Annual HOT 97 April Fools Comedy Show Returns to MSG; Tracy Morgan to Host All Star Line Up

Marquee Concerts is once again pleased to present the annual HOT 97 April Fools Comedy Show on Friday, April 1, 2016 at 8pm at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Tracy Morgan is back and hosting a line up of top urban comics including Rickey Smiley, Aries Spears, DeRay Davis, Dominique, and Felipe Esparza.

"Tracy Morgan has hosted and performed in the Hot 97 April Fools Comedy show numerous times. We're thrilled to have him back with us after his long and difficult recovery, hosting his first New York City theater show since the accident," notes Bill Zafiros, co-founder of Marquee Concerts. "Tracy's always had a special relationship with the New York audience, and with the other exceptional stand ups on the bill, we expect to have one of our funniest shows ever."

While on tour in 2014, Tracy Morgan was critically injured in a serious car accident. After months of rehabilitation, he has returned to performing and will launch his "Picking Up the Pieces" tour in early 2016. The Emmy nominated comedian has headlined across the US and abroad in various tours and festivals. First introduced to TV audiences on the hit comedy series "Martin," Tracy appeared for 7 seasons on "Saturday Night Live." After SNL, he starred in his own comedy series "The Tracy Morgan Show." For 7 seasons, from 2006 until the 2013 series finale, he starred opposite Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin on NBC's Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning "30 Rock." Other career milestones include the release of his first book," I Am The New Black" (2009) and his first HBO Special, 2010's "Black & Blue." Morgan, who has appeared in numerous motion pictures and independent films, began filming the comedy, "Fist Fight," starring Ice Cube and Charlie Day this past September. Tracy has also been selected to receive a 2016 star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Comedian, TV host, actor and nationally syndicated radio personality Rickey Smiley, one of the few "clean" comics among today's top comedians, has amassed a loyal fan base for his quick-witted delivery and captivating energy. As host of BET's "ComicView," he was distinguished as the only comedian with the honor of hosting 2 consecutive successful seasons, achieving the show's highest ratings. He later hosted BET's "The Way We Do It". Memorable appearances on "Showtime At The Apollo," "Uptown Comedy Club", HBO's "Def Comedy Jam," and "Snaps" followed. In 2007, he began hosting the Rickey Smiley Morning Show. Based in Atlanta, in over 61 markets, the show is a blend of laughter, social issues, and celebrity news.

Native New Yorker Aries Spears is a stand-up comic, actor, voice artist, and comedian. His quick wit, charisma and ferociously aggressive style of comedy have earned him critical acclaim, high accolades, and a busy schedule. As a regular on Fox's sketch comedy series MADtv, he appeared in 198 episodes, making him the second longest-serving cast member on the show, just behind Michael McDonald. Aries has also had roles in feature films and appeared on numerous national talk shows. In 2011, he released a 1-hour special entitled, "Aries Spears: Hollywood, Look I'm Smiling."

Chicago's DeRay Davis developed and honed a hip, sardonic, streetwise mentality at an early age and parlayed it into the comedy-club circuit. His career breakthrough came at Atlanta's Laffapalooza Festival. Winning the Comedy Central Laugh Riots Competition and landing coveted spots in the Montreal Just for Laughs Festival and the Cedric the Entertainer Festival followed. He has appeared in numerous films including "Barbershop," "Barbershop 2: Back in Business," "The Fog," "21 Jump Street," and "Jumping the Broom." TV credits include his Showtime 1-hour Comedy Special, "DeRay Davis: Power Play," "Empire," "Entourage" and "Reno 911!" DeRay is currently prepping for his next 1-hour comedy special, "Home, Street Home: The Hood Hero Returns."

Going from a night-shift postal worker in her native Washington D.C. to a popular comedian known for telling it like it is, Dominique's raw, uncut style gained a loyal following and caught the eye of the producers of HBO's "Def Comedy Jam." Moving to NYC, she was a fixture at the "Comic Strip" and "Stand Up New York." A chance meeting with Tracy Morgan at a small NYC club led to her becoming the opener for his run at Caroline's on Broadway. TV appearances include Comedy Central's "Comic Groove," "Showtime at the Apollo" and BET's "Comic View." Moving to LA, she became a comedy circuit staple and continues to tour clubs and colleges. Studying acting for 2 years, she landed a part in the critically acclaimed indie, "30 Years to Life".

Comedian and actor Felipe Esparza is best known for his raw, real-life comedy and is recognized for his wild hair and his often-imitated phrase, "What's up, fool?" Shortly after winning NBC's "Last Comic Standing" in 2010, he produced and starred in his first 1-hour Showtime special. Now touring comedy clubs and theaters across the world, he is working on a new 1-hour special. In 2014, Felipe launched his popular podcast, "What's Up Fool?" on the All Things Comedy podcast network.

Tickets for The Hot 97 April Fools Comedy Show are priced from $59 to $139 and are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets, and at the Madison Square Garden box office. To charge by phone, call 866-858-0008. For more details, visit MarqueeConcerts.com.

About Marquee Concerts
NYC based Marquee Concerts, one of the premier independent concert promoters in the Northeast, produces hundreds of events across all spectrums and genres. Marquee is constantly researching new music trends, recognizing today's up-and-coming entertainers, and expanding upon existing business relationships to put on the best shows possible and remain a competitive mainstay in the concert promoter's industry. Learn more at MarqueeConcerts.com.