We're Funny That Way Festival Returns Featuring Lea DeLaria, Stephen Wallem, and More

After a 5-year hiatus, the WE'RE FUNNY THAT WAY Festival returns by popular demand! The legendary LGBTQ+ comedy festival and fundraiser will make its triumphant return on May 3 - 6, 2017 with a variety of comedy, music, and burlesque performances to benefit the We're Funny That Way Foundation.

WE'RE FUNNY THAT WAY will kick off with the "Gayla Gala" on May 3, 2017 at Acqua Dolce Resto, with a signature, big ticket variety show featuring fabulous performers who will appear at the Festival throughout the week including Lea DeLaria and Maggie Cassella, David Benjamin Tomlinson, Gavin Crawford, Alec Mapa, Kate Rigg and Lyris Hung. On auction at the gala will be a 30-minute Skype session with musician, producer and actor Debbie Gibson, a longtime supporter of the LGBTQ community.

WE'RE FUNNY THAT WAY highlights include: the Toronto premiere of Stephen Wallem's cabaret show A Burly Night Music; a "signature train wreck variety show" with Lea DeLaria and Maggie Cassella; a "director's cut" of Gavin Crawford's "Friend" "Like" #Me; a stand up set from Alec Mapa; a burlesque and drag show of big bodies and even bigger personalities featuring Belle Jumelles, Fay Slift, Kaleb Robertson and Ivory; tales of divas and disasters from the red carpet in David Benjamin Tomlinson's StarF*ckery; the Happy Lucky Golden Tofu Panda Good Time Fun Fun Show by Slanty Eyed Mama; and much, much more!

"It's exciting and interesting to be back" Festival founder Maggie Cassella said. "When we stopped the fest we thought, 'Hey, we've arrived' and then, well...the world happened... so here we are again. Plus, people missed us! And as entertainers we know our job is to provide a space for ALL people to forget the madness. What's a better prescription for a dose of "Faghedaboudit" then a festival of comedy, music, and burlesque?"

The current WE'RE FUNNY THAT WAY line-up features appearances by David Benjamin Tomlinson (Blind Date), Amir Brandon (PANAMANIA), Maggie Cassella, Martha Chaves (Just for Laughs), Gavin Crawford (Because News), Lea DeLaria (Orange is the New Black), Johnny B Goode, Ryan Graham Hinds, Mike Hunt-Black, Ivory, Sam Jay (Comedy Central), Belle Jumelles, Aastha Lal (Goodness & Giggles), Alec Mapa (Ugly Betty), Heroine Marks, Chantel Marostica (Just For Laughs), Areta Marshall, Deb McGrath (Little Mosque on the Prairie), Kali Mirchi, Colin Mochrie (Whose Line Is It Anyway?), Teresa Pavlinek (The Jane Show), Kaleb Robertson, Lucas Silveira (The Cliks), Slanty Eyed Mama (Kate Rigg and Lyris Hung), Fay Slift, Shohsana Sperling (The Monkey Bunch), and Stephen Wallem (Nurse Jackie).

Founded in 1997 by comedian, actress and producer Maggie Cassella, WE'RE FUNNY THAT WAY has hosted top talent at the Festival all while also acting as a fundraiser for queer charities across Canada. Proceeds from the 2017 Festival will go to the We're Funny That Way Foundation, which will make their charitable donation to Toby's Place to help create a new safe space for LGBTQ+ Youth in Scarborough, Ontario.

Tickets on sale now!
Gayla Gala: $300 (tax receipts available)
Festival Tickets: $50, $20, $10
Online www.brownpapertickets.com or at the door

www.werefunnythatway.org

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