In a time when headlines overwhelm us and tensions run high, laughter may be the remedy we desperately need. This summer, Jerusalem is getting a full dose.
From August 17 to 21, the Israeli Comedy Festival is back for its fourth year, honoring Ephraim Kishon, Israel’s legendary master of satires and comedy.
The festival will feature a mix of stand-up, improv, and five brand-new theater shows premiering all over the city in theaters, bars, and even outdoor spaces.
One of the most anticipated premieres is Donald and Abdul, a biting political satire written by Yonatan Blumenfeld and Tal Miller. The play imagines a surreal peace treaty ceremony between the United States and the Taliban, scheduled for a historic signing that could reshape global politics. However, President Donald Trump’s treaty partner, Abdul, mysteriously disappears just before the event, throwing the entire situation into chaos.
Through this absurd premise, the production explores the fragile nature of political leadership, revealing the deep insecurities behind the public personas of those in power. It also examines the thin, often ambiguous line that separates allies from enemies in the complex world of diplomacy. With sharp humor and incisive social commentary, Donald and Abdul offers audiences both laughs and thought-provoking reflection on the absurdities of modern political theater.
Another standout production at this year’s festival is Attention, Sergeant Major! written by Ram and co-created with Shahaf Kahalany.
This darkly comedic tragedy is set within the strict, claustrophobic walls of a military prison, where power, identity, and survival collide.
At its center is the unlikely relationship between an openly gay, emotionally sensitive prison guard and a straight, secretive inmate grappling with personal demons. As the two navigate their forced proximity, the play delves deep into their evolving connection, exploring themes of power struggles, trust, and the search for identity in a system that demands conformity and punishes difference.
While the subject matter is heavy, Attention, Sergeant Major! skillfully blends tragedy with sharp, unexpected humor. With its raw emotional depth and darkly funny moments, the play offers one of the most thought-provoking and emotionally charged experiences at this year’s festival.
The Israeli Comedy Festival also features up lifting and heartfelt productions
Among the darker premieres at this year’s festival, Esther stands out as one of the most uplifting and heartfelt productions. Written by Eti Vaknin Sober and directed by Yael Tal, this autobiographical musical comedy tells the inspiring, humor-filled story of a young woman from Jerusalem determined to make her mark in the world of theater. Based on Vaknin Sober’s own life, Esther follows its title character as she navigates rejection, self-doubt, and the search for belonging in an industry that often overlooks outsiders.
At the center of Esther’s personal and professional journey is a surprising turning point: the moment her natural curly hair – once seen as her greatest flaw – becomes her most celebrated asset. Blending lively musical numbers with sharp humor and honest storytelling, Esther explores themes of identity, resilience, and self-acceptance, all through a uniquely Israeli lens.
With its mix of comedy, music, and heartwarming authenticity, Esther promises to be one of the festival’s most inspiring and crowd-pleasing highlights.
Other standout productions include The Hoarder, a surreal comedy blending a pseudo-documentary style with horror, where bureaucracy, cockroaches, hoarding, and unexpected flamenco collide in a chaotic Jerusalem nightmare. Equally absurd is Prequel and Sequel Inherit a Cult, a dark mockumentary comedy where two brothers struggle to hold their mother’s fringe cult together after her sudden death.
The festival also features a wide variety of events beyond its main productions. Audiences can enjoy stand-up shows from top Israeli comedians, including Eli Haviv, Revital Vitelzon Jacobs, Yonatan Barak, and Itay Zvolon. There’s also Improvisory, a fast-paced improv show with audience participation, starring Naomi Levov, Shai Avivi, and Uri Gottlieb.
For those looking for late-night laughs, the festival offers free outdoor street performances and unique acts like “I’m Not Drunk Enough,” a boozy makeup cabaret at Hayotzer Winery, alongside many other surprises across the city.
From stand-up and improv to full-scale theater premieres, the Israeli Comedy Festival promises laughter for everyone.
Full event schedule and tickets available at: www.comedy-festival.co.il