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The Big Comedy Go-To

April 16th, 2009

New comedy festival ‘dream come true’ for local comic actor
Thu, April 16, 2009

By KATHY RUMLESKI, FREE PRESS REPORTER

A new comedy festival begins tonight in London and organizers say anything can happen as comedians get set to ratchet up the zaniness.
“A mix of the best local and out-of-town talent will converge on three venues downtown for a four-day festival of no-holds-barred comedy mayhem,” says festival producer Jayson McDonald, who is known for The Boneyard Man, Giant Invisible Robot and Boat Load. Called The Big Comedy Go-To, the event will include improv, standup, comic theatre and music. Also on the bill are panel discussions, workshops and open mics. McDonald toured Giant Invisible Robot and Boat Load across the country and met many of the entertainers participating in the Big fest.
“I thought it would be a hoot to get them all into London for a few days and mix ‘em up with the local comedians,” he says.
“I honestly didn’t expect so many of the artists would be into the idea, but almost everyone I asked said they’d love to participate. So what we’ve got is an off-season festival jam-packed with some of the funniest people I’ve ever met.”
McDonald had the idea for such a festival a few years ago and did hold a one-day, one-venue event. What has been put together for this festival is “like a dream come true,” he says.
Local talent includes Theatre Nemesis and out of towners such as London Fringe Festival award winner Rob Salerno and actor-comedian Colette Kendall.
The event kicks off at the Arts Project tonight with Jimmy Hogg’s show, Like a Virgin, at 6 p.m.
Hogg is followed by Passionfool Theatre Company’s 7 Stories at the same venue. Written by Morris Panych, the comic theatre show is about a man contemplating a jump from a seventh floor ledge as building tenants keep popping up. Passionfool’s production is directed by Eva Blahut.
Organizers say the festival is a chance to shake off winter and laugh your way into spring.
Ticket prices vary and there are a limited number of festival passes and daytripper passes.
A grant from the City of London’s creative city fund helped bring the festival to life.

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The Big Comedy Go-To

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