Jackie Hoffman Brings "The Kvetching Continues" Back To LA

Why would sell-out crowds drive through lightning, thunder, floods and mudslides just to hear this crazy woman rant? During the height of the January monsoon, Jackie Hoffman's solo show, The Kvetching Continues, played to rave reviews and SRO audiences at the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's Renberg Theatre. Among her legion of new fans and admirers -- Lily Tomlin, Jenifer Lewis, Jerry Stiller & Ann Meara and Lainie Kazan. Demand for tickets was so great that "the crankiest woman in show business" is returning for two more weekends of riotous comedy and music. Once again directed by Michael Schiralli (Varla Jean Merman's Under a Big Top, Miss Coco Peru Is Undaunted), Ms. Hoffman will play six shows on April 8, 9, 10, 15, 16 and 17, 2005; Friday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m.

The Kvetching Continues holds the record as the longest-running show in the history of New York's famous cabaret venue, Joe's Pub, where it garnered ecstatic reviews and sold-out crowds. About its West Coast debut at the Renberg in January, The Los Angeles Times raved: "Mercilessly acerbic and devastatingly funny, 'Kvetching' is a whirlwind tour of Hoffman's career, family and love life filtered through her keen eye for absurdity and the lifelong baggage of Jewish guilt. From the moment she enters…the diminutive Hoffman's bigger-than-life presence electrifies the stage in classic showbiz style… Complimenting her brassy satirical songs and perfect comic delivery, Hoffman's hysterical spot-on characterizations skewer celebrities, single Jewish women (specimens from a Hadassah mixer transported to a gay sex club), and, of course, her mother, who taught her to see the dark cloud in every silver lining."

"Hoffman's endearingly bitter, explosively funny new solo show…is a world-class kvetch," said Variety. "Attention must be paid!" "Bitterness is oh so sweet," chimed the New York Times. "Jackie Hoffman is one refreshingly talented and funny woman."

Jackie Hoffman received a Theatre World Award for her work in Broadway's Hairspray. Her other theatrical credits include Book of Liz (Obie Award), Straightjacket, Incident at Cobbler's Knob and One Woman Shoe (Jeff Award). Film credits include Garden State, A Dirty Shame, Legally Blonde II, Kissing Jessica Stein, Large's Ark, Mo' Money and Freaky Friday.

The Kvetching Continues is produced by Jon Imparato for the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's Lily Tomlin Jane Wagner Cultural Arts Center. Net proceeds from the performances will benefit the complete range of services and programs provided by the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center.

The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center provides a broad array of services for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, welcoming nearly a quarter-million client visits from ethnically diverse youth and adults each year. Through its Jeffrey Goodman Special Care Clinic, on-site pharmacy, and many other programs designed specifically for the community, the Gay & Lesbian Center is home to a spectrum of free and low-cost health, mental health, HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention, advocacy, legal, social, cultural, and educational services, including unique programs for youth, families and seniors. Information about the Gay & Lesbian Center and its programs and services is available on the Web at www.laglc.org.

Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00 p.m.
Sundays at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: Fridays & Saturdays $25 • Sundays $20
Call 323-860-7300.
The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's Renberg Theatre (200-seat mid-size theatre)
The Village at Ed Gould Plaza
1125 N. McCadden Place, Hollywood
(One block east of Highland, just north of Santa Monica Blvd.)
Free parking across the street from The Village.

The Kvetching Continues
Written and performed by Jackie Hoffman
Directed by Michael Schiralli
April 8-17, 2005