LAST COMIC STANDING Winner Felipe Esparza to Make Carolines On Broadway Debut, 7/28-31

Actor and comedian Felipe Esparza, who won NBC's "Last Comic Standing" Season 7, is set to make his Carolines on Broadway headlining debut when he performs a six-show engagement beginning Thursday, July 28 - Sunday, July 31.

Esparza will perform on Thursday, July 28 at 7:30 p.m., on Friday, July 29 at 7:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., on Saturday, July 30 at 7:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., and on Sunday, July 31 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the Thursday and Sunday shows are $28.50 per person. Tickets for the Friday and Saturday shows are $32.50 per person. All shows have a two-beverage minimum requirement.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.carolines.com. Reservations can be made by phone at 212.757.4100 or in person at the Carolines Box Office, located at 1626 Broadway between 49th and 50th Streets on the ground floor. The Carolines Box Office is open Sunday through Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Esparza is best known for his raw, real-life comedy that audiences everywhere can relate to. With his signature wild hair, and his often- imitated phrase, "what's up, fool?", he has been associated with his friend Gabriel Iglesias, who often recounts (and imitates) his experiences with Felipe in his act. After 17 years of stand-up comedy, various television appearances and two movies, Felipe walked away with the title prize on NBC's "Last Comic Standing" in 2010. In 2012, Esparza produced and released his first one-hour stand-up special, "They're Not Gonna Laugh at You", for Showtime. It is currently available on DVD and Netflix. In 2014, Esparza launched a podcast entitled, "What's Up Fool?" podcast on the All Things Comedy network started by Bill Burr and Al Madrigal. In its first week, it entered the top 15 comedy podcasts and the top 70 podcasts in all categories. It quickly became a fan favorite with a strong, loyal following. It is available on iTunes, Stitcher and SoundCloud.

Esparza is a product of the streets of Boyle Heights/East L.A. and much of his material is the result of trying to find the humor in the struggles of everyday life. "Over the years I've noticed so many changes in the neighborhoods around me. Gentrification starts to happen and 'bad' neighborhoods start to become 'good'. But I like to show the other side of it... the guy who hasn't changed and probably never will. I have a joke that kind of shows that... "I know I'm not a tough guy, but I'm pretty sure I could beat up everyone who shops at Trader Joe's. But at Food 4 Less, I shut the hell up."

Esparza's other television appearances include a national Honda campaign, a national Target commercial, The ERIC ANDRE Show, regular segments on TruTV's "World's Dumbest...", "The Arsenio Hall Show", "Comics Unleashed", Comedy Central's "Premium Blend", and "Russell Simmons Presents: Stand-Up at the El Rey", Showtime's "Comics Without Borders", TBS's "Lopez Tonight", and Galavision's first English-speaking show, a stand-up comedy show called "Que Locos" (which spurred the careers of both George Lopez and Gabriel Iglesias). Esparza is currently touring Comedy Clubs and theaters across the country and is working on his next our stand- up special. Visit Felipe Esparza online at www.felipesworld.com.