More comedy is set to take the stage at The Theatre at the Frank Erwin Center! What better way to start the New Year than with a night of laughter. Mike Epps and Friends featuring Mike Epps, Rickey Smiley, JJ from BET ComicView and Nephew Tomey, will be performing at The Theatre at the Frank Erwin Center on Sunday, January 15. Tickets for this show are on sale – so secure a night of fun and buy your seat now.

He may not be a household name…yet, but you probably will recognize Epps if you’ve seen “All About the Benjamins”, “Friday After Next” or “Next Friday”. Epps is a reformed, self-described troublemaker and juvenile delinquent who entered the world of stand-up comedy when he won a comedy contest in his home state of Indiana.

His success in Indiana gave him the courage to strike out on his own and move to Atlanta where he began making a name for himself at the Comedy Act Theatre. After conquering the Atlanta comedy scene, Epps moved to New York to develop his act at the age of 21. Breaking into Manhattan’s comedy clubs was difficult, but with the help of the Def Comedy Jam phenomenon, Epps earned recognition in the underground black comedy scene.

Epps has toured on the Def Comedy Jam tour, starred in two of HBO’s Def Comedy Jam broadcasts, appeared in an episode of “The Sopranos”, and was cast by rapper-actor-producer Ice Cube, to play the part of Day-Day Jones. He’s now back to performing stand-up, successfully touring the comedy circuit.

One friend who will be with Epps at this show is Rickey Smiley. Smiley is the host of BET’s popular nightly comedy showcase, “ComicView”. The show is one of the network’s highest rated programs and has been the starting point for many recognized comedians, including Cedric the Entertainer and D.L. Hughley.

Smiley started off at the amateur comedy clubs in his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. His big league performances include: Showtime at The Apollo, HBO’s Def Comedy Jam and Snaps, Comic Escape, and finally BET’s own ComicView, where he competed in the show’s notorious Grandstand. Unlike many of his colleagues, Smiley’s comedic material is ‘clean’, which has won over audience members from age eight to age 88. Smiley is a versatile character performer, known for his “Southern” and “church” humor.