Jackie Mason, widely regarded as one of the greatest stand-up comics of all time, is performing at the NYCB Theatre at Westbury on Saturday, Sept. 21. Now more popular than ever, Mason combines political satire, observations on the foibles of modern life and impeccable timing to create material that leaves audiences laughing until they cry and critics raving show after show.
From humble beginnings in New York, the Borscht Belt, and comedy clubs around the country, Jackie Mason rose to be one the hottest comics in America in the early 1960s. He reached the apex of American entertainment culture when he became a regular performer on the nation’s preeminent television variety program, “The Ed Sullivan Show.”
A triumphant return to New York with the one-man show, “The World According to Me” began its unprecedented two and a half year run on Broadway in December 1986, earning glowing reviews and re-establishing Mason as one of the nation’s premier comics. The show earned Mason a Tony award, an Outer Critics Circle award, an Ace award, an Emmy award, and a Grammy nomination. It toured successfully in America and Europe for two years.
Mason hit Broadway a number of times in the next 25 years, including in 1990 with “Jackie Mason: Brand New,” in 1999 with “Much Ado about Everything,” in 2005 with “Freshly Squeezed,” and in 2008 with “The Ultimate Jew.” He garnered consistent commercial success and collected an array of nominations and awards including an Emmy and an Ace award for the HBO special, “Jackie Mason on Broadway.”
Over the years, Mason has appeared in a variety of films and television shows, most notably “Caddyshack II” which won him a new, younger following, and the TV sitcom, “Chicken Soup,” which taught him that he’s only happy when he’s performing his own material. Recently, Mason started a new phase of his career, producing feature films with his manager and wife Jyll, and also starring in them.
South African President Nelson Mandela, Great Britain’s Oxford University, and scores of other organizations around the world have honored Mason. With eight Royal Command performances for Queen Elizabeth II, Mason has had the honor more than any other American entertainer, and is the only American to host the show.
The show is at 7 p.m. Tickets are $29.50 – $69.50 plus applicable service charges and are available now online at www.ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 800-745-3000 or at the Westbury box office. Event, date and time are subject to change. For more information, visit: www.thetheatreatwestbury.com.
