Announcing our NEW casual dining menu: Bye, Blumberg." Lowbrow was the man's niche. Yes, you'll laugh. It's as inevitable as blinking during the show and perhaps as senseless to ask why. Eli Magid's costumes aid in the high jinks, making, at one point, a veritable hoop skirt of a bassinet. Absorbing Kayla Gordon's direction and Gregory A. Patterson's choreogra- phy, scenes that easily could have had less oomph visually become memo- rable: A bed is displayed vertically so its actors never need to leave their feet; the Bargain Bazaar Square Dance is also a highlight. Christopher Carothers' sets evoke a realm once owned by Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour — or, at the very least, The Dating Game. The vocal renditions are strong, especially those delivered as an ensemble; the harmonies connect. Under Martin Mandelbaum's taut music direction and keyboard work — and Brian Golden's strong per- cussion — the pieces and traveling music often bring you on board despite yourself. Perhaps that's what is at times so difficult about Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh! While the laughs come forth, Sherman's stock in trade often feels anachronistic, tired, a joke heard too many times, a punch line embar- rassingly anticipated. (Then again, popular culture also birthed Weird Al Yankovic.) The songs are, in themselves, emblematic of a time that no longer exists, a novelty spun until it wore itself out. What remains a fascina- tion is that by doing little more than inserting rhymes about Jewish cul- ture, practices and Yiddishisms onto vinyl and taking his parodies on the road, a man once fed his family. 11 er of Sasson Jeans. However, he went bankrupt in 1986 because of a coke habit, = changing styles and tax problems. -A few years later, a religious ewish 'businessman, knowing Guez's bleak situation, challenged him to make a large donation to a group putting out a new transla - tion of the Talmud. Guez took a leap of faith and made the donation commit - ment. The businessman was so impressed he decided to finance Guez's new venture, expensive "tush-lifting" jeans that are mar- keted under a variety of names. The tushie-lifters made Guez a rich man, again. Supporting Israel Magician David Blaine, whose mother is Jewish, recently has been entertaining children confined to bomb shelters in northern Israel. His trip to Israel was co-sponsored by the Jewish • Jeremy Char-Grilled Burger • Grilled Chicken Sandwich • Chipolte Barbecued Duck Quesadilla • Grilled Salmon Salad OUTDOOR PATIO NOW OPEN! Y .ant & Bar Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh! runs through Sept.17 at Jewish Ensemble Theatre. JET's revised schedule fbr the 2006-2007 season includes Arthur Miller's The Price, Oct.17-Nov.12; Eric Blau and Mort Schuman's Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, Dec. 5-Jan. 6; Ted Herstand's It Should Be, Jan. 23-Feb.18; and J.B. Priestly's An Inspector Calls, April 17-May 19. For more infor- mation and tickets, call (248) 788-2900. Agency for Israel.. As you might have heard, 84 Hollywood - based celebrities took out an ad in the Los Angeles Times on Aug.16. The ad.regret - ted the deaths of civilians in Lebanon and Israel, but stated that these deaths were due to the terrorism of Hezbollah and Hamas, and that they and other terrorist organi - zations must be stopped. Non-Jewish David Blaine signers included Nicole Kidman, James Woods and Bruce Willis. Jewish signers included famous directors William Friedkin, Richard Donner and Ivan Reitman. (If you want a copy of the ad, with the complete list of signers, e-mail me at middleoftheroad1@aol.com ). (248) 681-2124 • 1978 Cass Lake Rd. • Keego Harbor Dinner: Tuesday-Saturday 5:30-10pm • Sunday 5:30-9pm • Weekend Reservations Suggested • Bring in this ad for a complimentary dessert when you join us for dinner Sunday - Friday *Limit one per table • Not redeemable on holidays • Expires 10/15/06 birected by Kayla Gordon Featuring the hilarious song parodie Hello Fadduh follows the life to summer loveNtdusa ddraahh, s a course)- to n -c 'Brect ess paced... live-wire comic exuberance tha - crackles across the stager' -New York Times 248.788.296. www.jettheatre.org • boxoffice@jettheatre.org August 31 • 2006 Si