Already rocking the standup world, international comedy phenomenon Bassem Youssef brings his electrifying one-man show, THE MIDDLE BEAST, to Newark this summer. This groundbreaking performance will be conducted entirely in Arabic.

Hailed as the “Jon Stewart of the Middle East,” Youssef delivers a unique standup experience that pushes boundaries in what remains a relatively new art form for Arabic culture. The show features subversive narratives and strong language rarely heard in Arabic live performances—audiences attend “at their own risk.”

What makes Youssef’s performance remarkable is his ability to connect with Arabic speakers from all Arab countries, bridging vastly different dialects and cultural references that typically create distinct comedic languages. Through hilarious personal stories from his life before fame, he creates connections across generations and cultures.

Time Magazine named Youssef to their “Most Influential People” list as a “Pioneer,” recognizing his transformative impact on political satire. His fearless comedy earned him both the International Press Freedom Award and recognition as a global thinker by Foreign Policy magazine. THE MIDDLE BEAST has achieved massive success throughout the US, Canada, Europe and the Middle East. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience Bassem’s brilliant perspective and razor-sharp wit in a performance that defies cultural barriers.