Six Jewish comedy stars, ranging from Tik-Tok trendsetters to TV actors, are scheduled to appear in the Kansas City area over the next few months.
Phil Rosenthal - Aug. 16, Uptown Theater
Though not a comedian, Phil Rosenthal has extensive experience in comedy as the creator and executive producer of the sitcom “Everybody Loves Raymond” and star of the travel show “Somebody Feed Phil.” The 65-year-old creator is the son of German Holocaust survivors.
Rosenthal will be appearing at the Uptown Theater in Kansas City, Missouri, at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16, for a moderated discussion about his travels, TV career, friends and family. More information is available at uptowntheater.com.
Jared Freid - Sept. 19-20, KC Funny Bone
Massachusetts- born comedian Jared Freid made his name in New York City comedy clubs. Freid is best-known for hosting a game show, “How Low Will You Go: Snapchat;” appearances on TV shows such as The Today Show and The Tonight Show; hosting his “JTrain Podcast;” and his Netflix comedy special, “Jared Freid: 37 & Single.”
Freid will perform two shows each on Friday, Sept. 19, and Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Kansas City Funny Bone. More information is available at kc.funnybone.com.
Adam Ray - Oct. 10-11, KC Funny Bone
Adam Ray is a 42-year-old comedian known for his YouTube videos, TV and movie appearances and his parody impressions of Phil McGraw (“Dr. Phil”).
Ray will perform on Oct. 10 and 11 at the Kansas City Funny Bone. More information is available at kc.funnybone.com.
Ben Schwartz - Oct. 24, The Midland Theatre
Actor and comedian Ben Schwartz is best-known for his recurring role as “Jean-Ralphio Saperstein” on the sitcom “Parks and Recreation.” Never hiding his Jewishness, he once posted on social media that his DNA test revealed him to be 99.4% Ashkenazi Jewish.
Schwartz will perform at 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 24, at The Midland Theatre. More information is available at midlandkc.com/events/detail/942712.
Steve Hofstetter - Oct. 30, KC Funny Bone
Steve Hofstetter is a 45-year-old New York-born comedian known for his audience interactions. He’s released various comedy albums and five books. Hofstetter is also known for his sports knowledge, having been featured on ESPN and the MLB Network.
Hofstetter will perform at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30, at the Kansas City Funny Bone. More information is available at stevehofstetter.com/calendar.cfm.
Gianmarco Soresi - Nov. 21, KC Funny Bone
Gianmarco Soresi, born to a Jewish mother and Italian father, is known for his stand-up comedy, podcast and social media clips of audience interactions at his shows. After a Netflix comedy special appearance, The New York Times called him “a Jewish comic who alternates between silkily feline physicality and frenetic gesticulation."
Soresi will perform two shows each on Friday, Nov. 21, and Saturday, Nov. 22, at the Kansas City Funny Bone. More information is available at gianmarcosoresi.com/tour.
(Photo credits to Louise Palanker, Willthacheerleader18, We Might Be Drunk Podcast, Our Movie Guide and Albin Olsson, respectively, of Wikimedia Commons)
