Josh Kornbluth Takes No Prisoners, Connecting Private & Public

by Robert M. Gardner

On Friday, August 15, at The Marsh in Berkeley, we were thrilled to attend a work-in-progress improvisation of Josh Kornbluth’s “What Is To Be Done? Fighting Fascism and Depression.” An eager full house testified that Josh’s latest show already has the makings of another hit for this veteran comedy performer.

Josh Kornbluth is a genius: his latest show displays the full breadth of his keen insights and biting wit. His delivery has such honesty that gets us to invest in his history—growing up in a New York, Communist, Jewish family. He was teased by his classmates for his differences. His background made him a keen observer of political life and he has cogent and funny observations on our current disastrous descent into fascism.

After his childhood as a “Red-Diaper Baby,” he suffered from depression, an affliction that severely troubled him until, with the help of his therapist, he found Prozac. Josh describes the “glimmer” that he felt when, after six weeks, the drug kicked in. Unfortunately, the Prozac came with side effects, so he tries to wean himself from it—with humorous results.

Josh turns to his doctor for a drug without the side effects. The doctor suggests another SSRI drug and Josh confides that he does not quite know what those initials stand for. On cue, the audience responds: “Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors.” We all laugh as we realize that we just revealed our personal knowledge of SSRIs.

Josh excels at connecting with his audience. An accomplished comedian with over 30 years on the stage, he knows all the tricks to engage and entertain. We laugh, we cry—and he shows us how to connect our personal afflictions with the wider political scene, which could be the real cause of our troubles. And he turns his scrutiny to our present onrushing dictatorship.

With newfound happiness in his battle against depression, Josh wonders why he was still so unhappy. As he views the world, he reflects how quickly the U.S. is descending into a fascist dictatorship. In a brilliant insight, he realizes that the source of depression could be political!

Josh takes us from discussing personal issues to dealing with national and global disorder. Of course, we know that a lot of us are depressed about our country’s descent into oligarchy. To hear Josh put it into words helps us validate and examine our fears.

Josh points out that Democracy is an expression of Love. We feel for Others–that is the essence of democracy. When we say, “We the people,” we really mean: “We Love the People.”  Our future rests in our solidarity and our resolve to put those loving feelings into action.

Josh’s words give us hope that we have a future but only if we act and resist the political outrages that are growing day by day.

Josh Kornbluth has us laughing all the way to the next protest, the next necessary march. March On! Love All the People. Josh is the antidote to misery and the gateway to FUN.

 

“What Is To Be Done? Fighting Fascism and Depression”—improvised work-in-progress by Josh Kornbluth, tech by Blake Radiant, at The Marsh, Berkeley. Info: themarsh.org – Fridays, to October 10, 2025.

Cast: Josh Kornbluth

Banner photo: Josh Kornbluth. Photos: Steven Laschever