Jackie Hoffman Takes The Cabaret Stage

OFFBEAT: ‘Addams Family’ funny favorite Jackie Hoffman on mark with cabaret show

By Philip Potempa, nwitimes.com

Posted: Wednesday, December 2, 2009

It’s rare to laugh so hard you have to hold your side.

But that’s exactly the case when the comic actress Jackie Hoffman takes the cabaret stage.

Hoffman, a member of Chicago’s own famed Second City, is front and center and in rare form in her one-woman show “Whining in the Windy City: Holiday Edition” playing a limited run on Mondays through Dec. 21 at The Royal George Theatre.

Even though New York City is her home, she’s at home with Chicago audiences, which she’s facing every day of the week this month, since she’s also starring as Grandmama in the new Broadway musical “The Addams Family.” It’s the world premiere of the production previewing at the Ford Center for Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre though January 2010.

At Monday’s opening night performance of Hoffman’s cabaret act, some of the cast members, including Bebe Neuwirth, who plays Morticia, attended and shared in the laughs.

Hoffman, who isn’t afraid to say she thinks her “Addams” role should be bigger (among other funny stage revelations), tackles every and any topic possible. She covers everything from her disdain for children and today’s young generation of young women in their 20s (and how they talk) to the countless pitches and pleas she receives from charities asking for donations.

Hoffman told the audience at the start of the show she was warned that much of her Jewish humor, including hilarious holiday song lyrics, “wouldn’t fly” in Chicago because of Midwestern tastes.

But every song, story and moment hits a homerun.

What makes this $25 ticket for a full 90-minute fast-paced show such a good thing is the material is fresh and clever. Yes, there’s some blue humor and bad words. But the bulk of Hoffman’s show is based in exaggerations and fun true facts for a formula that works on many levels with the audience.

Adding to the experience is Hoffman’s amazing comedic timing, mugging and foghorn voice, the latter booming from her “red flag” ruby lips.

With just the right amount of interaction and banter with her piano accompanist Michael Descoteaux and a mere handful of props, Hoffman commands the stage as she skewers (and impersonates) everyone from Mary Tyler Moore, Christine Baranski and Bernadette Peters to discussing her auditions, film work and even the George Foreman Grill.

But some of the funniest moments are Hoffman’s spin on being Jewish, such as her club memberships and childhood.

If you can manage to get a ticket (and if you don’t mind some adult language/themed jokes), Jackie Hoffman is a Monday night cabaret must.

For tickets, visit the Royal George Theatre box office, 1641 N. Halsted or call (312) 988-9000. Tickets are $25 and audience members must be 18 years or older.