Just For Laughs: 5 Fab Female Comics You’d Be Foolish To Miss

I’m not going to crack wise for all of July. No jocular jokes, no funny asides, no witty bons mots lobbed and landed with (almost) perfect timing. Why? Well why would I when there’s enough clever ladies in town this month doing it ten times better than I ever could. I know when to let the experts take over! The 31st annual Just For Laughs Festival is bringing some of the best female comics out there to Montreal for your rib-tickling pleasure. Just so you don’t miss out, here’s a handy-dandy primer on a few of the hella funny females gracing this year’s festival:

1. Sarah Silverman

She has convinced you to scare your grandparents into voting, used racial slurs (in a positive way!) to get out of jury duty, and has even admitted to fucking Matt Damon — all in the name of comedy. Don’t sleep on her two (TWO!) jammin’ galas, featuring the likes of such penis-bearing comedians as Marc Maron, Kyle Kinane, and Kyle Dunnigan.

July 27 at 8:15 p.m. and 11 p.m. | Place des Arts – Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier

2. Joan Rivers   

You better watch out, MTL! The red carpet maven and Princess of All Put-Downs (and stay down!) is descending on our petite ville. Trot out your best looks and prettiest Choos to go see Joan pin a few to the mat. I hear Ronna Glickman & Beverly Ginsburg (of Ronna & Beverly podcast fame) are also going to be at the gala, kibitzing along in kind.

July 27 at 5 p.m. | Place des Arts – Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier
 

3. Kristen Schaal   

Flight of the Conchords. 30 Rock. Bob’s Burgers. The Daily Show. Never Mind The Buzzcocks. What hilarious, well-written, irreverent show hasn’t Kristen Schaal appeared in, on, or around? Check out her Talk Of The Fest show, featuring some of the hottest comedy acts in the biz. Added bonus? The show will be filmed for future use (as blackmail material… but hush. I’ve said too much…)

July 24 at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. | Club Soda
 

4. Amy Schumer  

How to describe Amy Schumer? In demand? A must see? So hot right now the sun itself could not burn as bright as she? Yeah—that last one might do it. If you want to see the New Face of Comedy, go see Amy Schumer. If you don’t, go see one of the other comics. You know who I mean. That guy. With the beard. And that weird voice thing. Yeah. That guy.

July 24 at 9:30 p.m. | Metropolis
 

5. Kristin Chenoweth   

Face it—you could do with a bit of Broadway. You haven’t been hitting those high notes lately, and your jazz hands could waggle with a bit more flare. You know it, I know it, the whole damn world knows it. Who better to get you tuned up and turned around than Kristin Chenoweth, renowned power pixie of stage and screen. You can be sure as sugar she’ll light up the stage at her gala.

July 26 at 7 p.m. | Place des Arts – Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier