Interview: Ben Perry, Dana Ivgy, and Efrat Aviv Talk Tziporela and ODD BIRDZ

Hilarious and critically lauded Israeli sketch comedy troupe Tziporela is starting their last two weeks of ODD BIRDZ in New York City today at The Players Theatre. Back by popular demand, they have been tickling the ribs of New Yorkers since July 16. However, the troupe has had Israel laughing for the last 10 years. With Tziporela garnering international attention for being so funny, BroadwayWorld sat down with Ben Perry, Dana Ivgy, and Efrat Aviv to learn more about this group of deft comedians.

How did Tziporela first get started?

Ben Perry: We all graduated from the same school - the Nisan Nativ acting school - ten years ago. We got along very well together. The dynamics between us were great, and we had very good energy. We kept meeting up, and laughing about things together. Then we found ourselves with this sketch comedy concept using all the skits that we do together, which involves acrobatics, slapstick, and music. It has all the genres that theater has to offer, and we made ourselves a little playground where we could meet up and have some fun. People liked it, and we've been together ever since. Now, we have three different shows, and the show we're doing in New York - ODD BIRDZ - is our international show. We were here last fall and got really good reviews, and this is why we're back.

What made Tziporela decide to tour a show?

Dana Ivgy: When we did it in Israel, we used to have a lot of tourists come. A lot of people wanted to see Israeli theater, but they didn't speak Hebrew. But, a lot of our sketches have nothing to do with understanding a language. They're very physical. Even when we do speak Hebrew, it is very easy to understand what we're talking about. So, for years, we had a lot of people from all over the world coming to our show anyways. A lot of people asked us, "Why won't you come to us?" A lot of the professional colleagues we had from here [New York] and London said, "Why don't you just do it?"

Finally, we got an offer from Australia to go and perform there. That was actually the beginning of everything. When we got the actual offer we had to arrange the show so it would fit not only the English speakers but anyone from around the world who wanted to watch it and enjoy it. So, we adapted it. Since then, we have performed in Milan. This is our second time in New York. Everywhere we go we adapt it to the reality of where we are visiting, but it's only small changes. We could even do it in Japan because the show uses universal humor. Most of it is not even about language.

What is your favorite part about performing in New York City?

Efrat Aviv: It's not just Urban Outfitters. (Laughs) There's such a variety of different people. For us, it is meeting the audience, bringing our brand of comedy, seeing how people from all over the world react to that, and that they laugh. Everybody laughs at the same jokes. This is an amazing thing for us. Also, this city is so intense with energy. Everything is so fast and hectic sometimes. I think our show is very much like that. Everything is so fast. Sometimes, I say our show is a bit fast and furious because it is extremely funny, intense, very fast, and allows for so much movement. So, it kind of matches the energy and vibe of the city. Putting that on stage charges us. It gives us that bright energy that we need for the show. So, we love it.

After the show, the members of Tziporela greet the audience outside the theater. How did this tradition begin, and why is it important to Tziporela?

Ben Perry: Actors usually, before and after the show, wait behind the scenes. Afterwards, they get themselves packed up and then leave through the artists' exit. If we did that we felt like we'd be missing out on meeting our audience. So, we thought, "Yeah. Let's surprise them from the other side." The audience leaves the theater and we can see their immediate response to the show. It's always amazing to play around with them. We play a game with the audience. Here's a little spoiler: part of one of our sketches is "Something Stupid" by Frank Sinatra and Nancy Sinatra. So, we get people to say stupid stuff after the show. We use that very energy we brought out of them during the show a little more because we feel like we can. We show them that we still have room to party. We finish the show very excited and very uplifted, and the audience does as well. Then, we get to play around a little bit together, which is very nice. Also, after the show, sometimes you get so excited that your energy and your body is still in the show, so it is a fun way for us to just let all of that out with the audience. We love our audience. We love being in contact with them. We even do it before the show as well. We wait for them in the theater, we talk to them, and we ask them to help us with things to get ready on stage. We're in a party. The show is a party.

What's next for Tziporela?

Dana Ivgy: We're in the middle of a process. It's very interesting to us to reach places all over the world. We have a lot of offers right now that we're considering, and we also just celebrated our tenth anniversary in Israel. I think we'll start working on a new show while we're on tour. We hope to be back here, but we're also looking at opportunities in London and all over the world.

As of today, you have 14 more chances to catch Tziporela's ODD BIRDZ at The Players Theatre, 115 MacDougal Street, New York City, New York 10012. Performances are Thursdays at 7:00 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., and Sundays at 2:00 & 5:00 p.m. through September 6, 2015. Tickets start at $47. For more information about and tickets Tziporela visit http://tziporela.com.

You can also follow Tziporela on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.