ENTERTAINMENT (GOING PLACES I WEEK OF MAY 26-JUNE 1 SPECIAL EVENTS WORLD FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONS Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Campbell's Soups 1989 Tour of Olympic and World Figure Skating Champions, June 1, 8 p.m., admission, 567-6000. COMEDY COMEDY CASTLE 2593 Woodward, Berkley, Thom Sharp, today and Saturday; Eddie Merrill, Tuesday through June 3, admission, 542-9900. THEATER Dan Frischman tried his hand at stand-up comedy prior to pursuing acting as a career. HEAD OF THE C Dan Frischman's TV role has earned him a lot of fan mail. ILENE LEHRMAN Special to The Jewish News he first acknowl- edgement Dan Frischman gives to his current success is an honest declaration of the hard work and determination he's put into his career. He started entertaining audiences as a youngster performing magic tricks, ventriloquism and comedy. "Right from the start, there was always encouragement," he admits. "I had the oppor- tunity early on to nurture a child's talent." His parents, Joseph, a CPA, and Florence, a second grade school teacher, still live in Whippany, N.J. "My dad," boasts Frischman, "is my biggest fan." Sitting in his comfortable private trailer on the Warner Bros. lot, Frischman sips a soy milkshake (he's recently given up dairy products), and talks about his unusual background. After high school, where he admits he was an average student, Frischman attended Penn State University for two years; then tried his luck in New York City. He appeared as a stand-up comedian in such gateway-paving showcase clubs as The Comic Strip, Catch a Rising Star, and Dangerfield's. His refreshing material was well received and he decided to try his luck in California. "My move to Los Angeles proved a lucky one," he smiles. That's an understate- ment because after a fashion, his career took off and shows no sign of slowing down. If you saw Frischman sing- ing the lead role of Seymour in "Head of the Class's" ver- sion of Little Shop of Horrors, you could correctly assume that he'll now be adding a few songs to his stand-up comedy act. He and his writing partner have also written an After- school Special for ABC, about a retarded boy (who will be played by Frischman), in a role completely opposite of the brainy nerd, Arvid, he portrays on "Head of the Class" each week. In real life, Frischman is anything but a nerd. He is ex- tremely affable, charming, sensitive and very funny. As with other young stars, talent is a given. It is Frischman's skill and professionalism that will provide his longevity. His distinctive persona caught the eye of a casting agent, and he was given his first television role on ABC's "It's a Living." His portrayal of the not-too-bright dishwasher, Frankie, brought him to the attention of top producers and directors who cast him in such popular shows as "Newhart," "Facts of Life," and "St. Elsewhere." Then began the fan mail. He reads the letters personally. "They're mostly from teenagers asking advice, from Arvid, about their love lives." Does he ever acknowledge them? "Yes, I do," he answers proudly. Has success changed Dan Frischman? "People's reac- tions to me are moving from `that kid on Head of the Class' to knowing my name, and that's nice. Also, my self- confidence is growing," he points out. The only other change, he confesses, is that he's into healthful food. Even though Frischman's schedule is very taxing, he finds time to exercise his social conscience. For the past four years, he's emceed the DETROIT REPERTORY THEATER 13103 Woodrow Wilson Ave., Detroit, Enchanted Night, Charlie and Out At Sea, now through June 25, admission, 868-1347. ROEPER SCHOOL Roeper Middle/Upper School Campus, Adams Rd., Bloomfield Hills, Little Shop of Horrors, today, Saturday and Sunday, admission, 642-1500. THE PERFORMANCE NETWORK 458 N. Crooks, Clawson, West End Productions, Extremities, 8 p.m. today, Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday; 408 W. Washington, Ann Arbor, Riffs, a theater and blues cabaret; dance party following featuring Jeanne and the Dreams, Wednesday, and Fully Loaded, Thursday, admission, 435-7859. SHAW FESTIVAL Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Man and Superman, now through Oct. 15; Berkeley Square, now through Oct. 14; and Once in a Lifetime, now through July 23, admission, (416) 468-2172. BIRMINGHAM THEATRE 211 S. Woodward, Birmingham, The Nerd, now through June 18, THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 57