Brian Regan

Sporting a new “do” for the holidays, “Just call me Captain Frosty Top,” Brian Regan arrived at the Arlington Theatre armed with his unique brand of absurdist observations and off-kilter tactics for handling life’s awkward situations and social faux pas (fair warning to those who use the word “catsup”) in an hour-long set comprised mostly of new material with a few familiar chestnuts thrown in.

Opening the show was South Bay comic Gary Brightwell, who warmed the crowd with his take on the topics near and dear to most Southern Californians: extreme traffic, not-so-extreme weather and sports.

Regan began with some timely holiday tips, guaranteed to twist those weary traditions we all endure. Wanna mess with the people on your Christmas list (and let’s face it, who doesn’t)? Instead of sending generic family portrait cards, feature only a partial, random selection family members (Dad and two kids, for instance). Then just sit back and wait for the anxious and awkward calls to arrive. Tired of feigning interest in the ambiguous antics of other people’s pets? From now on, instead of dog tricks, insist on dog illusions, “When your dog can shuffle cards or levitate to my eye-level, with the same amazed look on his face that I have on mine, then I’ll be impressed!”  For those times when someone greets you with that familiar, yet annoying “shadow boxing” pantomime, counter with a “shadow polo” demonstration of your own (this has to be seen to be fully appreciated with Regan employing his signature rubber-faced, Jim Carrey-esque, exaggerated stage moves).

As a relatively new father, Regan (un)comfortably assays the role of the goofy Dad next door, struggling to embrace both his children’s simple worldview and the effects of his own aging process: The term “all by myself,” is given both generational resonance when uttered by a child and gravitas when sung by an adult. Infomercials for ultra-sonic hearing aids –once seen as comic fodder by Regan and his kids – are now viewed with keen interest, “They didn’t invent whispering for compliments.”

After several shout-out requests from the audience, Regan hilariously struggled to find a non-sequitur segue into the encore, launching into his well-known Baseball/Snowcone routine. It’s here where Regan’s true comic mastery shines- just as he’s about to veer off into almost infantile, man-child absurdity, he pulls off an astute last-minute observation or wry retort.

With nary a curse word or blue reference in the set, Regan’s act is suitable for both adults as well as families with children aged 10 and up (a large component of this night’s crowd) looking for a great way to share some holiday cheer.