Jackie Hoffman Scrapping the Bottom at Baruch: Making People Laugh

Adam's Call: Call Me Adam's "ON THE GO Review"...Jackie Hoffman "Scrapping the Bottom at Baruch"

Jackie Hoffman's A Chanukah Charol: Still Shines Bright

For a second year in a row Jackie Hoffman triumphed in her holiday-themed, pseudo-autobiographical, one-woman show, "A Chanukah Charol," inspired by Patrick Stewart's "A Christmas Carol." When visited by the Ghosts of Chanukah Past, Present and Future, as well as Molly Picon, Jackie is forced to examine her life. What she finds on her quest for fame is that she is a dark desperate diva who would give Scrooge a run for his money.

With her signature brand of humor, at times enjoyably dark, Jackie had me laughing from the moment she walked out on stage. Jackie's comedy is genius and her timing is impeccable. In matters of a second Jackie effortlessly switched between a multitude of characters including her mother, Patrick Stewart, and the Ghosts of Chanukah Past, Present, and Future. Jackie always got the laugh because she is a master of her craft. Her delivery was direct, honest, and on target.

I have been to several of Jackie's shows, but what I love most about "A Chanukah Charol" is that I get a glimpse into many different aspects of Jackie's life from childhood to now. One of my favorite moments in the show came when Jackie impersonated her mother's dinners as it made me think so much of my own family.

"A Chanukah Charol" is definitely a fun night out with lots of laughter and a great message about the choices we make and how those choices affect our lives. If you are looking to laugh your troubles away this holiday season, I would highly recommend checking out Jackie Hoffman's "A Chanukah Charol" every Friday and Saturday night at 8pm at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street, between 8th & 9th Avenue) through December 29. Click here for tickets and follow Jackie on Facebook, Twitter, and at http://www.jackiehoffman.com.

Jackie Hoffman: A Chanukah Charol

When Jackie Hoffman takes the stage, laughter ensues! That is exactly what happened on Sunday, December 11, 2011 when I attended Jackie Hoffman's "A Chanukah Charol." Jackie has taken her one-woman show to a new level of funny! This time around, she has done her own paraody of Patrick Stewart's "A Christmas Carol," but set against the Jewish holiday of Chanukah.

Taking a look at her life and career through the eyes of Chanukah past, present, and future, Jackie did a stellar job playing all of the characters while still making it easy to follow the story. What makes Jackie so funny is not only her material, but her delivery. Jackie has terrific comedic timing, which is why she and her one-woman shows have been such a success!

"A Chanukah Charol" is a wonderful ode of Jackie's life, career, and most of all talent! With only two more shows left, I would highly suggest making "A Chanukah Charol" part of your holiday season on either December 18 or January 2 at New World Stages in NYC (350 West 50th Street, between 8th & 9th Avenue)! Click here for tickets!

Night of A Thousand Judys

Justin SayreOn Monday, June 13, I attended "The Meeting's" special June edition entitled "Night of A Thousand Judys" at Joe's Pub in NYC. Produced by Justin Sayre, Adam Rosen, Dan Fortune, Paul Winkler, and Will Fisher, "Night of A Thousand Judys" was a benefit for The Ali Forney Center in NYC which is nation's largest and most comprehensive organization dedicated to homeless LGBT youth. AFC's goal is to provide homeless LGBT youths, aged 16-24, with the support and services they need to escape the streets and begin to live healthy and independent lives.

"The Meeting," a monthly comedy/variety show for homosexuals and their friends, is hosted by Justin Sayre. Once again, Justin triumphed as host because he is a talented comedian, has incredible stage presence, and a booming personality that engages the audience quickly.

"Night of A Thousand Judys" payed homage to one of the greatest gay icons, Judy Garland. Justin, et al assembled an amazing line up of talent from theatre, cabaret, and stand-up comedy for skits and songs made famous by Judy.

Kim SmithThe line-up included the hysterically funny and talented Jackie Hoffman (Broadway's "Addams Family," "Xanadu," "Hairspray")who scored big with her rendition of "Swanee," for which she received a standing ovation from the sold-out house! Jackie started off with her signature humor which is golden and moved into sining "Swanee" big and strong! Justin, Jack Ferver ("Rumble Ghost at PS 122," "SWAN!"), Randy Rainbow ("Randy Rainbow is Dating Mel Gibson"), Jeff Hiller ("Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson"), and Ryan O'Connor ("Oprah’s Search for the Next TV Star," "Ryan O'Connor Eats His Feelings"), performed 2 skits about being at The Stonewall (a gay bar), during the "The Stonewall Riots" talking about the night Judy Garland died. These 5 performers together are a riot, each bringing their own humor to the skit. It was brilliant! Kim Smith (Bistro Award for "Outstanding Performer on the Rise") did phenominal job with "Alone Together," especially by putting his signature stamp on it. Kim performs his songs in Weimar-inspired style that bring together authentic musical material with stylistic takes on current popular tunes. He's truly amazing! Also in this line-up was Natalie Joy Johnson (Broadway's Jeff Hiller"Legally Blonde"), who has some of the most powerful vocals I've heard! Natalie can take any song and belt the heck out of it and Monday was no exception when she sang "The Man That Got Away." Another performer with big vocals is Lady Rizo (Grammy winning singer), who I never heard sing before, but I sure am glad I was introduced to her. Lady Rizo has a voice and she knows how to use it! Lady Rizo sang a wonderfully beautiful version of "Smile," to which the audience loved. Taking the stage right after Lady Rizo was Emily Bergl who I watched this past season as "Beth" on "Desperate Housewives" and now have had the fortunate experience of hearing her sing. Emily has a fantastic voice which radiated as she sang "Zing, Went The Strings of My Heart." It was quite a dramatic performance, which the audience ate up! Luckily, Emily is going to keep singing as she will be performing her own cabaret show this summer at The Algonquin Hotel in NYC. Gay Marshall ("Jacques BrelRyan O'Connor Is Alive…") delighted the audience with her gorgeous and powerful vocals on "Rockabye Your Rockabye Baby." Gay belts it out like nobody's business, such a talent. Then there was Larry Hamilton and Jamaal Wilson who performed a rousing duet of "Get Happy"/"Happy Days Are Here Again." These are also two guys I never heard of, but am thrilled I have now. The vocals they have are unreal! So powerful, skilled, and controlled, it's no wonder the audience went wild! Cole Escola (Logo TV's "Jeffery & Cole Casserole") added to the comedy of the night when he came out dressed in his glittering short shorts and seductively sang "Atchinson, Topeka, Santa Fe." Later in the night, he and Justin did a duet of "A Couple of Swells" which was quite hysterical! Summer & Eve (the folk-musical comedy band featuring Nadia Quinn of "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson") also took the stage and sang "Purple People Eater" which was quite enjoyable. Ending this terrificly hilarious evening was a video of Judy Garland singing "Over The Rainbow," which was the perfect ending to a great evening!

I can't say enough how amazing this evening was! It was a night of laughter, but at the core, it was a night benefiting a really worthwhile cause, The Ali Forney Center. They do terrific work and have helped thousands of homeless GLBT teens get their lives back together.

All of the organizers and performers should be very proud of themselves for together such a successful night! "The Meeting" normally takes place at The Duplex in NYC and will be back in session in September! Hope to see you at "The Meeting" then!