SEAL BEACH SUN

Sweet hearts Special

“Mr. Fry” hands out a lesson in Learning”

by Ben Miles

Special to the Sun

“They Call Me Mister Fry” is an autobiographical, solo dramedy created and performed by Jack Freiberger.

Freiberger is a thirty something elementary teacher in the mammoth school district known as Los Angeles Unified.

The story chronicles the trials and tribulations of his first year in a fifth-grade teaching assignment in South Central Los Angeles.

For the  simplicity his students refer to their teacher as Mr. Fry.

We are introduced to a motley assortment of school yard prototypes ranging from the dreary administrative sorts fluent in the language of bureaucracy, to students looking for attention and acceptance with unexpected often unacceptable behaviors.

Take Jasmine for instance.  She is fatherless and desperate for someone to fill that patriarchal void.

Shortly, before Christmas break, she give to Mr. Fry her holiday project entitled, “My Important Christmas Book.” With it comes her confession and request, “I don’t have a daddy… Please, Mr. Fry, be my dad.”

Or how about Anthony who is constantly looking for a fight?

Later, we learn the circumstances that serve as the back drop in this troubled child’s life.

Full of ups and downs, Mr. Fry is way up when he is able to engage his charges by creating figures from balloons and the Knights of the roundtable.

Through teaching he learns that learning happens naturally in an environment that is fanned with fun and joy.

Mr. Fry also becomes acutely aware that a teacher necessarily becomes entwined in the lives of the students.

At one point, the callow instructor is compelled to attend a funeral with a child whose beloved uncle was killed in a gangland attack after a soccer game at the coliseum.

“They Call Me Mister Fry” is a performance piece full of pedagogical wisdom.

For example, we learn what many educators know but rarely admit: children love to learn, but hate to be taught.

Mark Travis directs “They Call Me Mister Fry” in a manner that underscores the charisma and grace of Jack Freiberger. The poignancy of the story is maximized by this director’s minimalist vision.

As the writer, Freiberger has an ear for  emotional nuance and comedic moments.  As an actor, Freiberger is a charmer.

“They Call Me Mister Fry” lends an impressive, effective commentary to the ongoing debate on the public schooling in big city U.S.A. Who says teachers don’t care?

The show continues at the Lex Theater in Hollywood through February 22nd.  For details contact (818) 906-0675