 Mittleman |
“ChopShticks: An Evening of Chinese Food and Comedy,” put on by Los Altos resident Gloria Goldblatt, is scheduled Dec. 24 and 25 at Ming’s Restaurant, 1700 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto. The show celebrates the holidays in the “traditional” Jewish way: listening to great comedy, eating Chinese food and doing a mitzvah (Yiddish for “good deed.”) Ming’s will open at 6:30 p.m., with dinner at 7 p.m. and the show set for 8 p.m.
Ross Turner, Kira Soltanovich and Steve Mittleman will deliver intelligent humor with a universal appeal.
The three comedians share being Jewish, but each brings a unique personal perspective to the moniker Jewish comedian.
Turner is a Jewish convert from Eureka, Soltanovich was born in the Soviet Union and raised by immigrant parents in San Francisco, and headliner Mittleman is a regular American “nice Jewish boy,” who recently underwent an extreme makeover on ABC TV’s “Extreme Makeover.”
“Their material is influenced by the enormous changes and personal journeys each has experienced. Ross changed his religion, Kira changed her nationality and Steve changed his face and body. But they have a common cultural bond and a certain shared sensibility that I see as the essence of Jewish humor,” Goldblatt said. “I read that Jewish humor ‘makes the journey from being within to being in the general public … an urban-style humor that’s open to everyone.’ When I read that quote, I knew that’s what makes ChopShticks such a wonderful community event. It’s a big party, and everyone is invited.”
In keeping with tradition, partial proceeds from the event will benefit two organizations: the Jewish Coalition for Literacy, a Los Altos-based charity for training and sponsoring volunteer reading tutors in the public schools, and the Chicken Soupers program of Jewish Family and Children’s Services, which delivers healthful, home-cooked meals to those who live with chronic illnesses or disabilities.
Tickets are $60 per person; advance reservations are required.
For more information or to reserve seats, visit www.ChopShticks.com or call 949-1033.
