In 1845, the potato, practically the only food of the Irish poor, rotted in the ground, and this repeated annually until 1852. More than a million died from starvation and disease, well more than a million immigrated to the United States. Where I Come From is a solo play that tells the story of one of these individuals. Fergus Maloney was just 19 years old when he boarded a ship from Cobh in Ireland to New York City in 1847, becoming one of the starving refugees inundating the City, which at that time, did not extend above 22nd Street. 

In the play, writer and performer Jerry Metzker plays Fergus and 26 other roles to tell Fergus's story during this tragic time in human history, where an oppressed group of individuals were considered less than human and disposable. 

Where I Come From is presented by the Midtown International Theatre Festival and has three performances (June 15, 18 & 19). The play was originally presented at the San Francisco Playground's Free-Play Festival in 2024.