A couple of jokers

Something seems funny around here…it’s because husband-and-wife comics Ben Rosenfeld and Michelle Slonim just moved to town.

Slonim and Rosenfeld on the Nick Cannon Show.

BY GRACE FAIRCHILD

Like many couples, Michelle Slonim and Ben Rosenfeld moved to Scarsdale for their daughter to enroll in Scarsdale public schools. Like many residents, Michelle loves the drama that unfolds in Scarsdale Facebook groups, and she recounts every development for Ben as they wind down for the evening. And while you may think your family has a professional jokester doing a tight-five in the living room each evening, Ben and Michelle actually do — it’s their small business, Living Room Laughs.  

New Scarsdale residents Ben and Michelle are professional comics, writing, performing, and producing stand-up comedy shows across the Tri-State Area. They moved to Fox Meadow in February from Astoria, Queens, where Ben jokes their six-year-old was getting “too good” of an education. Their family is quickly adjusting to life in the Village — as a native of Manhattan, getting behind the wheel is not quite second nature to Michelle, so she is taking driving lessons. Their daughter is making friends and learning new things at Fox Meadow Elementary. Ben is workshopping his Scarsdale bits: “Scarsdale has like forty hair and nail salons. They have one tiny book store, and the only book they sell is [called] How to Choose a Nail Salon.” Once Ben finishes reading this book, I’m sure he’ll feel completely at home.

Michelle and Ben say they have not met many other comedians yet in Westchester, but they are eager to make more friends and bring their comedy shows to the community. Michelle told the Scarsdale Insider that she has been reconnecting with old camp friends and is going on “friend dates” to get to know people. Living Room Laughs, a service where Michelle and Ben bring a comedy club atmosphere complete with comics, microphones and an amp into people homes, was started when Michelle was asked to perform some of her stand-up at a friend’s house, so signs seem to indicate they are a good hang.

Like any major life change, the move to Scarsdale has had its bumps in the road. While snow tubing behind Fox Meadow Elementary, Michelle hit her head on a steel railing, requiring an ambulance ride to Westchester Medical. Luckily, she seems to have healed well, and she must be applauded for performing her own stunts.

The Rosenfeld-Slonim family’s biggest hope is for life in Scarsdale is to host enough local comedy shows so that they do not have to continue commuting to the city for work. But in the meantime, they will settle for Michelle learning to drive.

To learn more about Slonim and Rosenfeld and their upcoming shows, visit livingroomlaughs.com.