2008 Woodie Awards
"Tzizit. That's a Funny Word"
Yeshiva Student Doubles as Stand Up Comedian
Daniel Groner
Issue date: 5/16/05 Section: News
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It's a regular Thursday night on New York's Upper West Side. In front of "Stand Up New York," a popular NYC comedy club, patrons wait patiently in line to buy tickets for the evening's performance. But while the night's main attractions feature some who have previously appeared on Comedy Central and HBO, most of the crowd has come to see a young up-and-comer to the comedy circuit. What separates Zach Abramowitz from the other comics is not only that he is Jewish - other Jews will perform that night - but that he wears a yarmulke and tzitzit on stage, which he even integrates into his act. Oh and he's a Yeshiva student.
"I'm convinced that in order to be funny I can't sell people anything besides for myself," said Abramowitz. "I'm either going to be funny as Zach or I'm not. But I sure won't be funny pretending to be Jerry Seinfeld."
The Yeshiva College senior credits Seinfeld, Chris Rock, and Bill Cosby as his inspiration for wanting to get into standup. He acknowledges that structurally his act resembles a Seinfeldian routine, but it also combines Cosby's style of bringing in his own personal narrative. Abramowitz's act relies heavily on his daily encounters, reflections and gripes.
"I carry around a pad with me all day knowing that funny things are bound to happen. The world is a funny place if you're not taking yourself too seriously," Abramowitz said.
He began writing standup two years ago but never had the opportunity to perform. Abramowitz took advantage of "Stand Up New York's" new talent showcase, where aspiring comedians perform a ten minute spot in front of a live audience, including nearly fifty college age students who heard about the act directly from Abramowitz or through word of mouth.
"I'm convinced that about half showed up as my friends, and, the other half showed up to see me fall off a chair," he said.
A talent agent noticed the consistent laughter from the crowd and, when Abramowitz expressed interest in returning for another show, invited him back. "On stage my first time, things felt like they were going well. But when I listened to myself on tape, the only thing I could think was that I can be doing much better." So Abramowitz went back, reviewed his notes, and worked to improve on his delivery and material.
"I'm convinced that in order to be funny I can't sell people anything besides for myself," said Abramowitz. "I'm either going to be funny as Zach or I'm not. But I sure won't be funny pretending to be Jerry Seinfeld."
The Yeshiva College senior credits Seinfeld, Chris Rock, and Bill Cosby as his inspiration for wanting to get into standup. He acknowledges that structurally his act resembles a Seinfeldian routine, but it also combines Cosby's style of bringing in his own personal narrative. Abramowitz's act relies heavily on his daily encounters, reflections and gripes.
"I carry around a pad with me all day knowing that funny things are bound to happen. The world is a funny place if you're not taking yourself too seriously," Abramowitz said.
He began writing standup two years ago but never had the opportunity to perform. Abramowitz took advantage of "Stand Up New York's" new talent showcase, where aspiring comedians perform a ten minute spot in front of a live audience, including nearly fifty college age students who heard about the act directly from Abramowitz or through word of mouth.
"I'm convinced that about half showed up as my friends, and, the other half showed up to see me fall off a chair," he said.
A talent agent noticed the consistent laughter from the crowd and, when Abramowitz expressed interest in returning for another show, invited him back. "On stage my first time, things felt like they were going well. But when I listened to myself on tape, the only thing I could think was that I can be doing much better." So Abramowitz went back, reviewed his notes, and worked to improve on his delivery and material.