The Most Jewish Show on Broadway

Comedian Jeff Ross’s "Take a Banana for the Ride" is surprisingly deep and deeply Jewish.

For decades, Jeff Ross has been best known as the “Roastmaster General,” for his gift of turning celebrity insult comedy into an art form. His Comedy Central roasts became cultural events, and in 2024, he roasted Tom Brady so hard it became Netflix’s most-watched live broadcast. Part of his appeal is that he’s got the charm of a teddy bear with claws that leave a mark.

So, when I was gifted comp tickets to see his Broadway debut solo show, I was both intrigued and a little puzzled.

I’ll admit: my expectations were low walking into the theater. It sounded like a gimmick for a stand-up set dressed up with Broadway marketing. Fun, sure. Groundbreaking? Probably not.

But I was wrong. “Take a Banana for the Ride” isn’t just a comedy show. It’s 80 minutes of tightly-crafted transformation that earns its Broadway spectacle. Ross offers a raw meditation on love, loss, and the resilience that comes with surviving more than your share of tsuris. What emerges is deeply moving, surprisingly tender, and yes, very funny.

***

For my full review, read it here on Unpacked, where I’ll be covering more Jewish arts and culture pieces.

(I also have this fun author bio now. Maybe I should tack this on to all my Substacks.)