MTL SKETCHFEST: OPENING NIGHT WITH LEGITNESS (MONTREAL), TONY MCINTYRE (MONTREAL), A.C. BIRCH (TORONTO), & HOT METAL PLAYGROUND (TRAVERSE CITY, MI)

Legitness is a Montreal based comedy duo that will keep you guessing if they’re dating, siblings, or just really awkward roommates. They’ve smooshed together Brooklyn Melnyk, an actor and long time award winning sketch comedian from troupes such as Tongues, Side Salad and Don’t Not Talk to Strangers with accomplished actor Noah Labranche. Labranche has appeared in 6 movies, 2 upcoming video games, and 3 episodes of Heated Rivalry (for realzies). Together they have performed in several local shows and festivals. Along with their « professional acting training™ » they bring lots of commitment, big characters, and incredibly stupid jokes all wrapped up in a charming sketch comedy package. They will be tackling heavy hitting issues like business lingo and why it’s impossible to buy anything full price at the Gap all with a heavy dose of absurdist realism. As they like to ask each other when they write « is this funny, or just stupid? » They’ll never tell 😉 Come down to the show to find out 😉 😉

TONY MCINTYRE (MONTREAL)

Tony McIntyre is bringing his many clown personas to Montreal Sketchfest as they compete to be the best of the best, whatever that means. They will look to wow the audience and ensure they are doing the best they can as they compete for a supposed gold medal or maybe it is just a gold star sticker given by the audience. Tony has a background in clown, improv, and stand up. As a clown he has focused on modern clowning that is inspired by the clowning scene in LA and idiot work clowns. He performed his debut clown show, Mouse Trap!, at the 2025 Montreal Fringe Festival where it was meant with highly positive reviews. He has been bridging the gap between clown and Standup introducing new character and stories to the world of his standup. As a standup he has performed at the ComediHa 2024 festival and Just for Laughs 2025 Festival.

A.C. BIRCH (TORONTO)

A.C. Birch is a comedian, writer, and filmmaker based in Toronto. His feature documentary, « A Queer’s Guide to Spiritual Living », premiered at Inside Out in 2023, and in 2024 he produced a staged reading of his original romcom « Gay Bridgerton » at The Second City Theatre ’73, featuring a cast of some of Toronto’s most beloved trans and queer comics. His awards include « Best Newcomer » at Sketch To The Death 2025, « Best Writing – Category Romance » by IndieX Film Fest, and « Most Improved – Category Hotness » by friends who knew him in high school.

HOT METAL PLAYGROUND (TRAVERSE CITY, MI)

Hot Metal Playground is the comedy duo of sisters Kali and Janée Marie Meadows. They grew up on whole milk, sketch comedy, and a relentless DIY spirit, filming camcorder sketches and building worlds from whatever was lying around.

Their voice is fearless, weird, and rooted in unforgettable personalities shaped by a lifetime of creative mischief and that uncanny, unspoken shorthand only sisters from Northern Michigan who like milk share. Their sketches feature bold, memorable characters that feel larger than life, and sometimes just a little too real.