Arts & Entertainment
New Book By Cranford Author Chronicles Coming-of-Age In Comedy Club
At 16, Alex Bernstein was the youngest regular at Cincinnati's legendary comedy club where he balanced high school and performing stand up.
CRANFORD, NJ — Growing up as a teenager is already tough enough. Now throw together growing up as a 16 year old while performing stand-up comedy inside a Cincinnati club and you get a funny, coming-of-age, true story.
Cranford comedian, Alex Bernstein is sharing his story in his new book “Plrknib,” which chronicles his years spent inside the club growing up with comics.
In the 1970’s, Bernstein began writing for a radio station in Cinncinati as a senior in high school. When the legendary comedy club D.W. Eye opened, Bernstein auditioned to become a regular. He was allowed to perform but not allowed to drink.
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Bernstein’s high school friends would watch him perform but ended up ordered a pitcher of beer and causing a ruckus. This got Bernstein kicked out from performing. But with some negotiating he was able to get back on stage.
The book delves into Bernstein’s experience working with the comics as a teenager and finding his own punchlines. One important punchline to a joke, just so happens to be the title of his book — Plrknib.
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“My character, myself has trouble because I am competing with people several years older than myself,” Bernstein told Patch. “I keep looking to make things work until I find the perfect joke. The title of the book is the punchline of the perfect joke. A lot of the plot line hinges on the punchline.”
Bernstein’s compelling story includes love, friendship and just a teen-age boy trying to find his way in the rising comedy community.
Towards the end, Bernstein shows where he stands now. He moved to New Jersey and eventually Cranford in 1999. And then took a 25 year break from stand-up but has since returned.
He currently volunteers and teaches teens and adults stand-up and improvisation ("Hot & Shticky", "JUs for Laffs") at the Temple Sholom in Scotch Plains.
For more information or to purchase the book visit www.plrknib.com.
For more information on Bernstein’s stand up career visit promonmars.wordpress.com.
(Images provided)
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