An Evening of Laughs with The Roastmaster – Jeff Ross

Aug 19, 2025 by Two Sues On the Aisle

By Two Sues on the Aisle, Susie Rosenbluth and Sue Weston

Jeff Ross (whose real last name is Lifschultz) is a New Jersey native and a Jewish stand-up comedian whose Comedy Central roasts earned him the nickname of “The Roastmaster.” He will be performing Take a Banana for the Ride. at the Nederlander Theatre until September 28th. In the show, Ross shares his life’s story, a departure from his insult comedy style. His performance is intimate, speaking from the heart, regaling the audience with audacious one-liners and outrageously funny bits. Ross is a force of nature, wearing a yellow suit, living out his life’s dream to perform on the Broadway stage, 90 feet from Port Authority. The show is cathartic rather than caustic; Jeff Ross gets personal, telling stories of his family, his health, and being Jewish.

Life Lessons

Ross had a complicated childhood; both his parents were deceased before he graduated from college. He shares family pictures, tracing and embracing the strength of his paternal grandma, Rosie, who ran a catering hall, Clinton Manor, in Newark, and his maternal grandpa, Pop Jack, who became his roommate and best friend. The show’s title pays homage to Pop Jack, who would give him a banana and a couple of dollars for his ride to NYC when Ross was trying to break into the NYC comedy scene. That was his way of saying, “Be ready for anything in life, and I’m there with you in spirit even though I can’t go with you.”

He credits his sense of humor to his grandfather, who loved to laugh, and his family, who loved food and fun (especially food fights), and busting chops. His uncle ‘Mean’ Murray taught Ross how to take a joke but also how to give it back. By adding family photographs to his routine, Ross adds a level of intimacy that turns his wit and wisdom inward. The show was classically constructed, with songs, dance routines designed to evoke laughter, pushing the envelope at times, beginning with a song about standing up to an antisemitic bully as a kid in Newark.

I knew my best weapon was my brain, so I stood up, I said, “Hey jerk, you’ll never be a scholar because your uncle is also your father.”

This had the audience laughing. He followed it with Don’t F—With the Jews, sharing the Jews’ resilience, and video introductions to his family. It set the tone for the show, brash, brazen, but deeply personal. He shows strength and courage, becoming the second youngest blackbelt in the United States, battling illness, caring for his grandfather, who radiated “world beater energy.” Ross includes clips from some iconic roasts, including NFL quarterback Tom Brady.

Dog lovers will enjoy seeing and hearing about his ‘rescue German Shepherds’ while we enjoyed his embodying them with the Nazi voices and traits. When the older dog passed away, he shared that it was ironic, a Jew cremating a Nazi for once, and he suggested rolling her ashes into a joint. This is an example of Ross’ humor, taking a situation to the comedic extreme, leaving the audience open-mouthed and laughing.

The Performance

Ross is accompanied by two onstage musicians, Asher Denberg, the musical director/keyboardist, and Felix Herbst, a violinist. The set uses large digital picture frames in the rear of the stage to show family photos and videos as Ross bounces around the stage, sharing his story, including reading letters from his parents. We were moved when he held up his hand to show the ring his grandfather made from a steel bolt from a captured Nazi U-boat from World War II.

Ross’s life is sweet and savory. Take a Banana for the Ride cuts to the core, sharing the personal side of Jeff Ross, the Roastmaster, as he pays tribute to his family and friends. It’s a story, one that gives us hope, strength, and underscores the healing power of laughter.

A Great Performance

You don’t need to be familiar with Jeff or his roasts to love this show (we were not). It’s about tenacity and tenderness, mixed with the ability to laugh at yourself, the situation, and not shy away. He is an accomplished performer whose one-man show, ‘Take a Banana for the Ride,’ is well done and captivating. Don’t miss the opportunity to see Ross in action. (They even hand out bananas after the performance.)

Though ‘Take a Banana for the Ride’ was scripted, it felt extemporaneous. Toward the end of the performance, Ross walks through the audience, giving a banana and a roast (insult) to anyone who wanted to share what they were going through, good or bad. It was the shining moment, showing his quick wit. Our only regret was not getting roasted at the end of the performance.

Ross reminds us not to dwell on the negative but bounce back, while embracing the power of friendship and loving life.

Two Sues on the Aisle bases its ratings on how many challahs (1-5) it pays to buy (rather than make) to see the play, show, film, book, or exhibit being reviewed.

Jeff Ross Take a Banana for the Ride at the Nederlander Theatre received 4 Challahs

Limited Run – Until September 28

Running Time: 90 minutes, no intermission