Who am I and how do I accept my Jewish self?
Fred Raker asks those questions in his new one-man show, “It Could Have Been a Wonderful Life.” Based loosely on Jimmy Stewart’s 1946 film, it tells the funny and touching story of former standup comedian Phil Resnick, who is reassessing his life’s decisions.
Raker’s one-night show takes place Sunday, Jan. 10 at Peninsula Temple Sholom in Burlingame. This will be its first performance on the Peninsula and before a Jewish group.
The event is co-sponsored by the synagogue’s sisterhood and Peninsula Jewish Community Center. It opened last February at San Francisco’s Venue 9 Theater.
“This show was created in answer to many recurring dreams I’ve had of performers with whom I’ve originally worked over the years,” said Raker, a comedy writer and professional actor. “I felt compelled to do something to exorcise the demons from these dreams.”
Resnick’s career path loosely parallels that of Raker. When the show opens, Resnick is in Los Angeles dating someone who isn’t Jewish. Dealing with Hollywood people, he is losing his Jewish sensibility. He is constantly told to “tone down your East Coast accent.” Resnick thinks the show biz bosses mean that his accent is “too Jewish.”
At the time, he denies being Jewish.
Trying to resolve his conflict, he leaves Los Angeles for Syracuse, N.Y. He becomes a big hit on a public TV station there and hosts a senior talent show at a local Jewish home. But after encountering a comedian with whom he has previously worked and who is now on the national circuit, Resnick questions his own career move and becomes depressed.
At this point Jack Benny, his guardian angel, miraculously appears. Benny shows him what would have happened if he had not left Los Angeles. But in order to gain self-acceptance, Resnick has to work out his relationship with his parents, his extended family, his friends and ultimately, his Judaism.
Raker, 44, who wrote the show, does 25 impersonations, both men and women. Local performer Grace Walcott helped him develop the show, which she directs.
Originally from New Jersey, Raker has been doing impressions and entering local talent shows since his high school days and as a student at Ithaca College. Raker has long admired Woody Allen. He says, “I feel Woody is a true American original with his distinct character…I can really identify with him.”
Following his student days, he did standup comedy in New York in 1976 along with Jerry Seinfeld and Phil Reiser. Moving to Los Angeles in 1978, he toured college campuses with Bob Saget, star of “America’s Funniest Home Videos.”
In 1980 he left standup comedy to write for the TV show “Fridays,” where he also appeared as Jimmy Carter, and “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson. Since moving from Los Angeles to the Bay Area in 1985, he has been producing advertising and corporate videos, serving as both writer and performer. He has done radio spots for such products as Arby’s, Cellular One and Nalley’s Pickles.
Following the show, Raker’s wife, Katherine Tick, will lead a discussion on Jewish identity issues. Dessert and coffee will be served.