“Odd Birdz” by Tziporela

Totally inventive rapid fire encounters of the third kind. Modern Vaudeville and Burlesque rolled into a frantic package with an Israeli accent.

Here in NYC most people think of Broadway and historic playhouses along the Great White Way when it comes to stage shows. Well, I have some news for you. Just head out to catch a group of Odd Birdz downtown and well off– off– Broadway to partake in a terrific evening of talented ensemble group fun and off the wall hijinks.
What we had the pleasure of viewing recently at the intimate Players Theatre on Macdougal Street was the award-​winning Israeli-​based theatre troupe Tziporela performing their critically acclaimed show, Odd Birdz. Not having heard of or seen this before we did not know what to expect. Man, after sitting there for 90 minutes we were genuinely bummed that the show could not go on for another 30 minutes or more. It was that good!
After nearly a decade of sold-​out performances around the world and a successful run in NYC in the fall of 2014, Tziporela has returned to New York City for a 7-​week run at The Players Theatre, starting July 16^th and ending on Sept 6. Since it’s a limited schedule of performances I would suggest seeing it as soon as possible before they are gone. The group of nine that makes up Tziporela puts on an exuberant show that will leave you smiling and in high spirits on the way out. The price is right and so affordable for a night out to be entertained like this. A night of good laughs are so worth it.
Walking in and heading to our seats we were quickly greeted by cast members that came right up to us to chat, sit next to us while waiting for the show to start, and also handed us candy. One even had me take a prop up on the stage and ordered me to move it around a half-​dozen times. It’s goofy fun as they mess with you in an innocent way. Eccentric, zany, warm, and chaotic it’s skit comedy with an edge that is a throwback to a combination of old NYC burlesque, slapstick, and Borscht Belt. Not entirely wholesome as this is really an adult type show with some sexual innuendo and choice words, but charming nonetheless.
What we sat through and experienced were about twenty fast-​paced vignettes that incorporate a mix of humor, music, dance and drama. No matter where you’re from you’ll recognize those daily situations we can all relate to shown in their own way with dance, movement, and outrageous laughs. Some skits were purely visual. Some had inventive wordplay. Some alluded to pop culture. Some were about dating, love, and life. Things we face in our normal lives of which all know of that transcends barriers of language, culture, and age. Much of it quite hilarious, and also touching at times too.
It was like watching a fast paced rapid fire assault on our funny bones. At times we were laughing hysterically, and at others drawn into their world of whimsy. The cast performed with enthusiasm, heart, energy and imagination as they reached to convey their message to the audience. Also, where else could you leave a show to find the cast greeting the audience out on the sidewalk with a guitar and funny songs pulling us in to be a part of it? Like Pied Pipers leading the way. They display an almost child-​like exuberance which exists within each of these charismatic performers, and they want everyone to feel a part of it.
We have not left a show this positive feeling in quite a while. Yes, we will be back before it closes to party with the Odd Birdz once again. We all need more laughs like these.

AMAZING SHOW! the actors are Super talented and its a continuous variety of scenes that will always keep you guessing and amaze you by their well thought out ideas. Its LAUGH OUT LOUD FUNNY! this should truly be on Broadway and should be on going for ALL to enjoy!

Please go see this now because it’s run ends on September 7^th. Point of fact, I am seeing this show again before its conclusion due to the magnitude of its greatness. This was a smart and joyous series of comedic and physical pieces that felt like a well-​written movie. This Israeli-​based troupe are spectacular performers. Whether it was the gifted physicality they displayed, the comedic timing, the singing, guitar playing or the ability to immediately shift between multiple archetypes mid-​scene, all eight men and women displayed a happiness and genuine enthusiasm I have rarely seen from any show, much less a limited run Off-​Broadway one.
I bought a ticket with zero expectation but even from the prerecorded opening facetiously suggesting that we leave our phones on, I could not stop laughing. Initially walking into the theater, I did not realize the troupe was greeting the general public. I was abrupt with the troupe member asking me how I was, since immediate kindness and genuine smiling naturally make me bristle. That same happiness and spirit was omnipresent throughout the show, such that even the sketch in which two women were having a crying competition for their dead lover turned into a magical will of spirits that invariably had an upbeat ending.
From what I could glean, the primary theme of the show was an examination of the various stages or permutations of love, whether it was love between a decades married Israeli professional couple or between cardboard cut outs that danced on a players outstretched feet. I have not seen anything this funny, positive and well-​performed anywhere on or off Broadway in the past year.
The various sketches of the janitors skillfully acting out everything from Othello to Scarface, the woman singing both male and female voiced love ballads and the couple enacting a sexy, but mega-​prolonged striptease were all performed with great heart and imagination. As far as the dancing, movement and group voguing to Madonna, I cannot explain the massive level of energy these performers put in that night. Tziporela is not going to be at the Players Theatre forever and since they are not even based in this country, please go see them before they fly home for the winter.