Laugh Out-loud Funny Show Recalls Groucho Marx
By Pasadena Independent
Published: Thursday, March 26th, 2009
Frank Ferrante, Sierra Madre native and now a Monrovian, is on-stage at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, Sunday, March 8.
Groucho Marx left a legacy of comedic art that is reprised by Frank Ferrante in his show, "An Afternoon with Groucho" with snappy patter and jokes and asides associated with Groucho and his brothers in film and on Broadway. Ferrante performs at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, La Mirada at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 8. For ticket information, please call (562) 944-9801.
For 25 years, Frank Ferrante has been putting on a fake moustache, walking in a bent-over sort of duck-walk, and growling at audiences saying things like, “I didn’t like the play. But I saw it under unfavorable circumstances—the curtains were open!” You see, Ferrante has taken lines from Groucho Marx’s plays, films and books, and by using the comic’s take on the absurd has put it into context for an afternoon of hilarious fun. His presentation, “An Afternoon with Groucho” will be at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts in La Mirada at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 8.
Ferrante is a producer, director, actor with a long and varied theatrical history. But, now, at age 45, he is returning to the Groucho that he started to emulate as a teenager. Ferrante is on a 20 city tour and expects to continue getting laughs as he recites lines associated with Marx.
Frank Ferrante grew up in Sierra Madre, attending St. Rita (Elementary) School, Sierra Madre, and La Salle High School in Pasadena. As a kid, he was attracted to the special humor of the Marx Brothers and took to imitating Groucho. A talent show presented at the elementary school gave Frank the chance to dress as Groucho, if you can imagine a 13 year-old with a cigar in his mouth making the brutal comedic remarks Groucho was famous for, and for the first time enjoying the adrenaline high from hearing the audience respond to his antics.
His parents, Dominic and Theresa Ferrante, of Sierra Madre, encouraged Frank. His Dad took him to meet a very elderly Groucho when Frank was 13. That pretty much cemented the future for him.
The initial professional break came as a result of his senior graduate project at the University of Southern California where he majored in Theater Arts. He had put together some of Groucho’s best lines. The performance was seen by Arthur Marx, Groucho Marx’ son. That developed into the show, “A Life in Revue” written by Arthur Marx with Ferrante portraying Groucho through his life, from age 15 to 85. Marx, born in 1890, died in 1977. The show, which held initial rehearsals at St. Rita’s, toured internationally. The show receiving awards and accolades that included theater awards in New York and London and a show Ferrante directed, produced and starred in which appeared on PBS nationally. The show also had a successful run at the Pasadena Playhouse in 1989.
Monrovia resident Frank Ferrante relaxes in Old Town Monrovia as he prepares for his show.
Ferrante now presents Groucho Marx as the genius comic he was, emphasizing the craft of Marx’ distinctive movements, and the lines he delivered in the 12 films he made with his brothers. The memorable lines, many written by Morrie Ryskind, come to life in his presentation. Throughout all this, Ferrante has remained in touch with both the Ryskind and the Marx family. Miriam, Groucho’s daughter, often attends Ferrante’s shows, as does Arthur. Ferrante also speaks with children of the other Marx brothers occasionally. Ryskind, the writer or co-writer of many well-known Broadway shows and certainly key to the Marx Brothers’ Broadway success and their transfer to film in Hollywood, saw Ferrante’s performance. He commented, “Ferrante is the only actor aside from Groucho who delivered my lines as they were intended”.
Frank Ferrante as Groucho Marx.
Ferrante does not physically resemble Groucho, in the main. However, he said that approaching Groucho’s daughter Miriam’s home one day, she opened the door with the greeting, “I thought it was my Dad coming up the driveway!”
In fact, he says he it is his intention to bring to audiences today the deep and layered humor that Marx was famous for—both stage and film lines and some of the meatier ad-libs from the very popular radio and TV show, “You Bet Your Life” that ran from 1947 to 1961. Ferrante wants you to meet the fabulous Groucho Marx and through his presentation either recall the laugh out-loud time you had watching the Marx brothers or perhaps hear it for the first time.
The 12 Marx’ films that stretch from 1929 “Cocoanuts” to “A Night in Casablanca” in 1946 (meaning almost one film a year) include songs, dialogue, ad-libs of the-one-and-only Groucho. Ferrante is accompanied by Jim Furmston, a classically trained pianist who has been with Frank from 1984 when “An Evening (or Afternoon) with Groucho” premiered.
BY BILL PETERS
Frank Ferrante, “An Afternoon with Groucho” will be presented March 8 at 2 p.m. at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada (near the intersection of Rosecrans Ave.). Parking is free. Ticket prices range from $30 to $50. For information and tickets please call (562) 944-9801.
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