From ‘Hairspray’ to ‘South Park,’ composer Marc Shaiman tells a story shaped by Jewish humor

In his new memoir “Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner,” Marc Shaiman reflects on a life shaped by ...
The New York Times

Is It Funny for the Jews?

For a cultural critic, a sense of humor is integral to his Jewish identity. But these dark times raise existential questions about comedy and its uses. Credit...Chloe Cushman Supported by By Jason ...
The Jewish Exponent

‘Funny Girl’ Tour Casts Non-Jewish Actor as Fanny Brice, Reigniting ‘Jewface’ Criticism

The announcement last week that Katerina McCrimmon would star as Fanny Brice in the national tour of “Funny Girl,” the Broadway musical about a trailblazing Jewish comedian, has ignited criticism from ...
MinnPost

‘Making Trouble’: a film on being funny, female, Jewish

For a documentary about comedy, “Making Trouble” has a funny name. I mean “funny” as in odd, not “funny” as in, you know, hilarious — even though the film itself has lots of humor. In other words: ...
The Jewish Exponent

‘Funny Girl,’ One of the Most Jewish Broadway Musicals, Heads to Philadelphia

“Funny Girl” may be the most Jewish Broadway musical this side of “Fiddler on the Roof.” And like “Fiddler,” it debuted on Broadway 60 years ago, in 1964. The touring production of “Funny Girl” is ...
The Forward

Beanie Feldstein is the new ‘Funny Girl’ — but Jewish actresses don’t always get the Jewish role

Beanie Feldstein will play Fanny Brice in the upcoming revival of “Funny Girl” on Broadway. But it’s far from given that a Jewish actress gets to play a strong Jewish role. Tracy-Ann Oberman, famous ...
Jewish Journal

Riffing on being Jewish — and other funny things

Max Rosenblum. Photo courtesy of Max Rosenblum. When Max Rosenblum returns home to Los Angeles on March 22, it won’t be to simply visit his parents or check out his favorite haunts. He’s coming to ...
Washington Examiner

Funny, But I Do Look Jewish

FUNNY, BUT I DO LOOK JEWISH, at least to myself, and more and more so as the years go by. I’m fairly sure I didn’t always look Jewish, not when I was a boy, or possibly even when a young man, though I ...
Jewish Journal

Funny, They Don’t Sound Jewish

Laura Bush on Howard Stern; J. Lo waking up with a pimple on her nose; Homer Simpson running for governor of California. No, it’s not a slow day on “Live on E!” It’s a game of “Scenes from a Hat” — ...