Comedians Get First Big Break At Comedy Festival

Online, October 14, 2010 (Newswire.com) - BOSTON, MA - 96 comedians from across the country are pinning their hopes on Boston this November as they prepare for the week-long Boston Comedy Festival. The best comedians will go head-to-head in front of industry judges for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that could launch their careers.

This year's festival kicks off at the Hard Rock Cafe with an evening in the company of the one and only Kevin Meany. Kevin Meany is no stranger to the Boston Comedy scene, and this is a rare opportunity to see him in the intimate Hard Rock Cafe venue. Since his first HBO special in 1986, Kevin has enjoyed an incredible career including legendary performances on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, and appearances on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Saturday Night Live, Oprah, and many more. Meany starred in the CBS sitcom Uncle Buck, was featured in the film Big, and most recently conquered Broadway in Hairspray and made appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and 30 Rock.

BCF alum Joe Wong will be presented with the Boston Comedian of the Year Award on November 9th at the Cheers Comedy Club in Boston. Joe Wong has come a long way -- from a rosy-eyed new immigrant to an amazing comedian with two David Letterman appearances this year. We can think of no better way to honor a great comic and nice guy than to roast him! (Warning, there will be explicit, insulting, politically incorrect language hurled at Joe and other comedians during the show.)

Comedy legend Robert Klein will be awarded the Boston Comedy Festival's Lifetime Achievement award at the stand-up competition finals at the Wilbur Theater on Saturday, November 13th.

Taking part in the Boston Comedy Festival often leads to bigger things. Myq Kaplan (2007-2009 Finalist) went on to be a finalist in the 2010 season of Last Comic Standing, and debuted his Comedy Central Presents special in April 2010. Shane Mauss (2006 Finalist) completed his first TV special, Comedy Central Presents: Shane Mauss, and has also appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and Live at Gotham. Ryan Stout (2005 Winner) has hosted television specials for MTV and appeared in A Shot at Love: The Hangover, Spring Break, The Bob and Tom Show, and Chelsea Lately. His Comedy Central Presents special is set to air this year.

Since 2000, the Boston Comedy Festival has showcased rising stars in the world of stand-up comedy. Over the last eleven years, the Festival has grown to include improvisation, sketch comedy, one-person theatre shows, fringe shows, and a newly expanded movie portion. For more details, visit www.bostoncomedyfestival.com.

Contact: Helen McCue 860-712-5093

Kelly Reagan 908-227-0445