702 Punchlines & Pregnant: The Jackie Mason Musical

Tickets and Information

Highly recommend!
This is a funny, quirky, campy musical, 23 great songs, inspired by a father/daughter relationship that never took place! The outrageous concept alone is worth the price of admission, but the audience walks away with so much more. Ill be humming "I Love the Early Bird Special" the next time I eat in a diner, and after "Truth in Jest", the antics of the insult comedian will never be quite the same. A certain amount of anger and pain must have fueled Sheba Mason to write about her indifferent father, the comedian Jackie Mason, yet she deftly uses humor to mask any lasting bitterness. The writing, singing, and performances are all first rate; I absolutely loved this show! If I have any serious criticism, it concerns a certain imbalance between Acts I and II. The first Act, lasting about an hour and a half, recreates the hectic circumstances under which Jackie met and seduced Shebas mother, Ginger. The second Act barely lasts an hour and abruptly ends with Jackie suddenly changing his mind and deigning to see his newborn daughter wow...what a breakthrough.... I felt like I was dropped off a cliff; I wanted more. The infant that Jackie ignored for the next few decades became a stand-up performer and is the creative force behind this wonderfully funny play. I cant help feeling that by including more of her life as she matured, juxtoposed with Jackies meteoric career, a more complete picture would have been painted of father and daughter, and would have improved the symmetry of the play.

Reviewed by Honey88 on Monday, Jul 4th, 2011

Review: 702 Punchlines & Pregnant Joe & Joe by jgerardi2
WOW - we came to this show by default - long story - but what a wonderful surprise! The best we have seen in years - and we have seen many shows! We go to the theatre at least five times a week not counting opera and classical concerts we frequently attend - this show has HEART and a little piece of all of us in it. Dont let the description fool you - it is NOT a Jackie Mason stand up comedy show - it s a TRUE book musical with two acts that will actually make your day like it did ours! Direction, Choreography, Costumes , Music and Lyrics are top notch as is the talented cast! and you do not have to be Jewish to love it -the show is transparent to all - go and enjoy it - it will stay with you for years to come. rating: 5 stars ? posted on 12/5/2010 at 7:53 PM

Reviewed by tony salvino on Monday, Jan 24th, 2011