Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha

Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha is in performances through June 29 at the Public Theater.

By Elazar Abrahams

You never quite know what you’re walking into at HA HA HA HA HA HA HA, the Public Theater’s latest limited-run import from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The concept is simple, and the execution absolutely delightful. Each night, Estonian performer Julia Masli, a trained clown, takes the stage with one goal: to solve the audience’s problems. Improvising fixes to the crowd’s issues means that no two performances are the same. And as I learned the hard way, you might even find yourself becoming part of the show.

I attended expecting to watch from the safety of my seat, laughing at the absurdity of the one-woman hour. That plan unraveled quickly. Every night, Masli anoints one lucky (or unlucky, depending on your tolerance for public spectacle) audience member as the “face of all evil.” “Just for tonight,” she quickly assures everyone. At my performance, that lucky soul was… me.

After being selected, I was whisked backstage, informed that as I am the embodiment of all of the crowd’s collective issues, anxieties, and irritations, I must be “cleansed.” The show culminated with me taking an actual shower, live on stage, in a working shower stall, shampoo and all, while a full house of about 200 people looked on. Does this count as making my off-Broadway debut?

Shenanigans aside, the show is a riot. Masli’s command of the room is extraordinary. From the moment she enters, her deadpan expressions, hilariously timed blank stares, and sharp comedic instincts have the audience in stitches. The premise of asking attendees about their problems could easily veer into too much of a gimmick, but Masli keeps it playful, weird, and surprisingly cathartic. At the show I attended, common concerns like global anxiety and financial stress were balanced by a man with surprisingly bitter gripes about his ex-daughter-in-law.

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA is such a treat. It’s spontaneous, interactive, and deeply funny. Masli’s voice work, physical comedy, and total commitment to the bit really elevated this.

With only a limited run in New York, this is one to catch before it’s too late. You’ll be so glad you did, and if you’re lucky, you might even leave soaking wet.

Find tickets and more information HERE.