Jackie Hoffman Is Our Savior Of Comedy

There is no funnier or more biting comic talent in the world today than the formidable Jackie Hoffman. The proof is in the pudding, as they say, with Hoffman's raucous and socially biting ‘Whining In The Windy City: Holiday Edition', which plays Monday nights through December 21.
Why Monday nights you may ask? Well that is Hoffman's night off from playing Grandma in the highly anticipated new musical ‘The Addams Family'.

However, as the major through-theme of the evening took hold, Hoffman could still perform her one woman show and get back to the Oriental Theatre in time to deliver her line! Hoffman's opening night audience, peppered with many of her ‘Addams Family' co-stars, were roaring just as much as the regular patrons with her inside showbiz humor.

From the moment Ms. Hoffman walked out on stage, looking stunningly gorgeous, there was no going back. Second City's favorite alum had you in her hands from the moment she uttered the words, "Shut your f'king cell phone off'!" to a stunned woman in the front row. Yes, even Jackie Hoffman can channel Patti LuPone when necessary!

As most comediennes can tell you, their humor comes from traumatic experiences. Same is true for Ms. Hoffman who was replaced by Queen Latifah in the Ashton Kutcher film ‘What Happens In Vegas' and subsequently replaced by Whoppi Goldberg in the Broadway production of ‘Xanadu'. As Jackie protests, "Does anyone see a trend here?"

The evening is also one full of lovely holiday songs, including some numbers she performs at her infamous Synagigs. Yes, there is enough Yiddish music in ‘Whining' to make Mandy Patinkin envious. Michael Descoteaux, Ms. Hoffman's accompanist for the evening, is the perfect foil for the biting comic bits. The two have terrific timing and together do some heartwarming Jewish/Gentile duets.

All jokes aside, Jackie Hoffman is a woman to be admired. Why she does not have her own television show, or at least a co-starring role on Glee is beyond me, as there are few more talented- and under-appreciated- than our beloved Ms. Hoffman.

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Jackie Hoffman's ‘Whining In The Windy City: Holiday Edition' plays Monday nights at the Royal George Theatre Cabaret, Tickets are $25 at 312-988-9000 or visit www.theroyalgeorgetheatre.com