Robin Williams impersonator shares his story at TBI comedy show

Temple Beth Israel was filled with laughter on Jan. 14. 

Robin Williams impersonator Roger Kabler performed his nationally recognized comedy show, “The Ultimate Robin Williams Tribute Experience.”

The night started with dinner at 6 p.m. Temple members invited their friends and family from other organizations and communities on the island to the dinner and show event.

At 7:30 p.m., guests headed into the synagogue and the show began. Kabler’s first act was an impersonation of Williams, as if people were watching one of his shows live. 

Kabler tries his best to personalize the routines to his audiences, mixing in Williams’ classic bits. He ended the first act with a recap of some of Williams’ most famous lines.

Following a 15-minute intermission, Kabler shared with the audience his story, talked about his film “Being Robin” and took requests for impressions of other celebrities, such as Robert De Niro, Michael Jackson and Neil Diamond.

Kabler spent most of his career exploring acting and performing comedy in New York and Hollywood. In 2014, Kabler moved back to his hometown of Framingham, Massachusetts, to pursue art around the same time Williams died. Kabler was also diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the time.

“Shortly after I moved back to Massachusetts, that's when it started to happen,” said Kabler. “I had always done Robin in my comedy act. When he died in 2014, I started to feel very haunted by him. I felt him experiencing life through me. It was scary. Then what happened was people were asking me if I would do a tribute.”

This show is a part of a seven-stop tour around Florida. Kabler has traveled the country performing “The Ultimate Robin Williams Tribute Experience.”

“He has the mannerisms down to the tee, and he looks a lot like him, too,” said temple member Karen Gary. “I really liked the second act where he shared his story with us. I liked being able to understand why he does what he does and how he became the comedian he is today.”