Judy Gold in YES, I CAN SAY THAT!
Written by Judy Gold and Eddie Sarfaty
Directed by BD Wong
Judy Gold knows the value of a good joke – and the steep price of silencing comedians. Unnerved and infuriated, Judy shares her reverence for the intimacy of collective laughter and her passion for the vital work comedians do to bring us together, make us think, and speak truth to power.
Based on her book “Yes, I Can Say That: When They Come for the Comedians, We Are All in Trouble,” the comedy veteran is taking the stage to tell the fascists and crybabies to shove their hate and political correctness up their respective asses. This wickedly funny one-woman show is a big-mouthed and big-hearted call for truth, kindness, common sense, and most of all, laughter.
The initial run from March 4-April 16, 2023 premiered at Primary Stages at 59E59 Theatre in New York City.
The Buzz About Judy's Play
Reviews & Interviews
Making Us Laugh, and Think a Little Too
New York Times
April 3, 2023• By Laura Collins- Hughes • Photo credit: Sara Krulwich/The New York Times
The knuckle-dragging notion that women aren’t funny makes only a cameo in the comedian Judy Gold’s new solo show, “Yes, I Can Say That!” It’s tucked amid her homage to pioneering forebears like Totie Fields and Joan Rivers, who, Gold tells the audience, “said out loud what women whispered about when their husbands weren’t around.
Forbes
April 13, 2023 • By Court Stroud • Photo credit: James Leynse
BD Wong has achieved great success in his career. The San Francisco native has won a Tony Award and appeared in four Broadway shows. Now the 62-year-old Brooklyn resident is taking on a new challenge: directing.
Judy Gold: Yes, I Can Say That!
Time Out
April 10, 2023 • By Raven Snook • Photo credit: James Leynse
At the outset of Judy Gold’s funny and furious new solo show, the veteran stand-up says that a comedian’s only goal onstage is to make audiences laugh. By that standard, Yes, I Can Say That! is an uproarious success.
Judy Gold: Comedians are in a ‘precarious’ situation right now
Page Six
April 9, 2023 • By Nick Gostin • Photo credit: James Leynse
Judy Gold is horrified by how comedians are being treated right now.
The stand-up comic veteran interviewed young comedians for her current off-Broadway show, “Yes, I Can Say That!,” and was shocked to discover that they are being censored. “And that scares me the most about the future of stand-up.”
Judy Gold has choice words for both sides of the political aisle, and most of them are four letters
LGBQT Nation
April 7, 2023 • By Max Wexler • Photo credit: James Leynse
Judy Gold’s new Off-Broadway solo show “Yes, I Can Say That!’ offers a funny but cautionary tale about the future of comedy.
Frank DiLella's theater picks:
Spectrum News
April 7, 2023 • By BY • Photo credit: James Leynse
New York City favorite Judy Gold is currently bringing her new solo skit center stage with “Yes I Can Say That!” now playing at 59E59 Theaters.
Interview: Judy Gold Crusades for Free Speech in New Off-Broadway Show
Theatre Mania
April 5, 2023 • By David Gordon • Photo credit: James Leynse
Eight times a week at 59E59, comedian Judy Gold is fighting for her right to make people laugh. Gold began her crusade a few years ago in her book Yes, I Can Say That: When They Come for the Comedians, We Are All in Trouble. Here, Gold tells us about her defence of her creative process.
Judy Gold in Yes, I Can Say That!
allaboutsolo.com
April 4, 2023 • By Yani Perez• Photo credit: James Leynse
Judy Gold is brilliant in her new show, rightfully titled, Yes, I Can Say That! Her bold, witty humor truly stands out and makes for an unforgettable evening of comedy and entertainment.
More Theater Monday - Yes, I Can Say That!
Says Me Says Mom
April 3, 2023 • By Jeryl M • Photo credit: James Leynse
Yes, I Can Say That! is comedian, Judy Gold’s one-woman show based on her book. The show is full of her trademark humor, but there also is a lot of seriousness at its center.
YES, I CAN SAY THAT! • cititour.com Review
CitiTourNY.com Review
April 3, 2023 • By Brian Scott Lipman • Photo credit: James Leynse
Quads are the biggest achievement in current figure skating. So there’s something Olympian about “Yes, I Can Say That!,” now being presented by Primary Stages at 59E59 Theaters. Performer Judy Gold (along with co-writer Eddie Sarfaty) earn high marks – in their case, lots of laughter – for their unique theatrical quad, which combines a stand-up comedy routine, an autobiographical solo show, intelligent political commentary, and a necessary history lesson in one hilarious and powerful 80-minute piece.
… Top Off-Broadway Shows for April 2023
Broadway World
April 3, 2023 • By Team BMW • Photo credit: James Leynse
Each month we’re rounding up 10 off-Broadway recommendations for audiences not to miss!
Judy Gold knows the value of a good joke – and the steep price of silencing comedians. Unnerved and infuriated, Judy shares her reverence for the intimacy of collective laughter and her passion for the vital work comedians do to bring us together, make us think, and speak truth to power.
Photos: Go Inside Opening Night of Judy Gold's YES, I CAN SAY THAT!
Broadway World
March 27, 2023 • By Chloe Rabinowitz • Photo credit: Barry Gordin
Judy Gold’s Yes, I Can Say That!, presented by Primary Stages, is now playing at 59E59’s Theater A (59 E 59th Street), for a limited run through April 16, 2023.
Judy Gold draws the line and crosses it in her solo show ‘Yes, I Can Say That!’
Queerty
March 21, 2023 • By Merryn Johns • Photo credit: James Leynse
Gold summons the ghosts of many great comics, including Lenny Bruce and George Carlin. ‘I think it’s the duty of the comedian to find out where the line is drawn and cross it deliberately,’ she attributes to Carlin. Gold’s performance is all about what makes that line and why we have suddenly become allergic to crossing it.”
Yes, I Can Say That!: Judy Gold Hilariously Makes Her Voice Heard
New York Stage Review
March 21, 2023 • By Frank Sheck • Photo credit: James Leynse
“Judy Gold Hilariously Makes Her Voice Heard”
“It proves enlightening, informative and, most important of all, funny.”
Review: Judy Gold's Yes, I Can Say That! Is an Unflinching Defense of Free Speech
Theatre Mania
March 21, 2023 • By Zachary Stewart • Photo credit: James Leynse
Director BD Wong has worked with Gold to shrewdly balance the competing impulses of this piece, which informs and delights in equal measure.
Theatre Review: Judy Gold in Yes, I Can Say That! (59E59 Theaters, New York) ★★★★★
The Queer Review
March 21, 2023• By James Kleinmann • Photo credit: James Leynse
Co-written with Eddie Sarfaty, the jokes come thick and fast, but are never rushed, in this nuanced and at times deeply poignant piece of work.
Watch & Listen
'The Last Bastian of Free Speech:' Judy Gold Tackles Cancel Culture, Book Bans & Power of Laughter
Daily Blast LIVE • 5:53
April 12, 2023
Judy Gold has been pushing the envelope for decades as a comic and writer. Now she has a book and a one-woman show called ‘Yes I Can Say That’ and is tackling one of the hottest topics of all time: free speech in comedy.
Director BD Wong Visits the Today Show
Today’s Third Hour • 4:30
April 7, 2023
Former ‘Law & Order: SVU’ star BD Wong discusses his directing Judy in her new play… and reveals Ice-T’s simply iconic texting style.
The Tippification (w/ Judy Gold & Aaron Kominos-Smith)
Fake the Nation
Recorded April 12, 2023
Hosted by Negin Farsad, everyone’s favorite Iranian American Muslim Comedian Podcast Host with Black Hair and Red Glasses, Fake the Nation is a comedy show that isn’t afraid to talk about news, culture, and humanity’s weirdness..
Billy Masters: Judy Gold
Billy Masters LIVE • 107:22
April 12, 2023
Judy Gold is one of Billy’s favorite guests. Strike that – one of his favorite people. She’s funny, she’s smart, she’s quick, she’s loyal, and she’s BACK!!
Live from the Table: Judy Gold
Live from the Table • 59:53
April 7, 2023
Noam Dworman, Dan Naturman and Periel Aschenbrand sit down with Emmy Award-winning actress and comedian, Judy Gold. She discusses her new, one-woman show, Yes, I Can Say That, based on her book of the same name.
Exclusive for SiriusXM Subscribers: Seth Speaks
On Broadway
Recorded April 4, 2023
Seth Rudetsky speaks with comedian Judy Gold and director B.D. Wong about their new play.
The Tamron Hall Show
“There’s Truth in Jokes” • 6:47
March 29, 2023
Comedian Judy Gold and director B.D. Wong tell us about their new play, “Yes, I Can Say That!” The play is based on Judy’s book and highlights her quest to return to unfiltered comedic freedom. Judy and B.D. also tell Tamron about the inspirations behind the project and pay homage to legends like Joan Rivers who paved the way for women in comedy.
The John Fugelsang Podcast • @ 27:38.
April 1, 2023
John chats with stand-up comedian, actress, podcaster, television writer, author and producer Judy Gold. She tells him about her book and her one woman show called “Yes I Can Say That”.
Backstage Babble Podcast • 63:00
April 1, 2023
BD Wong talks about directing Judy Gold’s one woman show called “Yes I Can Say That”.
Sherrie
Sherri Shepherd Talk Show • 9:20
January 9, 2023
The laughs continue when Sherri chats with comedian and actress Judy Gold.
Let the Comedians Say What They Want! with Judy Gold and Joe Alterman
MomentMag Podcast • 53:08
February 17, 2023
According to Gold, “the job of a comedian is to expose society’s demons and confront them head-on, no prisoners allowed.” Join Gold and Joe Alterman, executive director of Neranenah, for an in-depth conversation about the challenges facing today’s comedians—from censorship and the growing threat of cancel culture to the rise in antisemitism and its impact on telling jokes about one’s Jewish identity.
About Judy
JUDY GOLD is an American standup comedian, actress, television writer, and producer. She won two Daytime Emmy Awards for her work as a writer and producer on The Rosie O’Donnell Show, and has starred in comedy specials on HBO, Comedy Central, and Logo. She has also written and starred in two critically acclaimed, Off-Broadway hit shows: The Judy Show―My Life as a Sitcom and 25 Questions for a Jewish Mother. She is currently the host of the hit podcast Kill Me Now.
BASED ON THE BOOK…
Order your copy from one of these fine book sellers
