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Photo of Frank Ferrante as Groucho Marx courtesy of Frank Ferrante Productions.

CINCINNATI—Award-winning actor/director/playwright Frank Ferrante recreates his PBS, New York and London acclaimed portrayal of legendary comedian Groucho Marx at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park Nov. 4 through Dec. 17 in AN EVENING WITH GROUCHO.

Ferrante was described by The New York Times as “the greatest living interpreter of Groucho Marx’s material.” Called “masterful” by the Chicago Tribune and “a tour-de-force” by Variety, this fast-paced 90-minute show contains all the best Groucho one-liners, anecdotes and songs.

“The incomparable Frank Ferrante is the nation’s foremost performer of Groucho Marx’s work,” says Blake Robison, artistic director. “He truly brings a legend to life. His hilarious antics are sure to entertain longtime fans of the Marx Brothers, while introducing younger generations to his comic genius.”

Ferrante portrays the young Groucho of stage and film and reacquaints us with the likes of brothers Harpo, Chico, Zeppo and Gummo, Charlie Chaplin, W.C. Fields, Greta Garbo and MGM’s Louis B. Mayer, among other legendary celebrities. The show also incorporates interaction with the audience.

“I never know what is going to happen from show to show,” Ferrante says. “We have people come back two and three times to see the show because the improvisation is so heavy that every night is a different experience.”

Ferrante won the 1987 New York’s Theatre World Award and was nominated for an Outer Critics Circle Award for portraying Groucho Marx in Groucho: A Life in Revue Starring Frank Ferrante, which was a long-running Off-Broadway play.  He reprised the role in London’s West End and was nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award for ‘Comedy Performance of the Year.’ Ferrante also played the same part Groucho Marx performed in Off-Broadway revivals of The Cocoanuts and Animal Crackers.

TICKETS
Prices for at $35 for the Nov. 4 and 5 preview performances and at $40 for all other performances depending on seat location. Prices are subject to change. Tickets for teens and students are $30 or $45, depending on seating location. Student tickets are just $15 on the day of the show. Plus, Sunday is College Night, with tickets to all 7:00 PM performances just $10. In addition to calling the Box Office, tickets can also be purchased by visiting the Playhouse website at www.cincyplay.com.

ACCESS
The Playhouse is fully accessible. Large print programs and hearing enhancement receivers are available upon request.

BOX OFFICE
513-421-3888 or 800-582-3208 toll-free in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana; or 513-345-2248 – TDD access (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf).

SPONSORS
Production Sponsor is The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation. Design sponsor is The Geiler Company. The Shelterhouse Theatre Season Season is presented by Heidelberg Distribution Company. Season Sponsor of New Work is the Rosenthal Foundation. Shelterhouse Theatre Season Design Sponsor is the Allan Berliant and Jennie Rosenthal Berliant Family Fund.

The Playhouse is supported by the generosity of more than 40,000 contributors to the ArtsWave Community Campaign. The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Playhouse with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The Playhouse also receives funding from the Shubert Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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