Groucho: A Life in Revue
Encyclopedia
Groucho: A Life in Revue is a stage play written by Groucho Marx's son Arthur Marx
and Robert Fisher. It is a look at the life and career of the famous entertainer Groucho Marx
of the Marx Brothers
and You Bet Your Life
fame. It opened off-Broadway at the Lucille Lortel
Theatre on October 8, 1986 and played 254 performances closing on May 3, 1987. It starred 23 year-old actor Frank Ferrante
as Groucho Marx from age 15 to 85, Les Marsden as Harpo Marx
and Chico Marx
, Faith Prince
as The Girls and Rusty Magee as The Citizen of Freedonia. It was directed by Arthur Marx
. The play opened to rave reviews. The New York Times
wrote, "There is laughter in abundance" and described Ferrante's performance as "artful...his timing is digital sharp." The New York Post
dubbed it "hilarious...a brilliant revue." Groucho was nominated for two NY Outer Critics Circle Awards
- one for Best Play and one for Ferrante's performance. Ferrante won a 1987 New York Theatre World Award
for 'Outstanding New Talent.' The play was produced by Nancy and Ronnie Horowitz.
The play opened with Ferrante and Marsden in London's West End
at the Comedy Theatre in summer, 1987. Marguerite Lowell replaced Faith Prince as The Girls. It received more critical acclaim and garnered three Laurence Olivier Award nominations.
In 1982, Gabe Kaplan
filmed a version of the play, called simply Groucho, for television co-starring Connie Danese and Michael Tucci
. In 2001, Groucho aired as a national television special on PBS starring Frank Ferrante as Groucho, Roy Abramsohn as Chico and Harpo and Marguerite Lowell as The Girls. It was directed for the stage by Ferrante and for the screen by Steve Moscovic.
Arthur Marx
Arthur Julius Marx was an American author, a former ranked amateur tennis player, and son of entertainer Groucho Marx and his first wife, Ruth Johnson....
and Robert Fisher. It is a look at the life and career of the famous entertainer Groucho Marx
Groucho Marx
Julius Henry "Groucho" Marx was an American comedian and film star famed as a master of wit. His rapid-fire delivery of innuendo-laden patter earned him many admirers. He made 13 feature films with his siblings the Marx Brothers, of whom he was the third-born...
of the Marx Brothers
Marx Brothers
The Marx Brothers were an American family comedy act, originally from New York City, that enjoyed success in Vaudeville, Broadway, and motion pictures from the early 1900s to around 1950...
and You Bet Your Life
You Bet Your Life
You Bet Your Life is an American quiz show that aired on both radio and television. The original and best-known version was hosted by Groucho Marx of the Marx Brothers, with announcer and assistant George Fenneman. The show debuted on ABC Radio in October 1947, then moved to CBS Radio in September...
fame. It opened off-Broadway at the Lucille Lortel
Lucille Lortel
Lucille Lortel was an American actress and theater producer who is remembered as the namesake of an off-Broadway playhouse and theatrical award....
Theatre on October 8, 1986 and played 254 performances closing on May 3, 1987. It starred 23 year-old actor Frank Ferrante
Frank Ferrante
Frank Ferrante is an American stage actor, comedian and director known for his stage portrayals of legendary American comedian Groucho Marx in the Arthur Marx/Robert Fisher play Groucho: A Life in Revue and his own touring An Evening With Groucho.-Biography:Born in Los Angeles, California, Frank...
as Groucho Marx from age 15 to 85, Les Marsden as Harpo Marx
Harpo Marx
Adolph "Harpo" Marx was an American comedian and film star. He was the second oldest of the Marx Brothers. His comic style was influenced by clown and pantomime traditions. He wore a curly reddish wig, and never spoke during performances...
and Chico Marx
Chico Marx
Leonard "Chico" Marx was an American comedian and film star as part of the Marx Brothers. His persona in the act was that of a dim-witted albeit crafty con artist, seemingly of rural Italian origin, who wore shabby clothes, and sported a curly-haired wig and Tyrolean hat.As the first-born of the...
, Faith Prince
Faith Prince
Faith Prince is an American actress and singer known primarily for her work on Broadway. Prince has won the Tony Award as Best Actress in a Musical and received three Tony nominations.-Life and career:...
as The Girls and Rusty Magee as The Citizen of Freedonia. It was directed by Arthur Marx
Arthur Marx
Arthur Julius Marx was an American author, a former ranked amateur tennis player, and son of entertainer Groucho Marx and his first wife, Ruth Johnson....
. The play opened to rave reviews. The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
wrote, "There is laughter in abundance" and described Ferrante's performance as "artful...his timing is digital sharp." The New York Post
New York Post
The New York Post is the 13th-oldest newspaper published in the United States and is generally acknowledged as the oldest to have been published continuously as a daily, although – as is the case with most other papers – its publication has been periodically interrupted by labor actions...
dubbed it "hilarious...a brilliant revue." Groucho was nominated for two NY Outer Critics Circle Awards
Outer Critics Circle Award
The Outer Critics Circle Awards are presented annually for theatrical achievements both on and Off-Broadway and were begun during the 1949-1950 theater season. The awards are decided upon by theater critics who review for out-of-town newspapers, national publications, and other media outlets...
- one for Best Play and one for Ferrante's performance. Ferrante won a 1987 New York Theatre World Award
Theatre World Award
The Theatre World Award, first awarded for the 1945-46 season, is an American honor presented annually to actors and actresses in recognition of an outstanding New York City stage debut performance, either on Broadway or off-Broadway.-History:...
for 'Outstanding New Talent.' The play was produced by Nancy and Ronnie Horowitz.
The play opened with Ferrante and Marsden in London's West End
West End theatre
West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking...
at the Comedy Theatre in summer, 1987. Marguerite Lowell replaced Faith Prince as The Girls. It received more critical acclaim and garnered three Laurence Olivier Award nominations.
In 1982, Gabe Kaplan
Gabe Kaplan
Gabriel W. "Gabe" Kaplan is an American comedian, actor, poker commentator, and professional poker player.He was born in Brooklyn, New York...
filmed a version of the play, called simply Groucho, for television co-starring Connie Danese and Michael Tucci
Michael Tucci
Michael Tucci is an American film, TV, and stage actor.-Biography:He played the T-Birds member Sonny LaTierri for the 1978 film version Grease, a role that he is best known for. He portrayed law student Gerald Golden in the TV series The Paper Chase from 1983 to 1986...
. In 2001, Groucho aired as a national television special on PBS starring Frank Ferrante as Groucho, Roy Abramsohn as Chico and Harpo and Marguerite Lowell as The Girls. It was directed for the stage by Ferrante and for the screen by Steve Moscovic.