Zoofest @ MainLine Theatre!

Have you heard about the amazing Zoofest shows that are happening at MainLine Theatre (3997 St-Laurent) this week?

Adam Hills, “Mess Around”

This Australian comedian with a knack for pointing out the most interesting people in any audience (and imitating their accents) is one hell of a storyteller. During this show he really does just “mess around,” chatting up the people in the crowd and fishing around for the most unique elements of their life stories. And because he is genuinely interested, it’s actually quite easy for him. He’ll tell you a few hilarious anecdotes about people he’s met, from Lady Gaga, to the Queen, to a pizza shop owner named Arthur. But mostly he’ll make you feel special with his message that you, the audience member, are more interesting than any celebrity. He might even tweet about you during the show, then blog about it afterwards! This week, Hills has initiated a fundraising project for Hope and Cope which he has dubbed the Montreal Belly Olympics. Every night, he selects a new candidate to compete in a 100-situps and 100-pushups challenge in the hopes of raising money for a cancer wellness centre. Charity AND laughs? What more could you ask for? The Montreal Belly Olympics will take place on the night of Saturday, July 28. Come on by to see the show if you’d like to participate, donate, or just laugh your ass off. The show happens every night at 7pm — and be aware, if you’re late, you can be sure he’ll call you out on it.

Bring me the Head of Adam Riches

This guy brings audience participation to a whole new level. Jumping between some hilariously varied sketches and characters, Riches will bring members of the crowd onstage with him to help him create each scene — he literally cannot perform this show alone. The premises are fantastic, the tasks he assigns to his paying customers are outrageous, and Riches knows how to work the crowd. He knows exactly how to get what he wants out of his audience, so much so that at points I found myself wondering whether he was a comedian or a hypnotist. He’s quick on his feet, fearless and just plain funny. See this show if you’re a performer at heart and have always wanted to be part of a Just for Laughs show — and if not, see it anyway. Just hide in the back. Show starts at 8:30pm.

Paul F. Tompkins and the Hilarious Trinity (Plus One)

Now, I don’t want to play favourites – but this show is definitely my favourite. Paul F. Tompkins is unerringly hilarious. Everything that comes out of his mouth is gold. Confident and absolutely charming, he is quite possibly the most talented comedian I have ever seen. Thomkins’ show always features fantastic guest stand-ups such as Rory Scovel, James Adomian, and Todd Glass. Last night, Mark Little of Picnicface and Debra Di Giovanni graced the stage! I can’t express to you enough how much you need to see this show – see it every night in fact, because the performers and their material are always different. Just come. Really. The show starts at 10pm. You won’t be disappointed.

Set List: Stand-up Without a Net

From the twisted minds of Paul Provenza and Troy Conrad, creators of The Green Room, comes another fantastically unique premise: improvised stand-up. Seasoned veterans of the art of comedy have agreed to come onto this show and make absolute fools of themselves. Come watch your favourite comedians – we’re talking Alonzo Bodden, Jimmy Carr, Tommy Tiernan – flounder onstage as they are given a never-before-seen topic right before your very eyes, and try to say something funny about it. It’s nothing short of entertaining. Show starts at midnight, with a different line-up every night!

These four amazing shows are happening tonight and Saturday. Adam Riches and Paul F. Tompkins will both be taking Friday night off to be replaced by the New Faces of Comedy shows.Grab your tickets on the show profiles of the Zoofest website, at lavitrine.com, by calling 514-509-5273 or 1-877-353-3378, or at the door of MainLine Theatre. I’ll be behind the bar for the rest of the week, come say hi and have some laughs!

-Vic