Ashley Blaker

Ashley Blaker was funny! Fun night out! Lots of laughs!

After reading the review in the New York Times, I was very excited to see this performance. I'm a Reform Jew, but the review said that even secular audiences found the act very entertaining & amusing. I expected to enjoy some good comedy and perhaps learn something. As a Reform Jew, I was prepared to not be able to understand some of the references, but, between Mr. Blaker's accent and his rapid-fire speech, I think there were a lot of references I would've picked up via context if he'd articulated more clearly and spoken just a bit more slowly. As advertised, most of the comedy was either self-deprecating or just commentary on the humor that arises from trying to integrate strict observance of ancient laws with modern society. But I noticed that the audience members who were clearly Orthodox (the vast majority of the audience), who arrived excited and boisterous, didn't seem to find the show particularly entertaining, even though they were clearly the target audience. Their responses and laughter were startlingly tepid and unenthusiastic, leading me to believe that my not being Orthodox was not the main reason that I didn't find the act enjoyable. They left considerably quieter than the way they entered, which is not the way a comedy show is supposed to work. There was a (blissfully short) warm-up by a comedienne who could barely get a polite laugh. Mr. Blaker would be best off just coming out on his own. In addition, in complaining about some of the annoyances that can come from communal praying, he mentioned the men who are constantly rattling & shaking, and men who never walk but only shuffle. There's a good possibility that those men could have Parkinson's Disease or some other neurological disorder, and that the shufflers could be older men &/or people with balance issues. For all the piece was lauded for its political correctness, I found this offensive. I'm glad that the reviewer so enjoyed the performance, but no one in the audience during the performance I attended did.

His perspective is eye opening and bull s eye funny without being disrespectful. What a great show! Perfect theatre setting too!

An amazing surprise - such fun and humor !! His perspective was insightful and entertaining - go see it - !

The improbability of a BBC producer from Edgeware, with peyot and a wicked sense of humor is enough to get a laugh. Add in the Jewish obsession with sushi, the service on ElAl, and asides on shackling and you have the grist for an evening of very Jewis comedy. We loved it!

Only go if you are religious since I was lost with some of his orthodox jokes

A small intimate gathering in a friendly theater. A very clever comedy show

Managed to see this show last year and still laugh when I think about it. Ashley strikes the right balance between quality material and engagement with the audience too. An evening to remember and I hope to see him again soon.

Such a funny show. My friends and I went together after work in December. I also secretly have a crush on Ashley but I haven't told my friends!

Caught his show last year- a must see! Really funny original material had everyone in stitches. Took my 16 year old nephew and he loved it too! Daven to get a ticket!