The 14th Annual Kung Pao Kosher Comedy -- Jewish Comedy on Christmas in a Chinese Restaurant (Where Else?) in San Francisco, CA

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) November 14, 2006 -- Come celebrate Christmas the Jewish Way -- in a Chinese restaurant with Jewish comedy! Now in its 14th year, Kung Pao Kosher Comedy continues to provide an answer to the age-old question, "What are Jews supposed to do on Christmas?" What started out as a joke by Kung Pao creator/San Francisco-based Jewish stand-up comic, Lisa Geduldig, has become an institution in San Francisco, annually giving 3000 comedy aficionados and those escaping "Christmas-mania" an alternative to Jingle Bells and The Nutcracker. It's the Bar Mitzvah you never had -- and you don't have to be Jewish to enjoy it!

Kung Pao Kosher Comedy was created in 1993 by accident by comedian Lisa Geduldig, who went to perform near Northampton, Massachusetts at what she thought was going to be a comedy club. She arrived only to discover that The Peking Garden Club was actually a Chinese Restaurant, not a comedy club. After having the ironic experience of telling Jewish jokes at a Chinese restaurant, a conversation between Lisa and an old friend from summer camp led to the creation of Kung Pao.

The event began as a community service for Jews who have been stuck on Christmas with nothing to do but hide under the covers or go to a Chinese restaurant. The audience has expanded to include Chinese-Jewish couples, interfaith ones, singles, families, gays, straights, those far from home, and generally those who not only are seeking an alternative to Christmas alienation but who also like comedy mixed with Chinese food. One of Kung Pao's claims to fame is that Henny Youngman performed his last shows there, in 1997.

The shows feature 4 hot and sour Jewish comedians. This year's headliner is Cathy Ladman (The Tonight Show, Politically Incorrect regular); the show also features Stephanie Blum (Star Search winner, HBO's Comedy Minutes); Dan Ahdoot (Last Comic Standing); and your hostess, Lisa Geduldig. All of this year's comics originally hail from New York.

There are 8 shows over the course of 4 days: an early Dinner Show and a later Cocktail Show each day. Seating is at tables of 10, Chinese banquet-style. The Dinner Show features a 7-course dinner. Veggie egg rolls are served at The Cocktail Show. The fortune cookies are filled with Yiddish proverbs. All ages are welcome, except for screaming babies.

In keeping with the Jewish tradition of tzedakah (charity, in Hebrew - tied in with a sense of duty and social responsibility), each year Kung Pao donates partial proceeds to organizations and causes we believe in. This year's recipient will once again be the weekly "Esther Weintraub Comedy Clinic" for elderly residents at The Jewish Home. Also benefiting from Kung Pao this year will be The Reutlinger Community for Jewish Living "Komedy Club and Library."

The Esther Weintraub Comedy Clinic began in 2003 through a donation from Kung Pao. Local humorists facilitate a weekly comedy clinic (workshop) for the residents. The Comedy Clinic is named in the memory of Esther Weintraub, former Jewish Home resident, stand up comic (Funny Girlz 2003), and friend and sidekick of Lisa Geduldig. The clinic has been written up in The J. http://www.jhsf.org

The Reutlinger Community for Jewish Living's (RCJL) "Komedy Club and Library" is a new project being created at the RCJL in Danville. The RCJL provides independent, assisted living, dementia care and skilled nursing to 160 residents who call RCJL home. The creation of the "RCJL Komedy Club and Library" will include comedy films and documentaries, a collection of large print biographies on Jewish comedians (from Sid Caesar to Mel Brooks) in its library, Jewish themed comedy films shown weekly on RCJL-TV, and inviting local comedians to come perform for the residents. http://www.rcjl.org

Performers:
Cathy Ladman one of the country's top comedians, has not only appeared on "The Tonight Show" nine times, but was also the only female comic to appear on the last two Johnny Carson "Tonight Show Anniversary" shows. She has had her own HBO "One Night Stand" comedy special and, in 1992, was awarded the American Comedy Award for Best Female Stand Up Comic. Cathy appeared regularly on "Politically Incorrect" and Comedy Central's "Dr. Katz: Professional Therapist." She has guest starred on "Everybody Loves Raymond" and "Titus." A native New Yorker, now living in LA, Cathy also has an acting career in film and TV. Her film credits include "White Oleander," "What Planet Are You From?" and "Don't Tell Mom The Babysitter's Dead." Cathy spent several seasons writing for "The Caroline Rhea Show," "The Wayne Brady Show," "Caroline in the City," and "Roseanne." Look for Cathy in Episode 2 of Season 6 on next year's "Curb Your Enthusiasm." The Los Angeles Times says "Ladman has such clever, well-written material and such a breezy, unassuming delivery that it would be easy to overlook just how good she is. Her act seems effortless." http://www.cathyladman.com

Stephanie Blum is the "apathetic mom next door" whose trademark laziness and procrastination is sarcastic, hilarious and universally adored by audiences. The Brooklyn native and former school psychologist became addicted to writing and performing comedy after winning New York's Funniest Teacher contest in 1996. She went on to take first prize in the 2002 Ladies of Laughter Funniest Female Competition at Madison Square Garden, and in 2003 she won on Star Search. That same year, she was chosen by HBO's US Comedy Arts Festival to be their "Breakout Performer." An article about Stephanie's "life-as-a-sitcom" appeared in The New York Times in which her comedic abilities as well as her experience as a psychologist were recognized. This led to her being commissioned as a contributor to both Child Magazine and Parents Magazine. Most recently Stephanie appeared at the Stardust in Las Vegas, on Country Music Television, and HBO's Comedy Minutes. If Ray Romano and Roseanne Barr had a daughter, she would grow up to be Stephanie. http://www.stephanieblum.com

Dan Ahdoot attended Johns Hopkins University and graduated with honors as a pre-med student but shortly after decided to take the secure route and ditch medicine for comedy; his parents are still thrilled. After graduating from college, Dan moved to New York City where he was instantly hailed as one of the hottest young comics on the scene. Now 27 years old, the Long Island native's stand-up act is based on his observations about everyday life as a young, hip kid fresh out of college, coupled with his upbringing as a first generation (Jewish Iranian) American. Dan was a finalist on Season 2 of NBC's "Last Comic Standing." He has been a freelance writer for Comedy Central's" Crank Yankers" and was featured on Comedy Central's "Premium Blend". He has opened for Lewis Black, Jay Mohr, and Patton Oswalt and has been featured on ABC's 20/20. Dan won 1st prize at the Philadelphia Comedy Competition in 2003 and the NYC Triad Comedy Competition in 2002. He is one of the highest booked college acts in the country - performing well over 100 shows in 2005. Dan performs regularly at all NYC comedy clubs and is a founding member of the highly acclaimed Upright Citizens Brigade based improv troupe, "Gun Show." http://www.standupdan.com

Lisa Geduldig is the creator, producer, and MC of Kung Pao Kosher Comedy along with her other annual comedy shows: Funny Girlz and The George Bush Going Away Party. Last year, she produced the sold out "Charo and Her Las Vegas Show" at The Herbst.

Calendar and Tickets:

WHAT:

The 14th Annual Evening of Kung Pao Kosher Comedy -- Jewish comedy on Christmas in a Chinese Restaurant with Cathy Ladman, Stephanie Blum, Dan Ahdoot, and Lisa Geduldig

WHEN:

Friday, December 22nd, Saturday December 23rd, and Sunday, December 24th:
-6:00 pm Dinner Show: 7-course Chinese banquet; Cost: $60
-9:30 pm Cocktail Show: Vegie egg rolls    ; Cost: $40

Monday, December 25th:
(To honor the state bird of Florida, the EARLY BIRD, the Monday shows are 1 hour earlier.)
-5:00 pm Dinner Show: 7-course Chinese banquet; Cost: $60
-8:30 pm Cocktail Show: Vegie egg rolls; Cost: $40

WHERE:    New Asia Restaurant, 772 Pacific Ave. (between Grant & Stockton), San Francisco

TICKETS:   
$60 for Dinner Show tickets and $40 for Cocktail Show tickets

Buy on-line: http://www.koshercomedy.com OR by phone: 925-275-9005

Partial proceeds benefit: The Jewish Home's Esther Weintraub Comedy Clinic and The Reutlinger Community for Jewish Living's "Komedy Club

INFO:       
Visit http://www.koshercomedy.com or 415-522-3737   

PRESS    For additional materials or to arrange interviews, please contact Lisa Geduldig at (415) 431-7363. 300 dpi jpegs of performers can be downloaded at http://www.koshercomedy.com/press.

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