Fun night with ‘kosher comic’
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Print | Part of the book cover for Mordechai Schmutter’s “A Clever Title Goes Here.” |
So you think you are a comedian?
You can check out how funny you are — whether you have got more guts or yucks — at an open microphone Comedy Night for would-be stand up comedians at Teaneck General Store this Saturday at 8 p.m.
Headlining and hosting the event is humorist Mordechai Schmutter, a Passaic father of four, who writes a weekly Dave Barry-type humor column for the newspaper, Hamodia, and is author of three books — “Don’t Yell ‘Challah’ in a Crowded Matzah Bakery,” “A Clever Title Goes Here,” and “This Side Up,” (Israel Book Shop). He also writes a humorous advice column for the weekly Brooklyn-based Orthodox newspaper, The Jewish Press.
“There aren’t a whole lot of Orthodox Jewish stand ups,” says the 32-year-old Schmutter, who adds that his brand of humor, a take on the absurd and everyday life is, decidedly “kosher.”
When he is not writing or performing, Schmutter, who hails from Monsey, teaches language arts to yeshivah high school boys who, he adds, “don’t think tests are so funny.”
Teaneck General Store owner Bruce Prince says the two-year-old café, bookshop, and gift store on Cedar Lane has hosted comedy nights in the past, a popular activity that has drawn up to 80 people.
This is the first time, however, that Prince — who has hosted poetry readings, classes on Jewish topics, and other special events — has a local funnyman presiding over the comedy evening.
Prince says everyone is invited to come in and enjoy, or get up on stage and try out his or her stuff.
There are no prizes and no gongs; no cane pulling anyone off stage; no Simon Cowell-like jeers. Just a warm atmosphere that promises some fun.
“Hey, anyone willing to do shtick is absolutely welcomed to be part of the evening,” says Prince.
Comedy Night at Teaneck General Store begins at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 7. Teaneck General Store, 502A Cedar Lane, Teaneck. (201) 530-5046. You can email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
