TBS Just For Laughs Chicago lines up headliners for third annual fest in the Windy City: June 14-18, 2011

For a third straight year, Just For Laughs has partnered with TBS to venture into Chicago in June for a multi-day comedy festival featuring top-name comedy talent.

While we wait to see which locals make the cut, here's the initial slate of headliners. George Lopez and Russell Peters make return trips to the Windy City to join up for one show at the Rosemont, Jim Jefferies will be back (this time with his green card). Other big names include Louis CK, Demetri Martin, Joel McHale, a quadruple bill featuring Dave Attell, Jim Breuer, Bill Burr and Jim Norton, solo shows by Whitney Cummings and Tim Minchin, and a special roast of Chicago by Jeffrey Ross. Here's how the initial schedule looks. Twix returns as the corporate sponsor for TBS Just For Laughs Chicago from June 14-18, 2011.

THE CHICAGO THEATRE

The Anti-Social Network (Dave Attell, Jim Breuer, Bill Burr and Jim Norton) ‚Äì Wednesday, June 15, at 7:30 p.m.

Demetri Martin & Special Guests, Who are Also Comedians and are Friends of His ‚Äì Thursday, June 16, at 7:30 p.m.

Joel McHale & Friends and Acquaintances‚Äì Friday, June 17, at 7:30 p.m.

Louis C.K. and Three Very Special Guests ‚Äì Saturday, June 18, at 7:30 p.m. 

THE ROSEMONT THEATRE

George Lopez & Russell Peters ‚Äì Saturday, June 18, at 8 p.m.

PARK WEST

Jim Jefferies ‚Äì Thursday, June 16, at 7:30 p.m.

THE VIC THEATRE

Whitney Cummings ‚Äì Thursday, June 16, at 7:30 p.m.

Jeffrey Ross Roasts Chicago ‚Äì Friday, June 17, at 7:30 p.m.

LINCOLN HALL

Tim Minchin ‚Äì Tuesday, June 14 to Saturday, June 18 ‚Äì 10:00 p.m.

Tickets go on sale Saturday, April 2.

Quotes!

“We couldn’t be more excited to partner with Just For Laughs in bringing the hottest names in comedy to Chicago for a third year,” said Dennis Adamovich, senior vice president of brand and digital activation/general manager of festivals for TBS, TNT and Turner Classic Movies (TCM). “Chicago is a terrific town full of people who really know and love great comedy. We’re pulling out all the stops to make this year’s festival the best yet.”

“At the beginning stages of every festival booking season, we start with our dream list,” says Bruce Hills, chief operating officer of Just For Laughs. “This year we have not only met our dream list, we have exceeded it. Chicago audiences are in for quite a treat.”

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

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