Groucho Marx — the loony legend of vaudeville, the Broadway and stage comedic genius — revolutionized the world of comedy. Armed with irreverence, satire and masterful wordplay, his influence affected a motley assortment of the pop culture canon that includes everything from television’s M*A*S*H* and rock group Queen, to the comic Dylan Dog and musician-turned-filmmaker Rob Zombie. True, Groucho’s iconic image — heavy greasepaint mustache and eyebrows, ever-present cigar, trademark glasses, exaggerated walk and fast-talking wiseacre — is as distinct as his wit. Step back in time for a vision of both when award-winning actor Frank Ferrante performs his acclaimed one-man show An Evening With Groucho, on stage at the Hayes Performing Arts Center for one night only, Aug. 19 at 7:30pm.
Recreating his critically hailed PBS, New York and London portrayal of the legendary comedian, Ferrante unspools 90 fast-paced minutes of one-liners, anecdotes and songs, such as “Hooray for Captain Spalding” and “Lydia, the Tattooed Lady.” In this family-friendly show, the audience literally becomes part of the action as Ferrante ad-libs his way throughout the performance in grand Groucho style. Ferrante’s ucanny impersonation, says the Chicago Tribune, is “nothing short of masterful.” Accompanied by his onstage pianist, Jim Furmston, Ferrante portrays the young Groucho of stage and film and reacquaints us with the likes of his brothers Harpo, Chico, Zeppe and Gummo, Charlie Chaplin, W.C. Fields, Greta Garbo, Marx foil Margaret Dumont and MGM’s Louis B. Mayer.
Having collaborated with the Marx family for two decades, Ferrante starred Off-Broadway in Groucho: A Life in Revue, a role for which he earned a New York Theatre World Award and a nomination for London’s most distinguished honor, the Laurence Olivier Award. Ferrante is an actor and director of film, television and stage, and directed the premiere of the Pulitzer finalist Old Wicked Songs.
The Hayes Performing Arts Center presents An Evening With Groucho August 19 at 7:30pm. Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for students and are available now by calling the Box Office at 828-295-9627. You may pay by credit card or by cash (in person). Tickets can also be purchased online at www.HayesCenter.org" www.HayesCenter.org by credit card. Special group rates are also available. Season and Flex Passes can be purchased and used throughout the entire ’08 season.
The Hayes Performing Arts Center is located at 152 Jamie Fort Road (off Hwy 321), Blowing Rock, N.C. Tel: 295-9627