by Michele Markarian
Peter J. Fogel, the actor and standup comedian is coming to town to perform Steve Solomon’s “My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish, I’m Home for Holidays!”, a role he’s enacted, in one form or another, from South Florida to Trinity Rep in Providence. The one-man show will run from December 8 through the 19th at the Arlington Regent Theater. Theater Mirror spoke to Peter from his home in Florida.
Theater Mirror: Tell us a little bit about the show.
Peter: The character I play is on his way home for the holidays and ends up stuck at Atlanta-Hatfield Airport, with relatives complaining and freaking out over the telephone. I play 25 different characters in about two hours. I think it’s a show that a lot of people can relate to. Generational boomers love it because they have to take care of their elderly parents. The play takes family dysfunction and makes people laugh about it.
Theater Mirror: Sounds hilarious! My husband’s mother was Jewish, but he was raised by an Italian stepfather. What about you?
Peter: I’m completely Jewish, but the Italian-Jewish combination is fairly common. Behind every Italian businessman is a Jew who keeps the books! And you don’t have to be either of those things to appreciate the fact that no one is more dysfunctional and stressed than people are at the holidays. I’ve had African American audiences, Indian audiences, all come up to me after seeing the show to say how much they related to it.
Theater Mirror: The timing for this show sounds perfect.
Peter: It is. And by the way, audiences in Arlington might remember me as the last person to perform at the Arlington Regent before the COVID lockdown.
Theater Mirror: Seriously?
Peter: Yes. I was there with my one-man show, “Til Death Do Us Part – You First” . It was Valentine’s weekend of 2020. Then everything shut down.
Theater Mirror: Welcome back! I look forward to seeing your show! Don’t forget to bring a winter coat!
Wednesday performances are at 2 and 7 p.m.; Thursdays at 7 p.m.; Fridays at 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 pm. Tickets are on sale at www.regenttheatre.com or PlayhouseInfo.com, at the Regent Theater Box Office, or by phone at (781) 646-4849.
