The New York Comedy Festival (NYCF), in association with COMEDY CENTRAL , today announced its 2012 line-up, that will feature some of the industry's biggest stars performing in the city's most prestigeous venues, including The Apollo Theater, Carnegie Hall, The Beacon Theatre, Madison Square Garden, and Town Hall, among others, from Wednesday, November 7 – Sunday, November 11.

Kevin Hart returns to The Festival to become only one of a handful of comedians ever to headline the Madison Square Garden arena when he brings his Let Me Explain Tour to MSG on November 10. Hart shares the rare accomplishment of headlining the famed arena along with Bob Hope, George Burns, Eddie Izzard, Chris Rock, Andrew "Dice" Clay and Dane Cook, who in 2006 for the New York Comedy Festival performed two shows in one night. HBO's "Real Time" host Bill Maher returns to the Beacon Theatre on November 10, to share his unique and hilarious views on the presidential election. Award-winning actor and comedian Robin Williams returns to the festival with a lively conversation with Emmy Award winning director David Steinberg (Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Weeds) at the 92nd Street Y on November 11. Aziz Ansari, star of NBC's hit series Parks and Recreation, will perform on two of the city's biggest stages – the famed Apollo Theater on November 9 and at Carnegie Hall on November 10. Emmy Award nominated Ricky Gervais will kick off The Festival when he returns with his razor-sharp wit for an in-depth conversation at Town Hall on November 9.

They will be joined by comedy superstars including Adam Carolla, Rob Delaney, Jim Gaffigan, Artie Lange, Patton Oswalt, Brian Regan, Marlon and Shawn Wayans and more than 175 other comedians performing in more than 50 shows as part of The Festival.

The 2012 NYCF is presented in association with COMEDY CENTRAL. Now in its ninth year, the festival is produced by Carolines on Broadway.

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