SHALOM DAMMIT!
Quotes & Raves
Audience Responses to productions at the Richmond Shepard Theater (March 2012) and the Roy Arias Theater (Aug. 2012) in NYC
"I expected Shalom Dammit! to be whimsical and funny, and it is — very. I did not expect it also to be biting and edgy, but it is — very. All in all, a singular entertainment and a stimulating and exhilarating experience." (Roy Sander, theater critic, BistroAwards.com)
“He certainly captures our real-life experiences as Jews growing up. No guilt in seeing this great show!” (Ilene & Charlie Greinsky, audience members)
“Shalom Dammit! calls to mind . . . the more political, more biting, commentators of another ilk. We think of Mort Sahl, Lenny Bruce, Jackie Mason, Jerry Seinfeld . . . Salient, at times hilarious, comments . . . brilliantly carving up and dissecting each religion.” (Irene Backalenick, theater critic, jewish-theatre.com. Full review: http://www.jewish-theatre.com/visitor/article_display.aspx?articleID=3673)
“A hilarious, irreverent, comprehensive view of all things Jewish. A ‘no-holds-barred’ experience not to missed. The Rabbi says the things you know you are thinking, is ‘in-your-face,’ and you’ll love him for it.” (Barry Silber, audience member)
“If you are looking to laugh at yourself a little and at everyone else a lot more, this would be a good show to attend.” (Ed Malin, theater critic, nytheatre.com. Full review: http://www.nytheatre.com/Show/Review/shal14269)
“Rabbi Sol . . . keeps the audience laughing as he kvetches through his passionate sermon about what it means to be a Jew. [He] presents his views with wit and passion.” (Vera Greene, theater critic, Don411.com, Full review: http://don411.com/news/view/4844-vera-greene-s-review-of-shalom-dammit-a...)
"Aside from proving himself to be a highly clever lyricist, [co-author] David Lefkowitz give us an entertaining evening and the most unique view on religion you are likely to see for some time." (Charles Gross, theater critic, TV’s Two on the Aisle)
“Usparingly critical, intentionally biased, but more importantly audaciously comical . . . created and embodied with indomitable zeal. An outspoken, unapologetic spokesman for himself as a Jew and as a performance activist.” (Simon Saltzman, theater critic)
“An entertaining evening of humor, song, physical action . . . full of sparks of insight and sprinkled generously with jokes. What more could you want?” (Richmond Shepard, theatrical producer. Full review: http://www.totaltheater.com/?q=node/4570)
"Uproariously funny. Will make your sides split with laughter while making you think at the same time. A rare combo!" (Iris Dorbian, author, "Great Producers: Visionaries of the American Theater")
“Rabbi Sol Solomon is smart, witty even; knowledgeable; energetic; and very giving as a performer. The tone was hard-edged tongue-in-cheek. Even those who were laughing at Rabbi Sol’s routines were audibly shocked.” (Joel Benjamin, theater critic, theaterscene.net. Full review: http://www.theaterscene.net/ts/articles.nsf/OBSP/563FBC210F7E19E985257A5...)
“[Rabbi Sol] has the chutzpah and bravado to say the things the rest of us wish we had the cojones to say in public. He delivers his hilarious "sermon" with the force of a wrecking ball and the precision of a scalpel. Happily we're both bowled over and cured.” (Sean Altman, “Jewmongous”)
“Both wildly funny and intentionally abrasive, as well as intellectually stimulating – think Tom Lehrer . . . Did I laugh my kishkes off? I did.” (Leslie (Hoban) Blake, TV’s “Two on the Aisle”)
“Funny, sassy, and – oy vey – a good voice, too.” (Bonnie D. Graham, “Read My Lips” Radio)
“[Rabbi Sol] was great. Very courageous. Golden words. The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” (Mario Fratti, playwright and theater critic)
“This theater maven can kvetch and kvell and sing and dance, as well!” (Glenn Loney, theater critic, NYTheater-Wire.com)
“Really makes me think of George Carlin.” (Bill, audience member)
“Profound. I’m coming back a second time.” (Dustin E, audience member.)
“I loved it. Rabbi Sol was funny and thoughtful and naughty, and the audience laughed a lot. The history was excellent and the songs were hilarious, particularly in the way they incorporated such familiar tunes. The contrast between Rabbi Sol’s mild-mannered persona and the sometimes shocking things he says was the best part. It even seemed a little dangerous – what a real live performance is about.” (Betsy, audience member)
“I was glad I caught it. I liked the explaining Jewish sayings and words part. I thought the part about terrorism was both harsh and kind of wonderful.” (Jim B., audience member)
“A monster. The piece has stayed with me like a corned beef sandwich from the Second Avenue Deli for more days than I care to admit.” (Beck Lee, press agent)
