TBS Just For Laughs Chicago, presented by State Farm(R) Announces Addition of More Huge Names to America's Biggest Comedy Festival

Russell Brand, Pete Holmes, Paul F. Tompkins, Brian Posehn, Doug Benson, Todd Glass, Scott Adsit, Kevin Dorff, Jon Glaser, TJ & Dave, Horatio Sanz, Matt Walsh, Brad Morris and Joe Nunez, Plus An Advance Screening of The Heat, with Director Paul Feig in Attendance

Tickets For Newly Announced Shows On Sale This Saturday, May 11, at 11 a.m. (CT)

TBS Just For Laughs Chicago has announced the addition of Russell Brand, Pete Holmes, Paul F. Tompkins, Brian Posehn, Doug Benson, Todd Glass, Scott Adsit, Kevin Dorff, Jon Glaser, TJ & Dave, Horatio Sanz, Matt Walsh, Brad Morris and Joe Nunez to its 5th anniversary festival line-up. America's biggest comedy festival also announced the addition of a second Nick Swardson show at The Vic to accommodate tremendous demand, and director Paul Feig (Bridesmaids) will make a special appearance to introduce an advance screening of his new movie The Heat at Kerasotes ShowPlace ICON on June 11..

Some Very Big Names For A Very Funny Festival

British superstar, actor and comedian Russell Brand leads the list of comedy heavyweights who've been added to the line-up at the Chicago Theatre. The internationally beloved star of Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him To The Greek will perform a solo show at the landmark venue on June 12. One June 13, alt-comedy heroes Paul F. Tompkins, Brian Posehn, Doug Benson and Todd Glass will add to the already formidable funny firepower of David Cross & His Super Duper Pals.

Meanwhile, over at The Vic, the people have spoken, and they've decreed that Nick Swardson must perform a second show at The Vic on June 14. So that's exactly what he's going to do. Well played, democracy.

What's UP? Comedy!

One of the city's hottest new venues, UP Comedy Club, will host a trio of solo stand-up performances by comedian Pete Holmes. The host of the popular You Made It Weird podcast and upcoming late-night TBS talk show series will perform two sets on June 11, with a follow-up on June 13. Sandwiched in between those shows will be an exclusive live performance of the Bear Down Podcast, in which Chicago natives Horatio Sanz, Matt Walsh, Brad Morris and Joe Nunez dish on all things Da Bears, as well as a stellar Second City Alumni show, featuring legendary SC grads Scott Adsit, TJ & Dave, Kevin Dorff and Jon Glaser. And as long as we're getting funny locals back together, SNL newcomers Tim Robinson, Cecily Strong and Aidy Bryant return to Chicago for the TBS Just For Laughs Festival in Knuckleheads for a night of sketch, improv and more.

The Heat Is On

TBS Just For Laughs Chicago is proud to announce that director Paul Feig (Bridesmaids) will make a special appearance to introduce an advance screening of his new movie The Heat at the Kerasotes ShowPlace ICON on June 11. One of the summer's most hotly anticipated blockbusters, The Heat stars Academy Award(R) winner Sandra Bullock and Academy Award(R) nominee Melissa McCarthy as a mismatched FBI Agent and Boston police officer who join forces to take down a ruthless drug lord. The movie boasts an all-star cast that includes Tony Hale, Kaitlin Olson, Michael Rappaport, Bill Burr and SNL's Taran Killam. You have the right to remain entertained.

Stay tuned for additional line-up announcements next week.

About TBS Just For Laughs Chicago

In 2009, Just For Laughs, the world's biggest comedy brand, partnered with TBS, one of American television's leading purveyors of comedy, to produce a comedy festival in Chicago, the nation's cradle of comedy. Five years later, TBS Just For Laughs Chicago is America's single largest comedy festival, showcasing the industry's biggest stars and brightest emerging talents at some the city's most iconic venues. Presented in collaboration with two of the nation's largest independent promoters, Chicago-based JAM Productions and Outback Concerts, this annual event has established itself as an integral component of Chicago's rich cultural heritage, and a must-see for thousands of comedy fans and industry executives alike. This year, State Farm will serve as the presenting sponsor of TBS Just For Laughs Chicago.

Festival Venue and Ticket Information

The 2013 edition of TBS Just For Laughs Chicago will take place at various locations across Chicago, including such high-profile Chicago venues as The Chicago Theatre, Park West, The Vic plus many more. Tickets for the announced shows go on sale Saturday, May 11, at 11 a.m. (CT). Additional shows and venues will be announced soon.

· Tickets for The Chicago Theatre will be available at the Chicago Theatre Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at (312) 902-1500 or (800) 745-3000.

· Tickets for The Vic Theatre and Park West will be available at etix.com or by phone at 800-514-etix.

· Tickets for UP Comedy Club will be available at upcomedyclub.com or by phone at 312-662-4562.

Tickets for most festival events will also be available at respective venue box offices.

About Just For Laughs

Founded in 1983, the Just For Laughs Group's growth is concentrated on four major focal points: Festivals (in Montreal, Toronto and Chicago); television production (most notably Gags seen in 135 countries and on 95 airlines); live shows (Canadian tour dates for Jerry Seinfeld, Jeremy Hotz, John Pinette, Louis C.K., the Capital One Just For Laughs Comedy Tour, North American dates for Family Guy Live!); and talent management. Its inaugural Montreal Festival 31 years ago is now the world's largest and most prestigious comedy event welcoming 2 million people each summer. The Group has offices in Montreal, Paris, Los Angeles, Toronto, and London, as well as a small apartment on the Internet.

About TBS

TBS is basic cable's reigning champion among young adults in primetime. Available in 100 million households, TBS features original primetime comedy series like Cougar Town, Men at Work, Sullivan & Son, King of the Nerds, Who Gets the Last Laugh? and the upcoming Deon Cole's Black Box, Deal With It and Trust Me, I'm a Game Show Host. In late night, TBS is home to the Emmy(R)-winning series CONAN, starring Conan O'Brien, which will be followed by a new series starring Pete Holmes this fall. TBS also features an outstanding slate of contemporary comedies, such as The Big Bang Theory and Family Guy, along with blockbuster movies and championship sports. In addition, TBS produces special live comedy events, like the star-studded TBS Just for Laughs Chicago comedy festival.