On Oct. 25, the Kirkland Fine Arts Center was visited by actor Frank Ferrante who performed his 2-act long, one man touring show “An Evening with Groucho”. Though because of the time of day in which he performed this time, instead the show was dubbed “An Afternoon with Groucho”. Prior to visiting KFAC, Ferrante has performed around the country in such places as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, as well as London, England. He has also performed his Groucho act on television for PBS. Ferrante has also won many awards and has been recognized for his imitation of Groucho Marx, the American film actor, singer and comedian Ferrante is portraying. Accompanying Mr. Ferrante was pianist Eric Ebbenga who provided a piano accompanying piece for the show as well as the music for Ferrante’s musical numbers.

For those unfamiliar with Groucho Marx, Groucho Marx was part of the acting family “The Marx Brothers” in which he acted in several movies during the early twentieth century with his brothers. Marx also hosted the game show “You Bet Your Life” later in his career. Even if you don’t recognize Groucho Marx’s career in film or television or any other form of show business, then you may recognize him for his signature dark bushy moustache, horn-rimmed glasses, and cigar.

During the show, Ferrante told various stories about the life of Groucho Marx such as how he got started in acting as well as stories about working on films with The Marx Brothers. Ferrante also performed many songs that Marx had performed in his career as well scenes that Marx had made famous in the style in which Marx had. Ferrante also interacted with various members of the audience during the show such as pointing out when someone in the front row was sleeping or that someone else was on their cell phone not paying attention to the show and embarrassing them in front of the audience, or asking where the best place to get a drink in the Decatur area on a Sunday afternoon. Ferrante also performed a variety of Groucho Marx songs including “Hooray for Captain Spalding” and “Lydia the Tattooed Lady” as part of the show. He also told many jokes that Groucho Marx had either said in a film, during an interview, to a costar on the side, or during a public event. He also acted out some of Groucho’s scenes from different Marx Brothers films usually either before or after explaining a behind the scenes story that went with that scene.

The show was also met with high energy from Ferrante due to the style of acting that Groucho Marx often exhibited was thought of as being over the top. As a result of Marx’s historic acting, Ferrante has to keep up with his style of acting which Ferrante does very well. He also had to improvise parts of the show when it came to his interactions with audience members. Luckily, he was able to come up with what to say right then and there and never lost his place during the interactions. He also was able to quickly jump back into the part of the show that he did not improvise without any trouble. Ferrante also dealt with parts of the show happening that were not planned on stage. For example early in the show, when he sat down on the couch he had on stage, a cloud of dust appeared which it seems like he did not expect to happen.

It was a show to see and if there’s ever a chance to see it again, I highly suggest you go.