A year ago, Jersey Shore comedian Jimmy Grzelak set himself a challenge that would test the limits of his own talent and his audiences’ sense of humor: He would perform a 60-minute comedy set delivered entirely in the form of a Gregorian chant.
Though Grzelak has always been drawn to Gregorian chants for their calming effect, he now seeks to push the art form by making it funny.
“It’s always just been a musical form that I find really interesting because it is so obviously boring. And it’s been a fun challenge to explore,” said Grzelak.
Grzelak is performing his adults-only act “Gregorian Chant Comedy Hour” for the first time at Portland Stage Studio in Portland, starting on Friday at 6:30 pm as part of the PortFringe festival. In addition to Grzelak’s comedy set, festival goers can stop by 22 other shows that week.
PortFringe, like other fringe festivals, is lottery-based. Any performer can apply, and the winning applicants are chosen at random.
PortFringe committee member Tara McDonough, who volunteers at the festival when she isn’t working as a prospect researcher, said that finding out what the shows will be each year is exciting.
“I love seeing what local artists are putting together [at PortFringe],” said McDonough. McDonough has known some PortFringe applicants for years and always enjoys seeing what they’re bringing to the table.
She said of Grzelak, “His shows are weird in the best possible way, just delightful.”
Grzelak, who grew up gay in a Catholic family, said that he hasn’t always found his beliefs perfectly aligned with church teaching. Nonetheless, he continues to be drawn to churches in a search for beauty and meaning.
That search led to his interest in Gregorian chanting, an ancient Roman Catholic style of music in which religious figures, such as monks and nuns, chant passages of the Old and New Testaments.
As an homage to the history of Gregorian chanting, Grzelak will be wearing a Franciscan robe during his performance.
Before COVID, Grzelak had been accepted into Union Theological Seminary in New York and even received a full scholarship to study there, but he ultimately turned the offer down to work at an escape room and pursue his art on the side. When the pandemic hit, he found himself short on money and took a day job as a corporate tech salesman.
“It’s weirdly similar to performance art. It’s a bit of a full circle, but I’m really excited to get back to performing with this show,” said Grzelak.
Though Grzelak has been secretive about the upcoming show, he did share some outtakes with fellow comedian and colleague New York-based Maddie Silverstein.
“It really had me laughing,” Silverstein said. “And his voice is so beautiful.”
Silverstein and Grzelak met when they were both studying abroad in Madagascar in 2011. Even then, Grzelak was exploring his faith. When the two had to complete independent projects at the end of the semester, Grzelak chose to sit in the same church every day and observe what the people were doing, while Silverstein’s project was about the beer market in Madagascar.
Grzelak also acts as Silverstein’s solo show coach.
“He’s truly so talented and is also really great at helping people believe in their art. Jimmy really encourages other people to be their authentically weird selves,” said Silverstein.
Attendees of PortFringe this summer can also expect to see acts by dozens of Maine artists as well as a few performers from around the country, bringing heartfelt journeys, improv comedy, campy horror, and even puppetry to the stage at the Apohadion Theater, the TFK, and the Portland Stage Studio.
IF YOU GO
“Gregorian Chant Comedy Hour,” Portland Stage Studio. 25A Forest Ave. Friday at 6:30 p.m., Sunday at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 17 at 6:30 p.m., and Friday, June 19 at 8 p.m. The show is for adults only.
PortFringe runs Thursday-June 19. Admission $20 per show, $15 for 3 shows, or $130 for all shows unless sold out. Venues include Portland Stage Studio and the TFK, both at 25A Forest Ave., and the Apohadion Theater at 107 Hanover St. Most shows are adult-oriented. Check portfringe.com for details on individual shows.