Schedule Of Events

7:00 Pm : Festival Gala at Johnny Carson Theatre

Headliner: Yakov Smirnoff

Chip Chantry, Ali Kolbert, Eunji Kim, Cameron Logsdon

Host: Adam Tiller

Night Headliner

Yakov Smirnoff

YAKOV SMIRNOFF IS A LEGEND IN AMERICAN COMEDY.

After escaping communist Soviet Union in the 1977, Yakov came to the United States with nothing but a dream. Before even learning the language, Yakov humbly began working as a bartender at the famous Grossinger's Catskill Resort in New York, where he started telling jokes to his customers each night. As his English improved, he quickly grew in popularity. He made a daring move to Hollywood where the owner of The Comedy Store, Mitzi Shore, spotted him and advised him to stay. She told him, “There is always a place for good and different.”
His lovable view of life through the eyes of a poor immigrant captured the hearts of America. He soared to the top of the comedy world, performing on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” and countless other television programs, including as a regular character on “Night Court.” He became a star of his very own show, named after his famous catchphrase, “What a Country!” Yakov branched out to the big screen where he starred in movies with Tom Hanks, Robin Williams, Richard Pryor, Meryl Streep, and Jack Nicholson, to name a few. In 2016 and 2017 his TV special “Happily ever laughter” was voted “The best special” on PBS. He has given command performances for 4 US presidents.

Yakov Smirnoff is an iconic comedian, movie star, best-selling author and most recently, an educator, when he earned a master's degree in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, after which he became a professor at Missouri State University. His latest accomplishment is a doctoral degree in Global Leadership from Pepperdine University. Living a life that is as exciting as ever, Yakov has married his sweetheart, currently has his very own 2000 seat theater in Branson, Missouri, and tours the world doing stand-up Comedy at performing arts centers. Inspired by his higher education in psychology and global leadership he is currently writing a book, “Unconscious Attraction: Why does the wrong person feel so right?” With the heart of a dreamer, Yakov Smirnoff has made the impossible possible and continues to inspire others with his message that America is still, “What a Country!” Keep an eye out for a documentary about him on Netflix by the end of this year and stay tuned for what Dr. Yakov does next!

Chip Chantry

Chip Chantry is a stand up comedian and television writer. He has written for Crazy Talk, a comedy/talk series for NBC Universal and the syndicated series Whacked Out Sports. He most recently wrote on the NatGeo series Howie Mandel's Animals Doing Things. Chip was the winner of 2013's Philly's Phunniest Contest at Helium Comedy Club, where he was a regular performer. Chip also won the “Funniest Comedian” award in Philadelphia's annual Comedy Awards in both 2012 and 2014, and was named Best Comedian 2018 by Philadelphia Magazine. Chip is a recurring guest on the Doug Loves Movies and Todd Glass Show Podcasts. Formerly a 4th grade teacher, Chip left the classroom to pursue comedy and writing. He has opened for national headliners such as Dave Chappelle, Bob Saget, and Tig Notaro.

Ali Kolbert

Ali Kolbert is a comedian and actress who was a series regular on the truTV series TOP SECRET VIDEOS. Ali has also performed on THE TONIGHT SHOW, A LITTLE LATE WITH LILLY SINGH, THE TODAY SHOW, TruTV's COMEDY KNOCKOUT, NBC's BRING THE FUNNY, and BETCHES COMEDY. She even once impersonated Reese Witherspoon on The Howard Stern Show.Ali has contributed to Above Average and worked as a contributing writer at The Onion. Her clever, provocative stand-up has seen her included in Variety Magazine's comedy issues and profiled in Forbes 30 Under 30. She performs stand-up comedy nightly in NYC bars and clubs, where she was one of the youngest comics passed at the Comedy Cellar. Ali also performed a comedy special for HBO MAX's Queer Comedy Showcase for PRIDE 2021.

Eunji Kim

Eunji Kim is a comedian and writer based in Chicago. Most recently, she appeared as a recurring Judge on the Hulu Unscripted Series BEST IN DOUGH. Other recent television credits include a recurring role on Chicago Med/ Chicago Fire (NBC). You can also see her currently performing standup on her co-headlining tour 2 KIMS AND FRIENDS, with friend and comedian Peter S. Kim. Last year she performed her one woman show at the prestigious Steppenwolf Theatre. You can also catch her regularly performing stand-up/solo sketch/improv at The Laugh Factory, Zanies, Paper Machete, and iO. She has been invited to perform at comedy festivals all over the Midwest, including The Chicago Improv Festival, The Chicago Women's Funny Festival, Chicago Sketchfest and the Detroit Improv Festival. She is currently a Mercenary Writer for Cards Against Humanity and OnlyFans.She is a graduate of The Second City Conservatory and iO Chicago's Training Center. She was a 2017 Bob Curry Fellow at Second City and a featured performer in the 2017 NBC Universal Break Out Festival. KIM KONG: A Comedy Monster, her solo show at the Annoyance Theater was Reader Recommended and described by her mom as, "Oh, gawd." She also co-hosts The Podcast “2 Kims 1 Pod”.

Cameron Logsdon

Cameron Logsdon is a dynamic force in comedy, captivating over 2.5 million followers with his hilarious content. As a stand-up comedian, digital creator, actor, and writer, Cameron is always exploring new ways to entertain audiences and is best known for mastering the art of celebrity impressions and parodies, tackling everything from politics to pop culture with razor-sharp wit. Cameron's viral videos have amassed millions of views and likes, making him a social media sensation. His talent has earned him spots on Access Hollywood, NBC's Late Night Writer's Workshop, DropoutTV's "Make Some Noise," The Tamron Hall Show, and many more national and international platforms. Not just a digital star, Cameron shines on stage, performing regularly at comedy clubs, colleges, festivals, and corporate events. His unique perspective, shaped by his upbringing in Omaha and experiences as a mixed-race individual and former teen father, resonates deeply with audiences, making his stand-up relatable and impactful.

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