has become a force in the comedy world. His latest Netflix comedy special Neal Brennan: Blocks, was adapted from Neal’s hit one-man show Unacceptable. Brennan was recently a writer, creative consultant, and on-air correspondent on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. He is a long-time collaborator of iconic comedian Dave Chappelle, with whom he has created multiple comedy fan favourites including the legendary Chappelle’s Show.
Michelle Wolf: It’s Great to be Here – Friday, September 22, 2023, 9:30 PM & Saturday, September 23, 2023, 7:00 PM – Elgin Theatre
Michelle Wolf has quickly become one of the most influential voices in the comedy landscape. Her Netflix special, Michelle Wolf: Joke Show received high praise and her first hour-long stand-up special, Michelle Wolf: Nice Lady, which premiered on HBO garnered a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Writing For A Variety Special. In 2018, she made international headlines as the much buzzed-about headliner of the White House Correspondents Dinner. Wolf’s other television credits include The Break with Michelle Wolf on Netflix, Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Trevor Noah and NBC’S Late Night with Seth Meyers.
Michelle Buteau – Thursday, September 21, 2023 – Elgin Theatre, 7:00 PM & 9:30 PM
Michelle Buteau is the creator, writer, star of the upcoming Netflix series Survival of the Thickest, inspired by her autobiographical book of essays of the same name. She is also the host of popular reality competition show, The Circle on Netflix. Other film and TV credits include Marry Me, First Wives Club, Always be my Maybe, Awkwafina is Nora from Queens, Russian Doll, and Someone Great. She hosts the popular podcast Adulting. Her one-hour comedy special Welcome to Beautopia is streaming on Netflix and won the Critics’ Choice Award for Best Comedy Special.
Rory Scovel: The Last Tour – Friday, September 29, 2023, 9:30 PM & Saturday, September 20, 2023, 7:00 PM – Elgin Theatre
Rory Scovel can currently be seen starring as Danny in Apple TV+’s hour-long series Physical, as well as in Paramount Picture’s Babylon. Prior to that, he starred in I Feel Pretty opposite Amy Schumer and can be seen in New Line’s feature, The House, ABC’s Modern Family, and NBC’s Superstore; as well as in his Comedy Central series Robbie which he also created. His hour stand-up special Rory Scovel Tries Stand-up for the First Time is currently streaming on Netflix.
Tom Papa – Thursday, September 28, 2023 – Elgin Theatre, 7:00 PM
With more than 20 years as a stand-up comedian, Tom Papa is one of the top comedic voices in the country, finding success as an actor, host, and author, in film, TV, radio and podcasts as well as on the live stage. Amongst his many Netflix specials, he also has a highly rated podcast Breaking Bread with Tom Papa. He hosts the popular daily Netflix radio show, What A Joke With Papa And Fortune on Sirius XM Channel 93 and the monthly show, Come To Papa Live on Channel 94. He has starred in the critically acclaimed films; The Informant, The Haunted World of El Superbeasto, and Behind the Candelabra.
Bad Dates with Jameela Jamil – Tuesday, September 26, 2023 – Elgin Theatre, 7:00 PM
Everybody has had them. Everybody can relate to them. And now it’s time to laugh at them on BAD DATES, a hilarious new comedy podcast hosted by Jameela Jamil. Each week Jameela’s favourite comedians, celebrities and funny friends share their epic and true dating nightmares and misfires. Like the tale of the guy who could only get frisky on top of a pile of stuffed “Garfield” toys, or the enraged beauty queen with food poisoning who chased her date through a kitchen window. There’s even a bad date that involved gay Bigfoot. From the team behind the hit podcast SmartLess, BAD DATES will make you laugh a lot, cry a little, and cringe just enough. Because as we all know – the worst dates make the best stories.
Jim Norton – Thursday, September 28, 2023 – Elgin Theatre, 9:30 PM
American stand-up comedian, radio personality, bestselling author and actor, Jim Norton is the co-host of The Jim Norton & Sam Roberts Show that can be heard every morning on SiriusXM Satellite Radio. His latest stand up special, “Mouthful of Shame” is streaming now on Netflix where Jim lays out a full serving of refreshingly unapologetic humor in his first Netflix comedy special. In May 2016, he was announced as co-host of UFC’s Unfiltered Podcast with Jim Norton & Matt Serra. Since 2014 he has been a contributor to Time Magazine. He has an additional 4 one-hour comedy specials that can be seen on Hulu, Amazon and HBO GO.
Jessica Kirson – Friday, September 29, 2023 – Elgin Theatre, 7:00 PM
Jessica Kirson is a powerhouse on stage. She’s a hilariously relatable performer of sheer silliness, vulnerability, and ridiculous characters. Her one-hour special Talking to Myself was executive produced by Bill Burr and debuted on Comedy Central. She has also been featured on Netflix, is a regular on This Week at the Comedy Cellar, and has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The View, HBO’s Crashing, and Kevin Can Wait. Her countless comedic character videos have racked up over 200 million views on social media.
Napoleon Dynamite Live! – Wednesday, September 27, 2023 – Elgin Theatre, 7:00 PM
The beloved indie classic Napoleon Dynamite was made almost 20 years ago. Since then, much has changed; but the characters, as enduring as they are endearing, stay in our hearts. Appealing to the inner-teenager in each of us, the story, and more importantly the dialogue, makes Napoleon Dynamite one of the most quoted movies of our time. Napoleon Dynamite makes us laugh – and laugh hard – over and over again. This unique evening includes a full screening of Napoleon Dynamite followed by a lively, freewheeling, moderated discussion with fan-favourite cast members; Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite), Efren Ramirez (Pedro) and Jon Gries (Uncle Rico).
Joanne McNally: The Prosecco Express – Saturday, September 30, 2023 – Elgin Theatre, 9:30 PM
Joanne McNally has been taking Ireland and the UK’s comedy scene by storm, enjoying sell-out Edinburgh runs with her stand-up shows Wine Tamer and The Prosecco Express. She is the co-host of the hugely popular podcast My Therapist Ghosted Me, which has over a million downloads a week. Her numerous TV credits include ITV’s The Jonathan Ross Show, Comedy Central’s Guessable and Comedians Solve World Problems, amongst many others.
Drew Lynch – Friday, September 22, 2023 – Elgin Theatre, 7:00 PM
Comedian and actor Drew Lynch captured the hearts of America with his Golden Buzzer
performance on Season 10 of America’s Got Talent, where he finished in second place. Since then, Lynch has amassed millions of followers on social media while touring the world nonstop to sold out audiences. He also appeared in a recurring role in the final season of IFC’s hit series Maron, as well as TBS’ Conan. A favourite on the podcast circuit, he has made multiple appearances on some of the most downloaded shows, giving his unique take on everything from pop culture to news headlines to the life of a travelling comic.
Trinidad vs. Jamaica Comedy Clash – Sunday, September 24, Elgin Theatre, 9:30 PM
The Comedy Clash of TRINIDAD VS JAMAICA is back and this time we’re doing it PRIME TIME WITH JUST FOR LAUGHS TORONTO for one night! This 20 Years consistently sold-out comedy clash is always a fan favourite. Hosted by Jay Martin & Jean Paul, the Trinidad vs. Jamaica Comedy clash is a Caribbean comedy battle Royale – the gloves are coming out with the heavy hitters of laughter! Filled with music, games, and unlimited laughter, this year’s performance features Zabrina Douglas, Christopher “Johnny ” Daley vs Brandon Ash Mohammed and Sterling Scott!
Ron Funches – Thursday, September 21, 2023, 7:00 PM & Friday, September 22, 2023, 7:00 PM – The Royal Theatre
Ron Funches is a triple threat. He is an excellent stand-up comedian, actor and writer. You may know Funches from his many memorable television roles on The Goldbergs, Black•ish, New Girl, Transparent, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Powerless, and Undateable. His films include Get Hard and 6 Underground. He loves animated television and film and has leant his voice to many projects like Dreamworks Trolls, Disney’s Ivan The Great, Bob’s Burgers, Adventure Time, Final Space and so many more. Some of his personal appearances include Conan, The Tonight Show, Match Game, To Tell The Truth, Chopped, Cupcake Wars and Nailed It. His writing credits include The Eric Andre Show, Kroll Show and several television pilots.
I Have Nothing: Sneak Peek Screening & ln Conversation with Carolyn Taylor – Saturday, September 23, 2023 – The Royal Theatre, 7:00 PM
Join us for a sneak peek screening of the new Crave Original series, I HAVE NOTHING which follows Carolyn Taylor (Baroness Von Sketch) on a quest to choreograph the perfect full length pairs figure skating routine to Whitney Houston’s 1992 iconic hit song “I Have Nothing.” Motivated by a teenaged obsession for the 1988 Calgary Olympics (but with no skating knowledge or ability), Carolyn enlists the help of legendary figure skaters and good friend Mae Martin to realize her lofty goal. The season culminates in a live performance of Carolyn’s one-of-a-kind routine for an audience of figure-skating royalty, die-hard skating fans and Carolyn’s teen idols. I HAVE NOTHING is produced by Blue Ant Studios in association with Catalyst.
Catherine Cohen – Wednesday, September 27, 2023, 9:00 PM & Thursday, September 28, 2023, 11:00 PM – The Royal Theatre
Catherine Cohen is best known for her 2022 hit Netflix comedy special The Twist…? She’s Gorgeous. She can be seen in the Paramount+ feature film, At Midnight, and in the Hulu series What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding. She has appeared in Comedy Central’s Awkwafina is Nora From Queens, and she joined the cast for Season 3 of FX’s critically acclaimed series What We Do In the Shadows. Her other on-screen credits include Netflix’s series Special, and Michael Showalter’s feature The Lovebirds, Disney+ reboot of Home Alone, HBO’s High Maintenance, Comedy Central’s Broad City and TBS’s Search Party.
Colin Quinn: Small Talk – Friday, September 29, 2023, 7:00 PM & Saturday, September 30, 2023, 9:00 PM – The Royal Theatre
Writer/Performer, Colin Quinn is a stand-up comedian from Brooklyn who has been a part of your whole life even though you never asked for it. From MTV’s Remote Control to SNL to Comedy Central’s Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn. Quinn is not one to take a hint and bow out gracefully. He’s been on Broadway and Off-Broadway with hit shows including Colin Quinn: The New York Story, directed by Jerry Seinfeld, and most recently Colin Quinn: The Last Best Hope. Film & TV credits include Trainwreck, Girls, and his web series Cop Show, streaming now on Quinn’s YouTube channel. His last book, Overstated: A Coast-to-Coast Roast of the 50 States, is now available.
Patti Harrison – Saturday, September 23, 2023, 11:00 PM & Monday, September 25, 2023, 7:00 PM – The Royal Theatre
Patti Harrison will next be seen in the Sundance hit comedy Theater Camp, set to be released this summer. Last year she starred in the Paramount blockbuster The Lost City. She has performed stand-up around the world to rave reviews. After her first film role in 2017’s A Simple Favor, she’s made fans for her sociopathic character Ruthie on Hulu’s Shrill and various appearances on I Think You Should Leave Tim Robinson, High Maintenance, Search Party and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. She’s written on multiple series including Netflix’s Big Mouth, and has voiced the role of ‘Tail Chief’ in Disney’s ensemble Raya and the Last Dragon. She can currently be seen on HBO Max’s hit series Made For Love and She Hulk, on Disney+.
Chris Redd – Wednesday, September 27, 2023, 7:00 PM & Thursday, September 28, 2023, 9:00 PM – The Royal Theatre
Chris Redd is an actor, writer, stand-up comic, and rapper. Some of Redd’s most famous TV appearances included being a cast member on NBC’s Saturday Night Live; in addition to NBC’s comedy, KENAN, and in the Peacock series BUST DOWN. In 2018, Redd received the Emmy Award for the “SNL” song “Come Back, Barack.” He was featured as a roaster on the infamous Comedy Central Roast of Alec Baldwin. He can also be seen in films Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, Disjointed, Deep Murder, The House, and A Futile and Stupid Gesture. On TV, Redd starred in the cult-classic series Wet Hot American Summer, NBC’s Will & Grace, Netflix’s Love, Comedy Central’s Detroiters and Comedy Central Stand-Up Presents.
Dulcé Sloan – Sunday, September 24, 2023, 7:00 PM & Monday, September 25, 2023, 9:00 PM
- The Royal Theatre
Dulcé Sloan is one of the sharpest, fastest rising voices in comedy. Most recently a correspondent on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, she has been hailed by Variety Magazine, Rolling Stone and Timeout LA as a ‘Top Comedian To Watch’. She can currently be seen in the FOX animated series Great North. She has also appeared multiple times on the CNN New Year’s Eve Special with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen, MTV’s Acting Out, Comedy Central’s @Midnight, Tru’s Comedy Knockout, TBS’ Conan, and has made multiple appearances as a correspondent on E! News Daily. Her signature point-of-view and confidence drives her hilarious views on everything from her personal relationships to the absurdities of society.
Joke Signals, Hosted by Dakota Ray Herbert, Presented by SiriusXM – Tuesday, September 26, 2023 – Royal Theatre, 7:00 PM
Host Dakota Ray Herbert is an actor/comedian/writer on the rise. She was born and raised in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, and is a member of English River First Nation. On the small screen, Herbert co-hosts APTN’s Crazy Like a Lynx. She also stars in the CTV comedy Shelved, about a handful of smart and quirky characters who work at and inhabit a small, local library. In addition, you’ll see Herbert on this season’s Run the Burbs on CBC.
This show will feature critically acclaimed comedians like Savannah Erasmus, Chad Anderson, and Clifton Cremo.
Joe DeRosa: I Never Promised You a Rose Garden – Friday, September 22, 2023 – Royal Theatre, 9:00 PM
“I Never Promised You a Rose Garden” is an all-new hour of hopeless comedy derived from the dark mind of Joe DeRosa. Celebrating pure evil, abandonment, and societal collapse, Joe’s bleak outlook on society will actually bring joy to you in this dire climate we’re all living in.
Additional Artists & Shows in the 42 include:
DeAnne Smith – Jeremy Hotz – River Butcher – Jesus Trejo – Graham Kay
Alison Leiby: Oh God, A Show About Abortion – Mark Forward: Safari Time – Jay Jurden
Martin Urbano: Apology Comeback Show – Sam Morrison: Sugar Daddy – Andrea Jin
Ariel Elias – Sydnee Washington – Gavin Matts – Jes Tom – Paul Elia
The Great Canadian Comedy Show, Presented by SiriusXM
Double Threat: Charles Haycock & Maddy Kelly
Double Threat: Nigel Grinstead & Ajahnis Charley
Double Threat: Hassan Phills & Malik Elassal
Double Threat: Chad Anderson & Adrienne Fish
Double Threat: Rachel Manson & Clifton Cremo
The Alternative Show with Mark Forward
LowKey with Paul Elia – Late Night Surprise
Absolute – Yuk Yuk’s Comedy – Second City – Nothing Fancy Comedy
PASS & TICKET DETAILS:
Presale on Passes will be available starting Wednesday June 7, at 12:00 PM
Public On Sale for Passes will be available starting Friday, June 9, at 12:00 PM
Andrew Schulz Passes AND Tickets will be available to the public as of Friday, June 9, at 12:00 PM
Presale on Tickets will be available starting Monday June 12, at 12:00 PM
Tickets will be available to the public as of Friday, June 16 at 12:00 PM
Festival passes range from $69 CDN (excluding service charges). Single tickets range from $39.50 CDN (excluding service charges)
hahaha.com for more.
#FIRSTLOOK: JUST FOR LAUGHS MONTREAL 2023 LINEUP ADDITIONS ANNOUNCED
Just For Laughs, in association with Loto-Québec, is proud to announce their newest lineup of artists performing at the 41st edition of the Just For Laughs MONTRÉAL festival, taking place from July 14 – July 29, 2023.
With a renowned reputation for creating legendary comedy moments over 40 years, the festival consistently delivers unforgettable experiences, and this year will be no exception!
New acts joining this year’s lineup include:
GALAS
The Leslie Jones Gala – Saturday, July 29, 2023 – Théâtre Maisonneuve, 9:45 p.m.
Three-time Emmy nominee and SNL alum, Leslie Jones can currently be seen starring in Taika Waititi’s pirate comedy series Our Flag Means Death for HBO Max. Jones is currently collaborating with Ruben Fleischer and David Bernad to produce an untitled Christmas comedy for Lionsgate. Additionally, she will be lending her talents to her new podcast, The Fckury, alongside co-host Lenny Marcus on Stitcher. Recently, she completed filming her new role on the second season of the hit series, BMF for Starz which is executive produced by Curtis (50 Cent) Jackson and written/produced by Randy Huggins. Jones also wrapped production on Out of Office, a film featuring Ken Jeong, Jason Alexander, and Cheri Oteri. In 2020, she starred alongside Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall in Craig Brewer’s Coming 2 America, which earned her the “Best Comedic Performance” award at the 2021 MTV Movie and TV Awards; as well as a nomination for “Favorite Movie Star” at the 2021 People’s Choice Awards. Jones has an impressive filmography that includes hits The Angry Bird Movie 2, We are Family, Masterminds, Sing, Ghostbusters, Trainwreck, and more.
The Eddie Izzard Gala – Friday, July 28, 2023 – Théâtre Maisonneuve, 9:45 p.m.
One of the most celebrated comics of her generation since the early nineties, Eddie Izzard has an equally stellar reputation as a film, television and stage actor. Izzard’s world-renowned stand-up shows include Unrepeatable, Definite Article, Glorious and Dress to Kill, which earned her a New York Drama Desk Award and two Emmys. Izzard now tours her shows in four languages English, French, German and Spanish in countries all over the world. She completed her most recent global tour, Wunderbar, in 2020, to wide critical acclaim. Highlights from Izzard’s film career include Six Minutes to Midnight, Stephen Frear’s Victoria and Abdul, Ocean’s Thirteen, and Valkerie. TV credits include NBC’s Hannibal, Netflix’s Stay Close, and Showtime’s United States of Tara, amongst many others. This summer, Izzard will transfer her critically acclaimed one-person show, Great Expectations, from Broadway to London’s West End.
The Mae Martin Gala – Saturday, July 29, 2023 – Théâtre Maisonneuve, 7:00 p.m.
Mae Martin is an award-winning Canadian comedian, actor, writer, and producer who can be seen starring in Feel Good; a scripted, semi-autobiographical comedy drama series, which they also created and co-wrote. Co-starring Lisa Kudrow and Charlotte Ritchie, the series launched globally on Netflix and Channel 4 in the UK to widespread praise and a perfect 100% “Certified Fresh” score on Rotten Tomatoes. Martin’s performance earned them a RTS “Breakthrough Award” and Bafta TV award nomination as well as “Best Comedy Writer” again at RTS. Feel Good also won the Edinburgh TV award for “Best Comedy” as well as the “Best Comedy Drama series” at the C21 award and “Best Scripted Representation of LGBQT+” at the Mipcom Diversify Awards. Their stand-up show, Dope, focused on addiction and was nominated for “Best Comedy Show” at the prestigious Edinburgh Comedy Awards while earning four- and five-star national reviews in the UK. The show has since been turned into a stand-up special for Netflix as part of their first global stand-up series, Comedians of the World. Followed by their recently released Netflix special, “SAP” which has been widely applauded by international critics as one of their best specials to date.
In addition, the previously announced must-see Galas this year include:
The RP4 – A Very Special Event – Hosted by Russell Peters – Wednesday, July 26, 2023 & Thursday, July 27, 2023 – Théâtre Maisonneuve, 7:00 p.m. & 9:45 p.m.
Join Russell Peters for a landmark Just For Laughs event as he hosts four special galas, each with a unique star-studded line-up of carefully curated comics. Always uncensored and honest, Russell will be at the helm of shows that will be guaranteed to be provocative, funny and unforgettable.
The Jack Whitehall Gala – Friday, July 28, 2023 – Théâtre Maisonneuve, 7:00 p.m.
Award winning comedian, actor and world traveller, Jack Whitehall, is making his way to Just For Laughs MONTRÉAL this summer to host his very own Gala. Widely celebrated for his hit Netflix show Travels With My Father, his starring role in the BBC’s adaptation of Decline & Fall and Bad Education, he can also be seen in Disney’s The Nutcracker And The Four Realms, Amazon’s Good Omens and Clifford The Big Red Dog.
Stay tuned in the coming weeks when we announce the artists who will be joining these incredible line-ups for an evening full of laughs!
CONCERT SHOWS
Ronny Chieng – Thursday, July 27, 2023 – L’Olympia, 7:00 p.m.
Ronny Chieng is a stand-up comedian, actor and Correspondent on The Daily Show. He starred in the worldwide hit movie Crazy Rich Asians, his Netflix stand-up comedy special Asian Comedian Destroys America! and has appeared on Young Rock, Godzilla vs Kong, Bliss, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and has been featured in The New York Times, GQ amongst others. Most recently, he also starred in the mega Marvel Studio’s hit movie, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
Neal Brennan: BRAND NEW NEAL – Friday, July 28, 2023 – L’Olympia, 9:30 p.m.
Three-time Emmy nominated writer, director, producer, and standup comedian Neal Brennan has become a force in the comedy world. Neal’s newest podcast, The Blocks Podcast – based on his newest comedy special, can be heard on all podcast platforms. That latest Netflix comedy special Neal Brennan: Blocks, was adapted from Neal’s hit one-man show Unacceptable. The stage show had a sold-out NYC residency in the Fall of 2021, with Interview Magazine lauding “together, Brennan and DelGaudio have crafted a genre-bending show focused as much on fun and laughter as it is on intimacy and honesty” and Theatermania gushing “The comedians Neal Brennan has written for is insane… Even more insane (in the best way), is the material Brennan writes for himself.” As in-demand behind the camera as he is in front of it, Neal was recently a writer, creative consultant, and on-air correspondent on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. He is a long-time collaborator of iconic comedian Dave Chappelle, with whom he has created multiple comedy fan favourites including the legendary Chappelle’s Show and the Emmy-winning Saturday Night Live episode immediately following the 2016 presidential election. Neal served as Executive Producer on Chris Rock’s recent standup special Chris Rock: Tamborine and as Director on fellow Daily Show Correspondent Michelle Wolf’s HBO special Michelle Wolf: Nice Lady.
Ramy Youssef – Friday, July 28, 2023 & Saturday July 29, 2023 – Gesù, 7:00 p.m. & 9:30 p.m.
Ramy Youssef is an award-winning Egyptian American creator, actor, producer, director, and comedian who brings his unique voice and perspective to his storytelling. Youssef created, produces, directs and stars in the hit Hulu show Ramy, inspired by his own experiences centring around a first-generation Egyptian-American Muslim on a spiritual journey in his politically divided New Jersey neighbourhood. He won a Golden Globe® in 2020 on behalf of Ramy in the category of “Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy.” In 2020, the Television Academy nominated Youssef for two Emmy Awards® in the categories of “Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series” and “Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series” on behalf of the second season of Ramy. He also won the Peabody Award on behalf of the series. The third season of Youssef’s widely celebrated Ramy premiered on September 30th, 2022. Youssef was also nominated for a Critics’ Choice Award and a Writers Guild Award for his one-hour HBO comedy special Ramy Youssef: Feelings, produced by A24.
Youssef is a co-creator and executive producer of Netflix’s new series Mo, a semi-autobiographical series inspired by Amer’s life as a Palestinian refugee growing up in Houston. Mo recently debuted to critical acclaim and was produced with A24 and Youssef’s new production company, Cairo Cowboy.
Darcy & Jer – Friday, July 28, 2023 – L’Olympia, 7:00 p.m.
Together for over 20 years, Darcy & Jer are first and foremost proud dads to their daughter Grace and their golden retriever Yuma. And second, they’re idiots on the internet. Known for their hilarious videos around their relationship, ADHD, plants and more, Darcy & Jer have quickly become household names with a global audience. After just 3 years creating content online, they stand today with a combined total of over 4.5 million followers across platforms with an average of 50 million views a month. Darcy Michael and Jeremy Baer have become leaders in comedy content creation. Their comedy has allowed them to build a community that celebrates conversations around mental health, relationships, politics and living a happier life.
With Darcy having ADHD and the pair being members of the LGTBQ+ community, Darcy and Jer aim to create an inclusive, safe environment celebrating life with neurodivergence. Darcy and Jer’s sense of humour, joyful personalities, and unique content continues to build them an adoring fanbase. Aiming to grow beyond their online content, in 2023 Darcy & Jer debuted their live comedy show at the Just for Laughs Vancouver Festival. With plans for a full comedy tour across North America, they will also be following up their hit road-trip series Darcy & Jer Do America with season two Darcy & Jer Do Europe coming later this spring.
Brad Williams – Wednesday, July 26, 2023, MTELUS, 7:00 p.m.
Brad Williams is undeniably one of the funniest comedians in the industry today, earning his spot as one of the most sought-after and in-demand performers. Starting his stand-up comedy journey as a teenager, Williams has since embarked on successful tours that regularly sell out renowned venues across the nation and around the globe. Notably, he has made memorable appearances on esteemed stand-up television shows such as The Tonight Show, Dave Attell’s Comedy Underground, and Jimmy Kimmel Live. With his first one-hour special, Fun Size, becoming the highest-rated special on Showtime, Williams continued to amaze audiences with subsequent specials like Daddy Issues and his uproarious hosting at the Montreal Just For Laughs Festival. Garnering massive ratings and rave reviews, his ground-breaking special on Netflix, The Degenerates, solidified his status as a comedic force to be reckoned with. Beyond his comedy prowess, Williams has showcased his acting skills on TV shows like FX’s Legit, and Hulu’s original series Deadbeat and others. In a remarkable achievement, Williams became the first stand-up comedian to headline a Cirque du Soleil show, Mad Apple, receiving tremendous acclaim for his captivating performances. Alongside his career in stand-up and acting, Williams co-created and co-hosted the highly successful podcast About Last Night with fellow comedian Adam Ray. With his witty and inspiring observations on disability, relationships, sex, and race, Williams continues to win over audiences and prove that anyone can overcome their shortcomings. His electrifying stage presence often leads to standing ovations, prompting the late Robin Williams to aptly describe him as “Prozac with a head.”
Please Don’t Destroy Live – Friday, July 28, 2023 – Club Soda, 7:00 p.m.
Please Don’t Destroy is made up of Ben Marshall, John Higgins and Martin Herlihy. They are currently writing and making videos for Saturday Night Live – favorites include “Three Sad Virgins” featuring Taylor Swift and Pete Davidson, “Good Variant,” “Hard Seltzer”, “The Stakeout”, “Hangxiety” and more. They’ve been beloved repeat guests at NBC’s annual Miley Cyrus’s New Year’s Eve Party. Even before their viral videos online, the guys performed live sketch together all over NYC – since then they’ve headlined at the Netflix is a Joke Festival, the New York Comedy Festival, were featured at The Life is Beautiful Festival in Las Vegas, and consistently sell out colleges and marquee shows across the country. Ben, John, and Martin wrote and will star in their first movie, produced by Judd Apatow, coming out on November 17th on Peacock.
Foil Arms & Hog: Hogwash – Thursday, July 27, 2023 – MTELUS, 7:00 p.m.
Foil Arms and Hog are an Irish sketch comedy group comprising Sean Finegan (Foil), Conor McKenna (Arms) and Sean Flanagan (Hog). The group performs on TV, radio, the stage and online. The trio write, shoot and edit a new sketch every week in their office, releasing it for YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. Foil Arms and Hog do not have a specific genre, and make sketches that are often observational and occasionally topical. Popular sketches released to YouTube include When Irish People Can’t Speak Irish, An Englishman Plays Risk, WTF is Brexit, and How to Speak Dublin. Foil, Arms and Hog also perform live shows, primarily in Ireland and the United Kingdom, but also in the United States, Australia, Europe and a number of runs at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where they have become the biggest selling act for the last 3 years running. The group’s name evolved from nicknames each of the members had for each other, Foil (Finnegan) being the comedy foil, Arms (McKenna) was ‘All arms and Legs’ and Hog (Flanagan) because he ostensibly hogged the limelight. As of 2023, the group has 1.4 million followers on Facebook and 862 thousand YouTube subscribers. Their videos have amassed over 1 billion views online. They met each other in university, (where they studied engineering, architecture and genetics), formed the group and have been touring our live shows in Ireland, Europe, the US and Australia over the last thirteen years to audience and critical acclaim (no really).
Giggly Squad – Thursday, July 27, 2023 – Club Soda, 9:30 p.m.
Paige DeSorbo and Hannah Berner bring their top-rated podcast on the road. This live show will make fun of pop culture, fashion, dating, and get the crowd involved like they’ve never been able to before. Giggles are guaranteed. See you in court.
Hannah Berner Live – Friday, July 28, 2023 – Le Studio TD, 9:30 p.m.
One of JFL’s 2022 New Faces, Hannah Berner emerged on the comedy scene by directing, editing, and acting in videos on Instagram and writing viral tweets. She has two podcasts, Giggly Squad and Berning In Hell, with over 20 million combined downloads. She was a co-host on Bravo’s Chat Room, as well as a member of Bravo’s Summer House for three seasons, and has over 3.3 million followers across her social media platforms. She currently performs standup in NYC and at clubs and theatres all around the country.
Jessica Kirson – Thursday, July 27, 2023 – Club Soda, 7:00 p.m.
Jessica Kirson is a powerhouse on stage. She’s a hilariously relatable performer of sheer silliness, vulnerability, and ridiculous characters. Jessica’s one-hour special Talking to Myself was executive produced by Bill Burr and debuted on Comedy Central. She has also been featured on Netflix, is a regular on This Week at the Comedy Cellar, and has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The View, HBO’s Crashing, and Kevin Can Wait. Her countless comedic character videos have racked up over 200 million views on social media. Her audience is multigenerational, creating an excuse for large groups of friends and families to spend a night out together. In an era where only 10% of all touring comedians are female, she stands out as one of the strongest comedians regardless of gender.
Joanne McNally – The Prosecco Express – Friday July 28, 2023 – Club Soda, 9:30 p.m.
Described by the Sunday Times as a ‘truly gifted stand-up’, Joanne McNally has been taking Ireland and the UK’s comedy scene by storm, enjoying sell-out Edinburgh runs with her stand-up shows Wine Tamer and The Prosecco Express. Both shows have toured in Ireland, and she has sold out over 50 nights at Vicar Street in Dublin, four nights at the London Palladium, and three nights at London’s Eventim Apollo.
She is the co-host of the hugely popular podcast My Therapist Ghosted Me, alongside her best friend Vogue Williams, which has over a million downloads a week. She created, wrote and presented the funny and insightful documentary Baby Hater which was broadcast in Ireland for TV3. Her first one woman show, Bite Me, a show about eating disorders, was nominated for multiple awards at the Dublin Fringe in 2016. Her numerous TV credits include ITV’s The Jonathan Ross Show, Comedy Central’s Guessable and Comedians Solve World Problems, BBC’s Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel, Richard Osman’s House of Games, Channel 4’s The Big Fat Quiz of Everything, and Joe Lycett’s Got Your Back.
Joe Dombrowski – Saturday, July 29, 2023 – Club Soda, 7:00 p.m.
Joe Dombrowski (aka Mr. D) took the world by storm in 2017 with a viral April Fools’ Day spelling test prank that landed him multiple appearances on the Ellen DeGeneres show. Don’t get it twisted though! It takes at least 20 years to be an overnight sensation! He has been doing stand-up comedy since he was eight years old in his third-grade talent show. He’s never stopped! Since Joe’s rise to fame, he has been travelling the globe with his stand-up comedy which often highlights his crazy life as an elementary teacher. When he’s not getting creative on screens and stages, Joe spends his time in Seattle, Washington producing his podcast, Social Studies where he recaps absolutely insane stories from fans all over the world.
Felipe Esparza – Wednesday, July 26, 2023 – Le Studio TD, 9:30 p.m.
Felipe Esparza is a stand-up comedian and actor who has come a long way since winning NBC’s Last Comic Standing in 2010. While that may have opened doors and helped build his fan base around the country, his hard work and focus in more recent years has brought him longevity. With three successful stand-up specials on Netflix and HBO, his What’s Up Fool? Podcast holding steady as one of the top comedy podcasts for the last eight years, and his sold-out tour dates all over the country, he is now at a point where he is moving more into TV and film. He has been a recurring favourite on TV Shows such as Superstore, The Eric Andre Show, Gentefied, and Victor and Valentino, as well as appearing in films including Guest House with Pauly Shore, 7th & Union with Omar Chaparro, Daddy Daughter Trip with Rob Schneider and You People with Eddie Murphy and Jonah Hill.
CLUB SERIES
The Nasty Show – Tuesday, July 18, 2023 to Wednesday, July 26, 2023, Club Soda, daily at 9:30 p.m. **with two special midnight performances added on Friday, July 21, & Saturday, July 22.
NOTE: Mike Ward will not be performing on Saturday, July 22. The host for that evening will be announced shortly.
The Nasty Show is back and will be hands-down the filthiest show of the entire festival. Prepare yourself for a night of comedy’s dirtiest minds, and see for yourself why this is one of the festival’s longest-running shows.
Drum roll, please…. This year’s host for The Nasty Show will be none other than the award winning, Guinness Record breaking, Supreme Court triumphing French Canadian comedy icon, Mike Ward! Ward has performed at every major comedy festival on the planet. The Québec comic set a Guinness World Record for the most tickets sold for a podcast recording, selling more than 20,000 tickets for the recording of his hit franco podcast, Sous écoute at the Montréal Bell Centre in July 2022. His stand-up has aired on TV in 20 countries including Showtime, HBO, France 2, Comedy Central, RTS Deux, and Network 10, just to name a few. With over 100 million downloads, his French podcast Mike Ward Sous Ecoute is the most listened to French-language comedy podcast in the world. It’s not just a podcast, it has become a Quebec cultural phenomenon. He even sold-out the Bell Centre for a taping of an episode. 20,986 tickets sold, beating the previous world record by more than 7,000 thousand. You can listen to his English podcast, 2 Drink Minimum (with Pantelis & Poseidon), wherever you get your podcasts.
Joining this year’s previously announced lineup that includes Donnell Rawlings, Steph Tolev and Adrienne Iapalucci will be Geoffrey Asmus.
Geoffrey Asmus began performing stand-up in 2013 immediately after wasting $143,548 on seven college degrees and becoming a 1st grade teacher. He regularly performs at the World-Famous Comedy Cellar in New York City, and was named one of the 2016 New Faces at Montréal’s Just For Laughs Festival. Amus has also opened for Dave Attell, Mark Normand, Dan Soder, Fortune Feimster, Sam Morrill, and Daniel Sloss among others. He headlines comedy clubs nationwide. In 2021 his debut album “Prodigal Little Bitch” went to #1 on iTunes. He also records the weekly “You’re An Idiot” podcast with Alex Dragicevich. More recently, Asmus has found success growing his social media platforms with his unfiltered stand-up clips, and has recorded an hour special that will air later this year!
That’s not all! Additional acts will be announced soon.
Brit(ish) – Wednesday, July 26, 2023 to Saturday July 29, 2023 – Le Studio TD, 7:00 p.m.
Back by popular demand, Brit(ish) brings together a collection of uproariously hilarious comedians from across the pond. While the complete line-up is still to come, one thing is certain: prepare yourself for a sarcastic, irony-laden, and side-splittingly funny experience that is sure to leave you in stitches!
This year the Brit(ish) series will be hosted by none other than Jen Brister! Brister is a critically acclaimed stand-up comedian and writer who has been seen on BBC’s Live at the Apollo, Frankie Boyle’s New World Order, QI and Mock the Week. She is a regular performer on the UK and international comedy circuits and has written 7 solo shows which she has performed at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival and toured extensively around the UK. Her book, a comedy memoir, The Other Mother was published by Square Peg in 2019. Her stand up show Meaningless can be streamed on Soho Comedy Live. Next Up and Amazon Prime while her special, Waves for BBC Radio 4 can be streamed on BBC Sounds.
Brit(ish) will proudly welcome to the stage special guest, Alan Davies. Davies is a highly successful stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and TV personality, known as a staple of British television, for his performance as the titular character in Jonathan Creek; and as a permanent panellist on QI. He is also one of the UK’s best-loved comedians, with his stand-up shows Urban Trauma running in London’s West End and Life is Pain selling out in many cities. More recently, Davies published his second memoir, Just Ignore Him. His talk show, Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled, is now on its seventh season.
Rounding out the lineup, artists include:
Josie Long is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, podcaster, and film-maker. She is a trailblazer of the UK comedy industry, as the first woman to be nominated 3 times for Edinburgh Comedy Award (2010 – 2012). Her 9 critically acclaimed tours showcase her unique and powerfully original voice and have been performed globally to sell-out shows. Her various podcasts and original radio shows have garnered her a world-wide audience of dedicated listeners and multiple awards.
Gina Yashere is an internationally acclaimed comedian who is currently starring in Chuck Lorre’s series, Bob Hearts Abishola on CBS. Not only does Yashere star in the series, but she is one of the co-creators, co-showrunner, executive producer, and writer. She can also be seen on Netflix with her own specials, Skinny B@tch, Laughing to America and part of The StandUps season 2. Her TV credits include, The Neighborhood, Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, Def Comedy Jam, Live at the Apollo, TruTV’s Comedy Knockout, Comedy Central’s @midnight, NBC’s The Tonight Show, HBO’s Crashing, ITV’s Married Single Other, The Lenny Henry Show and the animated series, Bromwell High and The Barbarian and the Troll. She came to the U.S. as a finalist on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, and never left! Yashere is also a published author. Her memoir, Cack-Handed was released last year to rave reviews.
Reuben Kaye is an internationally renowned cabaret host, with previous residencies in London, Berlin and Stockholm, in addition to an award-winning comedian, singer, and writer. Kaye made his TV debut in Australia, performing twice on ABC Australia’s Melbourne Comedy Fest, as a guest on SBS Australia’s Celebrity Letters & Numbers, and on ABC Australia’s Spicks and Specks. Reuben has also appeared on UK television shows including BBC’s The Apprentice: You’re Fired, Channel 4’s Kids React to Drag, and given a lauded keynote at TEDxCurrumbin titled, When Your Child Comes Out. In 2022, his comedy cabaret show, The Butch Is Back won three Green Room Awards: for Best Cabaret Artist, Best Production and Best Musical Direction. In 2021, both Perth Fringeworld and the Adelaide Fringe awarded Reuben their Best Cabaret Award, and Melbourne Comedy Festival nominated him for the Most Outstanding Show award.
Jamali Maddix is a critically acclaimed comedian and host of Vice’s Hate Thy Neighbour and Channel 4’s Adventures in Futureland. His unique voice and style make him one of the most sought-after comedians working today. With an assured stage presence and considered material that comes from a sharp perspective, he already has the aura of a comic well beyond his years. His last tour sold-out shows across the globe, playing the UK, Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America. Jamali is currently a series regular on Never Mind The Buzzcocks and has been seen on Channel 4’s Taskmaster, BBC2’s Frankie Boyle’s New World Order, BBC2’s Live at the Apollo, More4’s 8 Out of 10 Cats, BBC1’s This is My House, Dara O’Briain’s Go 8-Bit, as well as many others.
That’s not all! Additional acts will be announced soon.
OFF JFL
Urzila Carlson: It’s Personal – Thursday July 20, 2023 to Sunday July 23, 2023 & Tuesday, July 25, 2023 to Thursday, July 27, 2023 – Théâtre St. Catherine, 10:00 p.m.
Urzila Carlson has garnered a legion of fans worldwide in recent years, not least of all thanks to her hit NETFLIX hour-long comedy special Overqualified Loser which was released in 190 countries, and its stable partner, Comedians of the World. She won the Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s People’s Choice Award for most tickets sold in both 2019 and 2022, and is a much-loved staple on Ten’s smash-hit panel show, Have You Been Paying Attention? both here and in NZ. Not content with owning the stage and the small screen, Carlson is now in the fourth season of her chart-topping premiere podcast That’s Enough Already! She also makes her feature animation debut in 2023 as the voice of Honkus in Ozi, alongside Donald Sutherland, Laura Dern, Ru Paul and Amandla Stenberg. Carlson has become one of the biggest names in comedy in Australia and New Zealand.
The Lucas Brothers – Thursday, July 20, 2023 to Sunday, July 23, 2023 & Tuesday, July 25, 2023 to Thursday, July 27, 2023 – Théâtre St. Catherine, 8:30 p.m.
The Lucas Bros, Keith and Kenny Lucas, are two of the freshest, most dynamic talents in entertainment. The Bros are two of the writers (story by) on the highly revered film Judas and the Black Messiah, which earned them Oscar and WGA Award Nominations for “Best Original Screenplay.” Adding to the massive success of JUDAS, The Bros have recently announced several high-profile upcoming projects, including a reboot of Revenge of the Nerds, with 20th Century Studios and Seth Macfarlane, a semi-autobiographical dramedy with Judd Apatow, and a new comedy feature with Universal and Lord Miller. The guys made their late-night debut when they performed standup on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon in 2012 and have been a favourite on Fallon’s Tonight Show ever since, with multiple appearances. They were named one of Variety’s 10 Comics to Watch of 2014, featured in Rolling Stone Magazine’s “Hot List,” appeared on the cult hit TV show Arrested Development (Netflix) and HBO’s Funny As Hell, and were standouts at the prestigious Montreal Just For Laughs Comedy Festival with Paste Magazine selecting The Bros as one of the top acts of 2017. They are the first black identical twins to be nominated for an Oscar.
BriTANick – Thursday, July 20, 2023 to Sunday, July 23, 2023 & Tuesday, July 25, 2023 to Thursday, July 27, 2023 – Théâtre St. Catherine, 7:00 p.m.
BriTANicK is the sketch comedy duo of Brian McElhaney and Nick Kocher. Together, they have written for Saturday Night Live, and Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia; and are currently writing for Dan Levy’s new animated show Standing By (or at least they were until the writers’ strike happened) (if the writers’ strike has been resolved please disregard but we friggin bet it hasn’t been by now). They’ve made a bunch of sketch comedy videos on the internet that were seen by a lot of people but they didn’t monetize the videos because they didn’t understand how to and they’re still upset about that. They’ve also performed live all over the world including a sold out run at the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. They love doing this show so much and would like you to please come and see it please.
Gina Yashere: The Woman King of Comedy – Thursday, July 27, 2023 – Le Balcon, 10:00 p.m.
In addition to joining the esteemed lineup of artists on this year’s The Nasty Show, Gina Yashere will also do her solo set, Gina Yashere: The Woman King of Comedy. She brings her fierce and funny comedic style back to the stage this summer with this unique chance to hear her personal story of how she made it in Hollywood from the streets of London.
Kyle Kinane – Wednesday, July 26, 2023 & Friday, July 28, 2023 – Café Cléopatra, 9:00 p.m.
Kyle Kinane is a comedian from Addison, Illinois. According to Wikipedia, he is a notable person from that town. Other notable residents of Addison have been the boxer Leon Spinks and a woman who wrote poetry about Beanie Babies. As a comedian raised in such a cultural fondue pot as this, it was natural for Kyle to find his way from warehouse work into show business. He has been seen on Conan, The Tonight Show, Netflix’s The Standups, and three of his own hour-length specials on Comedy Central. As an actor, he’s been in the Judd Apatow series Love and truTV’s Those Who Can’t. He was also on Drunk History, where he unfortunately wasn’t acting. As a voice over actor, he was the former voice of Comedy Central for 8 years and currently plays Bullet on the Netflix series Paradise PD. He is also co-host of the Boogie Monster podcast along with Dave Stone, and the podcast No Accounting for Taste with Shane Torres. His newest effort Shocks & Struts released in 2023 on YouTube marks his return to live-action stand-up after his 2018 set on Netflix’s The Standups, and When you’re Here, you’re Family.
River Butcher – Thursday, July 27, 2023 – PDA Claude-Léveillée, 9:00 p.m.
River Butcher is a Los Angeles-based standup comic, actor, and writer. His first half-hour special A Different Kind of Dude, debuted on Comedy Central’s YouTube channel and was called “a masterclass in culture war commentary” by Esquire.com. The special also garnered the title of “Some of the Best Jokes of 2022 So Far.” They recently wrote and produced the FX pilot Belated, previously wrote for A League of Their Own, and created/starred in/wrote the critically acclaimed and GLAAD award nominated Take My Wife. You may have also seen them as nonbinary standup comic LB Brady on Good Trouble and Adam Conover’s sibling on Adam Ruins Everything or queer dinner guest Denim in the hit Friendsgiving. They’ve done stand-up all over the country, the globe, and the screen, including Ellen, Conan, Comedy Central, and HBO.
Tom Ballard: It is I – Friday, July 28, 2023 & Saturday, July 29, 2023 – PDA Claude-Léveillée, 7:30 p.m.
Tom Ballard is an award-winning Australian stand-up who’s trying to save the world with comedy lol. Since becoming the youngest ever winner of the Melbourne Comedy Festival’s “Best Newcomer Award” in 2009, Ballards twice been nominated for “Most Outstanding Show” at that festival, as well as scoring nominations for “Best Newcomer” and “Best Show” at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards. He’s also hosted a panel show about the dark secrets of reality television and his own (very naughty) late-night show Tonightly with Tom Ballard; and in 2022, he released his debut book I, Millennial: One Snowflake’s Screed Against Boomers, Billionaires & Everything Else. In 2023 Tom will star as the lovable/hopeless Sven in the Amazon Prime series Deadloch, and is stoked to return to Montreal for his fifth JFL with his hot new hour, It Is I.
Nath Valvo: Live – Thursday, July 27, 2023 – Café Cléopatra, 9:00 p.m.
The 2022 & 2023 host of Just For Laughs, Australia TV series – Nath Valvo is one of the fastest rising stars in comedy. After storming the 2019 JFL stage in the Tiffany Haddish Gala, Nath Valvo now returns with his debut solo show. Nath was nominated for “Most Outstanding Show” at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and “Best Newcomer” at the Edinburgh Fringe.
Their razor-sharp wit and high-energy style have clocked over 10 million views on TikTok (and counting). Don’t miss your chance to see one of Australia’s funniest strutting his stuff.
Melanie Bracewell: Forget Me Not – Saturday, July 29, 2023 – Newspeak, 7:00 p.m.
At just 26 years old, she is taking the comedy world by storm. The Kiwi won the prestigious “Best Newcomer” award for her first solo show in the NZ International Comedy Festival. With goofy observations and natural stage charisma, Melanie Bracewell is a master of anecdotes. In 2018, Melanie won the famed “Billy T Award”, in 2019 she performed as part of the invite only Just For Laughs Comedy Festival at the Sydney Opera House, and in 2021 she won the coveted Directors’ Choice Award at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. And she only got busier in 2021 & 2022, co-hosting The Cheap Seats, which has been renewed for 2023 and making regular appearances on Have you Been Paying Attention? in Australia and New Zealand. When she’s not on stage, Melanie is a social media powerhouse. Whether she’s filming content for her TikTok channel, which has had over ten million likes and writing for the more than 250,000 followers of her meladoodle.tumblr.com blog.
Best of the Fest – Tuesday, July 25, 2023 to Friday, July 28, 2023 – Newspeak, daily at 7:30 p.m. & 9:45 p.m.
The title says it all, as one of the festival’s most exciting series, Best of the Fest promises audiences additional intimate access to the festival’s most hilarious acts. Line-ups are announced closer to the dates.
Tickets at hahaha.com.
#FIRSTLOOK: JUST FOR LAUGHS MONTRÉAL 2023 LINEUP ANNOUNCEMENT
Just For Laughs is excited to announce the first line-up of artists who will be performing at the 2023 edition of the Just For Laughs MONTRÉAL Festival, presented in in association with Loto-Québec and running from July 14 – July 29, 2023.
The festival, which draws more than 2 million visitors to the city, will bring the most sought-after comedy stars and rising talent together, creating the world’s largest comedy hub for two consecutive weeks of laughter. Featuring shows citywide in a variety of venues from large theatres to more intimate club settings, the fest also features panels with esteemed celebrities and key industry insiders, live recordings of today’s most popular comedy podcasts, TV tapings, and so much more. JFL has earned their reputation as an essential launchpad for comedic talent, with many of today’s most successful comedians, writers, and actors having gotten their start at the festival, and who always like to return every July!
“With this great roster of star power already lined up for this summer, this year promises non-stop laughter and unforgettable experiences”, shares President Bruce Hills. “We have many more announcements to come, as our festival continues to celebrate the power of humour to bring people together, and to provide a platform for new stars to be discovered”.
Over the years, Just For Laughs has transformed the comedy landscape by serving some of the most iconic comedy moments of the last four decades. Quintessential JFL moments include Norm MacDonald’s festival debut, to Jim Carrey’s, to John Candy hosting HBO’s first live comedy special live from the festival. Rowan Atkinson debuts Mr. Bean character at JFL to intentionally prove to network executives its international appeal which then catapulted his famous TV franchise worldwide. Jimmy Fallon notoriously shares how his show-stopping performance at JFL, opening for Penn & Teller, led to his first development deal; to breakout New Faces performances by Hasan Minhaj to Quinta Brunson, which all led to their trajectory of stardom.
The festival also played host to the world premiere of comedy film Sausage Party with Seth Rogen, Kristin Wiig, Nick Kroll in attendance; and let’s not forget the festival’s famous galas that have been hosted by comedy icons like Mary Tyler Moore, Lily Tomlin, George Burns, Jerry Seinfeld, Wanda Sykes, Howie Mandel, Don Rickles, P.K. Subban, Dame Edna and countless others. Some of the most memorable moments still talked about today include the cast panels with HBOs VEEP joined by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tony Hale, Timothy Simons; the cast table reads of The Simpsons to the cast of Brooklyn Nine Nine; and a sold-out live table read of The Big Lebowski where director Jason Reitman gathered some of the biggest Hollywood celebrities for it including Jennifer Lawrence, Olivia Munn, Dennis Quaid, Michael Fassbender, and others.
Rising talents who got their big break at the fest includes 19-year-old Dave Chappelle, who landed his first development deal while at the festival after impressing Bruce Hills with his VHS audition tape; to a young Chris Rock who first performed at JFL 3 years before joining SNL. Many of today’s biggest comedy stars were first discovered as part of the festival’s New Faces showcases. This series serves as a platform for up-and-coming comedians to showcase their talents and catch the attention of audiences and industry professionals. This iconic discoverability series introduced many stars of today including Kevin Hart, Amy Schumer, Ali Wong, Jo Koy, Tom Segura, Kumail Nanjiani, Iliza Shlesinger, Sam Jay, and countless others. SNL has a long history of casting JFL New Faces alumni, with notable past cast members including Jimmy Fallon, Pete Davidson and Colin Jost, among others. Today, many of SNL’s current cast members, such as Sarah Sherman, Chloe Fineman, Heidi Gardner, Ego Nwodim, James Austin Johnson, Marcello Hernandez Andrew Dismukes, and Punkie Johnson can trace their roots back to JFL’s New Faces showcases.
The festival is where iconic moments are made.
Don’t miss out on what we have in store this year.
This first announcement is just the beginning, with many more exciting programming highlights
to come for this summer!
KICKING US OFF THIS YEAR….
CONCERT SHOWS
Ali Wong: Live! – Wednesday, July 26, 2023 – Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, 7:00 PM
Ali Wong is a comedian, writer, actress, and director known for her comedy specials Baby Cobra, Hard Knock Wife, and Emmy-nominated Don Wong. Ali executive produces and voices Bertie in Tuca and Bertie, co-wrote and starred in Always Be My Maybe and directed Sheng Wang’s Sweet and Juicy. She is also the author of the New York Times Bestseller “Dear Girls.” Beef, her next project in collaboration with A24, will be released April 2023 on Netflix.
Wong will be joined by a special guest, Sheng Wang, for this one-night only performance.
Sheng Wang is a comedian, actor and writer. His first Netflix special, Sweet & Juicy, released in September 2023 and was produced and directed by Ali Wong. He was a featured stand-up on HBO’s 2 Dope Queens special and also wrote for the ABC show Fresh Off the Boat.
Fun & Slutty, A Night with Jonathan Van Ness – Saturday, July 29, 2023 – Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, 9:30 PM
Queer joy and side-splitting comedy. Jonathan Van Ness is an Emmy-nominated television personality, 2x New York Times best-selling author, podcaster, comedian and hairstylist to the stars. He stars on Netflix’s Emmy Award-winning reboot series Queer Eye, where he shines as the hair guru and self-care advocate, and he is the host and executive producer of the Netflix series Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness, based on Jonathan’s popular podcast of the same name. The series is nominated for a 34th Annual GLAAD Media Award for ‘Outstanding Reality Series.’ He was a 2022 Primetime Emmy nominee for ‘Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition Program’ along with his Queer Eye cast mates. Jonathan also starred on the Emmy-nominated web series Gay of Thrones, a witty social commentary series recapping HBO’s Game of Thrones. Launched in 2013, the series wrapped its eighth and final season last year and garnered Emmy nominations in 2016, 2018 and 2019 for ‘Outstanding Short Form Variety Series.’
The Bald and the Beautiful with Trixie Mattel and Katya Zamo – Thursday July 27, 2023 – Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, 9:30 PM
The Bald and the Beautiful with Trixie Mattel and Katya Zamo features a pair of grizzled gay ghouls exploring the cultural boundaries of modern beauty through interviews with gorgeous guests who inhabit various facets of the beauty industry. From models, moguls, influencers, drag queens, RuPaul’s Drag Race contestants to adult performers, actors, and more, Trixie and Katya break down the beauty behind it all.
Anthony Jeselnik: Bones and All – Saturday, July 29, 2023 – L’Olympia, 9:30 PM
Anthony Jeselnik is a stand-up comedian from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He can currently be seen on his podcast, The Jeselnik and Rosenthal Vanity Project, alongside co-host Gregg Rosenthal. His most recent stand up special, Fire in the Maternity Ward, premiered on Netflix to critical acclaim. Anthony was also the creator, host and producer of his series, Good Talk and The Jeselnik Offensive on Comedy Central. He also appeared on multiple roasts for the network, most notably The Roast of Donald Trump and The Roast of Charlie Sheen. Additionally, Anthony wrote and performed the stand-up specials Thoughts and Prayers, an hour-long for Netflix and Caligula, an hour-long for Comedy Central which followed his debut comedy album, Shakespeare, for Comedy Central Records. He has performed on CONAN, The Tonight Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live and was a writer and the first ever stand-up comic to appear on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.
Kurtis Conner: Live at JFL – Wednesday, July 26, 2023 – L’Olympia, 9:30 PM
A headlining comedian, podcaster, and global YouTube sensation, Kurtis Conner has sold out shows across North America and the world. After studying comedy writing and performance in Toronto, Conner quickly found an audience on Vine, later migrating to YouTube and growing that audience to over 4.2 million subscribers worldwide. His 2016 stand-up record Cuppla Jokes reached number 6 on the Billboard comedy chart and number 1 on iTunes, while his videos regularly hit the top ten trending page on YouTube. Conner has previously appeared on stage alongside collaborators Danny Gonzalez and Drew Gooden, and also hosts the Very Really Good podcast.
Daniel Sloss: Can’t – Tuesday, July 25, 2023 to Thursday, July 27, 2023 – Gesù, 9:30 PM
Daniel Sloss is an internationally acclaimed and award-winning Scottish comedian who has become one of the biggest global names in stand-up. He has, to date, created 13 solo shows, was the biggest ticket selling comedian in the world for most of 2021, has performed seven New York seasons off-Broadway, and appeared on TV’s CONAN ten times, and had broken box office records at the world’s biggest arts festival, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. His massive global live tours span 54 countries – so far! In February 2020, Daniel Sloss: HUBRiS, premiered in New York, just before the global pandemic shut the world down. As restrictions lifted, he performed as many live shows as was safe and legal – accelerating rapidly into becoming another global smash-hit hit tour. HUBRiS became 2021’s biggest touring solo comedy show as well as the 5th biggest ticket selling event of any genre for most of that year (as reported by Pollstar). In 2021 saw Sloss’s first book “Everyone You Hate is Going to Die ” published by Penguin Random House prestige imprint Knopf.
Carlos Ballarta: TLATOANI – Thursday, July 27, 2023 – MTELUS, 9:30 PM
Carlos Ballarta is a Mexican standup comedian and actor, born in Mexico City, with a 10-year career in the Spanish speaking stand up scene. He has three Netflix specials, El amor es de put*s (2016), Furia ñera (2018) y Falso profeta (2021), and a fourth one, Rebelde Comodino, on YouTube. He has successfully toured all around Mexico, Latin America, the United States, Canada, Spain, France, Germany and England. Ballarta will make his festival debut, performing his entire set in Spanish!
Tom Papa: 2023 Comedy Tour – Tuesday, July 25, 2023 and Thursday, July 27, 2023- Gesù, 7:00PM
With more than 20 years as a stand-up comedian, Tom Papa is one of the top comedic voices in the country, finding success as an actor, host, and author, in film, TV, radio and podcasts as well as on the live stage. The comedian has had 4 highly rated stand-up specials on Netflix and recently released his 5th Netflix special, What A Day!. His highly rated podcast Breaking Bread with Tom Papa, features Tom and his guest eating, drinking, and celebrating the true meaning of breaking bread with insightful, revealing and always funny conversations. He also hosts the popular daily Netflix radio show, What A Joke with Papa And Fortune on Sirius XM Channel 93 and the monthly show, Come To Papa Live on Channel 94. He has starred in the critically acclaimed films; The Informant, The Haunted World of El Superbeasto and the HBO film Behind the Candelabra. He recently wrapped on Netflix’s Nike which is already garnering much critical acclaim.
GALAS
The RP4 – A Very Special Event – Hosted by Russell Peters – Wednesday, July 26, 2023 & Thursday, July 27, 2023 – Théâtre Maisonneuve, 7:00 PM & 9:45 PM
Join Russell Peters for a landmark Just For Laughs event as he hosts four special galas, each with a unique star-studded line-up of carefully curated comics. Always uncensored and honest, Russell will be at the helm of shows that will be guaranteed to be provocative, funny and unforgettable.
Russell Peters was recently named as one of Rolling Stone’s 50 Best Comics of All Time. He started doing stand-up at the age of nineteen at open mics in his native Toronto, and spent the next fifteen years honing his craft at clubs across Canada and the UK. Peters’ most recent tour, The Deported World Tour was seen by over 400,000 fans in 40 cities across 20 countries and culminated in the stand-up special, Russell Peters Deported on Amazon Prime Video in January 2020. Peters has been awarded Gemini, Peabody, Emmy and Canadian Screen Awards for his hosting, producing and acting talents. His last TV series, The Indian Detective set a Canadian viewership record for Bell Media /CTV in 2017 and was released globally on Netflix. Peters just launched his own Podcast, ‘Culturally Cancelled with Russell Peters’ on iHeart Media.
The Jack Whitehall Gala – Friday, July 28, 2023 – Théâtre Maisonneuve, 7:00 PM
Award winning comedian, actor and world traveller, Jack Whitehall, is making his way to Just For Laughs MONTRÉAL this summer to host his very own Gala. Featuring a star-studded line-up from across the globe. Widely celebrated for his hit Netflix show Travels With My Father, his starring role in the BBC’s adaptation of Decline & Fall and Bad Education, he can also be seen in Disney’s The Nutcracker And The Four Realms, Amazon’s Good Omens and Clifford The Big Red Dog. In late 2021, Whitehall starred in Disney’s blockbuster adventure, Jungle Cruise, opposite Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt. An acclaimed comedian who loves the stage, his 2019 arena tour, Jack Whitehall: Stood Up, was his biggest-ever stand-up show ever — playing to sold-out arenas across the UK. He then took the tour to Australia, New Zealand and Dubai. He played to packed arenas across the UK on two tours: Jack Whitehall Gets Around and Jack Whitehall: At Large. In early 2021, Netflix filmed his final tour date at Wembley Arena. Jack Whitehall: I’m Only Joking, now streaming.
Stay tuned in the coming weeks when we announce more galas, hosts and the artists who will be joining these incredible line-ups for an evening full of laughs!
CLUB SERIES
The Nasty Show – Tuesday, July 18, 2023 to Wednesday, July 26, 2023 – Club Soda, daily at 9:30 PM; **with two special midnight performances added on Friday, July 21, and Saturday, July 22, 2023
The Nasty Show is back and will be hands-down the filthiest show of the entire festival. Prepare yourself for a night of comedy’s dirtiest minds, and see for yourself why this is one of the festival’s longest-running shows.
The one and only Donnell Rawlings will hit the stage this summer. Besides his iconic stand-out role as Ashy Larry on Chappelle’s Show, Rawlings has also won critical acclaim for his role on HBO’s The Wire, and as Dez in Pixar’s hit film SOUL. In turn, he was honoured by The African-American Humor Awards in 2021 with the Redd Foxx Award. This year’s line-up also features performances by Steph Tolev whose comedy and acting career has skyrocketed in recent years with Netflix and Comedy Central appearances, as well as being named a Comedian You Should and Will Know by Vulture; and JFL New Faces alum, Adrienne Iapalucci who has been featured in various Netflix specials, This Week at the Comedy Cellar, The Late Show with David Letterman, and Gotham Comedy Live. She won the first ever People’s Choice award at the New York Comedy Festival and made her debut on NBC’s Last Comic Standing. Her Degenerates Netflix special premiered on NYE 2020.
That’s not all! The host and additional acts will be announced soon.
Just For The Culture – Tuesday, July 18, 2023 to Wednesday, July 26, 2023 – Club Soda, daily at 7:00 PM; **with one special 4:30 PM performance added on Sunday, July 23.
Back by popular demand, Just for the Culture features a diverse line-up of comedians from various cultural backgrounds and experiences, each with distinct personalities, experiences and comedy styles.
Returning to reclaim his master of ceremonies title, is crowd favourite Alonzo Bodden. A regular panel member on NPR’s Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me, his first big comedy break came when he was named a New Face at Just for Laughs in 1997. Since then, he has been making audiences around the country laugh for close to 30 years. Amongst numerous TV appearances, Bodden’s fourth stand-up special, Heavy Lightweight, premiered exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.
He will lead an incredible line-up with performances by JFL New Faces alum, Gianmarco Soresi, who has performed on The Late Late Show with James Corden, as well as Comedy Central, Netflix, and The Real Housewives of New York (no, really!). His first special Shelf Life, was nominated for three NY Emmy Awards and was selected as an NPR 2002 Comedy Pick. Joyelle Nicole Johnson who made her TV debut on Late Night with Seth Meyers, and more recently performed on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon twice in one year. She was nominated for a Critics Choice Award as she’s also written for hit series such as HBO’s Broad City and HBO’s Pause with Sam Jay. JFL New Face alum, Malik Elassal, is a Lebanese Canadian stand up, writer, and actor who won the Yuk Yuks Top Comic competition in his hometown of Calgary, recorded sets for the Winnipeg Comedy Festival and is currently on CBC Gem’s The New Wave of StandUp. Returning to the fest, the incomparable Judy Gold who has numerous stand-up specials on HBO, Comedy Central and LOGO. She was a part of Netflix’s Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration; and is one of the main subjects in the Hulu documentary, Hysterical. She has appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and The Tonight Show, and has won two Emmy awards for writing and producing The Rosie O’Donnell Show. She was also a writer on the final season of FX’s Better Things; A regular on CBC Radio’s Laugh Out Loud and The Debaters, Arthur Simeon is a Ugandan-born Toronto-based comedian who has been performing for a decade all over the world. A truly gifted storyteller, he has appeared multiple times at the Just For Laughs, Odd Block Comedy Festival as well as on CBC Television, HBO and the Comedy Network; and Zarna Garg who is “One in a Billion”, and that’s not the just name of her first comedy special. She’s also the only Indian mom comedian taking on her mother-in-law. She was recently profiled as one of the gutsiest women in comedy on Apple TV’s new Gutsy Women series, and is featured on This American Life with Ira Glass. That’s not all! Additional acts to be announced soon.
Brit(ish) – Wednesday July 26, 2023 to Saturday July 29, 2023 – Le Studio TD, 7:00 PM
Back for another year at Just For Laughs MONTRÉAL, Brit(ish) boasts a line-up of some of the funniest comedians from across the pond. The full line-up will be announced soon, but let’s face it, we all know it’s going to be sarcastic, full of irony and a laughing riot!
Midnight Surprise – Wednesday July 26, 2023 to Saturday July 29, 2023 – Le Studio TD, 9:30 PM
One of the festival’s most highly anticipated series that takes place at midnight… that’s all you get for now as it’s intended to be the best kept secret of the fest! Audiences eagerly race to buy these tickets before they will sell out, curious to discover which all-star comedians will make surprise appearances. Previous surprise guests have included Dave Chappelle, Jerrod Carmichael, Jimmy Carr, Tiffany Haddish, Jeff Ross, Judd Apatow, and many others!
Just For Laughs MONTRÉAL would like to thank its sponsors without whom this edition would not have been possible: Beneva and Chevrolet. We would also like to acknowledge the exceptional help and support of our public partners:
Government of Canada through Canada Economic Development and Canadian Heritage, the Gouvernement du Québec through the ministère du Tourisme, the Secrétariat à la région métropolitaine and the SODEC, as well as the City of Montréal, Tourisme Montréal and Montréal centre-ville.
TICKET DETAILS:
Pre-sale tickets will be available starting today Thursday April 13 at various times
Tickets will be available to the public as of Friday, April 14 at 10:00 AM ET at www.hahaha.com
Looking for the best way to experience Just For Laughs MONTRÉAL? Get a JFLMTL Pass!
Passes available include: the JFL 2-Show Pass for $115.00 + tax, 3-Show Pass for $155.00 + tax and 5-Show Pass for $235.00 + tax. Each pass includes up to 12 free tickets from July 14 to July 29, 2023 (some restrictions apply).
#FIRSTLOOK: JUST FOR LAUGHS GROUP AND NETFLIX SIGN THREE-YEAR COMEDY DEAL FOR THREE FRENCH STAND-UP COMEDY SPECIALS
Just For Laughs Group’s Francophone TV division, Juste pour rire TV, has signed a three-year deal with Netflix for three French stand-up solo specials as part of Netflix’s ongoing commitment to supporting Canadian productions.
The first of the three specials will be filmed in 2023.
This new deal comes on the heels of Netflix and Just For Laughs Group teaming up on the release of Mathieu Dufour at Bell Centre, which was filmed at the 40th anniversary edition of Just For Laughs/Juste pour rire MONTRÉAL comedy festival last July.
Some quotes below:
Marina di Pancrazio, Chief Content Revenue Officer, JUST FOR LAUGHS GROUP: “We are delighted to be extending our collaboration with Netflix and to be entering into a new three-year partnership that will enable us to showcase even more of Canada’s leading Francophone comedy talent to their subscribers. As a company we are passionate about creating original Francophone content for comedy fans to enjoy, and greatly value this opportunity that will allow new audiences both in Canada and overseas to enjoy the rich comedy talent we have here in Quebec.”
Tara Woodbury, Director, Content – Canada, Netflix: “Quebec has incredible stand-up voices for the world to discover. We’re looking forward to deepening our relationship with Just For Laughs after partnering on Math Duff’s hilarious special last year.”
#FIRSTLOOK: JUST FOR LAUGHS MONTREAL 40TH ANNIVERSARY GALA TO AIR ON CBC
So as you’re aware Just for Laughs celebrated its 40th anniversary earlier this year in Montréal and a Gala was held to celebrate that with some marquee names in-attendance. Now’s your chance to see the Gala broadcast on TV! As a TV exclusive, CBC will air that celebration for comedy enthusiasts coast to coast.
Tune in to the CBC on November 8, 2022 at 9:00 PM ET (9:30 PM NT) to watch Just For Laughs 40, the anniversary special featuring extraordinary presenters and performances from some of today’s most influential names in comedy, as well as a few surprise appearances!
Presenters include comedy superstars Nikki Glaser, Jimmy Carr, Russell Peters, Dave Merheje, and Fortune Feimster; with performances by Matteo Lane, Katherine Ryan, Caroline Rhea, Tommy Tiernan, Chris Redd, and a very special guest, Canadian comedy icon, Rick Mercer.
(Photo credit: Just for Laughs)
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