Let them eat challah:Nick Kroll discusses Bar Mitzvah Disco
By Dan Israeli,October 2006 for thecheappop.com
It's a time-honored tradition in the Jewish religion. Every time a young boy or girl reaches their teenage years, they are automatically deemed ready for adulthood. And what better way is there to acknowledge this significant moment in time then to throw a big, lavish party?
Over the years, the Bar/Bat Mitzvah has become as much of a cultural right of passage as it is a religious one. It is a time for budding Jewish youths to be embraced by their families and friends, on a day marked by individual accomplishment, joyous entertainment and an influx of bundles and bundles of cash. But nothing epitomizes the ceremony more than the grand soirees held in the evening, usually large catered affairs, with live music and the ever-important Bar Mitzvah theme (examples include Hollywood, the animal kingdom or the very popular tropical paradise).
Obviously, such a widespread phenomenon needed to be documented - and definitely with photos. Nick Kroll is an actor/comedian/writer (you may have caught him on VH1's Best Week Ever) , and one of the three co-authors of Bar Mitzvah Disco, an illustrated account spanning over 25 years of Bar/Bat Mitzvahs across the country (and even one across the globe). Released in 2005, the Random House publication has grown into a critical and commercial hit, putting the Bar Mitzvah celebration back into the spotlight where it belongs.
What were your like childhood years like? How about the details of your own personal Bar Mitzvah experience ?
I was born over in Tarrytown , but grew up in the "tough streets" of Rye [ New York ]. It was very difficult - we didn't even have our own tennis court. After attending Solomon Schechter (a Jewish private school) in White Plains , I went to high school at Rye Country Day, which was a very diverse school. I think there were three black kids total. After that, I attended Georgetown University for college. As for my Bar Mitzvah, the whole occasion was held at the Jewish Community Center of Harrison. I had a world theme, with flags and globes. I was an internationalist at the time, and have since become an isolationist because of my Bar Mitzvah experience. In my double-breasted suit, I remember feeling like a mini corporate lawyer who just failed to make partner. All in all, it was a somewhat lavish, but tasteful event.
When did you decide you wanted to get into comedy/acting? Were you always an outspoken kid growing up, or is it something you picked up later in life?
From early on, I always knew that I liked performing. I even played the role of Pharoah in my second grade play of Exodus. Growing up, I would act out "Wayne's World" sketches with my good friend. I took acting classes in high school, and at college I discovered Improv. After that I taught comedy to kids for an after school program. It went well, but I eventually decided to further pursue my [acting/comedy] career. It was still a great job, and something I took a lot out of. Once you start teaching, you kind of realize what you know and what you don't know. And I still talk to some of the kids, some of who are very funny.
What was your experience like coming up in the NYC comedy scene? Was it a struggle to make a name for yourself?
At first, I started taking classes at the UCB [Upright Citizens Brigade] Theater (a popular Improv spot in Chelsea ). I also made some short films and did some commercials, but it really all started with UCB. I preferred doing the offbeat stuff involved with Improv over "stand-up" based material. My current show is called "Oh, Hello" which I perform with my friend John Mulaney. In it, we play two middle-aged widowers from the Upper West Side who are obsessed with Alan Alda. I have also written for "Chappelle's Show" and have done stuff for Comedy Central's"Motherload" (a series of web shows). In this line of work, you really need to jump wholeheartedly into it. You really need to make it your life.
How did the idea for Bar Mitzvah Disco come about? What was the creative process involved in compiling the material, and getting some special guests to contribute?
We were all hanging out (Nick and his partners Roger Bennett and Jules Shell) looking through our Bar Mitzvah photos. We all grew up in different places, with different parallels to our respective celebrations. We decided to put up a website as a lark, and got friends and family to send in their photos as well. From that point it just blew up, and became a lot bigger than we envisioned. We realized Bar Mitzvahs were prisms to a view of American culture and family. These photos and accounts took a look at who we were and what we've become. It was then we decided to turn it into a book. As for the contributors, some of them we knew, and others (like comedian Sarah Silverman) we had to reach out to. About 99 percent of the people we contacted thought it would be hilarious. They got the concept, and loved it.
How has your life changed since BMD became a cult, and now mainstream hit? Do people approach you about how it has personally reached them?
Yes, and people from all over the place. It's really a small world. The response has been overwhelming positive, and not just from people who personally experienced having Bar Mitzvahs. It's interesting to see how many Jews ands non-Jews attended friends' Bar Mitzvahs throughout their lives. The response has basically been, "you guys have captured what it's like to be 13." What I have also found interesting are all the parents who have identified with the book. The truth is they experienced these moments, too. We all share these memories, and all with our own take. And it's because the book covers so many universal themes, from culture to religion to suburbanization.
Finally, what else do you have lined up? Are there any plans to expand BMD into another medium, and what other projects are you working on?
Right now we [Kroll, along with Bennett and Shell] are gathering more photos and videos for a documentary film, and are also signing the rights for a BMD musical. While I won't be involved, my partners Jules and Roger will be releasing a follow-up to BMD called the "Camp Camp Project," a book all about the childhood experience of summer camp. As for the BMD documentary, it's still up in the air as to how we are going about it. It really depends on the quality of the stuff we are gathering, as we continue to receive videos. But just like when we created the book, it's best for the story to tell itself. We don't want to go into specifics on how it should come about. Our belief is that BMD is a story of generations and that's why people identify with it. As for my New York shows, "Oh, Hello" will return to the UCB Theater on October 27. It can also be seen regularly at Rififi in downtown New York , every Thursday at 8 p.m.
For more on Nick Kroll check out http://www.NickKroll.com... For thecheappop archives scroll below...
To check out a cool guy who does Bar Mitzvahs, email Jon's dad - GaryChatty@aol.com
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