“When Comedy Went to School” is a documentary about why  so many stand-up comedians are Jewish and how they became famous. The comedy is moving throughout the country and is coming to San Diego this Friday at the Landmark Theaters Ken Cinema. It features many Jewish comedians from Robert Klein, who narrates the tale, to Jerry Stiller, who is featured throughout the documentary.

Although documentaries are not always the most thrilling films people watch, “When Comedy Went to School” is sure to be entertaining, with the collaborations of many famous stand-up comedians telling the story of how they got where they are and the history behind it all.

The title itself says it all. When stand-up comedy was getting more popular it was centralized in the catskill hotels in New York, also known as the Borscht Belt. The Borscht Belt made many actors and was said to be the school for such a career. It was a training ground for the servers and future comedians who worked there.

“When Comedy Went to School” is sure to be laced with humor and to keep the audience’s attention. Long Island University Professor Joesph Dorinson and English professor Lawrence Epstein are involved in order to help the audience understand The Catskills and why the Jewish comedians who performed there faced unjustified anti-Semitism.. They also will explain how humor has been used to help alleviate the distress many Jews feel because of criticism against their religion.

“When Comedy Went to School” should not just be entertaining, but should teach spectators that the Catskills are a part of history, because they helped shape the comedy Americans we have today.

Information about “When Comedy Went to School” can be found at whencomedywenttoschool.com.

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Photo courtesy of Ide.