Kathy Griffin Comes To Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall 8/14

The irrepressible comedienne Kathy Griffin, Emmy® award- winning star of the Bravo hit series Kathy Griffin: My Life On The D-List, dishes about her life, career and A-List celebrities at her show at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on Friday, Aug. 14 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $59-89

A multi-faceted performer with a rapid-fire wit, Griffin is known for her four-year stint on the NBC sitcom Suddenly Susan, where she played Vickie Groener, Brooke Shields' acerbic colleague. Audiences also know her from her guest- starring roles on NBC's ER and Seinfeld (where she created recurring character Sally Weaver).

As a result of her various TV guest spots, Griffin began gaining notice as a stand-up comedienne, landing her own HBO Half Hour Comedy Special and then a one-hour HBO special A Hot Cup of Talk. She supplied voices for characters on the animated series Dilbert and The Simpsons, and appeared in a dual role on the X-Files as well as in rapper Eminem's video, The Real Slim Shady.

The well-known star (challenging her classification as a D-Lister!) has co-hosted The Billboard Music Awards three years in a row; and is a frequent guest on the late night TV talk show circuit. A self-confessed, passionate fan of reality TV, Griffin participated in - and won - Celebrity Mole on ABC, and then hosted the NBC reality series Average Joe as well as the MTV series, Kathy's So-Called Reality.

Besides her series on Bravo, Griffin also starred in four stand-up specials for Bravo: Kathy Griffin...Is Not Nicole Kidman; Strong Black Woman; Allegedly; and Everybody Can Suck It.

Tickets to her show at the Van Wezel may be purchased at the Van Wezel Box Office, by calling (941) 953-3368 or by logging onto www.vanwezel.org.

Set along Sarasota's bayfront, the landmark Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall has been entertaining audiences with a variety of music, dance, theater and comedy for more than 35 years. In addition to its world-class shows, the Van Wezel offers patrons the opportunity to enjoy inspired cuisine, buffet style, from Sarasota's acclaimed Michael's On East prior to most performances. For reservations and information, call 941-366-0007 or visit www.bestfood.com.