An Up-And-Coming Teen Comic Gets His Shot

Last September, Patch profiled , a Hills West sophomore who was then 14. He wanted to become a stand-up comedian. 

And it appears as if his dream might come true. This Friday night the 15-year-old will be appearing at the Brokerage Comedy Club, the place where he originally took a comedy course, a little more than a year ago.

Jesse made it into the "Sweet 16" of the NCAA Comedy March Madness at the Brokerage. Out of the original 64, Jesse will be in the third round this Friday at 10:30 p.m.  The remaining comedians are competing to make the "Final Four" in this comedy competition.

Mimicking the NCAA College Basketball Tournament, the competition started with 64 comedians going one-on-one March 11, and it will end with the Final Four April 1 at Governor’s Comedy Club.

As the field is narrowed down, the sets will get longer and hopefully funnier, until the final two comics each perform 10-minute sets to crown the 2011 March Comedy Madness Champion. The crowd determines the winner of each pairing and the judge has a decibel meter to determine the winner.

Jesse's father, David Scheinman, said, "The contest started out with 64 comedians from all over New York City and Long Island. Some were from TV shows like "Last Comic Standing" and Jesse is going against many who are older and have years more experience. He is the youngest and has been doing this  for a little over a year so to get into the Sweet 16 is a nice accomplishment."

Don't assume Jesse's routine is kids stuff, though. In fact, some of his jokes include comedy of a sexual nature.

Scheinman, who is very supportive and proud of his son, said, "Jesse uses his life experience as a student at HS West and also as a little league umpire in his comedy. He gets the laughs not because of his age, but because of his material."

"I am doing it as a hobby," Jesse said. "If I get famous, that's great. But I want to go to a good college and get a good job. Maybe a stockbroker like my dad."

The older Scheinman said, "The Brokerage was where Jesse started out as a student taking comedy classes so this club has a special meaning to him. The Brokerage and the other comedians have treated Jesse really nicely and it's been a great experience, no matter what the outcome is."

Those interested in seeing Jesse's act can also catch him at the renowned Carolines April 25 in Manhattan as he makes his fourth appearance there. He is also on the web at jessescheinman.com