JEWTOPIA The Chosen Audiobook for the Chosen People

Adapted from the stage production, JEWTOPIA is an irreverent and often uncomfortable blend of history, sociology, and comedy. Think of it as everything you ever wanted to know about the Jewish people and religion shoved into an overlong "Saturday Night Live"-style skit. Wolfson and Fogel, together with actress Jackie Tohn, perform the material in a silly style that shifts between sounding pretentious and sounding like a fraternity skit. Fact and actual religious doctrine are indistinguishable from spoof, bathroom humor, and anti-Bush gags. This studio recording at times feels sterile and forced. The program might have been funnier had it been recorded in front of a live audience. Then again, it may have only seemed funnier. JEWTOPIA has some clever moments, but the majority of it falls flat as last year's matzoh. S.E.S. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/ MAY 07]