Canadian comic Zoe Brownstone gives audiences the ultimate rom-com in her hour, A Bite of Yours. Zoe begins her hour by sharing her love of romantic comedies; “All movies are romantic comedies,” she quips, expertly rationalizing on the fly how even Taken could be a rom-com. And as she regales how much she loves these films that millennial women grew up on, Zoe weaves in her own true life rom-com.
Zoe is a likable performer with a quick wit
In doing so, she turns a stereotypical stand-up comedy hour into a cinematic storytelling experience while remaining present in the room. Easily one of the best comedic writers of the Fringe’s up-and-coming acts, Zoe ties her love of romance into her Jewish heritage, talking about Judaism, a seemingly difficult topic in 2024, with ease.
Beyond her well-crafted jokes, however, which tie in call-backs and well-placed punchlines throughout the hour, Zoe also manages to charm the audience with cheeky facial expressions combined with a dry sarcasm and wit. As she ponders life’s biggest questions — for example, why doesn’t Dyson make sex toys? — Zoe also finds a way to come to an emotional conclusion that brings together her Judaism, her experience as a child of divorce, and of course, her love life as it stands now.
A Bite of Yours reminds us that Jews are people and that women are funny, and if that’s not true allyship in 2024, what is? Zoe is a likeable performer with a quick wit and a dedication to finding the best punchline, and although some jokes are still cooking, Zoe is worth seeing now before she sells out next year.
