From the Desk of Jim R, Take 2, Column 397, Front Row Center: Seven Angels Theatre Presents Steve Solomon's "My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish & I'm Still in Therapy"

By James V. Ruocco

"Watching Steve Solomon perform is a bit like listening to a mockingbird. You'll catch a little Alan King here, a pinch of Seinfeld there, with a smidgen of Don Rickles, Billy Crystal and George Carlin thrown in. Adding to the sense of comic deja vu, his delivery is peppered with clever vocal effects - the kind that were Billy Cosby's trademark during his standup days."
Variety

"It's So Clever! You're Going to Love It."

WOR-Radio

"Steve Solomon is like the uncle at Thanksgiving who just won't stop cracking jokes."

The New York Times

"Perfect Comic Timing."

The New York Post

"He lands the punchlines with gusto. His sense of humor is pungent and juicy. He's disarmingly honest. He knows how to work an audience. His comedy act is kosher pickle perfect with infectious sprinklings of matzo ball chicken soup, lasagna, spaghetti sauce and potato latkes all rolled into one."

From the Desk of Jim R, Take 2

The good news: Steven Solomon is back.

After more than 10,000 live performances worldwide and a record-breaking one million in ticket sales from his critically acclaimed comedy shows, the Brooklyn native is back in town doing what he does best - stand-up comedy front and center - fueled with a scripted, laugh-a-minute, often improvisational mindset that's guaranteed to keep you howling for weeks.

Similar in style to "Cannoli, Latkes & Guilt," "From Brooklyn to Broadway in Only 50 Years" and Solomon's deliciously witty "My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish & I'm in Therapy," his current gig, aptly titled "My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish & I'm Still in Therapy" travels back to the past with a prequel concept, populated by the same loveable and humorous characters the comedian has used in pretty much all of his time-honored comedic outings.

So, what are you waiting for? Pick up the phone, grab a ticket or two and get ready for a comedy night of fun, surprise and impromptu situations - the kind where anything can happen and does.

"My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish & I'm Still in Therapy," directed by Andy Rogow, is being showcased at Seven Angels Theatre (1 Plank Road, Waterbury, CT) from May 19 through 21, 2023.
Performances are 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

This all-new show journeys back in time to follow Steve and his twin sister (i.e., the smoker) from their toddler years right up to the present.
Along for the ride are 30 different characters including Uncle Willie, Demented Cousin Kenny, Uncle Paulie, Stuttering Cousin Bob and Steve's new therapist Cousin Sal.
As with the comedian's previous shows, all of these characters, and others, are brought to life on stage with Solomon - front and center - channeling their emotions, quirks and ticks with specially created voices and dialects that make them sing, dance, swim and pivot.
Sound effects - wacky, unique and side-splitting - heighten and mood and hilarity of each story and remembrance.

"I wanted to write something that was universal - that was accepted universally, and it worked," says Solomon. "You don't have to be Jewish or Italian to love the show. All you have to do is recognize a family that you happen to know and come home from a dinner with a heartburn and a headache."

As created by Solomon, "My Mother's Italian My Father's Jewish & I'm Still in Therapy!" is classic comedy stand-up laced with funny bone essentials, perks, gadgets, one-liners and memories that celebrate his Jewish-Italian heritage, his upbringing, his thoughts, his ideas, his conversations and his gifted, wonderfully unique comic persona.
Pretty much anyone who buys a ticket can relate to anything he says and does - growing pangs, mixed marriages, ex-wives, meddling parents, Kosher cooking, Jewish grandmothers, etc.
The possibilities are endless.

A native of Brooklyn, New York, Solomon grew up in the multi-cultural neighborhoods of Sheepshead Bay. The perfect training ground for the up-and-coming comedian, he knew at an early age how to use observations, dialogue and real-life events - class clown, Chinese delivery boy, among them - to hone and develop accents, jokes, one-liners, comic characters and crafty comic routines.

In addition to his popular comedy fests, the comedian has penned the best-selling book "Political Correctness and Other Forms of Insanity," which was also the basis for comedic episodes produced for The Golden Network TV Channel and programs of the same name that are currently being streamed on all ROKU devices.
He is also the recipient of the Connecticut Critic's Circle Award; the "Best New Off-Broadway Play" award from Broadway.com; and "Audience Favorite Play" from Broadway World.

"What is comedy?" says Solomon. "Comedy is being able to laugh at yourself. That's funny. That's comedy.
"When you grow up in a big family, as I did, you grow and change. You tolerate things as a kid because you didn't know any better. When you come back, one uncle has dementia and the other has terminal gas."

For tickets to "My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish & I'm Still in Therapy," call Seven Angels Theatre at (203) 757-4676.
website: sevenangelstheatre.org.

A special note: This preview marks the premiere launch of my new "Take 2" column "Front Row Center," which is similar to my "Weekend Round Up" commentary from my newspaper days.