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Montreal Gazette

Just for Laughs pillar Nick Brazao eyes ‘next generation of great standups'

By Nick Brazao has all the necessary comedy bona fides for his role as head of programming and talent at Just for Laughs. Prior to working in the JFL programming department 16 years ago, the Montrealer paid dues on the other side of the stage for 15 years as a much-sought-after standup on the local scene. After leaving the stage, much of Brazao's time in programming was spent under the tutelage of one of the best comedy trackers in the business, Robbie Praw, who went on to head Netflix's live comedy division. 'I gave up the standup to get on to the production side, to get a closer connection to the world-class comedy scene, and that satisfies a lot of the reasoning I got into comedy in the first place,' Brazao, 44, says. One of the few employees of the previous JFL regime still with the festival, Brazao helped put together talent for last year's last-minute inaugural event under the leadership of Sylvain Parent-Bédard, the JFL president and CEO who took over the fest a year ago amid much turmoil. But whereas Brazao had a few weeks to book talent last year, he's had nearly a year to put together anglo programming for this year's fest as well as others in Toronto, Vancouver, Bermuda and Sydney, plus travelling shows and one-nighters across this country. 'About 15 months ago, there was concern that Just for Laughs could disappear, but the opportunity to bring everything back has been so uplifting,' Brazao says. 'So many great memories have been made over the four decades the festival has been around. Now, we have the opportunity to make many more.' Parent-Bédard doesn't mince words in crediting Brazao's contributions: 'Nick has been our organization's cornerstone.' Brazao's programming goals have changed over time. 'One of our guiding principles is try to provide something, both international and local, for all comedy tastes, which are so very widespread,' notes Brazao. 'That applies to fans as well as to other comics and industry players. 'There have been so many great comics to come out of here and the challenge is always to find new voices. Just as I was blown away by Bill Burr nearly 20 years ago, I'm on the lookout for the next generation of great standups.' On that note, Brazao offers eight picks he's sure will click with audiences: 1) Che Durena, host of the Nasty Show series, July 16-25, mostly at Club Soda: 'A viral Canadian comedy sensation with over eight million followers on social media platforms, he's done galas and shows with us over the years. But this year will be his first at the helm of one of our legacy events and he won't disappoint with his spin on nasty. The subject matter may have changed over the years, but he will let loose with the best of them.' 2) Asif Ali, host of the Culture Show, July 16-23, mostly at Club Soda: 'Coming off acclaimed performances in the streaming series Deli Boys and The Mandalorian, Ali, an L.A.-based comic, has been a hit on gala shows in past festivals. Like the Nasty Show, the plan is also to keep another of our most popular series, the ex-Ethnic Show, continuously evolving.' 3) Nick Mohammed, solo show Nick Mohammed is Mr. Swallow: Show-Pony, July 23-26 at Le Gesù: 'Best known for his role as a rival soccer manager in one of TV's most acclaimed series, Ted Lasso — for which he netted two Emmy nominations — this outstanding comedian/writer will be seen in an entirely different and hilarious light in a 75-minute revue. There will be roller skates, there will be musical numbers, and, above all, many laughs.' 4) Mary Beth Barone, solo show, July 26 at Club Soda: 'One of the stars and writers of the hit series Overcompensating and a repeat guest on Jimmy Fallon's late-night talk show, her first standup special, Thought Provoking, was just that. Currently on an extended and sold-out U.S./Canada tour, this American standup is on a roll, having headlined at the New York Comedy Fest, the Netflix Comedy Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe and is co-host of the podcast Ride with Benito Skinner. This will mark her first performance in Montreal, but definitely not her last.' 5) Stamptown, July 23-25 at Club Soda: 'A full-on fevered show hosted by the unforgettable Zach Zucker and featuring some of the most energetic, over-the-top comics from around the world, it is totally bananas, raunchy and chaotic; 90 minutes of pure spectacle and has sold out rooms everywhere it has played. Past shows have included the likes of Neil Patrick Harris, Richard Kind, Mae Martin, David Cross and Sarah Sherman.' 6) Rhys Darby, The Legend Returns, July 24 at MTelus: 'A legend indeed is this comic from New Zealand, who cracked up audiences big time in the Flight of the Conchords series. An unbelievable talent, he's so unique and such a delight. Every time he's done JFL, he's left audiences in stitches.' 7) Cat Cohen, July 23 at Le Studio TD: 'U.S.-based, but well known around the world for festival and TV appearances as well as her two Netflix specials. A comedian, actress and songwriter, she appears in Season 4 of Only Murders in the Building and in the Sirens series with Julianne Moore and stars opposite Elle Fanning in the film Sentimental Value. Her career got off to a roaring start in 2019 having won the coveted title of Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Her show is music, comedy and incredibly entertaining.' 8) Andrea Jin, featured performer in the Culture Show, July 16-23, mostly at Club Soda: 'Originally from Shanghai, she grew up in Vancouver, and is now based in L.A. She has a huge following online and is a former New Face of Comedy. She'll also be doing a gala and our Roast Battle as well as an Off-JFL solo show July 25 at Café Cléopâtre. Sky is the limit here. Could well be the breakout star at this year's fest.'