Interview: Sam Hoffman Creator of OLD JEWS TELLING JOKES

The Off-Broadway comedy revue, OLD JEWS TELLING JOKES will be performed at George Street Playhouse (GSP) in New Brunswick, New Jersey for a limited run through January 3, 2016. The show was inspired by the website OldJewsTellingJokes.com that was created by Sam Hoffman. Hoffman's book, based on the site, is now in its fourth printing. The hilarious sensation was adapted for the stage by Daniel Okrent and Peter Gethers. Broadwayworld.com had the fascinating opportunity to interview Sam Hoffman.

Hoffman has enjoyed a 20-year-and-counting career in the New York feature film and television industry in producing, directing, and assistant directing capacities. He is currently producing the 2nd Season of the CBS series Madam Secretary starring Téa Leoni and has worked with such directors as Wes Anderson, Richard Linklater, Woody Allenand Nicholas Hytner. It was in 2009 that he created the renowned website www.OldJewsTellingJokes.com. The site's video portraits have been viewed over 25 million times, been released on DVD, and broadcast on the BBC.

Hoffman is originally from Highland Park and attended University of Pennsylvania as an undergraduate. He planned to continue his education in law school as he came from a "family of lawyers." But in his senior year, he took a filmmaking course. Hoffman said that he was hooked. It was the inspiration for his enormously successful and creative career.

In 2008 Hoffman partnered with Tim Williams and Eric Spiegelman of Jetpack Media to do short portraits of people and jokes for the website OldJewsTellingJokes.com. Amongst the first videos they made were his parents, Barnett and Diane Hoffman and their cronies. This first round of jokes was filmed in a makeshift studio in a donated storefront on Raritan Avenue in Highland Park. "Having the play come to New Brunswick is like having it come home." Hoffman said that GSP has always been a top theatre in New Jersey and recalled that Eric Krebs, the Producing Director of the Playhouse when he was growing up, "lived around the corner."

Hoffman talked about the concept of OLD JEWS TELLING JOKES. "The jokes are funnier because they are being told by older people. A joke by an 80 year-old is much more humorous than the same one told by a 30 year-old." He pointed out that the pieces are universally funny. "They are myth stories that are archetypal." He is very pleased with the stage show production. "Dan and Peter got it just right with the adaptation."

We asked Hoffman about some of the people who have inspired his career. "I have had the great luck to be able to apprentice to and work with amazing directors that have included Mike Nichols, Mel Brooks and Woody Allen. I have been exposed to a veritable smorgasbord of directing styles from the best in the business."

Hoffman is currently occupied with the production of the hit CBS television series, Madam Secretary. But he still finds some time to develop and prep other projects. In the spring, when the series is on hiatus, he will be directing a film that he wrote, "Humor Me," that has some of the same elements as OLD JEWS TELLING JOKES. "It's about a playwright that goes to live with his joke-telling father in a retirement home."

We asked Hoffman what he'd like to convey to area audiences. "I would love people to know that OLD JEWS TELLING JOKES is a great night out in New Brunswick. The show is born and bred in Central Jersey."

Visit the Old Jews Telling Jokes website at http://oldjewstellingjokes.com/. You can purchase Sam Hoffman's book on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Old-Jews-Telling-Jokes-Not-So-Kosher/dp/0345522354.

George Street Playhouse is located at 9 Livingston Avenue in the heart of New Brunswick's vibrant downtown dining and entertainment district. Showtimes for OLD JEWS TELLING JOKES are Wednesdays at 7 p.m., Thursdays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tickets range from $45.00 to $65.00 and can be purchased by calling 732-246-7717 or by visiting www.georgestreetplayhouse.org. . Groups of 12 or more may call Marla at1-888-264-1788.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Sam Hoffman

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