TAKE a BANANA for the RIDE Jeff Ross's One Man Broadway Show Now on Netflix

Jeff Ross is a heralded comedienne known for his fearless roasts of famous celebrities. Unfortunately, I didn't see Jeff perform his solo show at the Nederlander Theater on Broadway during its limited run this past fall.  However, fortunately for everyone, the show is now streaming on Netflix. Ross wrote, produced and starred in this autobiographical show which delves on his family, career and philosophy.  It was seamlessly hilarious, tearful, joyful, poignant and clever resonating with humor throughout. For those who don't know Jeff personally (fortunately for me I do) Jeff opens up about his his life and family history from his grandparents' origins and occupations, to his parents' love story, his birth and that of his younger much loved sister, Robyn while growing up in NJ. We follow his circuitous climb to comedic success along with the tragedies and blessings in his life viewed through photos, videos, letters and audience interactions. For those who think of letter writing as a lost art, consider the epistolatory potency of Jeff's parents love letters and the heartfelt letter Jeff's father wrote him on the eve of his high school graduation. Jeff's mother passed while he was in high school and his father shortly thereafter.  Jeff lived in his childhood home with his maternal grandpa who bestowed him with love and a banana for the rode. Perhaps the letters were so profound in part for enabling the writer to express their feelings without inhibition or interruption.  Jeff shared his years working in his father's catering business honing his slicing skills while most his friends were out having fun.  Still, there was a brood of buddies that bonded over poker and pot around his kitchen table.  His pal Mark (called out in the audience) first suggested they try standup while attending college together in Boston. For Jeff, there was no looking back.  He found his calling.  Jeff said "I hadn't been this excited or committed to anything since karate as a kid when I become the second youngest black-belt at age 10."  The simple staging provided an intimate experience.  Various sized frames on the set featured personal photos and videos.  A violinist and pianist unobtrusively onstage maintained a cohesive warmth for the show.  There wasn't a dry eye when Jeff talked about his beloved German Shepherd rescue, Nana, whom he had to put down. The melancholy mood got usurped with punchlines that were  "perhaps too soon" but appreciated comic relief that emanated from the comic genius Jeff Ross shares with the world. Thank you Jeff for your joie de vie, and your love for humanity.  Jeff paid tribute to his friends; fellow comics Bob Saget, Gilbert Gottfried and Norm MacDonald who passed within months of each other. Thank you for showing us the gift of gratitude for friends and family whom you thanked for supporting you, particularly during your chemo and colon surgery.  Laughter is the best medicine. I might try flinging spaghetti at my sisters next time we're together. Thanks for your candid chatter and providing us with laughter.