Kennedy Center Adds to District of Comedy Festival

From June 22-25, the Kennedy Center presents its first District of Comedy Festival, bringing together acclaimed stars and rising acts for an all-laughs takeover of the nation's center for the performing arts. The festival, an expansion of Capital One's Comedy at the Kennedy Center sponsorship, features stand-up shows, a musical comedy revue, a jazz and comedy mashup, and a performance for children and families in spaces across the Center. The District of Comedy Festival also coincides with the world premiere of a new collaboration with Chicago's The Second City, which will run for six weeks in the Theater Lab. Tickets for the newly announced performances go on sale to Kennedy Center Members on Monday, April 4, 2016 and to the general public on Thursday, April 7, 2016.

The District of Comedy Festival's updated schedule features six added events: The District of Comedy Roast of James Carville, which will convene politicians, media personalities, and entertainers to honor the celebrated political consultant; The Daily Show Writers Standup Tour, a raucous evening of political and news satire with writers from the Emmy Award-winning late-night TV show; Jermaine Fowler & Friends, a stand-up showcase led by the Maryland-born comedian; Saturday Night Live star Jay Pharoah in his Kennedy Center headlining debut; The Goddamn Comedy Jam, an underground comedy event that mixes stand-up routines and live singing; and an original performance by Reggie Watts, highlighting his talents as a comedian, musician, and improviser. A newly announced collaboration for the festival includes a podcast studio curated by Brightest Young Things, in association with BYT's annual Bentzen Ball.

The festival also includes the following previously announced performances: a special tribute to the late comedy icon Joan Rivers, featuring TV host, producer, and New York Times best-selling author Melissa Rivers alongside a stellar cast of comedians and actors; the new musical comedy show, See Jane Sing!, starring revered actress and comedian Jane Lynch; Robert Post's one-man variety show for children and families; and an evening performance with the legendary social satirist Dick Gregory, combining the arts of comedy and jazz.

The District of Comedy Festival will also highlight a new Kennedy Center co-commission, The Second City's Almost Accurate Guide to America. In this exclusive collaboration with the Kennedy Center, Chicago's legendary The Second City will put a comic twist on historical figures, events, and inventions that make up the story of America. The work will premiere in June and the troupe will remain in residence in the Theater Lab through July.

Tickets for Celebrating Joan: A Tribute to Joan Rivers and the newly announced District of Comedy Festival performances go on sale to Kennedy Center Members on Monday, April 4, 2016 and to the general public on Thursday, April 7, 2016. Tickets will be available for purchase in person at the Kennedy Center Box Office, by calling InstantCharge at (202) 467-4600, and through the Kennedy Center website at www.kennedy-center.org.

Subscriptions will also be on sale. To receive subscription information, call the Subscription Office at (202) 416-8500 or visit www.kennedy-center.org/subscribe.

A listing of festival events is attached.

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