Kids in the Hall's Kevin McDonald Headline Show at 2013 Boston Comedy Arts Festival Tonight

The 5th Annual Boston Comedy Arts Festival heats up tonight, September 7 at 8 p.m., as Kids in the Hall member Kevin McDonald headlines a strong bill at the Brattle Theatre. The bill also features an appearance by the New York City based improvised hip-hOpera North Coast and stand-up comedy from Boston area native Josh Gondelman, the co-creator of the Modern Seinfeld Twitter feed.

Tickets cost $18 for every show and student rush tickets are available for $14 at the door. The Brattle Theatre is located at 40 Brattle Street. Tickets to the festival are available online at www.bostoncomedyarts.com.

Comedian, actor, writer and director Kevin McDonald founded The Kids in the Hall with friend Dave Foley, after they met in Toronto at Second City. The popular television series of the same name ran from 1988-1995. He has created some of the series' signature characters including the King of Empty Promises, Sir Simon Milligan, and Jerry Sizzler. McDonald went on to appear in a variety of films including Boy Meets Girl, Lilo & Stitch, Lilo & Stitch: The Series, and Epic Movie. On television, he has appeared on The Martin Short Show, Ellen, That '70s Show, Seinfeld, Friends, NewsRadio, MADtv, Arrested Development, and Corner Gas. McDonald has also done voice work for various animated series, including Nickelodeon's Invader Zim, The Angry Beavers, Catscratch, and Clerks: The Animated Series. He also played an imaginary friend named Ivan in the episode 'Sight For Sore Eyes' onFoster's Home for Imaginary Friends, appeared in the music video for Roses by Outkast, and made an appearance in Tim and Eric's Awesome Show.

In 2006 McDonald hosted a CBC Television special, featuring several of Canada's best-known sketch comedy troupes. Sketch with Kevin McDonald won a Canadian Comedy Award (Best Taped Live Performance - The Minnesota Wrecking Crew). He was recently at the Just for Laughs Festival with the reunion of Kids in the Hall, and also with his show Hammy and the Kids with Craig Northey, based on his two dysfunctional families, his father ("Hammy") and the Kids in the Hall, as well as Death Comes to Town on CBC.

North Coast, New York City's only freestyle rapping, beatboxing, long-form improv team, returns to the festival. Their show is fast-paced, quick-witted, and always fun to watch. Right before the audiences eyes they create a fully improvised "hip-hopera."

NYC based stand-up comedian and Boston native Josh Gondelman returns to perform for one-night only. Gondelman is having a big year. He continues to perform and received national attention as one of the co-creators of the wildly popular Modern Seinfeld Twitter feed. He appeared on Kevin Allison's RISK! podcast and in a live show. He also wrote for Esquire and New York Magazine.

ImprovBoston is New England's home for comedy. Since 1982, ImprovBoston has used a fresh, funny approach to comedy, showcasing today's best performers and training tomorrow's stars. The premiere place for comedy in New England, ImprovBoston boasts a full calendar of the funniest shows in Boston and nationally-known education and corporate training programs. ImprovBoston is more than just a great Comedy Club-it's a recognized center for the evolving art of comedy. ImprovBoston is a registered 501(c)(3) and has been the New England region's leading theater and school dedicated to teaching and performing all forms of comedy for 30 years.It was voted "Best of Boston" by The Phoenix for 2009-2010, The Improper Bostonian, and The Weekly Dig. ImprovBoston presents a regular selection of the best improv, sketch, and stand-up for all audiences. Through their acclaimed comedy training program, the theater continues to develop the next generation of comedic talent to ensure that the next generation will keep on laughing.