Alex Edelman is now on Broadway, starring in his solo show Just For Us, which officially opened at the Hudson Theatre on Monday, June 26, 2023.
In the wake of a string of anti-Semitic rhetoric pointed in his direction online, standup comic Edelman decides to go straight to the source; specifically, Queens, where he covertly attends a meeting of White Nationalists and comes face-to-face with the people behind the keyboards. What happens next forms the backbone of the shockingly relevant, utterly hilarious, and only moderately perspirant stories that comprise Just For Us.
Edelman took some time to answer 5 questions with Broadway Direct, sharing his comic inspirations, his key to keeping audiences engaged, and how to find out about his favorite NYC sushi spot.
1. What inspired you to become a comedian?
Mel Brooks and Steve Martin and Jerry Seinfeld and early Bill Cosby and so many incredible comedians. I would listen to them on CDs I’d get out of the Boston Public Library. Billy Crystal’s 700 Sundays was also huge for me.
2. Who in your field inspires you?
I love talents like Josh Groban and Shoshana Bean. I know you’re maybe talking comedians and I have one million influences – I also love John Mulaney and Mike Birbiglia – but singers who can act or actors who can write? Folks like Lin-Manuel Miranda or Tracey Letts and folks like that mean a ton to me. I’m as proud of being a writer on Broadway as I am being a performer on Broadway. Playwrights like David Lindsay-Abaire and Tony Kushner, oy. I love them.
3. What will audiences be most excited about seeing in Just For Us?
Jokes. I’m so proud of the jokes. There are so many jokes and there’s a really fun story at the center of it that really seems to hold people and keep them engaged.
4. If you didn’t need to sleep at night, what would you spend your time doing?
I would play video games and honestly mess around on my phone until my eyes bled.
5. What is your favorite NYC spot?
OK. There’s a tiny sushi place I know that I just love so much but you have to come to the show and grab me afterward and I’ll tell you about it.
You can catch Edelman in Just For Us, now playing at the Hudson Theatre through August 19, 2023.