It says in the Talmud, “A dream left uninterpreted is like a letter left unopened.” Well, I have been logging my dreams on and off for the last fifteen years, and my plan is to post three dreams every Wednesday. I invite you to respond with your comments and interpretations. 

The characters who appear in my dreams are the members of my subconscious repertory company. Most are real people. I will update the below ”Who’s Who” as needed.

I hope you enjoy “Fred’s Dreams.”

 

 

Who’s Who in “Fred’s Dreams”

(Alphabetical by first name.)

Alice Feigin — (Died in the early ’80s)  Eccentric cousin on mother’s side. Talented seamstress and packrat. She opened dozens of bank accounts in order to collect the free appliances they used to give as incentives. When she died, she left behind a closet full of clocks, coffee pots, and electric blankets.

Celia Siegel (1923-1990) — Fred’s mom. Full-time homemaker, but in her youth she was a sculptor and writer. In her later years, she got involved with community theater. Much smarter and more talented than most people realized.

Dad — See Harry Siegel.

Dan(iel) Siegel — Fred’s brother, a successful attorney. Dan was the smart one but Fred was the beautiful one.

Doug Henning — One of the great magicians of the 1970′s and one of Fred’s childhood heroes. Died in his 50′s of cancer.

Father — See Harry Siegel.

Gail Rosen — Gail was a girl Fred knew at George Washington High School in Philadelphia. Got together with her fifteen years later and married in 1998. Beautiful and smart.

Harry Siegel (1916-1999) — Fred’s dad. Social worker and administrator. Never lost the Lower East Side (New York) accent or attitude.  

Helaine Rosen — Youngest sister of Fred’s wife, Gail. Loves animals and rock and roll.

Jen Childs — Actor, director, writer. Artistic Director of 1812 Productions. Performed with Fred in Suburban Love Songs and Comedysportz. Talented and lovable.

Karen Getz — Actor, choreographer, director, and improvisor. Conceived of and choreographed Suburban Love Songs, in which Fred appeared. (Currently working on Disco Descending, to be produced in Philadelphia Live Arts Festival fall ’08.) Performed with Fred in Comedysportz.  Appears in at least a dozen of Fred’s dreams.

Kelly Jennings — Actor and improv commando. Performed with Fred in Suburban Love Songs and Comedysportz. Strong and competent.

Mike Young — Beloved Philly improvisor and inspiring teacher of improv. Founding Artistic Director of Comedysportz. Died tragically of a brain tumor in his late 30′s. 

Mom — See Celia Siegel.

Steven Feinberg — Childhood friend from Northeast Philadelphia. Compact and ambitious.

 

 Read Fred’s Dreams.