Legendary comedienne and actress Roseanne Barr will be headlining the inaugural Traverse City Comedy Arts Festival February 19-21, Michael Moore announced this weekend. Barr, whose show "Roseanne" dominated TV charts for most of its run, has returned to her stand-up roots in recent years, developing a caustic and hilarious routine on life in America. "I’ve seen her show and there is no better observer of the state of the affairs we’re in than Roseanne," Moore said. "It is an honor and a privilege that she has agreed to kick off our very first comedy arts festival."

Joining Barr as a headliner at the festival is the godfather of independent filmmaking, John Waters. Waters has directed some of the most cutting-edge comedies of all time, including "Hairspray," "Pink Flamingos" and "Serial Mom." ‘Hairspray" was a Broadway smash, winning Waters a number of Tony awards. At the festival, Waters will perform his critically acclaimed one-man show, "This Filthy World."

Moore announced that a full roster of notable comics will round out the festival lineup, among them Jeff Garlin, a favorite Traverse City Film Festival guest and co-founder of the comedy festival with Moore. Garlin was recently nominated for a SAG award for his work on "Curb Your Enthusiasm," and will perform his stand-up live at the festival.

Other festival guests will include “Curb Your Enthusiasm” star J.B. Smoove, best-selling stand-up comic Mike Birbiglia, frequent “Chelsea Lately” commentator and comedienne Whitney Cummings, Chicago sketch duo Teenager of the Year, and Second City improv vets TJ & Dave.

Schedule and ticketing information for the festival will be released next week, along with a list of film screenings and kids shows. Venues for the festival will include the State Theatre, the City Opera House, the Old Town Playhouse, Horizon Books and the the Wade Trim parking lot.

For more information on the TC Comedy Arts Festival, including the latest news and updates, visit comedyartsfesttc.org.