Not everyone got the kind of name that looks good on a marquee or sounds good in the sentence ” … and the award for best actor goes to …”.  And let’s all just admit it now: no one really knew how to pronounce “Gyllenhaal” till several movies in, and even then it took TWO siblings to get the world to say it properly.  Twenty years later Demi Moore still has 50% of the population putting the accent on the wrong syllable.

So.  Now imagine that you’re not that famous at all.  Nowhere near.  And you’re given a name that everyone mispronounces or mistakes for another name upon hearing it. Wouldn’t you change your name too?  You would if you were Moe Rosen, writer and performer of I’m Only Explaining This Once, his solo-show currently playing at the Red Room.

Moe Rosen – that’s his new name, folks – seemed to have a long, uncomfortable relationship with his original name.  I will not rob future audiences the ah-ha moment of hearing Moe’s given name from his own lips, but I will go so far as to say it’s actually not as uncommon as, say, Rumpelstiltskin and if you’ve lived in New York chances are you’ve heard it before and may even know one or two of your own.  (I actually do.)  But Moe’s story isn’t so much about the name as it is about his family’s complete inability to actually zero in on where the name came from.

Rosen uses pre-recorded video interviews with his parents to start a dialogue.  Both mom and dad (shown separately) have their unintentionally comedic moments as they contradict themselves and each other.  Moe gleefully points these moments out as well as moves the narrative along.  Without a doubt Rosen’s father emerges as the star of the piece; Rosen Sr. waves away the past with a wry smile and -when pressed on how involved he was with choosing Moe’s name-  insists “Well I wasn’t really a part of that.  I just wanted a child”.  It’s rather adorable.

The convoluted back-story of Moe’s moniker has to do with being named after a great-grandfather who died in the Holocaust.  That name, however, was Hebrew, so Rosen’s mom went with the “English version” of the name … though that name turned out to be Israeli.  “It could have been anything,” the father insists, rattling off several (more common) similar “English versions” of the name.  “I just wanted a child” he repeats.

Overall Moe’s earnestness is sweet, the story is funny, and the filmed bit of his parents (which include further back-story about Moe’s grandparents) have unexpected moments of humor that are all the funnier for the gravity with which they are related.  The piece did, however, begin a bit slowly,  and much of the first bits of interviews consist of Moe asking the same question over and over again, as his parents give the same answer.  While it’s amusing, it starts losing its freshness after the 3rd, 4th and 5th repetition. (Asked and answered – counsel is badgering the witness.)

Soon enough Moe moves on and the pacing rights itself – but I would suggest trimming a little from the top, especially in order to stay true to the “once” of the title. I think this show could easily clock in at 35 minutes and still be as funny – if not more so.

Ultimately, Moe Rosen is a likable guy with a story to tell.  He comes from funny stock, that’s obvious, and he’s continuing the family tradition.  With a little trimming and  faster pacing I’m Only Explaining This Once is sure to entertain audiences for as long as Moe continues to explain.
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The 2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL will run February 22-March 4 at The Kraine Theater & The Red Room (85 East 4th Street between 2nd Ave and Bowery) and UNDER St. Marks (94 St. Marks Place between 1st Ave and Ave A). Tickets to all shows may be purchased online at www.FRIGIDnewyork.info or by calling Smarttix at 212-868-4444.

Related Posts:

• I’m Only Explaining This Once: 5 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• The Rope In Your Hands: Katrina, In Their Own Words (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• Man Saved By Condiments: Some Time Alone To Ketchup (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• Big Girls Don’t Cry: Laughing On The Outside (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• Love In The Time Of Chlamydia: Love And War Stories (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)

Five Questions. Five Answers. And One Big Decision: Rock, Paper, Or Scissors?

I’m Only Explaining This Once

Written & Performed by Moe Rosen – New York, NY

Hi I’m Moe. I changed my name last year. This show is about why. It’s hard to explain, so I like to do it in large groups to save time.

Show Times:

• Thu 2/23 @ 11pm
• Sat 2/25 @ 5pm
• Sun 2/26 @ 2pm
• Wed 2/29 @ 9:30pm
• Fri 3/2 @ 6:30pm
• Sun 3/4 @ 5pm

Answers by Moe Rosen

(Writer / Performer)

Karen Tortora-Lee’s Question
That’s some title. How did you come up with it – and what does it mean?
Moe: The title has to do with my name and changing it, that is so impossible to understand that I literally had to write a one man show about it in order to explain it to friends.

Diánna Martin’s Question
If you were going to invite five people, anyone from past and present, to see your FRIGID show – who would you invite and why?
Moe: My drama teacher Mima Hoyes, who kicked me out of drama when I was 14. Ken Slevin, the head of my agency, who I invited but I know he doesn’t go see a lot of shows. My former neighbor Josh Ozersky aka Mr. Cutlets, who I invited, but he has short term memory problems. My cousin Rich, who is camera #1 for The View, but he has to get up really early all the time and has kids. My dad, but he claims to not like entertainment or being entertained.

Antonio Minino’s QuestionWhat is the biggest sacrifice you’ve ever made for your Art and was it worth it?
Moe: Moving and immigrating from Canada to NYC. Yes it was totally worth it.

Geoffrey Paddy Johnson’s Question
Was there any unexpected discovery made during the development of this production and, if so, can you share it?
Moe: If I really concentrate I can make a story linear in time. (Thanks PMM!)

Michelle Augello-Page’s Question
What do you hope the audience receives from the experience of seeing this show?
Moe: Mostly really good vibes and lots of laughs because it’s really ridiculous.

Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament of DEAAAAATH

THM Bonus Question – We’re serious this year!
In the THM virtual Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament of DEAAAAATH which FRIGID Show do you take on? And what do you throw?
Moe: ROCK ALL THE WAY!
I will challenge Emleigh Wolf’s The Terrible Manpain of Umberto MacDougal show because I respect the depth of his pain.

Well, that’s mighty kind of you, Moe.  Contributing to the terrible manpain by any means necessary is something I’m sure Umberto would greatly appreciate.  PLUS, Umberto threw SCISSORS so that’s a WIN for you and Umberto must suffer the terrible manpain of Deaaaaath.

Both Love In The Time Of Clamydia and Initium/Finis challenged everyone and both threw ROCK so that’s a tie in those two rounds. You were also challenged by The Rope In Your Hands. Guess what?  She also threw ROCK.  Another tie.

So, I’m only going to explain this once – one win and three ties means you escape Deaaaaath and come out pretty okay.  Not bad Moe, not bad at all.

Thanks I’m Only Explaining This Once for participating in The Happiest Medium’s FRIGID New York Festival 2012 Q&A. And for playing our game! You’re officially ROCK in any and all challenges. You may continue your streak  - who knows! This is how it works in the crazy world of the Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament of DEAAAAATH!

For the rest of you don’t forget to check out I’m Only Explaining This Once!

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The 2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL will run February 22-March 4 at The Kraine Theater & The Red Room (85 East 4th Street between 2nd Ave and Bowery) and UNDER St. Marks (94 St. Marks Place between 1st Ave and Ave A). Tickets to all shows may be purchased online at www.FRIGIDnewyork.info or by calling Smarttix at 212-868-4444.

Related Posts:

• I’m Only Explaining This Once: A Rosen By Any Other Name … (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• Little Lady: 5 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• The Rope In Your Hands: Katrina, In Their Own Words (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• Man Saved By Condiments: Some Time Alone To Ketchup (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• Big Girls Don’t Cry: Laughing On The Outside (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)