Tony Laumberg

YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE JEWISH : CLASSIC JEWISH HUMOUR

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In these turbulent times we could sure use a good laugh or two. So, have I got a show for you! You Don’t Have to be Jewish is based on the legendary 1964 hit album of the same name and its sequel, When You’re in Love, the Whole World is Jewish, playing at the newly renovated Pavilion Theatre, Bondi Beach.

This highly amusing show comprises a series of sketches performed by an energetic and enthusiastic ensemble cast who perform some of the most memorable jokes and delicious insults in modern American comedic history.

Everyone will have their favourite scenes but, certainly, you would be hard pressed not to burst out laughing at the punchlines for a distressed daughter’s plea to her mother for help in A Call from Long Island, The Diamond with its terrible Plotnik curse and The Cemetery where an inconsolable man collapses at a stranger’s grave site!

A point of interest is The Ballad of Irving, a song about a short, fat Jewish cowboy with a refrain of “They called him Irving”. This was an obvious inspiration for Jewish TV comedian Benny Hill’s song, Ernie, about the fastest milkman in the West with the refrain “They called him Ernie”. Sit back, enjoy and and compare.

So, be ready to adjust your senses to the New York Jewish accents and enjoy a snapshot of happier times when all we had to worry about was the Cold War! There is even a parody of James Bond with an appearance by James Bondstein who has a liking, not for vodka martinis, but milkshakes.

An added bonus is the playing of a recent short telephone interview between the producer, David Spicer of Bondi Theatre Company, and the writer, Bob Booker who at 92 displays a sense of humour and sharpness that belies his age.

Director, Ruth Fingret, ensures proceedings move along at a cracking pace and a special mention for Michelle Goldman whose musical accompaniment is precise and enjoyable.

YOU DON’Y HAVE TO BE JEWISH

By Bob Booker

Directed by Ruth Fingret

Musical Director: Aaron Robuck

With Geoff Sirmai, Christine Greenough, James Burchett, Andrea Ginsberg, Liz Hovey and David Spicer

EVENT DETAILS

Oct 25 – Nov 5 at the Bondi Pavilion Theatre, Campbell Parade Bondi Beach
Nov 15-19 at Emanuel Synagogue 7 Ocean Street Woollahra.
Bookings at  B www.bonditheatrecompany.com.au

Photos by Lindsay Kearney

 

Published by Tony Laumberg

Tony Laumberg has been involved in entertainment since he was a child, having been persuaded by his mother to perform as a singer in talent contests while on holidays and managing only to win a wooden ruler showing the sights of the Blue Mountains! From there, he progressed to sharing his humorous insights on ABC TV and Radio while still a teenager and followed that with appearances on Willesee at Seven as a comedy reporter while trying to hold down a job as a CBD solicitor. It wasn’t long before Tony found his way onto the stages of the Comedy Store and other “interesting” venues as a stand-up comedian which he engaged in for 8 years and over 500 performances along with comedy legends such as Rodney Rude, Vince Sorrenti, Austen Tayshus and George Smilovici. After a stint as a writer of numerous optioned screenplays and a recipient of many government writing grants, he has ended up since 2002 writing and producing 12 plays, mostly comedies, including Unsolicited Male, Lawyer! Lawyer!, 2 Weddings & A Lawyer and his latest, Murder Most Funny!