In this series, get to know your 2010 Philly Fringe artists a little bit better. Today, say hi to the creative force behind the show Man of Mystery:

Name:
Fred Siegel

Age:
49

Where do you live?
South Street, USA

Where were you born?
Bronx, NY

What was the first thing you stole?
My brother’s voice

What’s your favorite alcoholic beverage?
Manichewitz sickeningly sweet Passover wine

What was the last performance you saw?

Comedysportz All-Star Match

What’s your favorite Philly intersection?
Bustleton and Cottman, circa 1970

What’s the worst thing you ever did for money?
I lied for money at the Coney Island Sideshow, summer of 1990. (She’s in there, ladies and gentlemen. Bent. Twisted. Distorted. Contorted. Mangled, tangled and fandangled around and among the solid steel blades in the cramped confines of that coffin-like cabinet. How does she stay in that hideous hell-hole where you wouldn’t expect a dog to survive? For fifty cents, you can find out….)

Who’s your favorite Phillies player?
John Kruk (not recently)

Do you have relatives more famous than you?
Gary Belkin, a writer for Sid Caesar and Carol Burnett. I think he’s dead now.

What’s your least favorite country, and why?
I haven’t visited a lot of countries, but I don’t feel a need to go to Morocco again.

Do you own a gun? If so, have you fired it in anger?

No guns.

Do you have pets? If so, what are their names?
No pets. If I had one, I would fire at it in anger.

What is your job, if you’re not a full-time artist?
I teach at Drexel University. English department.

What’s the most disgusting thing you’ve ever seen on SEPTA?
Many years ago on the 59B (now the 58) there was an extremely fat man who sat in the back row gagging. With his eyes rolled back and his Adam’s apple bobbing, he looked like a giant turd preparing to erupt. Fortunately, he didn’t.

Man of Mystery runs from Sept. 3rd through 6th at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, 1020 South Street.

–Ellen Freeman

Photo courtesy of the artist