(L to R) Neal Patrick Harris will host 4 Gala shows; Queen of Mean - Jane Lynch; Can Wanda Sykes tame her unruly guests? Big time comedy stars anchor the Just For Laughs Gala Shows The Montrealer July 21, 2015 5714 The Just For Laughs Montreal Comedy Festival is the world’s largest comedy event welcoming on average 1.35 million visitors to Montreal each summer and generating approximately $80 million for the city’s economy. Just For laughs has been the springboard to international recognition for many comedians, including Jerry Seinfeld and Tim ‘The Tool Man’ Allen. Talent and booking agents from colleges to casinos and network television gather in Montreal to assess the festival performers, make deals and sign contracts. The Gala Shows are presented in Salle Wilfrid Pelletier at Place des Arts. Tony and Oscar host Neil Patrick Harris closes this year’s festival with four performances hosting our hilarious variety Gala, CIRCUS AWESOMEUS: featuring sword swallower Brett Loudermilk, amazing burlesque performer Bridget Everett, puppet comedy duo Sammy J and Randy, comedian Brad Williams, the world’s biggest (and saddest) musical clown Puddles Pity Party, Quebecois trapeze artist Hugo Desmarais, hilarious magic-man Ed Alonzo, and beatboxing heavyweight Beardyman! Shows at 7pm and 9:45pm, July 27 and 28. The mean queen of Glee, Jane Lynch, brings her dry wit to host and potentially berate an international lineup of the best comedians in the world, including special guest, Scottish superstar Danny Bhoy, and Tom Papa, Wil Anderson, Ronny Chieng, Ian Edwards and Dan Naturman. July 22 at 7pm. Think you know Sir Patrick Stewart? Think again. Sir Patrick Stewart is showing that the comedy world is no match for this acting icon. Sir Patrick will host a lineup of amazing comedians like Kyle Kinane, Jim Breuer, Russell Howard, Gina Yashere and special guest Sebastian Maniscalco. July 22 at 9:45pm Star of Netflix’s The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Ellie Kemper, (The Office and Bridesmaids), career has been on fire since she was named one of Variety magazine’s “10 Comics to Watch”. Kemper’s Gala lineup includes the hottest all-star comedians of the moment: Margaret Cho, Chris Hardwick, Reggie Watts, Michael Che, Pete Holmes and Debra DiGiovanni. Broadway meets comedy club as the star of The Good Wife and Cabaret, Alan Cumming, leads a group of seasoned stand-ups, including Rob Schneider, Joel Creasey, Orny Adams, Shaun Majumder, Sean Cullen, Dana Gould, Jen Kirkman and Todd Glass, taking audiences on a wild and glamorous comedy ride. July 24, 9:45pm. Norm MacDonald returns for his July 26 Gala Wanda Sykes, one of the reigning queens of comedy, has a lineup of phenomenal comics like Keith Robinson, Nate Bargatze, Alonzo Bodden, Harland Williams and Tom Ballard. The Wanda Sykes Gala promises to bring the best comedy has to offer. No bells and whistles, just genuine laughter. July 23 at 7pm. Canada’s own comedy legend Norm Macdonald is coming home to host a Gala with a lineup of top notch stand-ups, like Rhys Darby, Natasha Leggero, Brent Morin, Omid Djalili, J.B. Smoove, Sam Simmons and more! Join him Sunday night for a Weekend Update that won’t disappoint. July 26 at 7pm. The reigning king of ticket sales, Dave Chappelle, has added a ninth show to his Just For Laughs run. After quickly selling out multiple shows, Dave Chappelle’s run at this year’s Just For Laughs Festival has been extended to an incredible nine shows. The latest Dave Chappelle show will take place on July 24th at 7 pm at Théâtre Maisonneuve. See the comedic genius perform at Place des Arts and experience the legend of Dave Chappelle, live. Gilbert Gottfried will get nasty at Club Soda Two more Nasty Shows! Everyone has a nasty side. Due to popular demand, organizers have added two more Nasty Shows, where audiences can get down and dirty with a lineup including Mike Ward, Gilbert Gottfried, Jimmy Carr, Artie Lang and Mike Wilmot. The new shows will take place on July 26 at 7 pm and 9:30 pm at Club Soda. Disclaimer: not for the faint of heart. The Just For Laughs Festival is on now through July 28. For tickets and more information please go to www.hahaha.com. Tickets can be purchased by phone: 514-845-2322. Enjoy!