Theater Review: 'My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish and I'm Still in Therapy'

When I went to see My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish and I’m Still in Therapy, I was greeted by a ticket person who asked what show I was there to see. I replied “Still in Therapy” to which he commented, “Really? You’re still in therapy?” This set the tone for what kind of night it was going to be.

The one man show written by and starring Steven Solomon is a sequel to his original hit, My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish and I’m in Therapy. It is playing at the Midtown Theater on West 46th Street in Manhattan until August 31.

The show is set in a comedy club with cabaret style seating. The stage itself was decorated for a birthday. There was a big banner, two piles of presents on either side of the table and some folding chairs.

The show is kind of like a stand-up routine with a plot. The audience members are guests at a surprise party for Solomon’s father’s 85th birthday. When Solomon appears on stage, he informs us that his family is running late. He then proceeds to entertain by giving antics about his crazy family. He is a master of impersonations doing 20 different characters throughout the show. These include his Jewish father, his Italian mother, and his sister who is a smoker.

Solomon is a man who was born and raised in Sheepshead Bay Brooklyn. As a child, he took in all the cultural diversity around him and translated that world to entertainment for all.

While Solomon is incredibly talented, this production included quite a bit of toilet humor. He did comment on this. He said “some people may find it vulgar, but it is a fact of life.” However, it depends how much you can handle. Other jokes are based on differences between the Italian and Jewish culture and age. I personally would have enjoyed more of the culture based jokes. The original production in the clip below included more of these.

Regardless, the audience seemed well entertained at the Still in Therapy production, laughing heartily throughout. You do not have to be Italian or Jewish or the combo to get the jokes, but being 50 or over might help. That age range seemed to be the target audience of much of the material.

In the end, though not highbrow, with the right crowd, it is still a fun night out.