Star-studded lineup highlights Cornwall Comedy Festival

There will be plenty of big names – and big laughs – in store when the Cornwall Comedy Festival returns in October.

The fall event will feature some of the biggest names in comedy, including three-time Canadian Comedy Award winner Nikki Payne, the ‘Master of Impersonation’ Greg Morton and CBC’s The Debaters, among others.

“This edition of the Cornwall Comedy Festival is by far the most ambitious production to date,” said festival organizer Shawn Fowler. “We’ve assembled an awesome lineup and it’s going to be an amazing showcase of comedy.”

Festival lineup

Greg Morton – Friday, October 4

The festival opens on Friday, October 4th with a special presentation of Greg Morton at 8 pm at Aultsville Theatre.

Hailing from Woodstock, Ontario, Morton was a semi-finalist on America’s Got Talent and his stand up act at clubs, colleges and theatres around the world has earned him the right to be called ‘Mr. Standing O.’

Veteran comedian and AGT judge Howie Mandel was clearly impressed, saying, “I can’t believe we haven’t heard your name… and I can’t believe there isn’t a banner in Las Vegas with your name on it.”

The show also features comedy legend Darren Frost and magician Ray Anderson.

To purchase tickets to the show, please click here.

“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to see an America’s Got Talent star right here in Cornwall,” said Fowler.

Hometown Hotshots – Thursday, October 17

Things will kick into high gear on Thursday, October 17th with the Hometown Hotshots show at the Nav Centre (8 pm).

The show includes Jacy Lafontaine and Viveth Kanagaratnam (Viveth K), who were raised in Cornwall and now call Montreal home. Jacy and Viveth have performed at the OFF-JFL Zoofest and Viveth has been named one of The Comedy Nest’s Young Guns of Comedy for 2019. The show also includes The Questionable Comedians (Dan Allaire, Mike Baird, Simon McLinden, Jamie Carr) who’ve been performing locally for the past few years for fundraisers and have now broadened their horizons to performing at Yuk Yuks in Ottawa and Montreal’s The Comedy Nest.

“We have some great local talent and this is a chance to showcase some of it,” Fowler adds.

To purchase tickets to the show, please click here.

Gala Evening – Friday, October 18

The Gala Evening is set for Friday, October 18th at Aultsville Theatre (8 pm) and it promises a lot of laughs.

The show will be headlined by three-time Canadian Comedy Award Winner for Best Comedian, Nikki Payne. She is currently the voice of Becky in the Bagel and Becky Show on Teletoon. Along with performing in comedy clubs, Payne has appeared in Last Comic Standing, Video on Trial, Buzz, Am I Right?,Satisfaction, and the NFB documentary The Next Big Thing. She has also appeared in the Canadian sketch comedy show Comedy Inc. She is a member of The Boom comedy troupe.

The show will be hosted by the host of CBC Radio’s Laugh our Loud, Ali Hassan. Ali has graced the Big Screen in three award-winning films; Breakaway, French Immersion and as the memorable Lebanese “Uncle Stevie” opposite Seann William Scott, Jay Baruchel and Eugene Levy in the hockey hit Goon. Ali is the host of Laugh Out Loud on CBC Radio & SiriusXM, a show with a base of over a million listeners.

Joining Payne and Hassan on the stage is Rob Pue, one of the brightest voices to hit the Canadian comedy scene. With unmistakable charm, wit and trade mark act outs, Rob delivers a must see performance that has helped him to generate an impressive comedic resume that includes winning the prestigious 28th Annual San Francisco International Comedy Competition. Rob has also appeared as a regular on the MTV series Punk’d, showcased at the Just for Laughs comedy festival in Montreal, and recently had his one hour “Comedy Now” special air on the Comedy Channel.

The show will also feature comic Hunter Collins, North America’s foremost nincompoop comedian. Originally from Montreal, he has graced the stage at countless illegal baby-fighting rings and festivals, including JFL42, The Halifax Comedy Festival and The Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He recently hosted the 18th annual Canadian Comedy Awards and his latest comedy
album “Nincom2oop” debuted at #1 on the iTunes comedy charts.

Rounding out the bill is veteran comic Joey Elias. Since his humble beginnings on amateur night stages, Joey has appeared in no less than 12 Just For Laughs Festivals and the 2004 and 2006 Just For Laughs Cross Canada Tour. In 2004 he also ventured to Afghanistan, for the first time, to entertain Canadian troops stationed overseas. From stage to screen, Joey has appeared in several roles including “The Wool Cap” with William H. Macy and “The Day After Tomorrow” with Dennis Quaid.

To purchase tickets for the Gala Evening, please click here.

Pub Night – Saturday, October 19

If you’re looking for an intimate evening of laughs, you won’t want to miss the Pub Night at the Nav Centre (Lower Lounge) on Saturday, October 19th. The early show (7:30 pm) features Joey Elias, Ali Hassan and Nikki Payne while the 10 pm show will feature Hunter Collins, Rob Pue and Sirius XM Top Comic Derek Seguin.

“It’s a chance to see some amazing acts in an intimate venue,” said Fowler.

To purchase tickets to the shows, please click here.

The Debaters – Sunday, October 20

The festival wraps up on Sunday, October 20th with the hit show The Debaters at Aultsville Theatre (2 pm). In its 14th season on CBC Radio One, The Debaters is the hit show where comics go toe-to-toe in a battle of laughs and logic. Hosted by Steve Patterson, international headliner and two-time winner of Canada’s Best Male Stand-Up, The Debaters is a combustible mix of sharply crafted comedic rants and hilarious adlibs. The engaging format is part stand-up, part quiz show and part comedy competition with the live audience picking the winners.

This show features stand-up comedy, 12 comedians and six of its own brand new debates. This event will be taped for radio.

To purchase tickets to the show, please click here.

About the Cornwall Comedy Festival

The Cornwall Comedy Festival has been providing Cornwall and area with premier comedic experiences since 2014. The Festival, partners with community minded businesses to help financially support local not-for-profit groups. Since it’s inception, Cornwall Comedy Festival has entertained over 3,500 guests and has helped raise over $30,000 for local not-for-profit groups. Cornwall Comedy Festival promotes shows throughout the year putting the best in Canadian comedic talent in the spotlight. Whether it’s a pub show, theatre atmosphere or corporate event, Cornwall Comedy Festival promises top notch performances.

For more information, please check out the Cornwall Comedy Festival website or visit them on Facebook and Instagram.

Additional Events

Looking for other fun things to do in Cornwall? Make sure to check out our Events page for info on upcoming events in the area!

Visit Cornwall!

Planning a visit to Cornwall? Cornwall Tourism can help. Email us at info@cornwalltourism.com to request a copy of our Visitor Guide or contact us at (613) 938-4748. You can also stop by the Cornwall Tourism office at the Cornwall Civic Complex (100 Water Street). The office is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm – we would be happy to answer your questions and provide you with recommendations and information to make your visit to Cornwall even more memorable!

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Article by Kevin Lajoie
www.CornwallTourism.com

Photos courtesy Cornwall Comedy Festival