Was it worth putting our phones away for two hours? Absolutely.
Photo: Amir Hamja.
Before Ramy Youssef took the stage at the Beacon Theatre on June 28, excitement filled the air. Notable personalities mingled in the audience: Youssef’s Mountainhead co-star Cory Michael Smith was seen greeting friends, while SubwayTakes’s Kareem Rahma held court at the back. Cynthia Nixon and her family were situated in the orchestra section, engaged in conversations around them. A buzz centered around a certain guest, creating palpable anticipation.
Although there were no direct indications of New York City’s unexpected Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani attending, his presence was felt throughout the venue. Youssef’s set ignited laughter and cheer, a reminder of Mamdani’s surprising victory and the hopeful possibilities for the city. Hence, when Youssef closed his act with two uplifting topics, the crowd erupted when he introduced Mamdani.
Mamdani, who had engaged audiences at venue like Brooklyn Steel, received an enthusiastic response at the nearly 3,000-seat Beacon Theatre. During his segment, he casually addressed some key points of his campaign—emphasizing that New York should be affordable. After briefing him on a handy tip about avoiding island invitations, Mamdani humorously acknowledged the advice.
Youssef also hinted at another hopeful event from the past week. Emotion flooded his voice as he introduced Mahmoud Khalil, a new father and Columbia University alum recently freed from ICE detention in Louisiana for speaking out about the atrocities in Gaza. The crowd immediately gave a standing ovation, surpassing the earlier applause for Mamdani.
Khalil opened his speech promising not to be comedic, yet managed to convey joy and warmth as he supported Mamdani’s campaign, quipping about Mamdani’s principles and Youssef’s comedy efforts. He stated, “Our joy is an act of resistance,” highlighting the administration’s attempts to strip away such joy. Khalil’s hope for a future for his son in a city led by someone like Mamdani resonated strongly with the audience.
As the show concluded, participants exited into the humid streets of the Upper West Side, eager to unlock their phones. Conversations buzzed among the crowd, with one woman confidently asserting, “I told you he’d be there,” thrilled to have been correct.
