What can be better than having that craved deli meal
at Ben’s Kosher Deli followed by a performance by three comics (and guest comic
as well)? David Dczegledi, manager of
the location at the Bay Terrace Shopping Center, decided to incorporate the
comedians with a short choice menu that began with three latkes per person
(accompanied by apple sauce).
It was a sell-out crowd for this second event of
dinner and a show that even had former Manager, Hal Simon attending. Dinner began at 7 pm with the usual rye bread,
sour and half sour pickles and cole slaw. Entrée choices were: brisket of beef, turkey
or half of a roasted chicken. Perfect for the crowd attending. Brisket was quite moist and did not need the
gravy. You then had a choice of a “side”
of: kasha varnishkes, mushroom and barley, vegetables, mashed or French fried
potatoes. Having attended with another person, we ordered the kasha and
mushroom sharing he two. Unlimited soda
or coffee, I just had to have the cream soda, not drinking it since I lived in
the Bronx back in the 50’s. Dessert was
rugalach. We each got one chocolate and one raspberry.
Czegedi did not have to audition
the comedians as he employed a company called The Wilshire Comedy Group, run by
comic Alan Streisfeld, who hosts comedy shows such as this at restaurants in
Long Island.
Upon reading this review, it is
important that I share that I have a background of being a comedian, singer,
and actress many years ago with theatre, films, and night clubs. I have also
taught comedy workshops.
First up was Alan Kimbarow, who was
also introducing the acts. With his
large physique, he began talking about his nickname of “Big Al.” He apparently was not getting the laughs that
he expected and kept mentioning his nickname.
When that didn’t work, he went straight for the sex humor after pausing
long enough to figure out what to say. What
is it about male comics not having enough material to not degrade their wives
(whether they have them or not) or mother-in-law? I was personally bored with him and did not
find anything he said as being humorous.
Next
came Les Bayer who plays the banjo and delivers one-liners. It was like hearing
a less professional version of Henny Youngman without the perfectly timed delivery.
Bayer was only a bit more humorous and still
needed to poke fun of his ex-wife and dating with emphasis on the female
looking badly. Get with the times, guys.
Women are fighting back this year! I
hope the two of you change your underwear more than you change your material!
Did
the trend end? At this point I thought I
was attending a “showcase” rather than a show. Thank goodness for Peter
Bales, who is an Associate Professor of History and Political Science at
Queensborough Community College as his “day job.” In addition Bales teaches comedy with
Stand-Up University at the Brokerage Comedy Club in Bellmore.
Bales was given the longest amount of time and the
audience loved him so much that they were not shy in throwing out their own
funny lines. He not only had a great rapport but a pretty funny (but not
hilarious) act without having to degrade anyone, taking every opportunity to
engage the audience. It all boils down
to the response from the attendees and whether their time proved to be more
than just “light-hearted.”
Dinner goers left happy and with doggy bags. No one
cried, “Where’s the beef!” Dczegledi said that he will be scheduling another
dinner/show in a few months. I certainly encourage him to do so. We need this
type of local evening activity. Hey, and
parking is free.
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