Jeff Rose, the quick-witted comedian widely known as the “RoastMaster General” for his biting performances on comedy central roasts, is set to bring his autobiographical one-man show, “Take a Banana for the Ride,” to Broadway. The highly anticipated production will open at the prestigious Nederlander Theater in Midtown Manhattan this August.
The 59-year-old comedian’s theatrical debut will commence with preview performances on August 5, leading up to an official opening night on August 18. The show is scheduled for a limited engagement, running through September 29.
In a recent Instagram post on June 19, Ross shared his excitement about the venture stating, “It took me a lifetime to tell my life story. But it’s really about all of us We’d love to see you; I know “you’ll have a blast.” Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment describes the 90-minute show as “a hilarious and healing comedic experience that explores life and human resilience.”
“Take a Banana for the Ride” was previously workshopped at the Netflix is a joke Festival in Los Angeles in May 2024, followed by a subsequent tour. Beyond his stand-up fame Ross has also appeared in films, including the 2015 romantic comedy “The Wedding Ringer.”
The Emmy-nominated comic’s deeply personal narrative draws inspiration from his late grandfather, who took on the role of guardian after Ross’s parents passed away when he was a teenager.
“Take a Banana for the Ride,” is a deeply personal yet universally relatable exploration of life, loss, and resilience, stemming from profound childhood experiences. At 14, he lost his mother to leukemia, and his father died from drug-related causes five years thereafter.
The unique title of Ross’s show, as he explained to Newcity Stage, originated from his grandfather’s habit of offering him a banana. This seemingly small act became a potent symbol for Ross, representing how individuals, like bananas, develop thick skin, endure bruising, yet remain essentially good, often becoming “sweeter” through hardship.
In an Associated Press interview, Ross, who also hosted “Historical Roasts” on Netflix, referred to his production as “very glad.” He hopes it will remove the stigma associated with loss and sickness, reassuring people “that they’re going to be okay no matter what happens,” and fostering a connection between his personal stories and the audience’s own experiences.
