“Proud to be Hilarious” at the Fredericton Playhouse to Kick off Pride Week with 3 of Canada’s Top Comedians

July 18 2012, Fredericton, NB –  Fredericton’s Pride Week 2012 will include a performance by three of Canada’s top stand-up comedians, on Friday, August 3 at the Fredericton Playhouse at 7:30 PM. The show, titled “Proud to be Hilarious” is presented by the Bay of Funny Comedy Circuit, and will be hosted by Andrew Johnston (Much Music’s Video on Trial, Bitch Salad), and features Megan McDowell (winner of CBC TV’s reality series Second City’s Next Comedy Legend) and will star Shelley Marshall (The Ron James Show, The Full Bawdy Comedy Show).

Proud to be Hilarious is presented by the Bay of Funny Comedy Circuit, and organized by Bay of Funny founder, New Brunswick comedian Lloyd Ravn. Proceeds from the show will support the Fredericton Pride Committee.

“I was really excited about the idea when Lloyd contacted us ,” Charlie Benn, Media Chair for Fredericton Pride says. “We have never hosted a comedy night like this for Pride Week, and it seems like it is just the right mix of fun, humour, and kookiness that we love. It is something completely different than the dances, movie nights, and information sessions that we normally put on. I know I’ll be getting my ticket!”

Show details:

Date: August 3, 2012
Location: The Fredericton Playhouse, 686 Queen Street  Fredericton, NB 
Time: 7:30 PM  - 9:30 PM
Tickets: $25 (students and seniors: $15). Available at the Playhouse Box Office or at theplayhouse.nb.ca or by calling 1-866-884-5800

For more information, to arrange interviews or obtain photos:
Lloyd Ravn at lloydravn@hotmail.com or 506-292-4956
Charlie Benn, Media/Festival Chair for Fredericton Pride cbenn@frederictonpride.org

PERFORMER BACKGROUNDER

Andrew Johnston is one of the top up-and-coming comedians in Canada, touring with Yuk Yuk’s after being the Toronto regional winner in the inaugural year of the Great Canadian Laugh Off. He founded, hosts and produces- one of Toronto’s most popular monthly comedy shows, Bitch Salad and is well-known from his appearances on the popular Much Music program Video on Trial.

Nova Scotia’s Megan McDowell wowed fans and judges as the winner of CBC Television’s reality program Second City’s Next Comedy Legend which resulted in a contract with Second City’s Touring Company. McDowell has been dominating the Halifax Comedy scene recently, as a regional finalist in such contests as Yuk Yuk’s Great Canadian Laugh Off, Comedian Idol and Bounce FM’s Funny Factor.

Shelley Marshall has been nominated as Canada’s Best Female Stand Up at the Canadian Comedy Awards. Now Magazine identified her as their “Best New Discovery” and audiences around the world from South Africa to Spain to Scotland have discovered her amazing comedic talent for themselves. Shelley is a Second City graduate and was the opening act for two North American tours of Puppetry of the Penis. Toronto critics loved Marshall’s recent one-woman show, Hold Mommy’s Cigarette. Canadian comedy fans will recognize Shelley from her role on CBC Television’s Ron James Show.