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Ridgefield Playhouse Stages 'An Evening With Groucho'

RIDGEFIELD, Conn. -- The Ridgefield Playhouse and Ridgefield Magazine Broadway and Cabaret Series bring "An Evening with Groucho" to the stage Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

The Ridgefield Playhouse will host "An Evening with Groucho Marx" on March 19.

The Ridgefield Playhouse will host "An Evening with Groucho Marx" on March 19.

Photo Credit: Contributed

In this 90-minute, two-act show actor/director Frank Ferrante portrays Groucho Marx’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 hilarious ad-lib audience interaction.

National Public Radio has ranked this as one of the country’s top five solo performances. For more than 20 years and 2,500 shows, Ferrante has traveled the world entertaining audiences of all ages.

This event is partially underwritten by Adam Broderick Salon & Spa. Discovered by Groucho's son Arthur when Ferrante was a drama student at the University of Southern California, Ferrante originated the off-Broadway title role in "Groucho: A Life in Revue" (written by Arthur Marx) portraying the comedian from ages 15-85. For this role, Ferrante won the 1987 New York's Theatre World Award and was nominated for an Outer Critics Circle Award.

He reprised the role in London's West End and was nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award for Comedy Performance of the Year. Ferrante played the Groucho role in the off-Broadway revival of "The Cocoanuts" and has played Captain Spalding in several productions of "Animal Crackers," winning a Connecticut Critics Circle Award for his portrayal at Goodspeed Opera House and a Helen Hayes nomination in Washington, D.C., at Arena Stage. In Boston in 1988, he played the Huntington Theatre in the record-breaking run of "Animal Crackers" that landed on the cover of American Theatre magazine.

For tickets ($40), call the box office at 203-438-5795, or visit ridgefieldplayhouse.org. Patrons who visit Gallo Ristorante (5 Grove St., Ridgefield) will receive a complimentary glass of wine with their entrée when tickets are presented.

The Ridgefield Playhouse is at 80 E. Ridge Road.

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