Reviews

Comedian Jackie Mason’s daughter Sheba stars in a musical about the relationship between her mother and father in The Jackie Mason Musical running now through January 22 at Empire Stage in Fort Lauderdale.

The late comedian, who died in 2021 at age 93, never publicly acknowledged that he had a daughter until he was forced by a judge to pay child support for Sheba until she was 18.

Even after Mason settled his paternity suit, he never contacted Sheba despite her many attempts to meet him.

“I ran into him (Jackie Mason) on the street, but once he recognized me, he ran the other way. From the time I was a baby, I never knew him. Maybe it is better that way as I never had a sense of loss when he died,” said Sheba Mason, who as her father, earns her living as a stand- up comic and actress.

However the musical is not a drama about the pain suffered by Sheba and her mother, playwright Ginger Reiter, who wrote the musical that was first titled 702 PunchLines and Pregnant in 1983. Rather, the musical takes a light hearted and humorous look at Jackie Mason and his many romantic relationships.

Reiter and Sheba Mason had much success with The Jackie Mason Musical which was first performed in 1985 and has been running for close to 40 years in New York, South Florida and other locations across the country.

“The 702 punchlines are for all the times that I had been with Jackie. Despite everything, I cared about Jackie and did not want to portray only his dark side. He was brilliant in his work and the musical bears this out,” said Reiter.

Reiter was 22 when she met 46 year old Mason at the Rascal House restaurant in Sunny Isles Beach and began a romantic relationship with him that led to the birth of Sheba in 1985.

Read Entire Article on SouthFloridaTheatre.com

The Critics

REVIEW:"... a magnificent, undiscovered gem with a talented ensemble cast and inspiring, well-written music. I saw the show the last time it had a run in New York and I became a big fan of the music."

Review: Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens, Volume X, Issue 5 (2015) Online Edition of Applause! Applause! (CLICK HERE TO READ ENTIRE REVIEW)

Ian Wehrle is a remarkably talented actor and impersonator. He does a spot-on Jackie Mason and has all his gestures and intonations down pat. Sheba Mason, who plays herself and her mother Ginger, is a vivacious force of nature; a bright light and a charismatic presence on stage. Eric Anthony Lopez recently appeared as a Featured Contestant on American Idol on FOX and clearly has the voice and acting talent to make his mark in this musical. Jennifer Yadav was extraordinary as Mrs. Olivier. Trevor Crane... does a good job playing Wooley the Schlepalong (Jackie's wing man), who delivers invitations to young women to attend Jackie's shows and to have dinner with him.The two Rascal House waitresses were Mary Lauren (Trixie, dressed as a French maid), and the hilarious Jasmine Renee Thomas (Rosa, the Cranky Waitress dressed in black leotards and bunny ears). Although there was no intermission between Act 1 and Act 2, you still get to see Rosa bent over cleaning up the restaurant. All I will say is that you will get to see the dark side of the moon, up close and personal!

Read the Full Review

Daniel Yusum - The Examiner "astonishing show" "hilarious"

By Daniel Yusum - The Examiner August 15, 2015

REVIEW: "astonishing show that was touching, yet hilarious. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a good laugh, terrific musical numbers, and an entertaining show! Rating: 5 Stars

Last week, I had the pleasure of viewing the Jackie Mason Musical live at the Davenport Theatre in Midtown Manhattan......It was an astonishing show....The musical numbers were terrific, yet humorous, at the same time, and gave the story a unique taste to it. ..... . Ian Wehrle did a phenomenal job playing the lead role in this musical, as Jackie Mason. Sheba Mason, who played herself and her mother, Ginger Reiter, gave a comical introductory segment in the play, along with a splendid performance as her mother, presenting the love affair between her and Jackie in an amusing, yet authentic manner. ......"an astonishing show that was touching, yet hilarious. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a good laugh, terrific musical numbers, and an entertaining show".

Comedian Jackie Mason’s daughter Sheba stars in a musical about the relationship between her mother and father in The Jackie Mason Musical running now through January 22 at Empire Stage in Fort Lauderdale.

The late comedian, who died in 2021 at age 93, never publicly acknowledged that he had a daughter until he was forced by a judge to pay child support for Sheba until she was 18.

Even after Mason settled his paternity suit, he never contacted Sheba despite her many attempts to meet him.

Reiter and Sheba Mason had much success with The Jackie Mason Musical which was first performed in 1985 and has been running for close to 40 years in New York, South Florida and other locations across the country.

“The 702 punchlines are for all the times that I had been with Jackie. Despite everything, I cared about Jackie and did not want to portray only his dark side. He was brilliant in his work and the musical bears this out,” said Reiter.

Reiter was 22 when she met 46 year old Mason at the Rascal House restaurant in Sunny Isles Beach and began a romantic relationship with him that led to the birth of Sheba in 1985.

Audience after the show

The Critics

Daniel Yusum - The Examiner "astonishing show" "hilarious"

More Audience Reaction

Audience Love Continued

Comments from The Crowds