Christmas in the Catskills 2: A Star is Borscht

Tony Braithwaite has done it again! Last year’s sold-out run of “Christmas in the Catskills” was so successful that Act II is bringing another installation of the comedy of the 1950’s and 60’s in the Catskill Mountains, to the stage at Act II Playhouse. It was outstanding. Braithwaite is remarkable in portraying so many comedy legends- some for only one or two lines, others for a very short routine of jokes- that for 85 minutes, you are totally captivated while laughing your head off!

            It begins with a short comedic song, The Borscht Belt Song, as Braithwaite, accompanied by the outstanding pianist on stage, Dan Matarazzo, prepares us for what is to come while telling jokes. After all, the Catskills in upstate New York, was referred to as the Borscht Belt. Braithwaite tells us that it was like the Bible Belt for Jews. That’s where, when Jews weren’t allowed into so many resorts and hotels elsewhere in the country, they created their own community and where Jews could enjoy lodging, food, recreational sports, and entertainment, particularly comedians. From the Yiddish stage to Vaudeville to the Catskills, Braithwaite gives us a ton of them!

            Whoever heard of Nathan Birnbaum, Melvin Kaminsky, Benjamin Kubelsky, Joan Molinsky, Yaakov Moshe Maza, or Jacob Cohen? I could name dozens more. These were the given names of George Burns, Mel Brooks, Jack Benny, Joan Rivers, Jackie Mason, and Rodney Dangerfield.  These are a few of the many that Braithwaite has researched to discover the jokes and monologues as he brings them to us with their voices. Dressed in his own black suit and bow tie, he still manages to become these comedians as he throws out their one-liners at us. 

            There were jokes with sexual innuendos, jokes about Jewish mothers, jokes about simply living. From materials from the 2000-year-old man of Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner to the “I don’t get no respect” of Rodney Dangerfield to “Can We Talk” of Joan Rivers,” he tosses out lines from Mort Sahl, Phyllis Diller, Buddy Hackett, Danny Kaye, and Jerry Lewis.

            I will not begin to try to relate the many jokes, but they were not only uproariously funny, they were smart as well. In my review last year, I confessed to laughing out loud often. I was laughing even more this time.

            Interspersed between the routines, were two other aspects of the show. Before it began, audience members were asked to fill out brief cards of any memories they had of vacations in the Catskills. Then, he is presented with those cards on stage and his fast ad-lib responses were also a riot. In addition, there were a few very brief clips of people on a screen who gave their responses to questions about their stays at Grossinger’s, Kutsher’s, The Concord, The Nevele, or Browns, five of the many resorts for Jewish travelers, known for their quality. It was fun to watch.

            The team of Braithwaite, Matarazzo, Nick Cardillo, and Patricia G. Sabato did and extraordinary job of collecting materials and piecing them together for this year’s production. Sadly for theater goers, I learned that the entire run has already sold out. I would recommend buying a season subscription to Act II because they do such great work with all their shows. And I hope they stage “Christmas in the Catskills” next year, with even more jokes.

“Christmas in the Catskills 2: A Star is Borscht” created by Tony Braithwaite, Nick Cardillo, Dan Matarazzo, and Patricia G. Sabato at Act II Playhouse, 56 E. Butler Avenue., Ambler, PA 19002, 215-654-0200,   act2.org   thru December 29, 2024