Review: Journey Back to Borscht Belt Glory Days at A NIGHT IN THE CATSKILLS

3,000 Miles Off Broadway Productions is presenting A NIGHT IN THE CATSKILLS, a Borscht Belt Variety Show on the Debbie Reynolds Mainstage at the historic El Portal Theatre, originally built as a vaudeville house in 1926 in the NOHO Arts District, for a special three-performance engagement on Saturday, September 29 at 3pm and 8pm and Sunday, September 30 at 2pm. Filled with variety, comics, music and just all-around fun, this show harkens back to the days before television when up and coming performers went from hotel to hotel to hone their performances in the days before Las Vegas even existed.

For those too young to remember those days, just think about the movie "Dirty Dancing" to get a sense of the rustic environment known as The Catskills, referred to the "Mountains" or the "Borscht Belt" about ninety minutes north of New York City, which was the place to be for Jewish families to enjoy an escape from the big city during the hot summer months of the 50's and 60's. Days were spent eating, exercising, eating, dancing, napping, eating, laying in the sun, then getting a nosh before enjoying each evening's entertainment featuring a great many of the comedians who began their careers there before becoming major stars.

The host of the show is Herschel Fox who since 1981, has been the cantor of Valley Beth Shalom in Encino, California, one of the leading Conservative congregations in North America. But he is also one of America's favorite Yiddish artists who worked as a Yiddish actor from 1970-1981 touring North America. His inherent understanding of the emotions and attitudes necessary to really communicate properly in Yiddish, makes him the perfect person to host A NIGHT IN THE CATSKILLS, especially since he appeared in countless nightclubs, theatres, and synagogues throughout the United States and is fluent in Yiddish and Hebrew.

But even before the show begins, prepare to be welcomed into the theater by Dee Dee Hanson as Joan Rivers, mimicking her to a tee both in appearance, voice, sense of humor and mannerisms. Often accompanied by onstage musicians Bob Remstein on keyboards and Gary Grantham on drums, additional entertainers during the show included talented Comedian and Impressionist Scott Wood (Mr. Punchline) who kept the audience laughing non-stop, and my favorite act of the evening began Act 2 when hysterical Puppeteers Kevin Carlson and James Murray did their best (and succeeded) to comically teach non-Yiddish speakers the cultural mindset necessary to speak the intensely descriptive language properly.

Broadway Singer Jill Marie Burke belted with the best, and Comedy Magician Pete McLeod took me back to my childhood birthday parties when my parents hired a magician to entertain with the simplest tricks that still amazed and dazzled us.

Other specialty acts included Violinist David Klingenberg whose flying fingers kept me spellbound, Singer Scott Drier whose renditions of Doris Day hits were an audience favorite, and The Rhythmatic Tap Company whose 5-person act appeared to be exactly like what those trying to break into the business would have performed to get noticed, rounded out the show.

So while we can't go back in time, we can go back to Grossingers in the glory days up in the Mountains at the El Portal in North Hollywood for A NIGHT IN THE CATSKILLS. Ticket prices $40 - $55 with special onstage seating for a select few. But be forewarned, the onstage seats, while including a bottle of champagne or other drinks to enjoy during the show, are upstage resulting in those folks always seeing "my best side" (backside) of each performer during the entire show. For tickets and information please call 818-508-4200 or online at www.elportaltheatre.com.

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