JFCS excited to present comedian Rachel Feinstein at its 30th Annual “Laugh on Their Behalf” Benefit
Rachel’s many impressions – including ones of her own parents – have taken her from elementary class clown to regular appearances on Comedy Central and HBO
Rachel Feinstein caught the bug for comedy and entertaining at a very young age. One of her most vivid memories from kindergarten is making a funny face and getting a big laugh. Another memory she has from elementary school is doing an impression of her teacher’s southern accent, which also drew a big laugh, including from the teacher herself. “That was my first sense of ‘I could kill with this,’” Rachel said. “It was a high.”
Today Rachel is a successful nationally touring comedian and actress, still doing many impressions, and getting laughs from audiences much bigger than her kindergarten classroom. Huffington Post called her “the only comedian we’ve seen who can go from embodying her grandmother in one breath and a guy on the street in the next and be equally convincing at both.”
Two of Rachel’s most popular impressions are of her own mom and dad – a regular part of her standup act. “My parents love it. If they’re not in it, they ask why,” Rachel said, adding that her mother once brought a bunch of friends from her temple group to watch Rachel’s show.
Rachel has had three Comedy Central specials, including her most recent one hour special presented by Amy Schumer. She recently recurred on the Steven Soderbergh Amazon series “Red Oaks” and on Judd Apatow’s HBO comedy “Crashing.” Her past credits include Trainwreck, Top Five, “The Nightly Show With Larry Wilmore,” HBO’s “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver,” co-hosting “The View” on multiple occasions and several appearances on “Inside Amy Schumer.”
Rachel grew up in Maryland and originally pursued a career in theater when she moved to New York City. However, after becoming friends with a comedian, she decided to try her hand at standup. “I did an open mic night and I bombed wildly,” she said of her first set. “I thought I did great. It takes years – you’re terrible for a while, but you don’t realize it. Slowly you learn to be yourself onstage.”
Many in her circle of friends are also successful comedians, including Schumer, Nikki Glaser and Mia Jackson. Other comedians she said she loves watching are Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Chris Rock and Todd Barry. Any time she has the opportunity to work with friends on a project, she relishes it. “I love doing stuff with my friends,” Rachel said. “That’s all I ever wanted to do. That’s what I got in trouble with at school, so if I’m making a living off it, something is going right.”
She’s performed all over the country, including the Twin Cities several times, and made a point of saying it’s one of her favorite stops. “I love Minneapolis,” she said. “It’s a great city for standup and I’m always psyched to go there.”
Don’t miss Rachel when she performs at the Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis 30th Annual “Laugh on Their Behalf” Benefit! Event Co-Chairs Fran Bayer and Shari Barry, along with their Steering Committee, are excited to present her at the Dec. 1 event. Click here for more information and to buy tickets!