Jim Jefferies, Nick Thune, Brody Stevens Among Comedians Added for Gilda’s LaughFest 2015

Jim Jefferies, Nick Thune and Brody Stevens, Costaki Economopoulos, Blackout Diaries, Big Jay Oakerson with Ben Roy, The Homegrown Show and Ryan Hamilton have been added to the roster of performers for Gilda's LaughFest 2015 in March.

In addition, Iliza Shlesinger has added new shows on March 7 to her LaughFest appearance after selling out her two previously announced shows.

Gilda’s LaughFest runs March 5 to 15, with individual tickets for all performances going on sale at 10 a.m. Friday.

Jefferies, an Australian stand-up comedian, performs March 12 at Fountain Street Church. He had an HBO special "I Swear to God."

On March 6 and 7, Thune and Stevens perform at The Pyramid Scheme. Thune has appeared on NBC's "The Tonight Show" and "The Late Show with Jimmy Fallon" and TBS' "Conan" and has his own Comedy Central Show. Stevens is the executive producer and star of Comedy Central’s "Brody Stevens: Enjoy It!," and the host of two popular podcasts, "The Steven Brody Stevens Festival of Friendship" and "Brode and Esther."

A stand-up comedian for more than 20 years, Economopoulos performs March 7 at Grand Volute in Lowell. He has written for Bette Midler, Jay Leno, MTV and BET. He makes regular appearances on the nationally-syndicated "Bob & Tom Radio Show," with a Quick Snaps radio segment parodying the National Football League.

Blackout Diaries is a Chicago-based interactive show with standup comedians and others sharing true drinking stories while the audience asks questions. Created by its host, Sean Flannery, who has appeared on Comedy Central, NPR and elsewhere, it is March 8 at Perrin Brewing Company.

Oakerson and Roy perform a free, ticketed show on March 12 at The Orbit Room as part of the Blue & Late Night Series presented by Bud Light. Oakerson performs story-based stand-up comedy, and has appeared on "Comedy Underground with Dave Attell," FX’s "Louie," "Inside Amy Schumer" and "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon." Roy has a set showing on HBO Canada and his own one-hour show at the New York Comedy Festival.

The Homegrown Show will be hosted by local comedian Matt Lauria on March 12 at The B.O.B. The show features professional touring comedians from the Grand Rapids area, with their credits including "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon," radio appearances and comedy festivals from San Francisco to Atlanta.

Ryan Hamilton performs March 14 at The Knickerbocker Theatre in Holland. He has performed on "Conan," NBC's "Last Comic Standing," Comedy Central and Showtime, and has won The Great American Comedy Festival and Sierra Mist’s America’s Next Great Comic Search.

Entertainers previously announced for LaughFest 2015 include George Lopez, Wanda Sykes, Billy Gardell, Patton Oswalt, Bo Burnham, Pete Holmes, Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood, Lavell Crawford, Jerrod Carmichael and Brian Posehn.

LaughFest 2015 offers more than 200 free and ticketed shows, featuring more than 100 artists at more than 40 venues in Grand Rapids, Lowell and Holland.

Individual tickets are from $7 to $70, excluding the Signature Event. They are available starting Friday at Van Andel Arena's box office or at Ticketmaster outlets; and LaughFest Central, from when it opens in mid-February through March 15.

Visit laughfestgr.org or call (616) b735-4242 to learn more about Gilda’s LaughFest.