Some of the biggest names in stand-up comedy have been announced as headliners of this year’s Gilda’s LaughFest. The nation’s first-ever community-wide comedy festival announced its first round of talent and shows lined up for its fourth year of operation.
Among the headliners announced today were LaughFest veterans Jim Gaffigan and Sinbad. The festival, running from March 6 to 16, will feature headliners Lily Tomlin, making a special appearance in partnership with Broadway Grand Rapids, Chris Tucker and Emmy award-winning late-night talk show host Jay Leno in the Signature Event.
Various shows will present hilarious acts including Maria Bamford, Todd Barry, Rory Scovel, Nick Thun and the stars of TruTV’s Impractical Jokers, the Tenderloins. The Gun Lake Casino Presents National Stand-Up Comedy Showcase will show off the stylings of rising hot talents: Cameron Esposito, Aparna Nancherla, Johnny Pemberton, Baron Vaughn, Joe Zimmerman, Tone Bell, Kurt Braunohler, Carmen Lynch, Barry Rothbart and Hampton Yount.
If you’re in Michigan and looking for a grittier type of night, there’s the Bud Light Presents Blue & Late Night Comedy Series with 30 Rock’sJudah Friedlander and Chelsea Lately round table regular Jen Kirkman.
Along with the headliner shows, the festival will feature a unique schedule of 200 plus “community shows” that span the Grand Rapids area featuring over 60 of the nation’s funniest up-and-coming comics. “As we enter our fourth year, we are thrilled to continue building upon such a great community festival,” said Joanne Roehm, festival director of LaughFest. Many of these shows will be free of charge.
Individual tickets are priced from $7 to $60, excluding the Signature Event. These will be available beginning Friday, Jan. 10. However, for the comedy fiends who enjoy bouncing around from show to show, festival ticket packages will be available to the public beginning Friday, Nov. 15, 2013 online at laughfestgr.org or by phone at (616) 735-HAHA. These will range from $60 to $175. Proceeds from the show go to support Gilda’s Club of Grand Rapids. Named after late comedian Gilda Radner, the organization — with chapters located throughout the country — provides support for cancer patients and friends and family.
(Source: The Laughspin)
