Monica Piper’s Jewish heart – NOT-THAT JEWISH at New World Stages
America needs to lough these days and what could be better than Jewish humor.
The One Woman show-Not that Jewish -happens to be a very ! Jewish comedy. Heart felt and funny.
Written and performed by Monica Piper. A short Jewish woman. A dynamo on stage. Her creative energy flows through chapters of her life. Sometimes you don’t know whether to cry or to lough but before you make up your mind she carries you over that bridge and you lough again.
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A very minimal stage design of 4 parts welcomes the audience. A bit surprising to see a suspended geometrical structure made up of squares and rectangles painted in boring brown as the backdrop to the stage. “Doesn’t feel very Jewish”, “too minimal…” you hear comments from the audience. But when the show begins the structures are transformed into living photos and create the extra dimension- depth for the show.
Monica Piper’s Jewish heart NOT-THAT JEWISH at New World Stages
Ms Piper, the only living person on stage, walks or jumps between the 3 simply decorated parts of the stage that give a feeling of being in many places at the same time. She actually has the ability to make us see ourselves in these places. She referees to dark times in her life like old friends that you get used to, except them with their up’s and downs and move on with a smile. like when she had to break to her misbehaving “teen-AGER” son, that she has breast cancer. She tells us emotionally how difficult it was, “He came over and gave me the biggest strongest hug ever and told me 3 important words…I’ll make the dishes!”
Throughout the show she spices up her monologue with DELICIOUS Jewish words that most of us heard from our parents and grandparents. Like SHMEGEGGE or FARBISSINA PUNIM. For those of us that didn’t grow up with Yiddish in their lives she made sure they understand what she was talking about.
The Playbill of the New World Stages comes equipped with a dictionary card. On it under the title YIDDISH 101-“You don’t have to be Jewish to Schmooze like a Pro!” are listed 11 Yiddish words with their translations. A great preparation for the show. On the other side of the card with a smiling face she asks.” Be a Mensch Post A Review” This approach gives us all a feeling that we’re all part of the Mishpuhe. Indeed, in many parts in the show we can identify with and feel as if she’s talking about our lives.
“A Jewish Heart” | Not That Jewish from DR Theatrical on Vimeo.
The famous Dr Oz recently said and published on Newsmax :Laughter Benefits Heart and Mind.
“When you’re laughing, the sun comes shinning through” are the lyrics to the song “When you’re Smiling” Monica Piper is truly awesome for all ages.
So do yourself a favor and go to see her as she celebrates over 100 performances at New World Stages, off Broadway in New York city. Your Jewish Heart will THANK YOU !
