Stand-up comic D'yan Forest set to perform at Joe's Pub as she celebrates her 91st birthday event
D'yan Forest, born Diana Shulman, is a groundbreaking Jewish comedian who has made a name for herself by addressing antisemitism through her performances. Known for her unique blend of humor, parody, music, and personal storytelling, Forest has become a Guinness World Record holder as the oldest working comedian.
Raised in the suburbs of Boston, Forest experienced discrimination based on her Jewish religion, from being barred from tennis and golf clubs to cultural restrictions such as not being allowed a Christmas tree or participating fully in social and religious rituals. These experiences shaped her comedic material, which combines humor with serious themes, including her family's losses in the Holocaust.
Forest's career took a turn in 1966 when she moved to New York City and began taking singing and acting lessons. After a summer in France while attending Middlebury College, she fell in love with the country and returned to Paris to live a dream following a divorce. Forest's comedy act is described as sexy, risqué, and self-deprecating, with her performances highlighting Jewish identity and prejudice.
Forest's new show, "A Gefilte Fish Out of Water," addresses antisemitism, a topic she has not previously discussed in her routines. The show is set to celebrate her 91st birthday on July 31, 2023, at Joe's Pub in Manhattan, and tickets can be purchased at publictheater.org/performances-jp/2023/d/d-yan-forest-a-gefilte-fish-out-of-water/. Forest hopes to continue performing, playing golf, and traveling, and she expresses a desire to perform for her 100th birthday.
In addition to her stand-up comedy, Forest is also part of a singing and ukulele group that performs in a canoe shed on the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn. She has appeared on Saturday Night Live, France's Got Talent, the Drew Barrymore Show, and Comedy Central, and performs at least twice a year in France and regularly at NYC venues like The Wild Project, Caroline's on Broadway, and Gotham Comedy Club.
Forest's memoir, "I Did It My Ways," recounts her French adventures, and she attributes her long career to her active lifestyle and never giving up. Jewish hate is on the rise globally, according to Forest, and she hopes to continue using comedy as a means to educate and enlighten people about antisemitism and her experiences with discrimination. Forest's impact lies in her unique role as an elder performer confronting antisemitism through comedy, a medium that allows cultural critique and historical reflection to reach diverse audiences.
Forest's unique comedy act, encompassing humor, personal storytelling, and the exploration of Jewish identity and prejudice, could be an interesting addition to a home-and-garden magazine's lifestyle section, shifting the focus towards entertainment and celebrity interviews. As she continues to perform, Forest's vibrant and active lifestyle, marked by a desire to play golf, travel, and work towards her 100th birthday, embodies an inspiring example of resilience and adaptability in the face of antisemitism.
