Sam Hoffman (center) with Frank Randall of HighBridge (L) and Jeffrey Richman, Cultural Arts Director of the St. Paul JCC (R).

Sam Hoffman, author of the Audie® Award-winning Old Jews Telling Jokes and producer/host of The Joke-Off, wowed the crowd at St. Paul’s JCC on Saturday night. The evening was a perfect combination of big laughs and cultural reflection, throughout which Sam presented highlights from his web sensation featuring older Jews (60+) telling jokes in a down-to earth manner that never gets old.

Sam takes the podium in St. Paul.

Filmmaker by trade, storyteller at heart, Sam shared many of his favorite jokes and anecdotes, from the birth of the concept (inspired by the compulsive joke-telling exhibited by his own relatives—including his normally buttoned up Dad and least-likely-to-showboat Mom) to the unexpected success of the project which is now available as a DVD, book, audiobook, and comedy album (see the latest release from HighBridge: The Joke-Off: A Comedy Knockdown).

Sam takes a photo of the St. Paul JCC crowd.

Not suprisingly, the audience for Old Jews Telling Jokes continues to grow. Sam was delighted to break the news that an off-Broadway show (news story from Variety and Theatermania) is scheduled to begin previews May 1, ahead of a May 20 opening at New York’s Westside Theater. Based on the delighted buzz in this crowded Twin Cities room, producers will have no trouble filling the seats.

Sam meets the St. Paul crowd in a signing after his presentation.