Painting, music and theater are widely recognized art forms, yet comedy, which also requires creativity, ingenuity and deep understanding of human emotions, often remains unsung. As a person who experiences at least two existential crises per week, I find solitude in comedy as it comforts my feelings of despair and hopelessness. If you too are seeking a whimsical critique of our society through hilarious personal experiences, do not miss out on the opportunity to buy tickets for Rachel Feinstein’s national standup tour “Undermedicated,” which will take place at Zanies Comedy Club from Feb. 28 to March 1.
Described as a “semi-famous Jewish jokester” by her husband’s friends during her first steps, Feinstein has now been named one of Variety’s “10 Comics to Watch” of 2024. Her special “Big Guy” has streamed on Netflix, showing the upward trajectory of her career as she rose from obscurity to fame. In an interview with the Hustler, Feinstein explained her journey as a comedian and how her jokes blend personal stories with social observations –– a style that caters to a variety of tastes.
“That was always my style. I always impersonated people in my life and my family and my friends,” Feinstein said. “I think the first time I did it was like in nursery school. I would come home and impersonate everybody and my teacher, and then they would laugh, and then I would go back to school and try to do it for the teacher.”
Ever since she was in nursery school, Feinstein exhibited essential comedian skills. Yet, pursuing comedy as a career did not occur to her until she moved to New York City fresh out of high school — which she almost flunked out of. In New York, Feinstein worked as a bartender and a nanny until her encounter with a local comedian opened her mind to the idea of following her passion for making fun of others and situations.
“I started talking to this comedian, and he mentioned that he did a show at this bar down the street, and I was like, well, I may as well try now because I had no other real career prospects,” Feinstein said.
Being a well-seasoned comedian requires countless hours on stage and a commitment to persevering, even when jokes are met with crickets. Although many people believe comedians are naturally gifted at turning their experiences into hilarious jokes — which is often true — comedy also requires a level of comfort with the mic. While being funny is a prerequisite for success, knowing how to get a laugh from the audience is a skill that takes practice. The idea that “practice makes perfect” applies to all things, comedy included. Despite some setbacks early in her career, Feinstein describes being on stage as a high that even whippets cannot replace, making it hard to resist.
“I was like most people, most comedians –– I was awful until I was not awful anymore. And I just kept getting up, and it got less humiliating each time,” Feinstein said. “There was some speed, some setbacks. I definitely wildly bombed a lot in the beginning, but it was very addictive. And there was a certain high I got from it that was not as good as anything, not even whippets.”
When we go to a stand-up comedy show, we expect the comedian to make it worth our money. Yet, as audience members, we often forget how much we demand from the person on stage: be funny, stay confident and own the spotlight. The pressure is on for comedians who strive to give their audience a night of unforgettable laughter. Stepping onto the stage, grabbing the mic and delivering jokes isn’t just about talent; it comes with self-doubt and requires serious resilience to recover from unexpected shortcomings. Despite moments when she fell short of audience expectations, quitting was never an option for Feinstein.
“There’s plenty of times where I feel like I don’t want to go with all the rejection and all that anymore. But honestly, not having another career path really helped because I was like, what else am I going to do? Am I going to be a waitress? I was a pretty awful bartender. So I think for me, I loved it enough that I could deal with the rejection,” Feinstein said.
On top of the pitfalls in her early career, Feinstein had to also navigate the male-dominated world of comedy. Traditional gender norms expect women to be soft-spoken and avoid risk-taking. Feinstein, however, is not afraid to transgress the norm and does not hesitate to embrace vulgarity for the sake of a good joke. While her boldness has led to comments labeling her as the “dirty one,” Feinstein remains focused on her work, unbothered by what others may think of her “inappropriate” humor.
“I remember one host being like, ‘you’re a dirty one, aren’t you?’ But it’s not just dirty, it’s also smart and interesting,” Feinstein said. “I always kind of had to prove myself. A lot of times people will just only hear you by your dirtiest joke. And I don’t really think that’s as true for guys.”
I view comedy as a therapy session for everyone involved. For the audience, it offers a chance to laugh away their worries, while for the comedian, a stand-up set provides a platform to express frustrations and vent about life’s challenges. If you’re in need of some budget-friendly, entertaining therapy, catch Rachel Feinstein at Zanies Comedy Club from Feb. 28 to March 1. As many of us navigate uncertainty about our future careers and feel unprepared to dive into the deep waters of adulthood, it’s important to remember that, like Feinstein, you may not have yet discovered the job that excites and fulfills you. Remember that life is for learning.
