My Son the Waiter, A Jewish Tragedy
Actor/comedian Brad Zimmerman's solo show is about the grit and passion required to 'make it' as an artist and the sweet rewards that come from never giving up on your dream.
... Read moreBrad Zimmerman moved to New York City and “temporarily” waited tables for 29 years, while continuing to pursue his dream of comedic acting. In this part standup/part theatrical piece Brad tells a story of his lengthy journey to make it as an actor in New York, sending up his childhood, his family, his misbegotten love life, and his career.
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- 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Already closed
- The Triad (Upper W Side)
Cast & Creatives (5)
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Reviews (23)
7 Critics' Reviews
"Brad Zimmerman may well have brought many of us a salad or a mac and cheese once. Now, in “My Son the Waiter: A Jewish Tragedy,” he brings us the story of his failure, and it’s pretty delicious...Much of this amiable 90-minute set is distinctly original and bittersweetly on target." Full Review
"Zimmerman is a joy to watch. Possessing an extreme sense of ease onstage, he makes the audience feel right at home. He immediately strikes a perfect balance of self-deprecating humor and observational comedy. And boy does he know how to land a joke. The audience is actually brought to the point of applause quite a few times throughout the show." Full Review
for a previous production "Much of the humor is built on his self-described contempt and resentment for others less talented or more fortunate,. The show is part confessional, part therapy session and part black comedy and the laser-focused, hyper-articulate Zimmerman demands your attention. Thankfully, his story is so compelling, you’ll want to sit forward, listen and laugh." Full Review
for a previous production "Well-paced and only occasionally corny, My Son The Waiter, A Jewish Tragedy may not leave you aching from laughter, but its smart writing has enough humor to it that you’ll be rooting for Brad while getting plenty of solid chuckles." Full Review
for a previous production "“My Son the Waiter” is more a string of vignettes, padded out with club-worthy bits on such topics as airplane food and reality television.It’s all funny stuff, but one gets the sense that Zimmerman is reachingfor something more ambitious.Which is admirable, really. After all, this is a story about the value of perseverance. Being an artist is about the journey, not the destination." Full Review
for a previous production "A play about an actor who has to wait tables in a restaurant for 29 years seems more dramatic than funny. But in the hands of actor/comedian Brad Zimmerman, "My Son the Waiter" is hilarious. The one man play invokes nostalgia of his life and Jewish roots. Zimmerman works without props or music and engages the audience though his timing and comic mannerisms as well as a true story." Full Review
for a previous production "Brad Zimmerman arrived in New York City in 1978 to pursue a career as an actor. Instead, he spent the next 29 years as a waiter. The experience helped shape a finely-honed, one-man show that had the audience laughing throughout the 70-minute performance. His style of delivery is direct, but conversational; deliberate, yet leisurely." Full Review
16 Members' Reviews
See it if you enjoy Borscht belt style comedy and want to hear about the struggle to succeed.
Don't see it if you're tired of hearing about a son disappointing his parents by not being a doctor, lawyer, etc.
See it if You enjoy comedy and a one man show about someone's life. Very well done.
Don't see it if You don't want to hear about his guy's life or troubles. But he is very amusing and it's a fun evening.
See it if you want to see a one man show that brings you on a journey of their life
Don't see it if you are looking for a bigger production
See it if you enjoy good standup comedy.
Don't see it if humor directed to a New York audience has no appeal for you.
See it if you like clever comedy with a message.
Don't see it if If you only like big productions
See it if You enjoy stand-up comedy. It's moreso that than theatre. Jew jokes are plentiful, but not too much. I really enjoyed this.
Don't see it if You are annoyed at paying for a two drink minimum (and it's pricy for just a bottle of water), or don't like standup.
See it if Funny ethnic sweet
Don't see it if If you don't like ethnic humor
See it if You want to see something different.
Don't see it if You want something with a little more substance. It has a very particular POV that while I connected with not everyone would.
See it if You like to laugh. Funny storytelling.
Don't see it if You don't like a one-man show.
See it if you enjoy a solo performance in a club setting-a comedian telling the story of his life, finally succeeding in spite of his Jewish mother.
Don't see it if You don't enjoy some Jewish humor, or don't want to add a 2-drink minimum on to the price of your ticket
See it if enjoy confessional, but enjoyable autobiographical story telling. The rise of a young comic actor
Don't see it if you hate confessional autobiographical story telling. Its a personal story, told well, but it is an extended monologue
See it if You want a few laughs.
Don't see it if You're a type A personality. This is a good show for a few laughs.
See it if Funny
Don't see it if One man show
See it if You have ever suffered the anguish of raising a child.
Don't see it if You're offended by things Jewish.