By: Sarah Gartner
Guinness World Records’ oldest working female comedian, D’yan Forest, is bringing her one-woman show, “D’yan Forest: A Gefilte Fish Out of Water,” to Chicago in partnership with the Chicago Jewish Alliance. The show will take place at the Skokie Theatre on June 18th, with doors opening at 6:30 pm and the performance beginning at 7:00 pm.
A Gefilte Fish Out of Water dives into the trials and tribulations of growing up Jewish. It’s never been easy being Jewish, but after 91 years, D’yan can laugh about it. And so will the audience, as D’yan gives her uncensored take on being a Jew in America, with stories, songs and plenty of jokes. The world may be in a tragic place right now, but D’yan’s most certainly not.
“Talking about being Jewish right now feels more important than ever. There’s a lot of misunderstanding and a lot of people trying to define what Jewish identity means without actually listening to Jews themselves,” explained Forest. “For me, getting on stage and talking about Judaism isn’t just about getting laughs; it’s talking about the struggles, the stereotypes, the awkward conversations, the pride, the resilience, it’s all part of the story. If we can laugh together about what it means to be Jewish today, we can also start to understand each other a little better.”
Forest is a powerhouse comedian who shows no signs of slowing down, having performed around the world in New York, Paris, London, Edinburgh, and even Ethiopia. Critics have described her as “saucy,” “witty,” and “irrepressible.” She has appeared on The Drew Barrymore Show and has been featured in The New York Times, Time Out New York, The New York Post, The Guardian, and France’s Got Talent. Her act titled I Married a Nun has placed her on the same stages as Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Gaffigan, and Joan Rivers.
This June 2026 performance reflects the Chicago Jewish Alliance’s commitment to expanding Jewish cultural programming across Chicago. The Chicago Jewish Alliance is a grassroots, community-powered organization dedicated to defending the Jewish people, standing proudly for the State of Israel, and confronting antisemitism across Chicago and the greater Chicagoland area. Hyperlocal by design and action-driven in approach, CJA supports students, families, synagogues, and institutions through advocacy, security initiatives, and cultural programming. Guided by a commitment to strengthening the next generation of Jews, CJA builds visible, confident Jewish life rooted in dignity, pride, and community leadership. Through partnerships with artists like D’yan Forest and local institutions, it builds vibrant public spaces where Jewish life is celebrated with pride.
“At 90 years old, D’yan Forest reminds us that Jewish life is not only about survival, it is about joy,” said Susan Haggard, President of the Chicago Jewish Alliance. “This performance celebrates humor, vitality, and the spirit that has carried our people through every generation.”
“D’yan Forest: A Gefilte Fish Out of Water” was written by Forest and Stephen Clarke, bestselling author of A Year in the Merde.
The Skokie Theatre is located at 7924 Lincoln Avenue and tickets are priced at $30. You can purchase tickets and learn more by visiting the Skokie Theatre ticketing page.
You can learn more about D’yan Forest by visiting her website at www.dyanforest.com or follow her on Instagram at @dyanforestwriter.
About D’yan Forest:
D’yan Forest was raised a provincial girl in the conservative suburbs of Boston. After a “scandalous” divorce for the time and two years of oral French lessons, Forest got on a five-day boat ride to study abroad in Paris. After falling in love with the city, Forest would then embrace the French culture fully, which would determine the trajectory of the rest of her career.
Back in the US, Forest performed as an international singer at golf clubs, country clubs, bars, and restaurants. Her life as a singer was cut short when the entertainment business in New York City was brought to a halt after the 9/11 attacks. With no idea that she had the capability to be funny, Forest became what the world needed the most at that time: a comedian. With her ukulele in hand, Forest put together a hysterical and risqué one-woman show which caught on quickly.
COVID-19 got Forest to wondering what else she could do with all of her wonderfully hilarious stories from life. I Did it My Ways is the culmination of her sitcom-worthy life events, now available for all to read. But this book is no indication that the 91-year-old is done taking to the stage. Her one-woman acts, “Swinging on the Seine” and “A Gefilte Fish Out of Water” can still be seen in New York and Paris at some of the most famed comedy clubs.
