Downtown's plucky comedy festival is all grown up: Riot LA has ditched its Skid Row-adjacent parking lots and bars for the bright lights of L.A. Live and Broadway theaters. But the comedy is still just as cutting and unexpected as always, judging by the latest lineup additions.
Kyle Kinane, Eugene Mirman, Todd Barry, Nikki Glaser, Tig Notaro, Ron Funches, Beth Stelling and Rachel Bloom top the new batch of performers added to next January's comedy festival. They'll be joined by a mix of variety shows (Literary Death Match), live podcasts (My Favorite Murder, About Last Night, Guys We F@#ked) and underground comedy shows (Brew HaHa).
Last month, Riot announced its first slate of headliners for the 2017 fest: a Blazing Saddles screening and Q&A with Mel Brooks, stand-up from Felpe Esparza, a live revival of '90s animated series Dr. Katz and—forget about Kanye's run of shows—six sold-out shows from Ali Wong at the Theatre at Ace Hotel.
Unlike past years, which centered around intimate venues on Main Street, this year's festival will take place at the Microsoft Theater, the Novo, the Orpheum Theatre and the Theatre at Ace Hotel. In addition, the comedian-filled hangout "the Lot" has been taken over by creative collective Super Deluxe, with VR gaming, motion-sensing art, a meme photo booth, food trucks, arcade games, a bar and more set up behind the Orpheum.
Riot LA takes place January 19 through 22. Tickets to single shows vary from $22 to more than $100. You can also pick up a premium pass ($159.50), which guarantees a seat at three headlining shows, or a VIP pass ($349.50) for a seat at seven shows. Both passes include admission to "the Lot."
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