Mason set to make 'Ado' about everything onstage

"Comic Capers"
By RODNEY BENGSTON

Sept. 7, 2000

Many comedians can make a career out of one classic routine, but Jackie Mason isn't one of them. "I don't like to repeat myself," Mason says in a phone call from his Manhattan base.

Audiences will have the chance to see Mason's current view of the world when he brings in his Broadway show, "Much Ado About Everything," from tonight through Sept. 17 at the Ohio Theatre in Playhouse Square Center. (Call (216) 241-6000 for times and tickets.)

This is Mason's fifth Broadway show since 1986 and he plans to keep doing them as long as the Great White Way will have him. "I hope to have a new show every year or two," he says.

Count on Mason to lampoon everything trendy in society, such as Starbucks Coffee and SUVs. "With Starbucks," he says, "they give you no service, no table and a cup of coffee that normally would cost 80 cents is $2.50."

That sport-utility vehicle is a misnomer, he insists. "It's a truck," he says, "but if you tell a nice Jewish guy that, he's not going to buy it."

Mason says his jokes point out the hypocrisy of our society. "They tried to get Bill Clinton disbarred as a lawyer, but he was still good enough to be president. What does that say about our standards for president?"

Mason, whose age is listed as 66 according to the Mr. Show Biz site on the Internet, cannot point to anyone as a specific comedic influence. He does say he learned his work ethic from old Borscht Belt comedians.

He also admired the skill of entertainers such as Jackie Gleason. "He was brilliant, and I could appreciate that, but I didn't want to be like him."

One thing that concerns Mason about today's comedy is that there are no limits. "It got filthy," he says. "That doesn't take any talent."

Mason didn't set out to be a comedian. Family tradition was to become a rabbi. His three brothers are rabbis and so was his father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather. Mason was a cantor until age 25, when he was ordained as a rabbi.

Three years later, he quit the synagogue to become a comedian. He says, "Someone in the family had to make a living."

In a career that's had its share of ups and downs, Mason thinks Broadway is the best forum for him. He has no desire for another foray into movies or television, simply because of time spent sitting around waiting. "It's a laborious and tedious process, a terrible way to live. It's like being a prisoner."

Films and sitcoms may be awful places for him, but Mason sees a world that's a better place than 30 years ago. "The world is more democratic. We have more respect for differences now."

Mason himself has seen some of that change. In 1993, he was invited to tour South Africa by the African National Congress. While there, Mason met Nelson Mandela, who told him how "culture must be used as an instrument to transform our society."

Starting tonight, Mason plans on transforming the Ohio into his world. Bet that it's one with a lot of laughs on the way to pointing out our many foibles.