|
ANIMAL CRACKERS
Book By
George S. Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind
Music and Lyrics by
Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby
At
The Goodman Theatre
(Goodman Theatre Website)
170 N. Dearborn Street
Chicago, Illinois 60601
September 18 – October 25, 2009
Artistic Director: Robert Falls
Executive Director: Roche Schulfer
Starring:
Molly Brennan, Jonathan Brody, Mara Davi,
Ora Jones, Ed Kross, Stanley Wayne Mathis,
Jessie Mueller, Joey Slotnick, Tony Yazbeck
Adaptation and Direction: Henry Wishcamper
Choreography: John Carrafa
Clowning Direction: Paul Kalina
Set Design: Robin Vest
Lighting Design: Matthew Richards
Dramaturg: Neena Arndt
Chicago Casting: Adam Belcuore
Production Stage Manager: Joseph Drummond
Music Director: Doug Peck
Costume Design: Jenny Mannis
Sound Design: Richard Woodbury
Additional Arrangements and Orchestration: Doug Peck
New York Casting: Jay Binder and Jack Bowdan
Stage Manager: T. Paul Lynch, Alden Vasquez
Publicity Associate: Carly Leviton
Orchestra:
Doug Peck, Heather Boehm,
Larry Bowen, Nicholas Moran,
Mike Manson, Brian Grice
Susan Weinrebe
October 13, 2009
Raise your hand if you think it would be fun to laugh until your sides hurt. Currently playing at the Goodman Theatre, Animal Crackers piles on slapstick, vaudeville routines, dancing, singing, tack-sharp punch lines, quick changes, and zaniness through two acts of madcap antics.
Only nine actors fill all the parts as they play multiple characters in the Goodman’s production. Originally written as a film for those wild and crazy guys, Groucho, Harpo, Chico and Zeppo Marx, the actors impersonate the Marx Brothers, and their timing is split second, as they run through costume and gender changes; Harpo is played by Molly Brennan, making the play even more frenetic than the original.
The comedy pivots around a rich society woman, Mrs. Rittenhouse, who has invited a group of hoity toities to the fancy-dress unveiling of a painting. Captain Jeffrey T. Spaulding (Groucho) is her celebrity guest of honor. His entrance from inside a suitcase that has been set on the stage is a mere indication of the wackiness that ensues. In between, two witchy “friends” plot Mrs. Rittenhouse’s social obliteration, her daughter falls for a gossip columnist, an aspiring artist switches paintings, kooky guests posture, sing, and dance, and the Marx Brothers characters wreak their hilarious havoc.
Animal Crackers opens with the cast dancing up a storm in front of the curtain, a “danceture” that uses a tricky bit of hat changing to warm up the audience. The hilarity and good old-fashioned fun escalate from there. With a cast that doesn’t let any moss grow under its feet, (and I don’t mean Hart), it would be impossible to single out one actor for special mention. Although….No. Never mind. They are all great.
Ora Jones, Ed Kross, Joey Slotnick,
Molly Brennan, Jonathan Brody
in the Goodman Theatre's "Animal Crackers"
Courtesy of Eric Y. Exit
Stanley Wayne Mathis
in the Goodman Theatre's "Animal Crackers"
Courtesy of Eric Y. Exit
Tony Yazbeck and Mara Davi
in the Goodman Theatre's "Animal Crackers"
Courtesy of Eric Y. Exit
Oliver Tickets > Dirty Dancing Tickets > Musical Tickets > Jimmy Carr Tickets >
Peter Kay Tickets > Ricky Gervais Tickets > Theatre Tickets
|
