Award-winning actor/director/playwright Frank Ferrante brings his one-man tribute to Groucho Marx to the Veh Stage at Tryon Fine Arts Center (TFAC) on Tuesday, April 3 at 8 p.m.
For more than 20 years and 2,500 shows, Ferrante has traveled the world entertaining audiences of all ages. “An Evening with Groucho” has been a hit on PBS, on stages in London, New York and throughout the country.
“An Evening with Groucho” is a 90-minute, two-act show with Ferrante portraying Groucho’s life, from his teenage years in vaudeville to his death in 1977, when he asked to be buried next to Marilyn Monroe. The fast-paced show highlights classic Marx Brothers routines, songs, stories, dances and ad-lib audience interaction. National Public Radio (NPR) has ranked this as one of the country’s top five solo performances.
The audience literally becomes part of the show as Ferrante ad-libs his way throughout the performance in Groucho style. Accompanied by his onstage pianist, Jim Furmston, Ferrante portrays the young Groucho of stage and film and reacquaints the audience with historical characters, including the other Marx brothers, Charlie Chaplin, W.C. Fields and Greta Garbo.
A master of both slapstick and sophisticated wordplay, Groucho Marx is considered nothing less than a cigar-wielding comic genius.
Ferrante will also conduct a master class in comedy acting for local students and adults. Ferrante’s performance is presented with funding from Main Stage Supporting Sponsor TD Bank and Event Sponsor ACTS Life-Retirement Communities.
Tickets are available at the Tryon Fine Arts Center Box office Tuesday – Friday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Call 828-859-8322 for more information, or email info@tryonarts.org.
– article submitted
by Marianne Carruth