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04/01/16
The Hot 97 April Fools Comedy Show featuring host Tracy Morgan

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TICKETS $59-$139 (+ applicable fees)

AVAILABLE AT

Purchase Tickets Now at Ticketmaster.com

OR BY CALLING 866-858-0008

Friday, April 1, 2016 8:00PM

GET TICKETS NOW FOR THE ORIGINAL, FUNNIEST APRIL FOOLS SHOW IN NYC!!!

Marquee Concerts is proud to present the annual Hot 97 April Fools Comedy Show featuring host Tracy Morgan plus an All-Star comic line up on Friday, April 1, 2016 at 8pm at the Theater at Madison Square Garden.

Catch hysterical sets from Rickey Smiley, Aries Spears, DeRay Davis, Dominique, Felipe Esparza, plus Donnell Rawlings, Tony Woods, and of course, Tracy Morgan!

ABOUT THE COMICS

TRACY MORGAN

While on a stand-up comedy tour in 2014, Tracy Morgan was critically injured in a serious car accident that prevented him from continuing to work and tour. After months of rehabilitation, he returned in an exclusive interview with TODAY Show’s Matt Lauer where he expressed his grief for the incident as well as his goals to come back to the entertainment world. In June 2015, Tracy was selected to receive a 2016 star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This past September, he began filming his next role in the upcoming comedy, FIST FIGHT, staring Ice Cube and Charlie Day.

Tracy has headlined across the US and abroad on various tours and festivals, doing what he loves the most, stand-up comedy. First introduced to TV audiences as “Hustleman” on the hit comedy series “Martin,” he went on to join “Saturday Night Live” (1996) where he appeared for 7 seasons. After leaving SNL, he went starred in his own comedy series “The Tracy Morgan Show” and voiced “Spoonie Luv” on Comedy Central’s “Crank Yankers.” Starring for 7 seasons on NBC’s Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning “30 Rock,” until the series finale in 2013, Tracy appeared opposite Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin as “Tracy Jordan,” the unpredictable star of Lemon’s (Fey) hit variety show, “TGS with Tracy Jordan.” In 2009, Tracy received his first Emmy Nomination for this role, in the Supporting Actor category; and for 6 past years was also nominated for a Supporting Actor NAACP Image Award. The “30 Rock” cast also won the Screen Actors Guild Award for “Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.”

With comedy always his foundation, Morgan began tackling dramas and independent films. In 2010, he starred alongside Al Pacino and Channing Tatum in the crime-thriller THE SON OF NO ONE which received Sundance Film Festival honors. In August 2012, WHY STOP NOW bowed, which was also an official selection at Sundance. The film focusses on a piano prodigy (Jesse Eisenberg) who on the day of a big audition winds up on a drug-fueled odyssey with his addled mother (Melissa Leo) and her drug dealer, Sprinkles, played by Morgan. Tracy’s additional film credits include: COP OUT, the remake of the British film DEATH AT A FUNERAL, Dimension Films’ SUPERHERO MOVIE, FIRST SUNDAY opposite Ice Cube and Katt Williams, THE LONGEST YARD opposite Adam Sandler, the Wayan’s brothers LITTLE MAN, JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK and HEAD OF STATE. Another milestone was reached in 2009 with the release of Morgan’s first book,“I Am The New Black,” a compilation of studied anecdotes and some of the more serious moments that shaped him and his career. He also headlined the famed “New York Comedy Festival” which featured acclaimed comedians including Bill Maher, Andy Samberg, and Patton Oswalt, among others. Morgan rounded out his list of great comedic achievements with his first HBO Special, “Black & Blue” in 2010.

RICKEY SMILEY

Comedian, TV host, actor and top-rated nationally syndicated radio personality Rickey Smiley has become one of the entertainment industry’s most celebrated performers as a compelling talent with the capacity to reach a multitude of audiences. One of the few “clean” comics amongst the top tier of today’s comedians, he’s amassed a loyal fan base for his quick-witted delivery and captivating energy. His rise began as the headlining host of BET’s “ComicView,” where he was distinguished as the only comedian with the honor of hosting 2 consecutive successful seasons, garnering the show’s highest ratings in history. BET then signed him to host “The Way We Do It” in the 2001-2002 season, which later became one of their top 5 shows. Memorable appearances on “Showtime At The Apollo,” “Uptown Comedy Club”, HBO’s "Def Comedy Jam” and “Snaps” followed. Ricky has also opened for comedy titans including Steve Harvey, George Wallace, and Carl Strong. In 2007, he began hosting the Rickey Smiley Morning Show, one of the country’s funniest and most compelling radio programs. Based in Atlanta, in over 61 markets, the show is a blend of laughter, social issues and celebrity news. Rickey continued to perform sold out shows pleasing audiences in with original characters such as "Bernice Jenkins,” “Lil’ Daryl,” “Joe Willie” and “Beauford.” After mastering his signature characters, Rickey headlined The Laugh and Shout Experience tour as “Minister Joe Willie." The popular comedian also joined forces with the TV One network as the star and executive producer of his own top rated sitcom, “The Rickey Smiley Show,” about a working comedian experiencing the joys and pains of being a single father of three; a character that parallels his own life. Smiley’s growing character base found its way to 8 best selling CDs including iTunes #1 Best Selling Comedy Album, “Rickey Smiley- Prank Calls Number 6.” He also hosted BET’s comedy concert DVD “Open Casket Sharp.” On the big screen, Rickey has had major roles in urban film classics including “All About The Benjamin’s” and “Friday After Next,” along with his most recent starring turn in the hit romantic comedy “Baggage Claim.” In recent years, he has hosted numerous prestigious award shows including Trumpet Awards, the Stellar Gospel Music Awards, and the NAACP Image Awards Dinner & Pre-Party. Off-stage, he is dedicated to empowering and enriching the communities in which he serves daily. The Rickey Smiley Foundation reflects his commitment and ongoing desire to champion underserved youth and honor seniors. He also is an esteemed and honored member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and cherishes parenting as a devoted father.

ARIES SPEARS

Aries Spears is a stand-up comedian, actor, voice artist, and comedian. Ever since the New York native was 14 years old, he’s been a force to be reckoned with on the comedy scene. His quick wit, charisma and ferociously aggressive style of comedy have earned him critical acclaim, high accolades, and above all, a busy schedule. Spears was a regular on Fox’s sketch comedy series MADtv, appearing in 198 episodes, making him the second longest-serving cast member on the show, just behind Michael McDonald. He recently released a special entitled, “Aries Spears: Hollywood, Look I’m Smiling.” From being a regular on Fox’s Mad TV, starring in feature films, appearing on a number of national talk shows, and continually touring the country with his stand-up, Aries’s talents are becoming recognized and appreciated throughout the entertainment industry.

DERAY DAVIS

Born and raised on the south side of Chicago, DeRay Davis developed and honed a hip, sardonic, streetwise mentality at an early age and parlayed it smoothly into the comedy-club circuit. He achieved his career breakthrough at the Laffapalooza Festival in Atlanta, GA, then scored a triple whammy by winning the Comedy Central Laugh Riots Competition and landing covetable spots in the Montreal Just for Laughs Festival and the Cedric the Entertainer Festival. Throughout, the comic wove vulgar and droll, yet telling and deeply personal routines around the subjects of race, poverty, and his experiences growing up in the Windy City projects with a dysfunctional African-American family. He transitioned to films as the “Hustle Guy” in Barbershop (2002) and its sequel, Barbershop 2: Back in Business (2004), rapper Mario “Fa Real” Greene in the Martin Short comedy Jiminy Glick in La La Wood (2004), and a Jamaican stoner in Johnson Family Vacation (2004). He expanded his genre focus with roles in Rupert Wainwright’s supernatural horror outing The Fog (2005), and Todd Phillips’ comedy remake School for Scoundrels (2006). Subsequent feature roles include License to Wed (2007), Semi-Pro (2008, as basketball player Bee Bee Ellis), and Imagine That (2009). Life As We Know it and Old Dogs. His recent roles include mega hit 21 Jump Street, Jumping the Broom and his wildly successful Showtime 1 hour Comedy Special, DeRay Davis: Power Play. DeRay lends his voice and writing talent to countless characters on Kanye Wests Albums the BoonDocks and currently on Adult Swims Black Dynamite! TV credits include Entourage and Reno 911!, and comedy revues including Comedy Central’s Premium Blend and was a Stand out MVP on Shaq’s All Star Comedy Jam Tour. DeRay is now making the rounds on the tour circuit preparing for his next 1 hour comedy special, Home, Street Home: The Hood Hero Returns.

DOMINIQUE

Dominique began honing her skills unprofessionally as a civil servant on the nightshift as a postal worker in her native Washington D.C. Boredom with the job and fear of going postal gave way to open mic nights at local clubs at the behest of friends and co-workers. She immediately gained a reputation for telling it like it is; raw and uncut and unknowingly garnered a loyal following. Washington’s audiences gravitated toward her mixture of politics, street culture and current events. Her strong presence and a bravado rarely seen in female comics quickly gained the attention of the producers of HBO’s “Russell Simmons’ Def Comedy Jam”, the show that changed comedy forever. She went from shuffling mail to working with the likes of Chris Rock in no time. She moved to NYC and became a fixture at clubs including the “Comic Strip” and “Stand Up New York.” On a chance Wednesday night at a small club on the lower east side she met Tracy Morgan who made Dominique his opening act for his run at Caroline’s on Broadway Comedy Club. The two formed a friendship and have been working together ever since. She began performing all over the country to make ends meet. From Caroline’s in New York to The Improv in Miami to LA’s Laugh Factory, and every club in between, Dominique has wowed audiences with her straight forward wit and comedic standpoint reminiscent of Mom’s Mabley. Her TV appearances include “Comic Groove” on Comedy Central, “Showtime at the Apollo” and “Comic View” on BET. She moved to LA and began making the rounds in Hollywood’s comedy clubs as well as the smaller lesser known clubs in LA. She has become a club staple and continues to tour clubs and colleges around the country. Since 1998, she’ headlined college tours, has participated in “Laffapalooza” as well as the Don “DC” Curry’s “Bay Area Comedy Competition” in Oakland. After studying acting for 2 years,she landed a part in the critically acclaimed indie “Thirty Years to Life”.

FELIPE ESPARZA

Felipe Esparza is a comedian and actor, best known for his raw, real-life comedy that audiences everywhere can relate to. Recognized for his wild hair and his often-imitated phrase, “what’s up, fool?”, people are surprised to find out that Felipe is also the same person referred to and imitated in infamous stories by fellow comedian, Gabriel Iglesias. Felipe won NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” in 2010, and soon after, starred in and produced his first 1 hour Showtime special, and is now touring comedy clubs and theaters across the world and working on a new 1 hour special. He also launched a popular new podcast in 2014, entitled, “What’s Up Fool?”, on the All Things Comedy podcast network.

JUST ADDED!

DONNELL RAWLINGS

Donnell Rawlings is an overnight success a decade in the making. He made a splash in the DC comedy clubs going from a heckler in the audience to HBO’s Def Comedy Jam in 6 months time.You’ve seen him as ‘Ashy Lar ry’ on Comedy Central’s award winning and critically celebrated Chappelle’s Show, where he joined Dave Chappelle as both as a writer and performer. He was a co-host on both Power 105’s morning show “Egypt and Ashy in the Morning” and “The Big Tigger Morning Show” on WPGC in Washington DC, and he enjoyed weekly guest appearances on New York’s Hot 97 Morning Show. He was a regular on E!’s “Chelsea Lately", starred in Comedy Central’s “Reality Bites Back,” and was the resident “Funny Guy” on the Ricki Lake Show. In 2007, Donnell co-created and starred in Heavy.com’s hit web series “From Ashy to Classy”, which was picked up for a second round of episodes. His movie of the same name screened at the 2011 L.A. Comedy Shorts Film Festival. As an actor Donnell has also appeared in the Law & Order series, Special Victims Unit (SVU) and Criminal Intent (CI) as well as NBC’s Third Watch, the Emmy-Award winning HBO Mini-Series: The Corner and as Day-Day Price on HBO’s Emmy-Award winning series “The Wire.” He appeared on the big screen in Spider Man II.

TONY WOODS

Tony Woods is recognized not only by fans but by his peers as one of the best and most engaging comedians in the business. He has a strong following in the US, UK, Australia and Europe. Born in North Carolina and raised in the D.C. area, Tony kicked off his career as an original member of Russell Simmons’ Def Comedy Jam and P. Diddy’s Bad Boys of Comedy, he is an all-round veteran and one-of-a-kind comic. His recent appearances include Comedy Central Presents Tony Woods, Comedy Central USO Tour, and Comedy Central World Comedy Tour have made him a comic favorite of international renown. He’s also appeared on Last Comic Standing, A&E’s Caroline’s Comedy Hour, Showtime at the Apollo, NBC’s Friday Night Videos, Just for Laughs, NYPD Blue, HACK, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, and HBO Comedy Spot. He also appeared in the film The Brooklyn Project, and his festival appearances include the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal, the HBO U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Colorado, the Melbourne Comedy Festival and is a favorite at the Sydney Comedy Festival.

















Note: Talent line up subject to change.

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