Sunday, October 18, 2009

92nd Street Y Presents Lecture Series on Jewish Comedians


The 92nd Streeet Y in Manhattan has started a lecture series on Jewish comedians, focusing on Lenny Bruce, Woody Allen, and Mel Brooks. All three lectures are moderated by Columbia professor Jeremy Dauber, who looks at some of Jewish comedy's great classic voices, the ones who make us think deeply as we laugh heartily.

The first lecture, on Lenny Bruce, was held on October 20. Upcoming talks are scheduled for November 19 (Woody Allen) and February 16 (Mel Brooks). Tickets for November 19 are sold out but some seats may be available one hour before the 7:30 starting time.

Ticket information is available at the 92nd Street Y's web site. Here's a short video preview of the series.


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4 comments:

  1. Jeremy's a great voice on Jews in popular culture, and he went to school with your kids (as you probably remember)...

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  2. And really the series should be called "Male Jewish Comedians." But that's a sore spot.

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  3. Esther, you might have a point if Jeremy covered 10-20 Jewish comedians, but he only covered 3. Which Jewish comedienne would have you have included in that list and who would you have taken out? When I speak publicly about Jewish humor and Jewish comedians, I include Elaine Boosler, Joan Rivers and Sarah Silverman. Maybe even Bette Midler even though people think of her as more of a singer now. There just aren't many female Jewish comics who would be the top category. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Jewish_American_entertainers#Comedians

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