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November 2, 2001/Cheshvan 16, 5762, Vol. 54, No. 8
Comedian documents spiritual journey
LEISAH NAMM
Assistant Editor
When comedian Marc Maron was in Israel a few years ago, he was convinced he was there to fulfill a biblical mission. A late-night vision of a wizard convinced him to buy a Sony Camcorder to capture a message from God on film.
Maron writes about this experience and shares his lifelong search for spirituality - as well as his unique views on life - in "The Jerusalem Syndrome: My Life as a Reluctant Messiah" (Broadway Books, $12.95 paperback).
The Jerusalem Syndrome is "a temporary psychological condition that happens when people go to the Middle East and they sort of snap and they think they're a biblical character like Moses or Jesus or Mohammed or they think they're in direct communication with God on a one-on-one level," Maron explains.
Before using the material in the book, published in October, he first wrote a comedy act about the syndrome's effect on him - a condition he's convinced he's had since childhood, after his Grandma Goldy pronounced him as her "number one."
He brings "The Jerusalem Syndrome" to the Valley at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, at the Tempe Improv. The show benefits Jewish Family and Children's Service and its work for victims of child abuse and domestic violence.
Appetizers and drinks will be served, with alcoholic beverages available for purchase. Dietary laws will be observed.
"The Jerusalem Syndrome" is something that came out of many years doing improvisational comedy at the alternative comedy clubs in New York, Maron says. "It's a storytelling event but it's basically an extension of what I do as a performer."
Maron also does stand-up comedy and is a frequent guest on the Late Show with David Letterman and Late Night with Conan O'Brien.
For his stand-up routine, he says he has about 20 minutes of current events material that includes "cultural observations and my personal critiques and humorous insights" about the politics surrounding the aftermath of Sept. 11.
For instance, a recent bit during a visit with Conan O'Brien included the following:
"How do you create these terrorists? How do you make somebody do something so evil? They're denied sex all their life. The women that are in their lives are usually not allowed to talk and they're covered up. It's my belief that if you don't have a woman in your life keeping you down somehow, you have no perspective of reality. Picture the conversation: 'We're going to go fly the plane into the building.' (The wife replies), 'You're not going anywhere. If you need to fly somewhere, we have company coming over, why don't you fly to the supermarket and get some ice cream for dessert.' "
"The Jerusalem Syndrome," a memoir of Maron's life, also follows his spiritual path, beginning with his first attempts at astral projection, and also deals with his experiences with Coca-Cola, cocaine, life in Hollywood, cigarettes, marriage and the Beatnik culture.
His spiritual journey continues.
"Currently I am trying to maintain some sort of faith and spiritual connectedness completely outside of organized religion," Maron says. "I have a certain amount of belief in a power greater than myself but it's not specific to religion in general."
Maron, who lives in Queens, N.Y., is the brother of Craig Maron, director of community relations and fund development for JFCS and the co-founder of the local chapter of Stars of David.
Details
What: The Jerusalem Syndrome
Who: Jewish Family and Children's Service
When: 7 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 14
Where: The Improv, 930 E. University Drive, Tempe
Cost: $40
Call: 602-279-7655, ext. 224
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