Got a chance to see Judy Gold’s Off-Broadway Show this weekend — the self-titled Judy Show — and it was absolutely hilarious.
The show hardly needs my humble little recommendation. It’s been praised by the New York Times, New York Magazine, and Time Out New York. It opened for a limited run over the summer and has been extended multiple times, most recently through November 27th.
Judy Gold fans will enjoy her stand-by Jewish mother schtick. And the premise — “My life as a sitcom” — has plenty of nostalgic and ironic appeal for those of us Gen Xers who escaped through television during the discontents of a middle class, suburban dysfunctional upbringing.
As a journey through Judy’s childhood and young adulthood–a tall, awkward Jewish girl looking for love, acceptance and a break as a comedienne–it also has unexpectedly heartwarming moments. A reflection on the early death of her father, who wanted to support Judy’s coming out, though she wasn’t ready to deal with it herself, is all poignancy and no schmaltz.
You can see the Jewishness was contagious.
The Judy Show is on an extended run at the DR2 Theatre at Union Square. Discounted tickets are available here.
