Comic relief for Jewish audiences
The Jewish Comedy Showcase, proudly supported by Shalom Collective, presents a mix of seasoned professionals and rising comedic talent.
When Jackie Loeb takes to The Jewish Comedy Showcase stage, she’s most looking forward to being part of an event that brings light and comic relief to what is currently quite a troubled world.
“It’s easy to get swept away and consumed by world events, but it’s also important that the community lets joy and laughter into their lives,” she told The AJN.
Loeb, who has worked all around the world as a stand-up comedian, and has voiced a character in the animated series Trash Trucks, will be headlining the Jewish Comedy Showcase, hosted by Jess Fuchs.
Loeb said it’s particularly fun to perform nuanced material that perhaps wouldn’t land with non-Jews.
“Not everyone is familiar with phrases like ‘Matzah bloat’,” she said.
It’s a sentiment shared by Fuchs.
“Jewish/Yiddish language isn’t as integrated into everyday life in Australia the way it is in the US for example, it means your average goy Aussie audience hears me say schlep or chutzpah and respond with “bless you”,” she told The AJN. “It’s always nice to be in a room full of people who have similar cultural touchpoints. And with such a wide-ranging audience, from an 80-year-old bubbe to an 18-something recent high school graduate, it’s a fun challenge to find jokes that land for everyone.”
The Jewish Comedy Showcase, proudly supported by Shalom Collective, presents a mix of seasoned professionals and rising comedic talent. The lineup includes veteran comedian and writer, David Smiedt, Robyn Reynolds who will be bringing her fresh and clever storytelling to the mix and Zane Friedler who has become a standout in Sydney’s comedy clubs due to his dark humour and razor-sharp wit.
Friedler, Reynolds and Smiedt all agreed with Loeb and Fuchs in saying that they’re most looking forward to providing comic relief.
“Being able to find the “funny” in dire situations will always be cheaper than therapy,” Freidler pointed out, while Reynolds said that shows like the Jewish Comedy Showcase are the only place where she can whip out her Jewish jokes.
“I just love the Jewish sense of humour at these shows,” she said.
For Smiedt, it’s about laughing alongside the community.
“I am most looking forward to having a few laughs with the Jewish community, which has had such a tough few years,” he explained.
Loeb said while she believes “comics are comics” and all comedians want the same outcome – “to make audiences laugh” – she said she’s hoping her fellow comedians have a different perspective on life to her. It makes things more interesting.
When asked what audiences can expect from her set, Loeb answered cheekily.
“Irreverence, insight and advice. Music, merriment and lots of fun,” she said. “Me trying to sell my artwork after the show.”
And, of course, her guitar will be coming along for the ride.
“My guitar is like an extension of my body. It’s like a limb. I know Purim has been and gone but I wrote a Purim song specifically for an event I performed at recently for the COA. I’m bringing the song back for an unrequested encore. Jewish people love to clap along, it’s in our DNA, we can’t help ourselves. So better to clap along to a song than in the middle of my spoken word.”
The Jewish Comedy Showcase is on April 30 at The Comedy Store. Book tickets.
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