Had the pleasure this evening of seeing Old Jews Telling Jokes, created by Peter Gethers and Daniel Okrent, and filled with funny jokes, songs, and sweet stories that make you appreciate the necessity of laughter. An all around enjoyed evening, and a fantastic learning experience for someone looking to produce live theatre. The show’s set was simple, a large screen TV mounted on a rig that was moveable, and used to introduce the various comedy segments and supply attractive and interesting scenic elements. For example, when the “A man is stranded on an island for 7 years and a…” type jokes happened, a palm tree with a boat, raft, etc, would appear, supporting the joke’s scene, and when jokes in a doctor’s office happened, the TV was strategically moved from side to side of the stage, and while moving, the synchronized screen graphics would show different parts of the doctor’s hallway-different doors, signs, etc.; it was very well executed and was worked in seamlessly.
The story was simple. Jokes, a few funny songs, and each actor (5) had a monologue moment with the audience sharing a more personal story, which gave the jokes purpose, and brought importance to the show and the otherwise overly simple “plot”….of jokes. I think I head just about every type of joke- except maybe a “knock-knock”- and they were all delivered with suburb timing and genuineness. Which brings me to the actors, who were outstanding, and despite the shows title, were not all old. A young girl and guy, Bill Army and Audrey Lynn Weston, two older men, Lenny Wolpe and Todd Susman, and a outstanding Marilyn Sokol made up the cast and couldn’t have seemed more at home together on stage. Unafraid to laugh and cut up with one another after a well, or overly well landed joke, the cast was a joy to watch work.
I would recommend this show to anyone who wants a guaranteed laugh (or 50), and thank the creators for a great Off-Broadway show, and making me realize that with great actors and a solid vision, the simplest of plots can make smashingly good entertainment.
I leave you with this, a similar version was in the show:
A young Jewish man excitedly tells his mother he’s fallen in love and that he is going to get married. He says, “Just for fun, Ma, I’m going to bring over three women and you try and guess which one I’m going to marry.” The mother agrees.
The next day, he brings three beautiful women into the house and sits them down on the couch and they chat for a while. He then says, “Okay, Ma, guess which one I’m going to marry.”
She immediately replies, “The one on the right.”
“That’s amazing, Ma. You’re right. How did you know?
The Jewish mother replies, “I don’t like her.”
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Abba Charice 