
A Skirball Academy Class
John Kenrick:
Jews in American Comedy
Couldn’t we all use a few laughs? Jews have been providing them on stage, screen and television for decades, triumphing as writers, performers and filmmakers. What led them to become so prominent in comedy? And how has Jewish heritage influenced their approach to humor? Entertainment historian John Kenrick returns to shine a spotlight on some of the funniest talents of the last hundred or so years, with backstage lore and plenty of hilarious performance videos.
The Marx Brothers: The Four Horsemen of the Apoplexy
Borscht Belt: The Comic Legacy of the Jewish Alps
Hail Caesar!: How Sid & His Legion Conquered American Comedy
Mel Brooks: It’s Good to Be the King
Joan Rivers: Can We Talk?
Neil Simon: America’s Playwright
Mondays, 6:30 – 8:00 PM
March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, April 7
$220 | $150 Temple Emanu-El members
Free for Friends of Streicker
OFFERED IN-PERSON
Skirball Academy General Information
Jane Moyse Gilder Chair in American Jewish History

An entertainment historian, John Kenrick has worked in the theatre at every level, eventually serving as personal assistant to six Tony Award–winning producers, including the team behind the original production of Rent. He has taught at NYU, The New School and the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, is creator of the website Musicals101.com and founding curator for the new Museum of Broadway.
Mondays, 6:30 – 8:00 PM
March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, April 7
$220 | $150 Temple Emanu-El members
Free for Friends of Streicker
Couldn’t we all use a few laughs? Jews have been providing them on stage, screen and television for decades, triumphing as writers, performers and filmmakers. What led them to become so prominent in comedy? And how has Jewish heritage influenced their approach to humor? Entertainment historian John Kenrick returns to shine a spotlight on some of the funniest talents of the last hundred or so years, with backstage lore and plenty of hilarious performance videos.
The Marx Brothers: The Four Horsemen of the Apoplexy
Borscht Belt: The Comic Legacy of the Jewish Alps
Hail Caesar!: How Sid & His Legion Conquered American Comedy
Mel Brooks: It’s Good to Be the King
Joan Rivers: Can We Talk?
Neil Simon: America’s Playwright
OFFERED IN-PERSON
Skirball Academy General Information
Jane Moyse Gilder Chair in American Jewish History

An entertainment historian, John Kenrick has worked in the theatre at every level, eventually serving as personal assistant to six Tony Award–winning producers, including the team behind the original production of Rent. He has taught at NYU, The New School and the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, is creator of the website Musicals101.com and founding curator for the new Museum of Broadway.