“I’m Not A Comedian… I’m Lenny Bruce”

Recommended **** Lenny Bruce is back! The comedian who claimed he was NOT a comedian, but in fact, the ” Godfather of Comedy” is back in Chicago. The mega-hit that was part of the Chicago scene pre-Covid, after a 18 month hiatus, and a theater building being sold, is back in town. Writer, and star, Ronnie Marmo, felt that Chicago needed his story, and found a perfect venue to bring it back. This is an intimate story that needs to have the night club atmosphere, so why not Chicago’s newest cabaret venue, The Venus ( adjacent to The Mercury Theater on Southport. What is used for small musicals and night club type shows only needed some small cosmetic adjustments to make this show work.

A small stage was built on the eastern wall ( I am sure an orthodox Jew would have some fun with that) and on the left side of the stage ( which is in reality stage righ), there is a toilet. It is part of the show, not for quick use since this 90 minutes has no intermission. There are many small tables placed throughout the floor along with the booths and the counter/bar that separates the sections. Since the theater follows Covid rules for Chicago and we all wear mask throughout the show ( except when drinking) and Mr. Marmow is far enough away, we all seem very safe.

Younger people will not know the work of Lenny Bruce, only the reputation. He was honest in his approach, searching for the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. When he discovered that the truth was not being told, he exposed those who lied to America! He was the great defender of people and their right to say what they felt and believed.

Many of comedy’s great were inspired by Bruce. George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Bill Maher, Sarah Silverman and a host of others.

In listening to the words of Mr. Bruce as described by Marmo, we see that the topics he talked about, police brutality ( he himself was a victim there), racism, the opiate epidemic ( he was victim to this as well), corrupt politicians ( he may also have been affected here as well), immigration, censorship ( he certainly was affected by this one) and many others. The irony is, that here 60 years later, we still have some of the same problems. Why didn’t America listen to Lenny?

Directed by Joe Mantegna ( a Chicago actor at heart) and restaged for the new venue, this is a marvelous biography of a man that has been ignored by many. My generation knew him and many loved what he stood for. This show, brings him back to life, if not in reality, in spirit and feeling and allows those who did not know him, to see what it was he stood for and perhaps to tell others about this man and his story.

Marmo is magical in his bringing this historical figure to life. Notice, I did not say comedian or comic, because Lenny Bruce never really thought his job was to make people laugh, but rather to show them a direction for making America better. Bruce was arrested several times for obscenity when all he wanted to do was bring poetry, politics and music to the forefront. If his audience also laughed, that was fine, but he was far more than a “comedian”. Lenny Bruce was in fact a legend and Marmo truly captures the spirit of the man playing well off the audience and talking right to them as if he were in fact, Lenny Bruce.

The venue is smaller than The Royal George and the intimacy far greater. If you want to avoid sitting right next to the “toilet” ( where Marmo starts the play and finishes/naked), avoid TABLE L.

The set design by Danny Cistone is one that allows us to see the night club as well as the backstage. The lighting (Matt Richter) works in the smaller space and the sound ( there are taped segments) by Hope Bello LaRouz perfect. The musical interludes are handled by Wendy Marmo.

At this point the run is OPEN, which means that the length of the run will be based on supply and demand ( in the other order). Performances are as follows:

Thursdays  8 p.m.

Fridays  8 p.m.

Saturdays  3 p.m. and 8 p.m.

There may be some Sundays added as Mr. Marmo will be commuting from California and may be able to do a few Sundays. Give him a reason to add more- buy tickets!

Tickets range from $69 and can be ordered at 312-423-6612 or at www.mercurytheaterchicago.com or www.LennyBruceOnStage.com

A portion of the proceeds will go to the Lenny Bruce Memorial Foundation, and is used to assist people with drug and alcohol addiction get treatment. visit https://lennybruce.org. All contributions are tax deductible!

The Venus Cabaret Theater is located at 3745  N. Southport.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at ” I’m Not A Comedian… I’m Lenny Bruce”.

RATED R- language and nudity