Reflections of an Artist

They Call Me Mister Fry

   LA has an abundance of talented actors, writers and directors. I have seen many wonderful shows in the smaller venues in town that rival off Broadway.

   That is why I was pleased to attend a performance reading of "They Call Me Mister Fry," written and performed by Jack Freiberger. A performance reading of a play is like a film preview before the actual opening. The audience gets to give their opinion of the play, and like a film, it can be edited and changed according to those comments. I have always been somewhat outspoken and opinionated, so this sounded like fun to me.

   This one-man play is about a Wonder Bread idealist, who winds up teaching 5th grade in a No Child Left Behind South Central school. It follows the misadventures of Mr. Fry through the course of a year, with many missteps by both teacher and students. Jack has a great knack for capturing the many people that are Mr. Fry's protagonists, but it is the interaction of two students with their teacher that sets the emotional core of the story. Jack playing these three parts is a fascinating dance to watch. Laughing at the futility of going against a system that is designed for failure and crying when Mr. Fry actually succeeds in teaching and touching the kids. But what he learns is, of course, the most important lesson. It is a wonderful story full of emotion and Jack's portrayal showcases his versatility as an actor.

   The audience was unanimous in its praise of the play. However, a work in progress can always be improved and the comments of the audience can only make a good thing better.

   "They Call Me Mister Fry" will open in February and I will keep everyone posted on the specifics.