The cancellation of the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal is a big blow for Windsor comedians who felt their big break was just on the horizon.
Windsor was going to be one of the stops on the cross-country Just For Laughs New Faces of Comedy showcase tour. Just hours after issuing a press release to promote the event at Meteor on March 19, organizer Jen Richardson found out it was cancelled.
"I got an email from the Canadian booker saying, unfortunately, everything is done, and he doesn't work for JFL anymore," said Richardson.
According to multiple media reports, the company that operates the Montreal event started the process of filing for bankruptcy. The Toronto festival is in September, and there's no indication if it too will be cancelled.
The Windsor event would have been a local first.
"We worked really hard at getting to a point where they were even interested in coming to see us," said Richardson. "We've been going back and forth planning this showcase since early November, late October."
The loss of the Montreal festival leaves a gaping hole in the national comedy scene.
"It's something that can make your comedy career," explained Richardson. "For a lot of people, it's a once-in-a-lifetime [opportunity]."
The event later this month would have shone a spotlight on talent including Richardson, Tim Reaburn, Taylor Last, Dave Squeaky Wheelz, and Billy Squires.
Richardson said efforts to organize the showcase started last fall.
Despite the disappointment, she said local comedians will persevere.
"We're all still talking about do we keep the March 19 date and just do the showcase anyways, but with no one scouting us," said Richardson.
Local comedians have a show on Wednesday night at Chapter II Brewery and another at WindsorEats on March 23.