New Queens Theatre comedy celebrates grandma
BY TAMMY SCILEPPI
Everyone knows or
remembers a beloved
grandma. An amazing, wise
lady whose precious pearls
of wisdom they hold near and
dear to their hearts.
Whether she’s your
favorite abuela or abuelita
(Spanish), nonna (Italian),
halmoni (Korean), babushka
(Russian) or Jewish bubbe
(pronounced buh-bee in
Yiddish), you no doubt have
fond memories of special
moments spent together.
If you’re a grandson or
granddaughter, don’t miss
this outrageous, mindblowing
comedy show, which
premiered Mother’s Day
weekend and is playing at
Queens Theatre (located in
blooming Flushing Meadows
Corona Park) this Wednesday
through May 26. Described
as well-acted and intelligent,
with humor and heart,
“Relic, or, I Was Bubbie’s
Favorite” by Joel Feinman
(as told to Lojo Simon) – kinda
reminds everyone, no matter
their culture, of their own
wonderful grandmothers (or
great grandmas).
Conjured up by playwright
Lojo Simon, directed by Will
Pomerantz, and set in Queens
and beyond, “Relic” explores
the true meaning of family
ties, society’s all-powerful
cult of celebrity and fame,
along with controversial stuff,
like religion – as experienced
by a lost and questioning
grandson, whose angst-filled
search for recognition and
fortune ultimately brings
him to a place of peace in a
crazy world.
Rising NYC star Adam
Green becomes struggling
actor Joel Feinman, who
takes audience members on
a totally unexpected and at
times, surreal and hilarious,
truth-finding journey from
his bubbie’s attic in Rego Park
– where he finds a mysterious
ancient box that transforms
his life – to wondering
about circumcisions, Jesus
Christ, and goats. After
crossing the Atlantic, Joel
finds himself at the British
Museum then discovers his
ancestral roots in Eastern
Europe and rubs elbows with
possible fortune at Sotheby’s.
Joel Feinman’s new comedy show “Relic, or I was Bubbie’s
Favorite,” is debuting at the Queens Theatre.
Photos by Jay Rogers/Queens Theatre
His strange trip comes full
circle and ends with … even
more goats. During these
perplexing adventures Green
seamlessly morphs into a
bunch of colorful, multiple
personalities that he meets
along the way.
The actor, who lives in
Brooklyn and grew up in
Manhattan, said he didn’t call
either of his grandmothers
‘bubbe,’ just simply
“Grandma.” Here, he recalls
his maternal, backgammonplaying
grandma, Sally.
“The grandmother I was
closer to was originally from
Brooklyn. Who wasn’t? Sally
and my grandfather lived
not terribly far from where
my wife and I live now,”
Green said.
“After my grandfather
passed when I was 9, Sally
became the leader and true
matriarch of the family. She
had this great gravelly voice,
which I’m going to chalk up
to her 75+ years of smoking.
And, you know, she would
hold court at any family
gathering. Conversations
would inevitably turn to her
telling a story about, like,
the Domino Sugar Factory
or her father, who was the
King of the Peddlers down
on Orchard Street during
the Depression.”
He added: “Sally was
extremely sharp. Even
when her body was failing
her as she hit 90, her mind
was as quick as ever. That’s
a blessing.”
For showtimes/tickets:
http://queenstheatre.org/
r el ic - or - i -wa s - bubbie s -
favorite-joel-feinman-toldlojo
simon.
Tues. & Wed. $1895
1 1/4 lb. Lobster, Clams, and Mussels
Served with Corn on the Cob
and Baked Potato
with Purchase of 2 Cocktails,
2 Wines or 2 Beers
TIMESLEDGER,34 MAY 17-23, 2019 QNS.COM
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/QNS.COM
