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AT 12 MILE (313) 355.2929 Worldwide Reservations 1-800.272-6232 7618 Woodward Ave. 871-1590 SPECIAL QUALITY PARTIES UP TO 200 Specializing In: Bar Mitzvahs, Sweet 16s, Showers, Anniversaries, Retirement Parties, Birthdays, Weddings, Etc. Special Appetizer Parties Available CALL ERNIE . . . AND ASK ABOUT OUR LOW BANQUET RATES FOR ALL OCCASIONS. 76 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1988 Successful In Russia, Comedian Struggles In U.S. MICHAEL ELKIN Special to The Jewish News C omic Albert Pisaren- kov, for 25 years one of the Soviet Union's performers, leading discovered abruptly that when it comes to the Soviets' `perception of Israel, there is no clowning around. "I was one of the best, No. 1. I had everything" says the 47-year-old performer in halting English. The govern- ment put a halt to Pisarenkov's career when he applied for an exit visa to Israel in 1979. "Twenty-five years ago, I was at bottom of ladder. Then I got to top rung?' The govern- ment wrung him out, pushing him back down; the fall was a hard one. "I lost my job, everything," says Pisarenkov. "I lived a life — how you say it — underground?' Pisarenkov has surfaced in New York. Back in the USSR, the refusenik refused to give up. He may have lost everything, says Pisarenkov, "but I didn't lose my sense of humor?' Not that there was much to laugh at. "But sense of humor help me, help me handle it to leave!' He had had a handle on suc- cess, performing for top Soviet officials. "I performed for Brezhnev, Gromyko. They laughed at my jokes. But I no think they lked me. Because I no have Soviet sense of humor?' They sensed, he says, "I was too free for them. I was free inside. They felt it?' Not that he was free to criticize the government — directly. "I never say anything against govern- ment. I hinted it. I use Aesop language — how you say? — allegory. Yes, allegory." His performances were fabl- ed. The audience read bet- ween the jokes. But that wasn't enough for an enter- tainer who entertained himself a free man. "Everything forbidden in Russia," he says, a shrug in his voice. "But people saw I was free?' The Soviets saw to it that for eight years, from 1979 to his exit in 1987, Pisarenkov was persona non grata. "On the one side, I had everything in Soviet Union," says the comic. "Good salary, apart- ment, travel — only within country. From other hand, I have a son, 14, and I thought about him?' Albert Pisarenkov left a promising career in Russia for freedom. is dangerous to be Jew in What he thought was that his son should enjoy the Russia?' Even with glasnost. Gor- freedoms denied him. "Life is only one," says Pisarenkov. bachev has improved the plight of Soviet Jews, he says, And if he had only one life "but you don't know what to live, he wanted to enjoy it. When granted a visa for happens tomorrow. Maybe Israel, Pisarenkov was he's gone, maybe another man comes!' delighted — as he and his wife and son headed for Vienna, No matter who is in power, then Rome and, ultimately, says Pisarenkov, Jews are this country. powerless. "Everything is "This country many oppor- [viewed as] fault of Jew in tunities, yes," he says. "I real- Russia," he bemoans. ly free here?' One can't fault Pisarenkov for wanting to make it as big Liberty is no laughing mat- as he can here now "You ter, but stories can be. "A Rus- know Yakov Smirnoff?" he sian Jew man, Chaim, wants asks about the former to travel to another country," refusenik who has made a offers the comic. "So he go. He smash success as a comedian sends telegram from every since arriving in this country country he visit. 'Hello from years ago. "He made it! He free Hungary, Chaim, goes great! I'm an American for six first one. Then, 'Hello from months. I hope to make it free Romania, Chaim: Next, too!' `Hello from free Poland, Is he optimistic? "I'm op- Chaim! Finally, 'Hello from timistic! I'm optimistic! I'm Austria, free Chaim! " optimistic!" Pisarenkov is hesitant. Did But he is also realistic. "I the listener like the joke? He want somebody to help me," is not as confident as he he says. "Not money, not would like to be. financially. I want to be notic- Pisarenkov tries another ed, people should pay atten- one. "Brezhnev — he was tion to me. I willing to work babe in woods in political life night to night?' — and Gromyko were talking. When not on stage, Brezhnev have to give speech. Pisarenkov works for a Rus- So Brezhnev says to Gromyko, sian newspaper. "I'm driver. `Listen, I asked you to I'm looking for job in the prepare a 20-minute speech. arts?' But I read it for a whole hour. As he looks, he continues to I'll send you to Siberia.' learn. "I very experienced "Gromyko says, 'Wait, it's man," he says. "I try to im- not my fault. You read three prove my language. I learning copies of the speech: " all the time. American life is no carbon "When I came to this coun- copy of Pisarenkov's pre- try, I couldn't say one word." refusenik days. "It is not easy And what was the first word to begin a new life," says he learned to say? That's Pisarenkov. But it is safer. "It easy, he says. "Freedom!"