NEW YORK—Seventy-something stand-up comedian Jackie Mason is calling his latest one-man show, Jackie Mason: The Ultimate Jew, which he wrote and directed, his swan song for this type of work—which if true would be a shame. Mason is at the top of his game here, though there is a bit more anger than usual in his performance, reminding one at times of a close, calming friend, just before he drives a sharp-edged comedy knife home.
This being an election year, a good portion of the show is devoted to politics, with President Bush and Democratic presidential candidates Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama getting raked over the coals. (Interestingly, Republican candidate John McCain is never mentioned.)
Funniest of all is when Mason points out how running for an elected office, where anyone off the street can say they're qualified, is far different than getting a job in the private sector.
Other topics covered include gun control, immigration, television news, America's preoccupation with status and the most hot button topic of the evening, race relations and the various double standards that exist (on all sides) in such disputes.
Mason often does a bit of interplay with the audience, making those closest to the stage the butt of his jokes, though no one seemed to mind. Perhaps most surprising is his gift for impersonations, including Ed Sullivan (dead-on, albeit carried to extreme), Walter Cronkite, and Liberace, among others.
If there's a difference between this show and some of his earlier ones (besides the material, most of which is quite topical), it's Mason's almost-urgent need in some cases to drive his point home and focus on perceived injustices and inequalities in today's world—such as when he suggests that instead of deporting illegal immigrants, maybe we should deport those who hire them at sub-standard wages instead. However, rather than diminishing any part of the material, this only serves to make his humor, message and the ultimate truths behind them that much stronger.
Another interesting change is that there are a lot less Jewish jokes than usual and many more which cut across ethic lines that people from all walks of life can relate to.
No matter where one stands on the political spectrum or racial divide, one will find oneself laughing along and nodding in agreement more often than not.
Jackie Mason: The Ultimate Jew
New World Stages
340 West 50th Street
Tickets: 212-239-6200 or www.telecharge.com
Information: www.ultimatejackie.com
Closes: June 30, 2008
Running Time: Approximately Two Hours
Judd Hollander is the New York correspondent for the London publication The Stage.
Feeds