Philly Fringe Vital Stats: Jeff Soles
Started in 2006 by way of Craigslist and childhood friendships—the former not to be confused as a vehicle for the latter—IdRatherBeHere is a comedy troupe that loves making fun of all things Philly. For the 2012 Philly Fringe, the troupe presents Wawapalooza 6: The Great Almost, the sixth in a series that has run in the past five Philly Fringes, all to sold-out audiences. Made up of nine performers, IdRatherBeHere sent us Jeff Soles, one of the troupe’s original members. Here are his answers to our questions.
Name: Jeff Soles.
Age: Ugh 30.
Where were you born? Lower Bucks County (LBC in the house!).
Where do you live now? I fear change.
Show Title: Wawapalooza 6: The Great Almost.
Explain your performance in 2 sentences. To an 8-year-old. We’re a bunch of grown-ups that make fun of other grown-ups who don’t realize we’re making fun of them. Why are you asking because this isn’t a kid-friendly show. Now get out of here.
What was your favorite toy as a kid? Nintendo. TV was my babysitter.
What would you do if you just inherited a pizzeria? Give out free slices to hot chicks who flash me. Pizza be the new Mardi Gras beads.
Did you go to college or grad school? If so, where? Temple University Class of 2004!
Your refrigerator: condiments and beer, or real food? Right now there’s baking soda and left over Chinese food.
Favorite coffee shop? What do you order? Coffee is bad for you. I prefer Absinthe.
What’s your favorite nickname for Philadelphia? The Great Almost. New York’s Special Needs Cousin.
What’s the worst piece of advice you ever received? Did you follow it? I’m a stand-up and a club manager told me I should go by the nickname “Mr. Skinny.” I did not follow it.
A doctor puts a scope inside your ear. What does she see? This must be a hypothetical question because you said the doctor is a she. I’ve never seen one of those before. Oh sorry, I let Daniel Tosh answer that question. Actually I went to the doctor for my ear and it was filled with water and hot air.
Wawapalooza 6: The Great Almost runs September 8, 15, and 22 at 7:00 pm and September 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, and 22 at 8:00 pm at Society Hill Playhouse, 507 South 8th Street, Society Hill. $15.
–Audrey McGlinchy