Just For Laughs – laughter and comedy mayhem until July 29

Just For Laughs is arguably the world’s most important comedy festival, having launched the careers of stars such as Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, the late John Candy, Rowan Atkinson and his Mr. Bean character, Jim Carrey, Norm MacDonald, Tim Allen and late-night-television host Jimmy Fallon. The Montreal comedy festival has been an important scouting trip for television producers, Las Vegas talent scouts and night-club talent buyers. Many household names in the world of comedy got their start in the JFL New Faces showcases, including Kevin Hart, Amy Schumer, Ali Wong, Tom Segura and many others. Several current Saturday Night Live cast members got their start in the JFL New Faces program.

The festival’s stature is such that it can attract established comedy luminaries to host the always popular Gala series of shows; including Mary Tyler Moore, Lily Tomlin, Jerry Seinfeld, Howie Mandel, Wanda Sykes, Ali Wong and even comedy novice P.K. Subban.

Just For Laughs offers a series of concert shows in theatres like Salle Wilfrid Pelletier, L’Olympia, Theatre Maisonneuve, MTELUS, and the intimate Gesù.

The Just For Laughs Galas are very popular with readers of The Montrealer (print & online). High profile stars host a show that includes multiple stand-up comedians. Here’s a sample of this summer’s shows:

Alonzo Bodden to host Just For The Culture – July 18-26, 2023

Mike Ward to host The Nasty Show – July 18-26, 2023

Tom Papa: 2023 Comedy Tour

Kurtis Conner: Live at JFL – July 26, 2023

The RP4 – Hosted by Russell Peters – July 26-27, 2023

Ali Wong – July 26-27, 2023

More Just For Laughs – Brit(ish) in the Club Series

Daniel Sloss: Can’t – at le Gesù

The Bald and the Beautiful – July 27, 2023

The Jack Whitehall Gala at Théâtre Maisonneuve – July 28, 2023

The Eddie Izzard Gala at Théâtre Maisonneuve – July 28, 2023

The Mae Martin Gala at The Mae Martin Gala – July 29, 2023