Just for Laughs Festival 2009 Edition
Montreal’s Annual Comedy Bash Runs July 16 through 26
Jul 13, 2009
Just when you can’t take anymore, the Montreal Just for Laughs Festival rolls into town with slapstick, stand-up comedy, and special theater events. This year marks the 27th edition of the festival. While the free street fest fun runs July 16 through 26, some of the theatre shows have already begun.
Highlights of the 2009 Just For Laughs Festival
The Just for Laughs Galas offer traditional stand-up performances. Each gala offers a guest celebrity host and six or so stand-up comedy performances by the best in the business. All are held at Theatre St. Denis. Tickets range from $53 to $182.
All-Star Gala hosts include:
- John Cleese July 22
- Lewis Black July 23
- Whoopi Goldberg July 24 (two shows)
- Martin Short July 25
- Jim Gaffigan also July 25
- The All-Star Gala July 26 features David Alan Grier, Caroline Rhea, Louis CK, Louis Anderson, Bobcat Goldthwait, and Brent Butt
Brazillian Street Dance and Second City Improv
Born in Brazil’s shantytown favelas, the unique Balé de Rua combines percussion, hip-hop, samba, acrobatic theatrics, and 15 beautiful bodies (14 men, 1 woman).
The troupe (from Uberlandia in central Brazil) present an original mix of street dancing, Brazilian culture, and sheer inspiration — the venture began as a community project in 1992 for impoverished youth. The company now performs in theatres throughout the world.
“Our show is about Brazil, of course,” Balé de Rua Artistic Director Fernando Narduchi said. “The show is a message of hope, of happiness, of making dreams come true. It’s a show about faith and joy of life.”
- Balé de Rua performs at Place des Art July 14 through 19
- Tickets range from $47 to $67
“Simply unspeakable” is the subtitle for Reverie, the new show presented by Chicago’s Second City theater troupe, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
“The good thing about comedy is finding things that are universal,” said Kelly Leonard of Second City. “Second City has primarily been so language-based, but these jokes will be visual. While very much about human behavior, they’re not about language.”
Reverie uses Second City’s impressive archive of funny source material, as well as the physical theater directing prowess of Dexter Bullard and an ensemble of gifted Second City-trained physical improv comedy players.
- Reverie performs at the Gesu Theatre July 14 through 26
- Tickets cost $47
Judy Gold: Mommie Queerest stars a Jewish lesbian soccer mom from New York City who talks about the trails and tribulations of raising a family.
“I’m pretty much an open book, but I’ve opened the book and ripped it to shreds,” Gold said. “I happen to be gay. And I don’t care what your background is. But I think that gay, straight, black, white, Jewish, non-Jewish, everyone can relate to this. It’s about family, having a dream, the issues we all deal with.”
- Mommie Queerest performs at the Centaur Theatre July 21 through 25
- Tickets cost $42.50
Standup Comedy and Special Events at Just For Laughs
Seasoned comedian veteran Bill Cosby performs two shows at Place des Arts July 25. Tickets range from $45.74 to $63.45
Tommy Tiernan adds Irish whimsy to the Imperial Theatre stage July 22 through 25. Tickets cost $46.85.
Quick change artist Arturo Brachetti presents a sneak peak of his new London show at Theatre Jean Duceppe July 22 through 25. Tickets cost $47.47.
Quirky Scotsman Danny Bhoy headlines two Place des Arts shows July 23. Tickets cost $37.47.
On now is the Zoofest portion of JFL. Gusts include Andy Dick at Cabaret Just Pour Rire July 24 and 25. Tickets cost $31.05.
Outdoor Free Fun, Twins Parade, and Grand Chariviari
Making its return is the ever-popular Twins Parade, where more than 2,000 sets of twins, triplets, and quadruplets march their way down St. Catherine Street. It’ll have you seeing double July 18 at 4 p.m.
Closing the Just for Laughs Festival in the French carnival tradition is Le Grand Charivari. This year’s parade theme is The Big Kiss. It’s held July 26 around dusk (9 p.m.) and departs from St. Denis and Ontario Streets.
Boisterous buskers, roving performers, and street artists make their way on and around St. Denis Street in the Latin Quarter July 16 through 26. These free Street Arts are held 3 to 11 p.m. weekends and 6 to 11 p.m. weekdays.
Just For Laughs Ticket Info
Call the box office at (514) 845-2322
Call Admission Ticket Network at (800) 678-5440
For tickets at Theatre St. Denis call Ticketpro canada at (514) 849-4211
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