It’s a funny thing trying to arrange a stand-up comedy show in Israel. I had gotten the idea last summer when I was visiting Israel and a social worker friend of mine half jokingly suggested I put on a show for the runaway teenagers she works with. As enticing as it sounded to do stand-up comedy for a a bunch of angry kids, I was on vacation; it was only when I returned to the United States that I realized it wasn’t such a bad idea. Not to perform for the rebellious teenagers, but for the general English-speaking community. That way, even the angry teens could come. I got in touch with a promoter in Israel and he thought it was a great idea.
“We could use some laughs over here.”
No kidding. We tentatively agreed on dates and venues in Israel, and that only left one thing to do: find comics who were willing to go. I personally had no problem going; as an Israeli raised in the United States, I believe it’s an obligation to visit Israel when times get tough. But finding other people to go now is another story.
I began to float the idea around town to gauge reaction. Almost all the comics thought I was nuts.
“I can’t do it, Liberman. I’m doing two weeks in Baghdad during that time.”
OK. I get it. You’re not interested. I promised myself that if it took me months, I’d find some people who were. Yet I wasn’t looking for just anyone, but top-quality comedians; comics who had done “The Tonight Show,” Letterman, etc., to ensure a good show.
Months is what it took, but I finally found two friends in Los Angeles — Wayne Federman and Gary Gulman — and Dan Naturman in New York. All three had done a lot of television, so the quality of the show wasn’t going to be a problem.
Now it was just a matter of logistics: When could everyone come in? How many shows would we perform? Who would our audiences be? After months of aggravation, when I used so many calling cards for Israel that I could have just flown there myself, we finally settled it. (As much as it sickens me to say, the whole process gave me a newfound respect for what agents have to deal with. I only hope mine doesn’t read this: It will go straight to his head.)
When we finally arrived in Israel last June, we learned that one of our shows was canceled, and a few had been moved around. Fine with us — that gave us extra time to kick around in Tel Aviv. Wayne and Gary had never been to Israel before, and Dan had last visited Israel when he was 10. They all fell in love with the country (as most people do). Gary is even convinced he wants to retire there. We were all having such a good time that we nearly forgot why we were there in the first place: Showtime!
Our first show was in Ra’anana,which has a large English-speaking community. There were about 225 tickets sold and suddenly, I got nervous. Not because of the crowd, and not because I didn’t think we could pull it off. I just really wanted the audience to have a good time. I felt a greater responsibility to provide some joy for these people who have suffered through so much terror. If didn’t, I would have felt like I let everyone down.
Before I knew it the show was on and so was I:
“I don’t know if you go to shul normally in your life,” I told the audience, “but when you’re on El Al, you’re going. ‘There’s a plane full of Jews, but we specifically need you.’ The amazing thing is, I was still late…”
The other comics chimed in with their own local jokes:
Dan discussed his frustration at being in Israel: “I was surprised at the number of good-looking girls everywhere…but I can get rejected by hot girls back in the States! What do I need this headache for?”
Wayne summed up the religious conflict perfectly: “When I got to Israel I saw that there are all these different levels of Judaic observance, but one thing I realized is that anyone right above where you are is crazy, and anyone right below you is not really Jewish.”
The show went well, and for a minute it seemed like any other great gig, not a special tour in Israel.
Then one woman came up to me and said something which erased all the stress, worry and aggravation of putting it all together. “I just wanted to thank you. I haven’t had anything to laugh about in over a year,” she said.
Every now and then you’ll walk into a comedy club and hear the other comics say, “So-and-so Big Shot is here. If I can just make him laugh ….”
Well, after years of trying to impress “So-and-so,” it was in Israel that I had my big break. Everything I had ever done in entertainment, and maybe ever will do, were completely dwarfed by her words. Maybe they won’t get me a sitcom, a deal or anything else that we’re supposed to strive for in stand-up, but I didn’t care. I had achieved what I wanted.
So now I’m planning another stand-up tour in Israel, to ensure that this woman — and others like her — don’t have to go another year without an opportunity to laugh.
I know there will be lots of stress and aggravation again in planning this tour, but I also know I’m guaranteed a great payoff.
The comics will reprise their Israel tour at The Pacific Design Center on Dec. 6 at “A Night of Comedy and Soul,” a benefit for The Young Israel of Century City. For more information contact (310) 273-6954, or to find out about the “Israel Comedy Art Fund” email leebo99@aol.com.
Avi Liberman can also be seen on Comedy Central’s “Premium Blend” on Dec. 26th.
