NEW YORK—A man goes to his Rabbi and says, "Rabbi I think my wife is trying to poison me, can you talk to her?" A few days later the man goes back to the Rabbi and says, "What do you think?" The Rabbi says, "I spent an hour with your wife. If I were you, I'd take the poison." This groaner and others like it kick off a side-splitting evening of Jewish humor as related by four of the reigning female Jewish comediennes of today: Julie Goldman, Cory Kahaney (who also created the show), Jessica Kirson, and Cathy Ladman. (Sherry Davey and Jackie Hoffman are also listed in the program but did not perform the night this reviewer saw the show.)
During the performance each got a chance to take center stage with their own routines, talking about their lives and loves and such issues as sex, weight, family life, therapy, and the travails of growing up and keeping oneself together.
In between these segments are tributes to those referred to as the "Jewish Queens of Comedy:" Belle Barth, Pearl Williams, Totie Fields, Betty Walker, and Jean Carroll—comediennes who made their mark in the post-World War II era and who are unfortunately mostly forgotten today. Via television clips or sound recordings we get to hear these women (some who were considered rather risqué in their day—and in some cases still are).
The evening is a lot of fun, though one wishes more time could have been devoted to these early pioneers. As it is, one is left with an intriguing taste of who these women were and an urge to find out more. (A documentary on the subject would probably make fascinating viewing.)
The standup routines were all quite enjoyable. Goldman was the most confrontational of the group, with Kirson having the best comedic timing (as well as a machine-gun delivery). Kahaney and Ladman came off as more low-key but all are quite hilarious in their own way. Just be warned, don't take a drink of water while any of them are performing as you might choke while laughing.
"The J.A.P. Show, Jewish American Princesses of Comedy"
Actors Temple Theatre
339 West 47th Street
Tickets: 212-239-6200 or http://www.telecharge.com/
Open Run
Judd Hollander is the New York correspondent for the London publication THE STAGE.
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