An honestly funny and unexpectedly heartfelt solo show, Jeff Ross: Take a Banana for the Ride turns out to be a really nice visit with a real nice guy. Nicknamed “The Roastmaster General” for his 30-year career mocking out stars and celebrities on TV, cable and streaming comedy specials, Jeff Ross offers a likeable account of his life and times and how he lost his hair.
An affable Jersey boy who hits sixty next month, raised in the better suburbs of Newark, where his Jewish family operated Clinton Manor, a well-known catering business, Ross explains how a serious health crisis and unexpected deaths among pals like Gilbert Gottfried inspired him to develop his show. Folks who enjoy the comedian’s style of insult humor should expect a different sort of laughter and relatively little stand-up comedy from Ross during Take a Banana for the Ride, which opened at the Nederlander Theatre on Monday for a six-week stint.
Here, the comedian mostly relates humorous, at times bittersweet, tales of his family and the circle of friends who have helped him navigate life (or not). Ross’ affectionate stories about his mother, who died young, and a feisty grandfather, who’s the source of the show’s title, are especially poignant. If certain aspects of Ross’ material sound familiar, that’s because he deals in experiences shared by plenty of his generation, class and geography. Now and then Ross serves up comedic riffs, such as a semi-sung celebration of Jewish culture. Later he strolls out amid the audience to demonstrate his spontaneous roasting prowess. Usually, however, Ross rolls along with his neatly-shaped autobiographical stories. Ross’ easy, conversational manner is gently underscored with music provided onstage by pianist Asher Denburg and violinist Felix Herbst.
[Read Frank Scheck’s ★★★☆☆ review here.]
Giving the event significant visual punch is a wealth of Ross family photos and home movies. These ever-changing visuals, interspersed with images of other people and places as artfully arranged by projection designer Stefania Bulbarella, light up numerous gilt picture frames of varying large sizes behind the comedian. The images literally bring life to designer Beowulf Boritt’s essential setting of a golden carpet floating within a midnight blue background.
Stephen Kessler, a film/advertising director making his Broadway bow, smoothly stages the show with the assistance of top-notch theater professionals such as Jeff Calhoun (creative consultant) and Barrow Group co-founder Seth Barrish (dramaturg). No runway model, the avuncular Ross sports a bulky, brown-flecked yellow suit reflecting his banana theme that probably looks better in theory than upon his person; the excellent Toni-Leslie James is credited as costume designer, but I don’t believe it.
For all of its appeal, the 90-minute attraction somehow seems a smidge overlong; perhaps Ross’ dog stories might be curtailed. Fans familiar with Ross’ skill at insult humor likely will prefer more audience interaction than he offers at present. A few expletives aside, the sincere, even sentimental at times Take a Banana for the Ride proves much more of a family meal than a mere roast.
Jeff Ross: Take a Banana for the Ride opened August 18, 2025, at the Nederlander Theatre and runs through September 28. Tickets and information: jeffrossbroadway.com
