The Jewish Catskill resorts of the 20th Century were a summer paradise for millions and the birthplace of great comic careers. Mel Brooks, Sid Caesar, Rodney Dangerfield, Joan Rivers, Jackie Mason, and many others learned to win laughs from the patrons of Grossingers, Browns, The Concord, Kutchers, and The Nevele, just to name a few. Entertainment historian John Kenrick offers a multimedia talk on this rich comic tradition, with hilarious video clips and tales of the golden age of Borscht Belt comedy.

John Kenrick has worked in the theatre at every level from amateur to Broadway, eventually serving as personal assistant to six Tony Award winning producers, including the team behind the original production of Rent. He has taught musical theatre history courses at New York University’s Steinhardt School, The New School University, and Philadelphia’s University of the Arts. John’s books include Musical Theatre: A History. He is the creator of the educational website Musicals101.com and is a founding curator for the new Museum of Broadway in NYC.

Free for JCC Members; $15 guest; $80 guest pass for the semester

*If you want to experience the Catskills in person, please join the JCC MetroWest, as we take a day trip to Resorts World Catskills on Wednesday, September 25th. Please contact Michele Bernstein at 973-530-3447 for more information.