Kathy Griffin Plays the Van Wezel, 4/1

March has been a big month for comedienne Kathy Griffin who is celebrating this April Fools Day at the Van Wezel, Friday, April 1, at 8 p.m.

Fresh off her Broadway debut, brassy gossip-queen Kathy Griffin is bringing her stand-up back to Sarasota! This month, the Emmy Award-winner opened Kathy Griffin Wants a Tony for a 10 show run on Broadway, Bravo aired her new special 50 & Not Pregnant and she appeared on the network's Watch What Happens: Live. Kathy also guest starred on an episode of the popular musical comedy Glee.

"Ms. Griffin's appeal is in her ability to combine insider access to the world of the famous (or at least the pseudo-famous) and her willingness to be frank about its inhabitants... Ms. Griffin is nobly willing to mortgage any future returns on her celebrity to bring us the spoils of gossip she has harvested from life inside the bubble."-The New York Times, in a review of Kathy Griffin Wants a Tony.

So, prepare yourself to hear the best dish the fabulous figured Griffin has to offer-from Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, and Elisabeth Hasselbeck to arch nemesis Sarah Palin and winner of the hour Charlie Sheen. Her infamous gay following will be delighted, and her endearing, humorous affection for her 90-year-old mother Maggie won't be lost on this crowd.

Ticket prices range from $30 to $84. For more information and to buy tickets, contact the Van Wezel Box office at (941) 953-3368 or log onto www.vanwezel.org.