Francine Rafton, upper right,  and Wendy Westerwelle.

Francine Rafton, Wendy Westerwelle team up Jewish American princesses

By Jewish Review

article created on:

Francine Rafton and Wendy Westerwelle are familiar names in Portland—Rafton for her long tenure as a broadcast personality and Westerwelle for her frequent appearances in Portland theater productions.

Now the two have teamed up at Triangle Productions to bring “The Jewish American Princess of Comedy,” known familiarly as “The J.A.P. Show,” to Portland theater goers at the Coho Theater.

“The J.A.P. Show,” written by acclaimed New York comedienne Cory Kahaey, celebrates trailblazing and treasured pioneer comediennes such as Belle Barth, Totie Fields and Pearl Williams, among others. The show includes vintage film footage of some of the early queens of comedy, including Fields and Jean Caroll, the latter of whom some may recall from “The Ed Sullivan Show.”

Rafton, who also worked the West Coast as a stand-up comic, and Westerwelle add their own comedic twists to the show.

The show, extended due to strong audience response, is on stage at the Coho Theater, 2257 N.W. Raleigh St. It plays through April 26 at 8 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. A 2 p.m. matinee is scheduled for April 13.

General admission is $20 in advance. Students and elders (over 55) get in for $18, in advance. All tickets at the door are $23.

Buy tickets on line at tripro.org or by phone at 503-239-5919.

E-mail the theater at trianglepro@juno.com.